Cold Weather Equals Vertical Jigging
As winter unfolds in the southern portion of the muskies habitat range water temperatures continue to drop. While some might assume that November and December would be a transitional period for muskies, this is not the case for some of the large reservoirs that southern muskies call home. Most years a dramatic shift towards deeper water doesn’t take place until January and February. While average water temperatures will fluctuate wildly on a year-to-year basis, a rough range of temperatures in the high forties to low thirties can be expected.
With a shortened photo period and colder water temps’ muskies seek refuge in the deeper more stable water provided by southern reservoirs. Keep in mind that deep is a relative term. However, in general southern muskies will winter in areas that provide not only thermal stability but also quick access to shallow feeding zones.
These shallow feeding zones can be purely structural such as breaks, humps and points but at times are more vertical in nature. Cover found in association with deep water and positive structural elements can be beneficial but is not a prerequisite for finding muskies in the winter. Under prime conditions, southern muskies will use deep water adjacent shallow cover and structure to feed. But when things take a turn for the worse, they will remain lethargic and bottom tight in their wintering waters.
While casting and trolling both can be effective when targeting muskies holding deep one should not overlook the power of vertical jigging. While most anglers prefer to cast over troll, and subsequently troll over jigging. One must keep in mind that the end goal is to catch a muskie and that the methodology used doesn’t diminish the experience.
While the act of vertical jigging for muskies is relatively simple, there are some finer points that can increase your catches on the water. So, let’s take a peek at some tips to up your winter vertical jigging success.
1. Small Movements
Vertical Jigs like the Bondy bait and the Chaos Pegasus are most effective when jigged vertically in small increments. Upward lifts of the rod of a merely twelve to eighteen inches are perfect for winter muskies as well as the majority of the year.
2. Tension
While one could lift a vertical jig and proceed to drop the rod tip allowing it to fall, constant tension is a main key to success. After you lift your jig up, lower it under tension in a controlled manner back to the bottom. This allows you to not only control the rate of fall of your vertical jig but also prevents leader fouling and missed strikes.
3. Keep it Vertical
These jigs are called vertical jigs for a reason as they perform best when used in a straight up and down vertical manner. This means that as anglers when need to focus on quality boat control that allows us to keep out line straight up and down for maximum effectiveness.
4. Short Rods
While the trend for muskies rods gets longer and longer every few years, shorter rods are perfect for vertical jigging. If you have an old 7’6” or 8” heavy action rod collecting dust in your garage winter is an opportunity to breath new life into it as a jigging rod. Shorter heavy or extra heavy action rods provide excellent jig feel and control. Shorter rods also make keeping your jig in view or your live imaging or down scan sonar far easier.
5. Quick Pick Up
While the action of a jigging lure is generally slow in nature, a high-speed reel is a critical factor for consistent success. While most strikes will bone jarring as a musky slams your lure to the bottom, sometimes they have other plans. While vertical jigging keep in mind that muskies can and will strike and proceed to swim upwards with your jig. When this occurs having a high-speed reel allows you to quickly reel in slack line and set the hook. While jigging if at any point your line goes slack, quickly pick up the slack line with your reel and set the hook.
6. Go Big on Hooks
While the standard issue hooks on vertical jigs are all decent you can save yourself a bit of heart ache with a little upgrading. 3/0 and 4/0 BKK hooks are excellent options for Bondy Baits, Pegasus and Fuzzy-Duzzit. These BKK hooks are extremely sharp out of the package allowing for great hook penetration. They also are extra strong preventing bend outs if your jig becomes snagged.
7. Knock-Knock
Vertical jigging for muskies in the south means you will get your jig snagged in timber or other debris. Make sure you have an extension pole or a weighted lure knocker to free your jigs. This isn’t a matter of if it is a matter of when, prepare accordingly.
8. Slow Goes it
While jigging for muskies focus on bite sized structural areas. Methodical coverage of prime structural sections and any cover present yields the best results. While the assumption is that muskies will react quickly to things in tier presence, often it takes a bit of coaxing to get them to engage during the winter months. Focus on slow and steady boat control that allows you to maximize your jigs coverage in prime areas.
If your goal is to put a trophy in your net, add vertical jigging as a serious tactic to your musky game. Keep in mind that patience is the key to winter muskies and jigging for them is no exception.
Cheers,
Tennessee Musky Charter, Tennessee Musky Guide, Tennessee Musky Guides, Melton Hill Musky Guide, Melton Hill Musky Middle Tennessee Musky, Moving Water Musky, Musky Guide Service.
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