The Steelhead Angler

Setting up to jig fish is a simple process. All you need is your favorite jig, a float and enough added weight to balance your float.

To weight your float and jig, you have a choice of pencil lead, egg sinker or a slinky. My favorite weight system is the egg sinker in line with my float and jig. The type of weight you use is really a matter of personal preference though. The important part is that the combined weight of your jig and weight allows your float to ride at the proper level in the river. Most floats come with a colored band near the top this is how much of the float that should protrude above the water.

Selecting the best rod and reel combination for steelhead jig fishing, you again must consider the type of water you intend to fish, and the size of jigs that will work best under those conditions. For tossing jigs weighing 1/4 ounce and more, a level wind reel, or bait casting reel as many call it I feel makes the best choice. I do not have any personal favorite as to reel models the Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 5600AB (anti-backlash) reel may make a good choice if you are afraid of the dreaded birds nest that are often associated with a bait casting reel. If you find yourself fishing tiny jigs with equally small floats and weights, you may find using a spinning reel just a little easier to cast.

Rods for fishing jigs must be long and light. Long rods are necessary to help keep your line off the water as your float drifts its way downstream. Light rods are needed to avoid fatigue over a long season. I like a bait casting rod in the ten to twelve foot range designed for six to twelve pound test lines when fishing larger rivers. On the smaller steams, I prefer a spinning rod in the seven to eight foot length. If you decide to go with a spinning rod, choose one with a slow action rated for 6 to 15 pound test lines.

The choice of a jig is a personal preference. Here are several thoughts to help you with this choice. In low clear water use small jigs in pale shades. Faded pinks, tan, and pale browns are my favorite clear water jig colors. Choose jigs in the 1/32 to 1/8 ounce size range when fishing clear water. If you are going to be fishing big rivers with strong flows, I prefer larger jigs and bright colors. My favorite jig for big water is hot pink, 1/4 ounce weight. Chartreuse, black, orange and black, red and white are others that I like to use. It is always a good idea to try an assortment of colors, as you will find that a color that works well where you normally fish may not be as good when fishing other areas.

You can find more information on setting up for jig fishing HERE

It is easier to discuss the times and places where jigs do not work well than it is to list all the times they will work.  The steelhead jig relies mainly on color and action to trigger a strike.  Therefore, you can expect them to perform poorly in low visibility water.  When the visibility is less than two feet it is time to switch to some other type of lure or bait.  For similar reasons jigs do not work well in the fast pockets of water in the rivers.  In almost every other steelheading water, jigs will prove to be deadly.  

Jigs come into their own in slow moving or still water.  Which in my opinion is some of the hardest spots to fish for a steelhead with the conventional drifting techniques?  With the wiggle of marabou or rabbit fur combined with a small dab of bait or scent, jigs are deadly.  Jigs are the most effective steelhead lure you can use in slow or still water.  

Jigs also work well in moderate to fast currents as long as the water has good visibility.  In clear water, nothing beats tiny jigs.  When tipped with a single egg, a piece of earthworm, or a piece of shrimp they become deadly.  In conditions most of us find ourselves fishing, the two to ten foot deep-water jigs work extremely well.  Moreover, in a current that is moving at two to four knots the jig will prove to be irresistible to steelhead.  As your float bounces along in the wavy surface of the water, the jig mirrors that action right in the heart of the steelhead’s den.  Few steelhead can resist a brightly colored bit of marabou or rabbit fur that dips and swoops through their living room.  Tip your jig with a small piece of shrimp or worm and it is a snack that they find hard to refuse. 

I will not go steelhead fishing without the equipment I need to setup for jig fishing.  It has proven itself to me repeatedly.  Jig fishing is also a great way to start someone out steelhead fishing if they have never been steelhead fishing before.  You set them up with a jig show them where they need to drift and tell them that when the float goes under they need to set the hook.

When fishing for steelhead in large bodies of water pulling plugs is a deadly steelhead fishing technique. This technique works well throughout the season and is one that I prefer when the water temperatures fall and the steelhead become sluggish. You are able to keep this plug waving around in front of them longer and encouraging a strike. In order for this to work for you, it is important that you know where their holding spots are or at least what a holding spot would look like. You could spend the day drifting your plug through nothing but open water if you are not familiar with steelheads habits and knowing where they like to hold is necessary in order for pulling plugs to be successful.

Some of the popular plugs here in Oregon, Washington and Idaho include:
• Hotshots,
• Wiggle Warts,
• Tadpollys,
• Kwikfish,
• Flatfish,

Just about any bass plug that dives from six to fifteen feet and is available in good steelhead colors will work for steelhead. Hotshots and Wiggle Warts would be my first choice if you were just starting out or on a tight budget.

Some of my favorite colors are red, blue/silver, chartreuse/silver, red/white, and bright blue. The angler should have several colors to use throughout the day, as different colors seem to be preferred at times by that crazy steelhead.

Plugs are commonly used from a jetsled or driftboat. However, side plane drifters are also becoming popular throughout the area. You begin at the top or upstream portion of steelhead holding water and backing down slowly trying to keep the plug in the steelhead face. Usually they will get irritated when the rattling plug is near pushing them out of where they want to be and they will slam it violently.

Pulling plugs is a very exciting way to spend the day on the river and when the fish are active, it will keep you in suspense waiting for one of those violent strikes that are so common when fishing this way. If you ever have a chance, I recommend giving pulling a pug a try.