Setup required for Slow pitch jigging

Slow pitch jigging is a special technique where we make the jig imitate an injured bait to entice a fish take it as a bait. When the fish takes the bait, we need to reel and land the fish to the boat. The depth should be at least 50 meters deep for the technique to work. A special slow pitch jigging rod is used to “pitch” the jig. Pitch means flipping the jig slowly and strongly. The jig should be vertical all the way down for this technique work efficiently.

So, fishing by slow pitch technique has two parts. One is to entice the fish by imitating like a bait fish. Other is to reel and land the fish.

 what do we require to do the first part. I.e., to entice the fish.

1. We need a jig
2. We need a line and leader system to reach the bottom of the ocean
3. We need a reel to hold the line
4. We need a rod to move the jig.

What do we need to for the second part I.e. to land the fish

5.Assist hooks to hook or hold the fish
6. Reel to bring the fish up.

 

Now let us see each item what the requirement is.

 

1.      Jig: As we saw the whole technique is dependent on moving the jig. We could fish from 50m to any depth. So, the jig should be capable of reaching the bottom of the sea and be vertical. Depending on the depth, we need to vary the weight of the jig. If we are drifting boat, it is very difficult to keep jig vertical unless we are heavy on the jig. Also jigs have many different actions. Some fall, some slide. Fall one can be used when the current is slow, and drift is low. Long jigs which slide are suitable when current is high, or the drift is more. Is color of the jig important? – not really. Glow helps if we are fishing deeper waters.

2.      Line: Now we require a line to take the jig to bottom of the ocean vertically and allow moving them when jigging. A special polyethylene (PE) braid line is used for the same. The PE line comes in varying thickness. Thinner the line easier it is to reach bottom vertically. Usually, PE 2 is suitable. We can go down up t0 1.2 PE if we are beginner depending on the target fishes. Also, thinner line allows the jig to move on its own freely. The PE line should not stretch so that it transmits the rod actions to the jigs. If they stretch, we will be moving the rod, but jig will not.

3.      Leader: when we get a fish they will fight for their life. They may run into the rocks. PE line is weak in friction. Any contact with rock will cut the line. so, a leader is required to acts as a cushion when the fish fights and prevent PE braid from contacting the rocks. The leader also should be as thin and flexible as possible to allow the jig to move freely. I use 30 or 40 lbs. leader.

4.      Rod: a SPJ rod should be capable of pitching the jig slowly and strongly. After the pitch the jig falls on its own taking a horizontal position. During this time most of the bites happen. If the pitch is too strong the jig could move violently. If the pitch too weak then jig may not move to horizontal position. The rod tip is flexible bit strong spring like action enough to flip the jig. As we saw we may use different weight jigs depending on depth and current. So, the rod should also match the weight of the jig. The rods are rated from 1 to 6 usually and depends on the manufacturer.

For example, a power rating 6 rod is 150gms to 300gms jigs. If you use a 150 gms jig the action is going to be strong spring action and the jig will be free for a long time. If you use a 300 gm the pitch action will be slow, and jig will fall faster. Say suppose we use a 100-gm jig on this rod the jig will move violently and not have intended action.

SPJ technique is to entice the fish even when they are not actively feeding. If you use any other rod, we will get fish when they are active but not when they are not. The pitching action of the rod is key.

5.      Reel: As we saw the rod is specially made to pitch the jig, they may not be capable to fight the fish. The reel is used to fight the fish.  It should hold sufficient line and capable reeling at least one meter line per crank.

How much line? - experienced anglers advise at least 600 meters. I would not suggest anything less than 400 meters. You never know what size of fish we are going to get hooked to and should have sufficient line to fight.

An overhead reel is preferred due to sensitivity however if you have a spinning reel just use it until you feel to change. But remember when you use a spinning reel you will have to use the rod to fight.

 

6. Assist hooks: in slow pitch jigging we use double assist hooks both in top and bottom. Bottom assist hooks can be longer and function as stabilizer when the jigs move to horizontal position. Install the assist hooks so that they are on the flat side.

7. Solid and split rings: I use no 5 or 6 solid and split rings. Some anglers use swivels as it removes the line twists if the jig spins. It is advised to keep the metals as low as possible. So, I directly tie the leader to a solid ring.

 

Hope this article was useful. Please do comment. We can discuss and improve the article to the benefit of beginners.