queensland Finesse Jigging For The Win

[Obsession_Fishing]

A lot lighter than many would consider appropriate for deep water jigging...

When I first started getting serious about fishing the terminology "Jigging" usually conjured images of huge kingfish, samson fish and other herculean denizens of the deep. Fish aside, gear expectations would have been nothing short of 10-20k reels, 100lb line and short powerful rods. In far more recent times however my eyes have been opened to a massively different understanding of jigging, specifically in a more finesse style. With several of the Nordic Stage Team actively engaging in this pursuit, I thought it was high time to ask some questions and present the answers to the larger Nordic Stage fan base.

A hefty bludger trevally jigged up on a Nordic Stage Favorite...

Offshore deeper water has been the realm of heaver jigging for a long time now. However, for the patient angler finesse applications can be utilised in these conditions. A preference to go to a finesse approach can about either due to finicky fish hitting small baits, or quite simply (and as is most often the case), because the angler wants to test himself, and his gear against a different calibre of fish. I was first introduced to the potential finesse jigging applications of the Nordic Stage range by North Queensland Vinnie Versfeld at the 2013 AFTA trade show. Although traditionally a rod designed for bream and bass style fishing, Vinnie was captivated by the Nordic Stage rods load test videos. He explained that with the slightly softer tip, but amazing ability to load up under heavy strain, several of the rods (namely the Areal Pro and Dynamic F1) would make fantastic light tackle jigging rods. It was not long after the show that a few rods were headed up north so we could see this style in action.

Jigging allows coverage of the whole water column opening the door for any number of species...

In an extremely short space of time Vinnie put into practice exactly what he had been explaining, and with better results than either party expected! True to expectation the load up was perfect, the power ideal and the weight just a delight. On top of expectation however Vinnie exclaimed even he was surprised with the confidence he rapidly developed with really giving it to the fish despite the “light†nature of the rod. After many series of amazing images we had to concur he was onto something!

You need to know your gear well if you want to regularly push it to these limits...

Word to the wise for any wishing to attempt this sort of fishing themselves… Line class of rods must still be adhered to despite upping the ante. Extreme patience, accurate drag settings and appropriate line choice will ensure you get the most out of your gear without pushing it too far. Correctly weighted jigs are essential as well. Finesse jigging in deeper offshore water often involves the same erratic stop start action one would expect from its heavier counterpart. Considering this, over heavy jigs, being snapped violently and rapidly upwards would put undue strain of the gear. Lighter jigs, metals and even plastics however are ideal for the job.

A typical example of "Micro-Jigs"... These one are Damiki Tokon Jigs available from Searing Tackle...

Micro jigs have also started playing a more and more frequent hand in many estuary and shallow reef scenarios. A couple of the Nordic Stage Crew from Noosa, Chris Locke and Tim Milat, have been employing them to great effect in the Noosa River on their Nordic Stage Areal Pro’s. Retrieve varies greatly from deep water setting usually resembling more of a plastics retrieve than a hard lure. By bouncing and fluttering the jig along the bottom the image of an injured bait fish is easily conjured and many predatory fish cannot help themselves.

Tim Milat with a nice estuary caught trevally on a jig and a Nordic Stage Areal Pro...

By casting up current, performing a few large upwards sweeps of the rod and letting it drop, the jig is free to perform the desired flutter. The hit usually occurs on the drop making the sensitive nature of the Areal Pro ideal for detecting the slightest inquiry. The way the Areal Pro tip seem to “fall away†always assists in both the jigs fluttering action, and the pinning of soft mouth, and sometimes timid species like Noosa River Golden Trevally or Cale Cale.

This finesse approach is great for sometimes timid species like Cale Cale

Overall, new techniques are often more than just a “trendâ€. With many of our waterways receiving reasonable pressure it is naïve to think that fish species, and certainly some more than other, do not wise up to our ways. Trying new techniques is not only often fun and rewarding… But also very effective! So get out there and give some jigging ago! With finesse options available it is really a lot more accessible than many perceive.

A beautiful Golden Trevally caught jigging in relatively shallow water...

Good Fishing

The Team

Nordic Stage Rods Australia

[ryanyoung]

Top article fellas, got me keen to give this a crack.

[samsteele115]

Awesome stuff. Very inspiring!

[kmcrosby78]

Great read and pics guys, very thought provoking.