Jigging is a popular and effective fishing technique that, with the help of a weighted lure and specific hook dressings, mimics flailing prey. Jig fishing helps stir up feeding frenzies by attracting multiple predators to particular depths in the water column. Most importantly, jig fishing is highly applicable in both freshwater and saltwater environments. But what types of fish can you catch with jigging?
Salmon
Salmon are popular freshwater and saltwater targets for avid anglers, and jigging is one of the most effective ways to catch large salmon consistently. By nature, salmon constantly change depths throughout the day—in the mornings or late afternoon, they swim in shallow waters to hunt and revive warmth, but they spend other times hundreds of feet below the surface. Additionally, certain salmon species have depth preferences that differ dramatically from one another. For example, Chinook salmon like deep water, while Coho salmon prefer the shallows. Thankfully, jig fishing allows the lure to settle at specific depths, ensuring a healthy supply of hungry salmon regardless of the environment or time of day.
Trout
Trout is almost exclusive to freshwater environments, although certain “sea trout” species spend parts of their lives as anadromous swimmers. Like salmon, trout spend their days at various depths, depending on water and weather conditions; they also have depth preferences that vary between species. Rainbow trout live just under the surface, while Brown trout prefer dark and cold waters found at deeper depths. Once again, jigging ensures an accurate placement of your lure, depending on your preferred depth. As a bonus, the jerking motion involved in jig fishing is quite appealing to these naturally opportunistic hunters, making this a go-to technique for catching all types of trout.
Bluegill
Jigging is by far the most popular technique for catching various species of Bluegill. Native to North American freshwater environments, Bluegill are small omnivorous fish known for their distinct blue and green coloration. Small jigs are incredibly effective at luring out these aggressive and elusive hunters by mimicking an aquatic insect or crustacean. Bluegill spend most of their days around 20 feet below the surface, the perfect depth for a small jigging rig! Other useful fishing techniques for catching Bluegill include live bait and bobber rigs, bottom fishing, and fly fishing.
Bass
Many fishing techniques are well-suited for nabbing bass, but jigging is perhaps the most effective. Using a jigging rig, anglers can bounce their jig along the bottom of a reservoir to mimic a crawfish or other bottom-dweller. The bottom bouncing movements are incredibly appetizing to hungry bass, ensuring a feeding frenzy.
Understanding the different types of fish you can catch with jigging will ensure a more successful and enjoyable fishing experience. Further enhance your time on the water by investing in a supportive seating setup. Our team at Smooth Moves proudly offers air ride boat pedestal options that instantly improve your boat seats’ shock absorption and overall comfort!
