How to Slow-Pitch Jig
From its start in Japan in the early 1990s, slow-pitch jigging has taken the fishing world by storm. Marked by specialized equipment and precision of approach, slow-pitch jigging can effectively target bottom fish, pelagics and even largemouth bass. What follows is some practical advice on how to do it yourself.
The Fundamentals of Slow-Pitch JiggingSlow-pitch jigs are unique in that they flutter erratically as they descend into the water column. This slow darting and wafting back and forth imitates a wounded bait fish.
Among the most important considerations in slow-pitch jigging is to maintain a vertical line angle. A vertical angle allows you to control the jig. This type of fishing takes place in two parts.
When deploying the jig, apply slight pressure to the reel. This will cause the jig to fall straight—without waffling. When you reach your target depth, remove the pressure and allow the jig to fall without resistance. It will then begin to flutter.
Once your jig passes your target zone (or reaches the bottom), “flick” the jig by raising the rod tip. This will cause it to rise. Then once again allow the jig to fall without resistance. You can vary or alternate your retrieve or its cadence until you find a rhythm that produces.
When targeting a ledge or structure, slow-pitch jigging from a drifting boat makes it easier to maintain the vertical line angle. This way the jig and the boat drift in unison. For a breakdown of slow-pitch jigging and the equipment used, check this out.
However you deploy them, slow-pitch jigging can turn you into a believer.
Denes Szakacs
Slow-Pitch Jig and Rod Size
If you’ve ever wondered how to pick a slow-pitch jig rod, you’re not alone. This article spells it out.
The depth and current of where you’re fishing determine what size jig and mainline are appropriate. The jig size then dictates the right rod for the application.
Generally speaking, you’ll want to use as light of a jig as you can while maintaining a vertical line angle. The deeper and the more current in the place you’re fishing, the larger the jig you’ll need. If the line starts to drift it’s time to go heavier (or use lighter mainline). These jigs range in size from 40 or 60 grams on the low end up to 1,000 grams.
Slow-pitch jigging rods are specialized pieces of equipment. They are designed to deploy certain ranges of jig sizes—typically 100-300 grams or so and 400-1,000 grams.
Slow-pitch jigging rods feature lightweight blanks and very soft tips. These attributes allow them to load up fully on the weight of jig to raise it in the water.
Here are some great slow-pitch jigging rod options:
- Daiwa Saltiga Slow Pitch Jigging Rods
- JYG PRO Fishing Revolution Pro Series Long SPJ Conventional Rods
Just remember to match the rod size to the jigs you plan to deploy (the most commonly used by far are the 100-300 gram class jigs and jigging rods).
Slow-Pitch Jigging Reels and LineSlow-pitch jigging reels are typically narrow-spooled conventionals with high gear ratios (from 5.2:1 to upwards of 7:1). They are typically spooled with braid that runs from 15 to 40 pounds.
The Shimano OCEA Jigger and the Daiwa Saltiga LD are standards of the slow-pitch jigging reel.
As a general rule, you’ll want to fish as heavy a mainline as you can while keeping a vertical line angle. The deeper you fish, and the more current you encounter, the lighter your mainline should be. Heavier line has larger diameter and experiences more drag in the water—causing your jig to drift.
You’ll connect your mainline to your fluorocarbon leader directly with your favorite low-profile knot. Likewise, you’ll tie the jig to the fluoro without a swivel.
Given the specialty nature of this type of fishing, most serious slow-pitch jig anglers will carry multiple setups. One will be spooled with 15-pound line and one with 40. Each has its own dedicated purpose and application.
Slow-Pitch Jig DesignsWhen it comes to slow-pitch jigs, there are two main designs: short and wide and skinny and long. Short and wide jigs impart more of the iconic flutter action. Jigs of the long and skinny variety are better for cutting through the water to reach deeper targets. They can also be used with a faster retrieve.
In either case, slow-pitch jigs are designed with keels and are center-weighted. These design features create the fluttering and waffling.
Here are some good all-around slow-pitch jig options.
You can purchase most jig designs in a range of sizes and colors. Be sure to match the jig size with the depth and conditions that you’re likely to encounter. You’ll also want to make sure that the jigs match the class rod that you plan to fish them on.
Given the variety of jigs, and the passion with which many slow-pitch anglers undertake the activity, it won’t be long before you’ll need a jig bag to hold them. Here’s a good one. It allows you to not only organize and store the jigs, but has different size slots to accommodate a diversity of options.
Where to Fish Slow Pitch JigsGiven the versatility of the technique, it should be no surprise that there are several ways to deploy slow-pitch jigs. If you mark suspended tuna, you can drop jigs on them. This can be a great way to induce bites from wary fish that are hanging midway in the water column.
You can also deploy slow-pitch jigs on fish that you mark on the bottom. This approach is used to great effect on schools of striped bass in the Northeast, for example.
Perhaps the most common slow-pitch jigging application, however, involves targeting structure. This can mean jigging pinnacles, high spots, rock piles, ledges, reefs, wrecks—you name it. If you find a ledge that matches your drift, you can jig along the edge, working all kinds of seafloor topography.
This article provides a breakdown of how slow-pitch jigs are used to target rockfish in the Pacific. It includes a nice graphical illustration of how to match slow-pitch jig size to depth that you’re fishing (spoiler alert—at 200 feet, use a 300-gram jig. At 600, a jig that weighs 750 grams).
You can even fish slow-pitch jigs in deeper water. Some anglers use 1,000-gram slow-pitch jigs to target such tasty creatures as golden tilefish and queen snapper in waters of 1,000 feet.
The Global Appeal of the Slow-Pitch JigHowever and wherever you deploy them, slow-pitch jigging can turn you into a believer. Don’t let all of the technical, specialized (and expensive) equipment fool you. At its most fundamental, slow-pitch jigging simply provides a means of presenting a uniquely appealing presentation to fish that are difficult to reach in other ways of fishing.
Not only that, but the constraints imposed by line diameter mean that if you do it long enough, you’re also likely to tangle with some really big fish on lighter tackle than you might otherwise deploy. The prospect of hooking a big tuna or a giant amberjack on 15-pound braid aside, slow-pitch jigging is also easier and less strenuous on the angler than high-speed jigging.
FAQ How does a slow-pitch jig work?A slow-pitch jig imitates the fluttering of an injured baitfish. It works primarily on the fall, as it moves erratically like a dying fish.
How heavy should a slow-pitch jig be?The weight of the jig is determined by the depth and current of the place you are fishing. One of the most important considerations in slow-pitch jigging is to keep a vertical line angle. Your jig should be as light as possible while maintaining this angle. The weight of your jig will increase with depth and current.
What gear ratio is needed for slow-pitch jigging?All things being equal, the higher the gear ratio the better. Your budget will play a large part in determining which reel is right for you, but you’d like a reel with a gear ratio of at least 5:1. Many prefer ratios in excess of 7:1.
What is the difference between jigging and slow-pitch jigging?High-speed jigging imitates a fleeing baitfish. It relies on reaction strikes of predatory fish that chase down a fleeing bait. Slow-pitch jigging, on the other hand, imitates a wounded baitfish that is erratically fluttering down.
About the Author: Elliott Stark is a fisherman, writer, and marine biologist. He publishes FishTravelEat.com and is the author of “The Book on Travel Fishing.”
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