I was at a talk tonight by Rick Pollock and he was saying that the kingies at White Island in the last couple of years have turned off jigs and that live baits are seriouslty outfishing jigs even in the hands of very experienced jiggers. Whereas 5 years ago jigs were outfishing live baits. He also said this is starting to happen up in the Bay Of Islands and may be starting to happen at the kings as well.

 

Peoples thoughts on this and why is it happening.

Gave jigging a good go for not one fish. Several fish on livies so yes that was the case on that trip anyhow.

On the otherhand he stated it had been the best season for 10 years but the bite had gradually been slowing down two weeks or so before our trip which was mid January.

Have also heard the same from others at other locations also. So would assume something in it. 

There have been some seriously nice kings taken on stickbaits at white over the last couple of years.

 

I jig till I get a nice eater....about 850-950 is ideal for me and a bit fat not thin.

 

Sometimes I have done only one drop and had my fish and been done for the day.

 

Maybe all this catch and release has to lessen some?

 

It tears their mouths up most times for a start.

 

That said I am looking for my "big fish" and if I wind up in the big ones catch a couple and put back.

 

Not trying to be a killjoy and I am fine with catch and release but I do think a few fish on a day is enough.

if you've paid for a charter trip, catching one fish and then given it a rest is ridiculous. 

If you're catching a feed in your own backyard, and have the opportunity to fish on a regular basis, your point is valid. 

I don't  agree with "tear their mouths up most times", more like 20% I.M.O.

White was hard going regardless of the technique, but yes Lance on Enchanter was also talking of jig shyness.

Ranfurly however was insane, those fish are so busy climbing over each other they couldn't care less what was attached to the hook.

:)

Damn, whatever works on the day where you are. I know if I was hungry and had livebaits i'd drop those first, but other times, getting livebaits is a pain and you happen to have some jigs ready..

 

In terms of how often they get torn mouths I didn't mean to start something as to how often it happens I just made a bit of a sweeping statment, happens often enough though.

 

I knew when I made the post I might sound a bit arrogant but that was not my intention.

 

I do feel there are times for all of us we fish past a time we should stop is all.

all good mate, healthy discussion never hurt anyone. 

"I do feel there are times for all of us we fish past a time we should stop is all"....this is mostly the case for me when I've not caught a bloody thing and can't bear the thought of going home empty handed

will it stop people from enjoying jigging ?Stickbaiting? hell no......why?.....the suspense of the strike!

No single technique is going to always be the go, they all just become part of your tool box of tricks and hopefully on any particular day one technique will work, and occasionally nothing will work and others it does not matter what you through at them they will eat it (I love those days)

Cant beat live baits, I mean it is what they eat all the time isnt it. There will always be new techniques and new pruducts but you will never beat natural baits. 

Good point about the jigs not looking very naturals and quite rigid for a fish. What could be next in the jigging world, heavy plastic jigs to mimic a biatfish more naturaly?