I'm going to give adjustable zig fishing a go on a deep lake I fish and was hoping for a little help please . How do you determine which depths to start off at and how do you keep track of the depths your fishing on each rod if using three rods and constantly changing depths , thanks ?
In reply to Post #1
I use marker elastic and rod rings. Have the hook length between bait and float measured so many rings down from the tip ring, your choice. After casting out tighten up to the lead and then let out line until the float is on the surface on tight line. You can do this by sight or by feel depending on range or conditions. Now tie on a line marker at the tip ring. Wind in until the marker is at the rod ring you chose. Your bait is now on the surface. Tie on another marker at the tip. Wind the second marker down a foot, bait is a foot deep. Whatever the distance down the rod the second marker is, that's how deep you are fishing. Easy to see and keep a check on three rods. You can remove the first marker but I don't because I can use it to check if the markers have slipped
Starting depth is another question and it's not easy to answer but I would search the top 8ft before going deeper. Keep your baits moving every half hour, certainly no more than an hour.
Tip. With adjustables you can make your bait dance, movement can be a real attractor.
This my way with adjustables, sure there are many other ideas.
I use marker elastic and rod rings. Have the hook length between bait and float measured so many rings down from the tip ring, your choice. After casting out tighten up to the lead and then let out line until the float is on the surface on tight line. You can do this by sight or by feel depending on range or conditions. Now tie on a line marker at the tip ring. Wind in until the marker is at the rod ring you chose. Your bait is now on the surface. Tie on another marker at the tip. Wind the second marker down a foot, bait is a foot deep. Whatever the distance down the rod the second marker is, that's how deep you are fishing. Easy to see and keep a check on three rods. You can remove the first marker but I don't because I can use it to check if the markers have slipped
Starting depth is another question and it's not easy to answer but I would search the top 8ft before going deeper. Keep your baits moving every half hour, certainly no more than an hour.
Tip. With adjustables you can make your bait dance, movement can be a real attractor.
This my way with adjustables, sure there are many other ideas.
I fish a deep lake with adjustable zigs. Starting depth will depend on the depth of water. I like one maybe a foot from the surface, then split the difference with the other two so the deepest is at 3/4 depth. So in 20ft, I would have one at 15ft and one at 17.5ft for example. Then tweak from there
In reply to Post #3
Thanks very much for those ideas . With regards depths I'm guessing there are no rules but I'm would I be correct in saying that you'd expect them to be higher in the water this time of year than in the winter ? With regards the marker elastic this sounds an excellent idea and very visible . I'm guessing the only issue might be when you've explored the upper layers and the elastic is on the reel . Incidentally, I saw someone using those numbered clicker counters yesterday which would work but I think I prefer the more visual elastic method , thanks .
Thanks very much for those ideas . With regards depths I'm guessing there are no rules but I'm would I be correct in saying that you'd expect them to be higher in the water this time of year than in the winter ? With regards the marker elastic this sounds an excellent idea and very visible . I'm guessing the only issue might be when you've explored the upper layers and the elastic is on the reel . Incidentally, I saw someone using those numbered clicker counters yesterday which would work but I think I prefer the more visual elastic method , thanks .
In reply to Post #4
I wrapped 2 pieces of electrical tape on the rod, one at 6 inches from the reel and the other at a foot. Cast out and let the float rise to the surface, then pull the line 6 inches or a foot and work down every 6 inch.
I wrapped 2 pieces of electrical tape on the rod, one at 6 inches from the reel and the other at a foot. Cast out and let the float rise to the surface, then pull the line 6 inches or a foot and work down every 6 inch.
In reply to Post #4
Pretty much no rules. If the fish are showing themselves it's easier. Commit to the method and give yourself time to explore the water. If you just chuck the odd zig speculator out now and then for a couple of hours you will miss out. Good luck.
Pretty much no rules. If the fish are showing themselves it's easier. Commit to the method and give yourself time to explore the water. If you just chuck the odd zig speculator out now and then for a couple of hours you will miss out. Good luck.
In reply to Post #6
Thanks . Would you carry on fishing the zigs through the night or go to bottom baits , thanks ?
Thanks . Would you carry on fishing the zigs through the night or go to bottom baits , thanks ?
In reply to Post #7
Use them at night
Use them at night
In reply to Post #8
In reply to Post #7
Something to bear in mind at night - by the time your take registers, the fish could already have 6, 12, 15 feet of line more than your usual bottom rigs set up so be aware of snags etc.
Black foam can be a big success on sunny afternoons.
Something to bear in mind at night - by the time your take registers, the fish could already have 6, 12, 15 feet of line more than your usual bottom rigs set up so be aware of snags etc.
Black foam can be a big success on sunny afternoons.
In reply to Post #10
There is a kev Hewitt video on you tube,he reckons the most productive depth is 2-3 foot under the surface but its all trial and error on individual lakes.
There is a kev Hewitt video on you tube,he reckons the most productive depth is 2-3 foot under the surface but its all trial and error on individual lakes.
In reply to Post #1
The only way to determine depth I've found is trial and error unfortunately, as for keeping a record of each rods depth, a note on your phone etc works for me. And another thing I've found is to let the set up sink on a slackline that way the float is heading for the surface as the lead sinks.
The only way to determine depth I've found is trial and error unfortunately, as for keeping a record of each rods depth, a note on your phone etc works for me. And another thing I've found is to let the set up sink on a slackline that way the float is heading for the surface as the lead sinks.