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Comment by LedHed on October 25, 2014 at 2:23pm

Thnx Tony - hoping we get into a La Nina - rain all winter. The low level at Lake Perris is so they can do work on the dam and extend the lake in the back end - going to be a while.

Comment by Tony Livingston on October 25, 2014 at 5:55am

The low water levels I've been seeing in photos are, to be honest, terrifying to me. I hope that things turn around out there, and soon. I'm just watching from afar, yet it's still upsetting to me. I can hardly imagine what you guys who are right there must be thinking.

It's a pitiful attempt on my part, but I've got my fingers crossed that moisture returns, pronto.

Comment by LedHed on October 25, 2014 at 5:33am

Enjoy you analogy with the meat - makes sense. You don't know what your missing until you try it....

Our surface water is in the low 70s - more worried about the level right now. Not easy staying on top of seasonal moving fish. If I wasn't so obsessed with catching big fish on my tyes, I would be using tungsten jigs and spoons. I can't explain it but there is a difference in how they feel (extremely sensitive) and I understand why they are so popular in the colder areas.

We aren't into the down size mode, yet, hopefully not for another month or two. Hard to predict a pattern with the cold season coming and the level dropping. Not as proficient as some SoCal anglers' that claim to have all the SoCal lakes dialed in - still struggling with Lake Perris. Haven't seen any recent (this year) pics of Skinner or DVL - both lake levels are dropping also.

Big Bluegill get big for a reason. They go through a gauntlet of predator fish, predator birds, and human meat-eaters. Deserve a lot more than hung by the jaw for a photo than slung back into a live well.

There are people that do believe that they have the jig of jigs - the catch all. Wish I could figure that one out.... I think Tony is correct - develop a system - probably the best advice for targeting larger Panfish. Always respect your catch (except for green carp). LOL

Comment by Tony Livingston on October 24, 2014 at 7:25pm

It's all good guys! My point was, and is, how do you know they're not needed, or worth the money until you try em'? If I never had a great steak, I would probably still be satisfied with hamburger.....but having chowed down on my first prime filet mignon some years ago, I know now that there's some instances when my craving for beef won't be satisfied with ground meat......still eat burgers FAR more often than steak, ($$$) but it's nice to know that a better cut  is available for those times when I crave a richer sensation.

I have very limited travel experience, so I don't know what water temps different areas of the country see over the course of a winter. But I do believe that snow and ice are absolutely not necessary to reap the benefits of a smaller, heavier jig. My water temps are currently around 60 degrees, and I'm downsizing and fishing deeper NOW.

Big bluegills are smart bluegills. I don't believe in the mystique of the perfect bait/jig, and that includes tungsten. It's all part of a system, and I think it needs to be utilized as a system to yield results. You still need to have the right line, the right presentation, etc. for it to work.

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on October 24, 2014 at 3:01pm

Got some tungsten beads, so I'll tie up a few balance pinhead balance jigs
Sorry for being a naysayer, Tony. Well see what happens.

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on October 24, 2014 at 2:52pm

And now Dick has me thinking - plain tungsten jigs. Where are they?

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on October 24, 2014 at 2:51pm

It was a passionate opener Tony, for sure.
I don't mess with tungsten because it's not needed. I've tried em, and they do what you need. I don't fish in the winter much, so that's out.
Someday, it's probably all well be allowed to have. But if you like em, I like it for you.

Comment by dick tabbert on October 24, 2014 at 2:35pm

Sonny is there a good place to buy unfinished tungsten jig heads. I'd like to tie up a few for my own personal use and give them a try.

Comment by dick tabbert on October 24, 2014 at 2:30pm

Nice write up Tony. I'm not against trying out anything I just said for resale it's not worth it everybody wants something for nothing especially when you compare it to a lead jig although I don't tie for money but may be worth it for my own personal tackle at least to give it a try. I'm sure there is something to it the only complaint I've ever herd about tungsten is the cost..

Comment by LedHed on October 24, 2014 at 1:40pm

Tungsten has a feel of it's own and certainly has it's place. Used, and favored, by a lot of hard water fishers.  I can only speak for fishing out here and can catch BG all year round using custom made jigs. I don't agree with using jigs small enough for the BGs to inhale and gut hook. This is a personal choice and not an attack on any fisher's preference. There are times when small is the only thing that is going to bite.... #10 or a Matzuo #12 (wide gap) is as small as we go down to 1/100th and 1/80th. If you need to tight line the small stuff - tungsten.

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