Jigging in Northern New England

[Just Pluggin Along]

Hey gang,

You NC guys really know how to kick off "buck fever" for us northern fisherman. We are finally getting some sunshine and temps above 50 here in Maine. Frantically trying to get the boat ready for our short season.
I am new to jigging and offshore fishing in general. I wanted to see if anyone had experience jigging up in the North East(Maine/New Hampshire) and what species in particular. I know BFT are one of the targets but what else are people fishing for with the vertical jigs in these parts?

Thanks for the help,

Just Pluggin Along

[Sea Draggin]

JPA,
Welcome. I'm not an expert, but Cod and Seabass are two other species I see people targeting. Noreast.com has a jigging forum that will probably be a great resource for your local waters. There is also an active NE forum here...http://www.sportfishermen.com/board/f186/

Hopefully we will see some great pics from you as your season comes on.

I will have a few great jigs specifically for the Northeast waters that will be here in about 6 weeks. I can't let the cat totally out of the bag, but it will be cool.

[Just Pluggin Along]

Thanks for your response Sea Draggin.

Over 100 views and only 1 response.
Does that mean no one is doing it up here? It looks like a ton of fun but I don't want to invest a ton into it if I can't do it in my home waters.

[Anders]

go jig the same way everyone does where ever they go. Geta big white/glow in the dark jig, find a good looking bottom or go to where you know the fish are, like a ledge, and drop the jig down, maybe with a piece of squid on the hook, jig slowly up and down off the bottom and get ready!!! That should catch most anything on the bottom.

For bluefins, you should find more than enough information on previous post to figure out what to do.

[dunn6253]

Are you looking to just get out of tuna? You can jig for some bottom fish also. Cod/haddock/redfish are being caught on the Bank right now, before they head east a little when the water warms up.

As for tuna, you will see a lot of people casting/jigging for tuna. Drifting on the bank for them. Hooked up with one last year for about seven seconds before the line snapped. That was on the NWC.

Shoefish did pretty good on the jigs last year when it comes to tuna, im sure he will help you out when he gets back from his jig-a-thon down in MHC.

[Just Pluggin Along]

No, I'm not trying to get out of tuna just getting into it matter of fact. Just trying to see what else I might be able to drag up of the bottom of the big blue. It is a new strategy for me and I wanted to see what others were doing in this area. Jigging seems like it is just starting to pick up in popularity in the far north east.

Thanks again,

JPA

[Bert Rodgers]

Jigging seems like it is just starting to pick up in popularity in the far north east.

Thanks again,

JPA

Actually I think that's where it started. Commercial guys have used diamond jigs for cod for decades, if not longer.

Bert

[ancient mariner]

HI:
Lots 'n lots of Cod ,Haddock , Halibut , and WOLFFISH have been cought on jigs. Even ROSEFISH fall for a jig.
Heck. I've been cod jigging up there since I was 10 years young. I'm 70 now. I still jig. I'm using the old standby cod jigs...ie...Norway , Lav jig , Solveroken , Butterfly at all. Any one can do it. Just set your fishfinder on a hump, slow move over it and as you drift back , CAST DOWNCURRENT. Snap that jig up as SOON as it hits bottom. Crank a turn or two to get rid of the slack and snap the jig again. I don't let my jigs for bottom fish get much higher off the bottom than 30 feet. I'll drop back down again. When the jigs starts to get UNDER the boat, then it's time to crank it up and RECAST down current/drift.
When u come off the hump repower up side again and do it all over again. THats the basic way. There are lots of tips and tricks in doing the JIG THING. I give basic info on jigging on my site,. To get the newest ways go teh JIGGING and POPPING forum and ask the GURU's for help. THEY ARE MASTERS IN THIS ARTFORM.
Heck, if this 70+ year old bidy canstill jig all day , anybody can.
I'll be up your way this June on my way to Halifax Canada for the Cod/Halibut jigging and the BFT fishery. YOUWZA!!!!!!
WACKM 'N STACKM
Joseph B...aka...Ancient Mariner
www.ancientmarinertackle.com

[Fishin Electrician]

I am a newbie as well I am from NH seacoast and am learning how to jig as well .
Good luck
Fishin electrician

[Jer]

Welcome aboard, Fishin electrician!