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By CAPT. BILL MILLER
On the flats, two common fishing methods are jigging and floating
baits. One of my favorite rigs combines the best of both techniques.
It’s the jig-and-float rig and it’s undeniably effective
for shallow water species like trout, redfish, and flounder.
I fish this rig on 7- or 7 1/2-foot spinning outfits with 15-pound
Tuff-Line and 18 inches of 20-pound monofilament leader. I use 1/8-ounce
jig heads under cigar shaped floats or popping corks.
Either option works, but popping corks are particularly effective
because their slurping, chugging sound attracts fish by making them
think another fish is feeding. When they come to join the meal,
they see the jig and bite it. By calling in fish that might not
initially see your jig, you are covering a bigger area of the flat
with a popping cork.
Set the depth of the cork so the jig bounces just over the top of
the grass without hanging up. This rig is good for fishermen who
aren’t experienced in working a jig over grass. I always start
with natural colors like pink or silver tails. After awhile, if
I'm not getting bites, I’ll try different colors.
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To use the jig-and-float rig, cast it as far as
you can over the grass flats, chug the cork, reel up the slack and
continue this action all the way to the boat. As you pull on the
cork, the jig rises and then drops. It looks like a baitfish hopping
over the top of the grass. Properly set, this rig will not hang
in the grass.
For an added twist, rig two jigs below the cork and double your
chances of catching fish. As with single rigs, you can buy double
rigs at your local tackle shop, or make them yourself.
To make a double-jig cork rig, start by running a single strand
of monofilament leader through the swivel. Holding the swivel and
both strands of mono, tie a small diameter overhand knot. Cut one
tag end at 12 inches and the other at 24 inches. Tie 1/8-ounce jig
heads to each piece of mono, attach plastic tails and you’re
ready to go.
Next time you’re fishing the flats, try the jig-and-float
rig and get ready for a bent rod.
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