Vertical Jigging
By Kayak Kevin Whitley

At right: The author demonstrates the over hand technique.

Vertical jigging is probably the most effective way to fish rocky structure. Being able to work a jig-head in and around the rocks can almost guarantee to find a target. Every fish loves structure and we are lucky to have many large rocky structures that are within a kayak anglers reach. The tunnel islands of the lower bay bridges are the best. The first island of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel and the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel are in range. The easiest way to vertical jig these structures is from a kayak.

The greatest advantage of jigging from a kayak is the ability to silently hover over the structure. Keeping the line completely vertical is the key. This is important so your line doesn't rub the rocks. This will cause you to lose contact with the jig and get snagged. When your line is vertical, you can feel your jig head bouncing over the rocks and down into the holes. After a while you will start to see a mental picture of the structure.

Above: The side chest technique.

In order to keep the line vertical I use 1 to 2 ounce jig heads; it drops and reacts fast as I walk it over the rocks. I like using jigs with the jig eye on top of the head, like a Spro buck-tail for instance. This keeps the hook pointing up while jigging. If the jig gets hung up, I paddle back over the line and work it out of the snag from the opposite direction. Kayak anglers hardly ever lose lures.

You can bait your jig with any variety of strip baits like squid or flounder belly. I use Gulp! and it catches every fish you will target jigging. I like the shrimp and pogy (paddle tail) styles. They have a good

profile and are tough enough to handle being nipped by baby black sea bass and small croakers. Berkley has come out with new larger Gulps! I use the 6-inch jerk shads and curly tails, that we call the jigasauras, for trophy flounder and black drum.

Of course the advantage of the kayak is its maneuverability. With the one arm paddle technique, it’s an unstoppable jigging machine. The key for one arm paddling is having a fulcrum point for your paddle. I never use my wrist alone; it’s a ticket to tendonitis. I always brace my paddle against some part of my body, whether it be the chest of my PFD, my arm pit or my forearm. Utilizing the one arm paddle can help your kayak straight during a drift, or when the wind and waves spin around.

These techniques will hopefully help you put some big fish in your lap. Give them a try and utilize your kayak to its fullest potential. Jig'em up and GET ON'EM. For more pictures, videos and weekly reports, check out kayakkevin.com.