Micro Jigs
Over the last few seasons, we have been experimenting with different fishing styles for the upper reaches of the lagoon at Sette Cama. These areas usually have fairly steep banks and water in the 4-10m range with a mix of sediment and rocky bottom. Having had good success with paddletails and small trembler-like lures, we were excited this season to fish the same areas with micro jigs and see what happened. The results have been quite incredible. Below head guide Ewan Kyle breaks it down for us.
Understanding the Basics of Micro Jig Fishing
Micro jig fishing is a style of fishing that involves using small, lightweight jigs to target a variety of fish species in deeper water. The jigs are typically between 10-30 grams in weight and are worked in a vertical jigging motion, which involves lifting and dropping the jig through the water column. This technique is especially effective for targeting fish in structure-rich environments, where traditional lures may get snagged. Micro jig fishing is gaining popularity among anglers due to its versatility and effectiveness in catching a wide range of species.
Exploring Fishing Styles for the Upper Reaches of Sette Cama Lagoon
Areas that would produce only a few bites on the first drift or two with a paddletail would consistently produce bites for many more drifts with the jigs, often surprisingly yielding significantly bigger fish on the 15-20g jig than with the 5″ paddletails. It’s as if the big, clever fish recognize the paddletail as not good to eat but can’t resist the jig. It could be the action or speed, or just the size category, but something about the micro-jigs just works. As you are fishing with such a small lure and in relatively deep water, it is necessary to go pretty light on the braid and leader. I have been using 15lb braid and a 25lb fluoro leader, which you can still pull surprisingly hard with, but of course, with many snapper in the 6-8kg range and often in very horrible structure, you do lose a fair number.
I find it incredibly captivating to lift and drop the jig through the last 1.5m of water off the bottom, feeling my way over and through the structure. Often, you will be drifting through an area feeling gravel and sand, and then you lift the jig and drop it, feeling it land on a rock that comes up 1m off the bottom, and you know you are in the zone, and the chances of a good bite are extremely high. The bite itself is also highly satisfying as it always happens on the drop, and often there is a small tap or tug on the line as the fish misses on the first swipe, then comes back with vigor for the second try as the lure returns. With relatively small, de-barbed single hooks, there is also very little damage to the fish, which is important. We have found areas where you can consistently get good-sized threadfin on the jigs, which in the past have been a difficult species to target in the lagoon and put up an excellent, clean fight on the light tackle.
List of species on micro jig so far:
- Longfin jack
- Brown snapper
- Mangrove snapper
- Guinean snapper
- Cubera snapper
- Tilapia
- Banded jewel cichlid
- Catfish
- Guinean barracuda
- Grunter
- Springer/ladyfish
- Giant African threadfin
- Pursemouth
Endless Fishing Opportunities Awaits the micro jigs in Sette Cama
So far, we have explored only a small percentage of the upper lagoon, which consists of over 360 islands. We have only scratched the surface of what is out there, and as soon as the sounders arrive and we are able to see the bottom structure in more detail and find the old canyons and pinnacles that should hold the fish, it will open up a new world of fishing opportunities. I think next season, micro-jigging will become incredibly popular and with good reason.
If you would like to come and explore Sette Cama on micro jog with us, please click here for more info!
