Tips For Micro Jigging Setup - MICRO JIGGING Set ups

Lets take a look at the tackle commonly used in Micro jigging.

Micro Jigging Set up - Reel 

Reel :Shimano Stradic 1000

Spinning reels or fixed spooled reels are the best choice for micro jigging. A small spinning reel that can hold Aprox 150 yard of PE 0.4-1.0 line would do, however being light weight would be an advantage to your overall set up. A light set up would be more sensitive, easier to work, reduce fatigue in the long run. Shimano Reels of size 1000 or 2000 would fit this application.

Why Use a Spinning Reel 

• You would be able easily notice when the jig as touched the bottom. As jigs used can be as small as 3 grams you do not want any resistance when letting your jig down. Spinning reel has no resistance once the bail arm is open as compared to an overhead reel. The main reason for getting snagged on the bottom is due to the inability to tell when the jig has touch the bottom. Letting a jig sit on the bottom is a sure way to get snagged.  

•  Spinning set ups do not get line wraps on guides as guides are pointing down. An over head set up have this problem unless the rod has spiral guides. 
• I personally am more comfortable jigging with a spinning set up as it feels more natural 

When fishing light lures, a spinning set up will have a slight advantage compared to the over head set up in terms of casting, and sensitivity when lowering the jig. 

MICRO JIGGING set up - ROD

Choosing the right Micro Jigging rod is important as this would be what you will be using to work the jig. Below is some things I would look out for in a micro jigging Rod 

• A short butt to allow easy twitching. A long butt would make it hard to twitch the jig.  
• Light weight 
• Thin blank
• Fast to medium fast action 
• Rod poundage of about 3-7lb for jig range 5 - 25grams 

Micro jigging like conventional high speed jigging require a rod that has a quick action to impart action to the jig. A whippy rod wont absorb the action you meant for the jig. 

A light weight rod would make a great combination with a light weight reel to give you a very light setup. A light weight rod will allow you to pick up alot more information about the jig allowing you to work it effectively. Bites and take would be more obvious as compared to using a heavier set up. 

The rod poundage to use would be determined by the weight of the jig you plan to fish that day. In my Earlier Post I talked about choosing the right jig. If you are planning to fish heavier jigs that day you would need to use a heavier poundage rod to be able to handle the loads. 

Rods that I have personally used 

-Major craft MSX 3-7 lb 

-Major craft Volkey 3-7lb (More whippy use for jigs 3-15grams)

-Senses G2 Pe0.2-0.8  

MICRO JIGGING set up - Line 

Braided line or PE line is a must in micro jigging due to its low stretch. Mono lines and fluorocarbon have way too much stretch and are too thick to have a place in such a refined technique.  The line is the only thing that connects jig to angler and eventually fish to angler. It has a huge responsibility from sending back information to the angler to working the jig and eventually bringing up the fish. Thus it is an extremely important to choose your line carefully. 

Pros and cons of Pe line 

+ Low Stretch (More sensitivity) 

+ Thin diameter (less water resistance easier to lower jig in Fast current) 

-Expensive (Bad for the wallet) 

-Low abrasion resistance (Its thin diameter makes it vulnerable to abrasion)  

Diameter of line to use for micro jigging 

 Thin lines are common in this technique. As mentioned in an earlier post, A mistake many beginners
make is to get a thicker line as they are afraid to go too light. But a thinner line makes it easier to micro jig, thats the irony, So for a beginner I always advice them to go thin. Once you have a feel of the technique you can consider increasing line poundage if you are getting busted off too often.   

Diameter to use
*PE is a Japanese way of measuring line diameter. eg. PE 0.4 = 0.100mm
PE 0.4 Is a great diameter to start with. This diameter not have much water resistance and allow you the most contact and feel with your micro jig. With this line you would be able to get a feel of the jig touching the bottom and feel of the technique.Targeting fishes like sagai with such line should not be an issue as they do not dive for structure when hooked up. 

PE 0.6 Has a good balance of water resistance and breaking strength. If the PE0.4 line is being busted off too often you could consider to up the line PE.

As a rule of thumb try to keep PE as low as possible while balancing breaking strength. Two lines can have the same PE/ Diameter but different breaking strength. Before changing changing a PE line class for a stronger line do consider getting a same PE sized line of a higher line test. And whenever possible try using a lower PE line.

Amount of line to spool 
Cause of the thin lines being used backing is normally required. 150 yards of line for micro jigging is normally sufficient for the game we are after. However if you are planning to go after bigger game such as golden trevally/ ebek 300yards is recommended.

MICRO JIGGING set up - Leader 

#3 - #5 florocarbon Leaders are good leader thickness to go with. A #3 leader is about 11 lbs. For Micro jigging I like my leader to be twice the length of my rod. 1 to protect your thin main line and 2 fluorocarbon leaders are less visible under water   Start off with a medium #4 leader as a good balance of thickness and abrasive strength. Use a lighter leader if bites are thin as this will increase your chance of a hook up.

MICRO JIGGING set up - Jig 

There are the 4 main things to consider when choosing/ buying a jig. You could buy all the jigs in the
market but it would be useless if you do not know when to use what. 

1. Size/Weight  
2. Shape 
3. Material  
4. Color

I've done a full post on jigs and how to choose the right one. Check it out Here: Choosing the Right Jig

Well Thank you for reading! Fell free to comment if you are still unsure.

FISHINGJOJO