A few questions on pitching and fishing jigs

[Erie660]

I'm getting decent at the pitching part but I need some pointers on letting the jig fall on slack line.When you pitch to like sea walls where the water drops fast or even under and around docks what's the best way to let the jig fall straight? When your pitching you have the spool tension loose, and use your thumb to control the line,is this right? I'm just having a little trouble when coming off the bank and it drops off. I have alot of time fishing jigs for walleyes on a spinning rod but with a baitcaster it's a little different. I hope I explained it clearly enough. Thanks

[jentrick]

I will strip line off with my hand..I keep my spools loose but not enough to free fall a jig fast.

[catchinweeds]

Its sort of a feel thing really. I keep my bale disengaged, pitch, and let the line fall off the reel and just use a little thumb pressure to keep it from lashing. Its a feel thing, but if you turn your brake up on the baitcaster a little that will keep it from spooling too fast until you get the feel of it. Once you get it down, let off the brake. By far my favorite technique to use! Pitching big rocks in 8-12' of water!

[Jerkbait]

I will use a 1/2oz jig when I want a straight fall.I will strip line off with my hand as fast as I can so there is enough line to go to the bottom engage the reel and then watch the line as it sinks,As soon as it stops I lift my rod to remove any slack in the line if there is any and shake the jig..the trick is striping just enough line for the depth of the water.

[Fiddlefarter]

In one motion I kinda drop the tip to the water, release my thumb and lift the rod immediately after the jig hits the water and pull out line, if I need more than what i pull out like that, then I strip with my left hand. I keep my spool pretty loose.. It's kinda hard to visualize and explain without seeing it I guess though.

[SoonerFan]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Fiddlefarter &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">In one motion I kinda drop the tip to the water, release my thumb and lift the rod immediately after the jig hits the water and pull out line, if I need more than what i pull out like that, then I strip with my left hand. I keep my spool pretty loose.. It's kinda hard to visualize and explain without seeing it I guess though. </td></tr></table>

That sounds sort of like how I do it too. Nobody taught me to do it that way, it's just something I cooked up on my own.

[steve1206]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by SoonerFan &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">

That sounds sort of like how I do it too. Nobody taught me to do it that way, it's just something I cooked up on my own.</td></tr></table>

Exactly. Basically on the follow-through bring the rod to 1 or 12 o'clock while lightly thumbing the spool, then point your rod at the lure and let it sink...

[SteveD]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by steve1206 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">

Exactly. Basically on the follow-through bring the rod to 1 or 12 o'clock while lightly thumbing the spool, then point your rod at the lure and let it sink...</td></tr></table>

Yep. That`s how I do it too.

[luke1wcu]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by steve1206 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">

Exactly. Basically on the follow-through bring the rod to 1 or 12 o'clock while lightly thumbing the spool, then point your rod at the lure and let it sink...</td></tr></table>

You explained that very well. Thanks!

[SoonerFan]

Just thinking about it...I think I tend to use a sort of sidearm pitch more than anything. Since I started pitching with a little shorter rod 7'2'' instead of 7'6'' it changed my style...for some reason. I noticed the last time I was on the lake when I dug out the old 7'6'' flipping stick. When I pitched with it, I pitched with the traditional; swing the bait to get momentum to pull line off the reel and then drop the rod and thumb the spool at just the right time as the bait enters the water. With the shorter rod I guess I don't get the same about of momentum so therefore less distance. I guess without realizing it I compensated with a sidearm short cast where I do a little loop d' loop and then flip it into where I want. It's the way I always cast a spinnerbait, but that's with a 6'4'' not a 7'2''. Plenty of accuracy and I can still have the bait meet the water without much splash.

[steve1206]

You can do the same thing with that sidearm roll cast. After you let fly, just lightly thumb the spool while bringing the rod back like you are setting up for a tennis forehand. Then stop the spool and bring the rod back in front of you. The one issue you have with this is that a bite on the fall may not be detected for a while.