Jigging For Lakers- Things to Keep in Mind
Jigging can be a very productive strategy for catching lake trout throughout the year. Here are a few simple things to keep in mind that will help you catch more fish while avoiding the adverse effects of deep water fishing.
- Make sure your hooks are sharp- A good hook-set and constant pressure are a must have when jigging for lake trout. Having sharp hooks goes a long way in assuring your success.
- Use the right gear- While bringing trout up the water column they tend to have bursts of energy as they reach the various stages of pressure, having the right gear will help you counteract this. Braided line is the best choice as it provides less stretch and a better feel. Also, a proper rod for the job: sturdy but sensitive enough to feel the often lethargic lake trout is a must have. A reel with a good drag system and the ability to retrieve line quickly will also allow you to sustain your control over the fish throughout the fight.
- Lakers are not walleye- It is going to be a work out. Jig hard and get into a rhythm, you often won't know you’re getting a bite until the fish is on. This is where rod choice becomes important, you want to be able to feel the little bumps that indicate there is something going on but you also want to be able to set that hook HARD. Usually a more pronounced hard jig works best.
- Pace yourself- Once you hook up; try to bring the trout up in stages. When fishing deep you need to allow the fish time to decompress as it is brought up the water column. Depending on depth this may take a while but it is worth it. A good rule is to wait until you see bubbles and start getting some fight out of the fish before you bring it in.
With practice and patience jigging can produce some serious results and it’s always nice to see the fish swim away healthy after a great battle.
