Jigs on the Delta

[bozzo21]

I am new to the area and from an area where you don't fish jigs too much, basically just finesse fishing. I have fished the delta a few times lately and I have to admit I have never caught a fish on a jig.

Everyone talks about flipping and pitching jigs this time of year on the delta to catch fish. My question is what area's do you look for to flip and pitch this time of year. Do you look for wood on the main river or in sloughs or do you flip deep into the tule's? I don't need anyone to tell me exact spots but just general things to look for. I plan on getting out there this weekend and I told myself I will bring two jig rods and thats it, so I stick with it all day and hopefully gain some confidence with them.

Thanks

[swampy]

Look for areas with little or no current and a good ledge/drop off.work it down the ledge real slow an dbe ready for a pressure bite.You should watch Cooch's stuff on western bass tv.He is the man and really understands what the bigger fish do all year.
Also you might want to try a texas rigged brush hog on a 1/2oz and work it the same way.
Swampy

[swampy]

Look for areas with little or no current and a good ledge/drop off.work it down the ledge real slow an dbe ready for a pressure bite.You should watch Cooch's stuff on western bass tv.He is the man and really understands what the bigger fish do all year.
Also you might want to try a texas rigged brush hog on a 1/2oz and work it the same way.
Swampy

[Dewayne]

The Delta this time of year is tough with the cold water temps. Flipping and pitching are usually tactics to cover water quickly when fish are active and shallow. With water temps under 48 degrees you have to fish too slow to flip. If you do not have a lot of jig experience you are better off heading up to a lake to build jig confidence. The jig bites on Folsom, Don Pedro, McClure and most lakes with spots are great during the winter. They have warmer water temps at depth and the craws are more active. On the Delta this time of year getting a few bites can be tough, let alone enough to build confidence. Wait till about March to jig the Delta when we get some water color and warmer water temps. Then flipping and pitching will once again be better Delta options.

If you really want to learn jigs in winter on the Delta head to the back of the Marina side of Disco Bay. Flipping will not work, but you can pitch or cast the jigs and drag them back to the boat. Once you think you are fishing really slow, cut that speed in half.

Anyway, this time of year give me a crank bait and a drop shot on the Delta.

[scsiman411]

If your coming this weekend, bring your finesse rig with you, you will need it.....

[Cooch]

To find the clearest water ya can. Find areas that are 10 feet and deeper with a good deep grass growth. Hopping and poppin that jig down in this type of cover will produce strikes. You don't neccesarily have to slow down to a crawl, but slow yer boat movement WAYYYYYYYY down and disect areas with repeated cast and erratic presentations.

The second option is to find deeper rock walls and banks, that are void of current. For the most part, when your boat is 20 feet off the bank, you should be sitting in 12-24 foot of still water. Pitch up on the bank and work it all the way to beneath the boat.

The last option is dragging that jig down the points and edges along tule islands. The inside bends on the up current side will be the key zone, since this is where you'll find the least amount of current and some dandy bass hunkered in. Take note of the current direction, if it's coming head on to the point, fish the inside of the point and the bend. If the current is heading away from the point, swing around to the outside. Either way, ya got two key strike zones on every tule island, no matter what the tide is doing.

A couple of key things to keep in mind right now, it's cold. The bass are going to be lethergic. So don't expect much right now. But just know, the 5-6 bites you may git in a day on a jig, are gonna be dandies! Some days, it CAN be off the hook! Also, big river bass love to suspend at this time of year. And these are fish, you can target with that jig. So don't believe that these fish are just sitting on the bottom and that's where yer jig has to be. Many times I will trigger a strike as I lift that jig 2-3 feet off the bottom and just let it fall striaght back down. As lethergic as one might think these bass are, they will trigger on a falling bait in the depths I mentioned, a lot more frequently than most people think.

The three patterns I mentioned above, offer them the absolute best oppurtunity for this, where you can catch them on a jig. Keep in mind, for the novice, begginer and confident jig fisherman, waiting on 5 bites or maybe just one bite a day, is not their idea of fun or exciting fishing on this River. Heading out there with only two jig rods, is an excellent train of thought. It tells me, yer on yer way to becoming one of them confident and successful jig guys! Take a sensative, stiff rod and use fluorocarbon, it will open yer eyes to what is below, and better assist you to detect the subtle bites you may git. Most of those subtle bites, will typically be smaller fish. When a 4-12 pounder thumps yer jig, yer gonna know they got it! And when it happens, rest assured, the excitement of jig fishing this River in the Winter, will overwelm you!

Ps. Only finesse rod you'll need out there, is a rippin' rod with a Staycee jerkbait tide on! And yes, you can go into many places in Disco Bay and flip! Our good friend Dewayne just ain't been fishing in there long enough ta figure it out yet!

[Dewayne]

I got some money to buy you lunch if need be and am free Saturday. You can flip all day and I will crank and we can see what works out better, looser buys lunch at Orwood. No pitching, just flipping. I have flipped Disco too, but I do not chose to in December to February.

[Cooch]

Well, if'n I took ya into Lido and Kellog all day ta flip my jig, you'd cry FOUL with that crankbait! HAR! HAR! HAR! Unfortunately, I have to duck this challenge and am working this weekend and next.