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Forum nameFreshwater Fishing in California
Topic subjectBucktail Jig Fishing 101
Topic URLhttp://www.calfishing.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=3&topic_id=9472
9472, Bucktail Jig Fishing 101
Posted by marcsee, Sat Apr-26-03 01:11 PM
How does one fish bucktails for stripers in the aqueduct? I bought a couple of 1oz white with white grub tails. How do I fish them?
9479, RE: Bucktail Jig Fishing 101
Posted by Wade, Sun Apr-27-03 02:29 PM
For the Aquaduct I usually like the 1/4oz models, but the 1oz models will work better in some situations.

Around partially open gates with a high flow the 1oz can be thrown into melea on the downstream side and dropped into seams between currents and eddies. This can be a quick hit pattern driving to the next gate after 5 or so casts. Work the bait either with short jerks and slow cranking or let the current work the jig around for you. Shad in these areas are helplessly trying to save themselves from the current. That's what you want to imitate.

Once the lure makes it into slack water slow it to a snails pace like an exhausted Shad. The 1/4oz works better for the slack water crawl.

In the open channel near any obstructions the 1oz can be used to work the deepest part of the structure for some of the bigger fish on any give piece of structure. For this 2-3' sweeps can be effective or just work it steady once it taps bottom.

I've never gotten Stripers on the bottom away from structure. I have gotten many schoolies to hit near the surface to about upto 8' down without any structure around. The 1/4 oz works better for this open water tactic. Use this tactic any time you see breaking fish, even if it's just one or 2 jumps per 1/2 hr. Work the lure at a moderate to fast pace with a lot of rod twitches. This can be effective especially near any corners.

Tight lines,
Wade