Emmrod Jig Trolling
John McKean
“Lead that big smallie in very gently, Poppy,” teased my net man, son Sean. “Because, knowing you, your knot was never retied after landing the last 20 incher!”
We both knew that Sean was just messin’ with me, as dozens of lunker smallmouth bass had tried their famed power dives at boatside during this past weekend trip on Lake Erie, but none mustered any line-popping resistance against the instant spring of my Emmrod 6 coil Stream Master. Good thing, too, as I was using a little known, highly efficient jig trolling system which features light gear and ultra thin four pound test line.
Over 25 years ago I had written several articles for major magazines on the fine art of jig trolling, but have experienced virtually no one else employing these deadly, almost sure fire tactics. Why? Well, it comes down to three reasons. 1) The system seems just too darned easy (complicated and expensive is “in” these days!). 2) Trolling with light line, according to “common sense,” is considered foolhardy (yet I often wonder how aged lunkers are EVER tricked with standard 50 pound test “ropes”!). 3) Many will not avail themselves of truly efficient, specialized gear afforded (and affordable!) by modern technology.
Well, I can yammer on and lecture about the fun and benefits of light jig trolling, but I could probably fill a book on its fine points. Instead, I’m going to teach by experience and take you out on an imaginary trip with me. It won’t be all that much make believe, though, as it’ll be based on exact happenings from two days ago on Lake Erie (the system is adaptable to any water, however, and is particularly well suited to most inland, freshwater lakes and rivers). Gonna leave Sean on shore this time – the 25-year-old wiseguy, as usual, totally outfished this ole man over the past weekend, and I need a break from his razzin’!!
Our mid-July day begins at 7 a.m. with a slight overcast and calm as glass, clear water conditions. I’d prefer a slight chop and a bit more water color, but this will be a very pleasant, relaxing morning to concentrate on tactics. ”Here,” sez I, “while my little five horse is putt-putting our comfy, light, noiseless 12 foot Porta-boat to depth, borrow my 7 coil Emmrod fly pole, “tricked out” to fit on a long Outback handle carrying a silky smooth drag spinning reel. Tie on this shiny little 1/16 oz jighead with a powerful gripping notch-knot.”
I point out that good buddy Keith Okimoto has specially poured the “lead-free jig head” on a modern, sticky-sharp sickle-style hook. This size 1 thin wire, but amazingly strong model hook literally implants itself into any bass that even as much as licks it for a taste test! The hook’s unique shape also holds smallies on better than anything else I’ve ever used during their wild leaping, tail-walking, bulldoggin’ battles. The line is 4 pound test Ande “tournament” monofilament, which will not over test (many monos rated at four usually test 6 to 8, with comparable increase in thickness), but more importantly, offers the absolute minimum in diameter to stifle drag or bow during a troll and to achieve best depth.
Reaching the first major breakline, which changes between 6’ to 8’ depths, we chuck out our jigs, now carrying 4” soft plastic paddle tail minnows, for a goodly but normal casting distance. Once settled, the lures run about 5 feet down as we roughly parallel troll the shoreline. I scan the depth finder for the many boulders that seem to sit on this underwater edge, looking to concentrate most of my time on areas that contain the most and biggest rocks.
Feel that subtle throbbing in your Emmrod? This short steel stick is about the only rod I know that’ll allow the sensitivity to actually feel a small swimbait dancing downstairs. Oh, and you just detected it juking a little bit extra? That’s the jig ricocheting off a nice sized boulder. And now that extra pressure and increased bend in your Emmrod? Take a quick gander behind the boat; that smallie high up in the air is attached to YOU!
You notice that despite several sky-high, head-shaking jumps that the lure hasn’t been dislodged. Didn’t I tell you about those sickle hooks? But the really cool thing is that the give and spring of your Emmrod doesn’t allow enough pressure to tear holes in the fish’s cheek or jaw to permit the jig to fall out. For once, we have a system that allows true appreciation and enjoyment of one of fishing’s most spectacular sights! A few days ago Sean experimented with a very expensive, extremely light 6’ parabolic action graphite pole against my Emmrod – a few bass “spit” him, but my hooked fish couldn’t find leverage to get away from my vastly superior, freely yielding steel coils!
We continue to motor slowly along the mild drop-off, sometimes experimenting with SLIGHTLY more speed, with the Emmrod’s long handle comfortably braced on the inside of our forearms which rest on the Porta-boat’s soft gunnels. If our depth finder spies an especially dense rock field, or a thrilling simultaneous double strike occurs, we may reverse directions and devote a bit more attention to one special section of bottom. A floating marker is kept handy to be thrown out when an area looks or acts especially hot. But generally we keep moving and continue to pick up nice bass along the way.
You notice that I get a little tense, or “go on point,” as the small Bottomline screen reveals a series of high peaked boulders, and observe that I sometimes overreact by ever so slightly giving in to the temptation of “setting” the hook on the anticipated strike (yes, really good looking rocks on certain productive bottoms can virtually predict a forthcoming take!). Well, do as I SAY, not as I do! Let the Emmrod and that amazingly sharp, thin wire hook coordinate to sting a bass by themselves; he may only have the jig in a thread of skin in his lips and you can’t risk ripping it out. Oh, you’re up seven bass to my four due to my bad habit of unnecessary rod jerking, are you? Thanks for the reminder; I didn’t know Sean had an evil twin!
A while later we move out to the 10-12’ break line, again keeping an eye out for rock piles and big granite slabs. But, as in most instances, once we go deeper fish-holding cover such as weed lines, rocks or stumps dissipates and time between strikes increases. However, that last really nice smallie that grabbed my jig didn’t SEEM to come from any bottom feature - shows we shouldn’t become slaves to that depth finder because our lure often runs over hidden features--or suspended fish--that we up above are never aware of. Also, out here at 12’ I may spill a trifle more line back to run the 1/16 oz. swimbait down to 7 or 8 feet deep. Yeah, I suppose I could bump jig weight up to 1/8 oz or so, but that never feels quite right and it throws my control off somehow. Come to think of it, the other day that sneaky Sean was shortlining his 1/16 oz jig over this deeper water and just annihilating me!!
You’ve done a superb job of netting hard diving, thick bass this morning (don’t even think about hauling in by rod alone or lipping an unpredictable smallie with these thin hooks and light line!), but it seems that I always get more practice netting than anyone I take out! Occasionally, after the net job, we pause from motoring to take a few casts, but that doesn’t seem to pan out. I’ve witnessed wise ole smallmouth bass following on the cast, just casually cruising behind my lure, only to turn away when the boat is spotted. Yet, while trolling, they can follow till the cows come home, the lure maintains constant depth to keep ‘em eyeballing it, and a bite occurs when hunger pangs just can’t hold out any longer! Plus, during the troll our line is always under ideal tension to begin the sharp little sickle hook burrowing in instantly.
Catch ‘n release is a very good idea while Emmrod jig trolling because, with diligence to details and a bit of patience, it’s quite easy to load a cooler. But let’s keep a couple for the nice folks back at camp to lunch on – hey, even our Lord showed that TWO kept fish can create miracle meals and make a lot of friends!!
