Line to Terminal

[Capt. David Roberts]

As a new member looking at all the great photos at Big Bluegill, I notice that a lot of good fisherman were tying their line directly to the jig terminal.

By doing this you decrease the action of your jig. The presentation of your jig should always be horizontal in the water ! By tying directly to the jig eye you lose control of your presentation and put the knot in control of your jig . About thirty years ago on a crappie trip to Mississippi's Grenada Lake I ran into a guy name Bill Dance .  He was willing to share a jig fishing tip with me that changed my fishing game ! The "TIP"  Never tie your line straight to your jig eye.  After telling me this he laid a small plastic package in my hand that said  NO-Knot Fast Snap Size aa small . As I waded off from Bills boat with about thirty Slabadaba's on my stringer I laughed and stuck the package in the top of my waders . When I made it back to our boat my buddy asked is that Bill Dance and asked what we had talked about. As we topped off the second cooler of slabs, I told my buddy Bill was trying to help us with our crappie fishing. We both laughed and called it a day. The next morning I had a fish snap my line. When I reached into the top of my waders to get a new jig, that little package fell out on the water. So why not ? I dropped the first two snaps in the water.  I managed to get the third one tied on. From that moment on the " Game had Changed ".  In the two days prior my buddy and I were about even on fish. Over the next few weeks,  he could not figure out how I was smoking him almost to the point of shame. I think having your jig moving free and staying horizontal in the strike zone is one of the key's to being a successful fisherman. This technique can also be accomplished with several different knots that leave your jig free. I use the Homer Rhodes knot offshore on all jigs and top water plugs . Those willing to give it a try should see about a 30 % increase in their catch ! Using the fast snap also allows you to change your jig in seconds. When vertical fishing or under a slip cork this technique is hard to beat. Hope this helps someone's fishing game