Slow pitch jigging has become one of my favourite ways of fishing offshore, particularly because the tackle is light, compact and incredibly versatile. Whether I am fishing from a kayak, jetski or offshore boat, I want a setup that is comfortable to use for long periods but still gives me enough strength and control when a decent fish takes the jig.
After looking at the different options available, my current slow pitch jigging setup consists of:
- Nonsuch Slow Pitch Jigging Rod – 6'5"
- Noeby Nonsuch 1500 Slow Jigging Reel
- Noeby Infinite II 29 lb PE2 multicolour braid
- Siglon FC 54 lb fluorocarbon leader – approximately 2.5 metres
- FG knot connecting braid to fluorocarbon
For the type of offshore fishing I do, this gives me a very nicely balanced combination.
Why I Prefer an Overhead Slow Pitch Setup
Slow pitch jigging is different from simply dropping a heavy jig to the bottom and winding it back as quickly as possible.
The rod, reel, line and jig all work together. The rod loads and releases energy into the jig, allowing it to flutter, slide, kick and fall through the water. Quite often, the strike actually comes while the jig is falling.
This is one of the reasons I like an overhead reel for this style of fishing.
With the reel positioned directly above the rod, I find it very comfortable for controlling the jig, feeling what is happening below and immediately engaging the reel when a fish takes. My rod model is the NBSJC652ML (Jig 30h-200g) (PE 1.5-3#0 Braid)Noeby Nonsuch Slow Jigging.
The compact Nonsuch 1500 also keeps the overall outfit light, which becomes particularly important when jigging for several hours.
Why This Setup Works So Well From a Kayak
Kayak fishing is probably where the advantages of a compact slow pitch setup become most obvious.
Space is limited, unnecessary weight is something I try to avoid, and I don't want an oversized rod and reel getting in the way.
A short slow pitch rod is easy to manage while seated and allows me to jig vertically alongside the kayak without having to make exaggerated movements.
The lightweight outfit also reduces fatigue. This is important because when fishing from a kayak, you are already paddling, controlling the kayak, dealing with wind and current and managing all your tackle from a seated position.
Having a light jigging outfit makes a considerable difference.
Why It Also Works From a Jetski
Jetski fishing presents many of the same challenges.
Again, space is limited and compact tackle is a major advantage.
A short slow pitch rod stores easily, is simple to handle around the ski and doesn't require a lot of room to work a jig effectively.
When you're fishing vertically beneath the jetski, you don't need a long rod. The short rod actually becomes an advantage because you can keep your movements controlled while maintaining excellent contact with the jig.
And Then I Can Take Exactly the Same Setup Onto the Boat
This is another reason I like this outfit.
I don't need a completely different slow pitch setup when I move from the kayak or jetski onto an offshore boat.
The same rod and reel combination comes with me.
On the boat I obviously have more space, but the advantages of lightweight tackle remain exactly the same. I can comfortably jig for long periods without having to hold a heavy conventional outfit all day.
It therefore gives me one dedicated slow pitch setup that works across all three platforms.
Why I Use 29 lb PE2 Braid
My main line is Noeby Infinite II 29 lb PE2 multicolour braid.
For slow pitch jigging, thin braid has some important advantages.
A thinner diameter creates less resistance through the water. This helps the jig get down more efficiently and allows me to maintain better contact with it, particularly as the depth or current increases.
This becomes even more noticeable when fishing from a drifting kayak or jetski.
Braid also has extremely little stretch compared with monofilament. That means small movements of the rod are transferred much more directly to the jig.
It also improves sensitivity. I can feel the jig, bottom contact and subtle takes much more easily.
Why Multicolour Braid?
The multicolour braid is particularly useful for offshore jigging because the changing colours give me a visual indication of how much line I have deployed.
If I know fish are holding at a particular depth, I can get my jig back into approximately the same zone instead of blindly dropping all the way to the bottom every time.
For me, multicolour braid isn't simply cosmetic – it is a useful depth-management tool.
Why I Use a 54 lb Fluorocarbon Leader
At the business end I use approximately 2.5 metres of Siglon FC 54 lb fluorocarbon.
This gives me a considerably stronger and more abrasion-resistant section between the relatively light PE2 braid and the jig.
Fluorocarbon is useful around structure and when dealing with the abrasive mouths, gill plates and bodies of fish. It also gives me a less visible section of line immediately ahead of the jig.
I like approximately 2.5 metres because it provides a practical amount of protection without putting an unnecessarily long heavy leader into the system.
Connecting Braid to Fluorocarbon – The FG Knot
I connect the PE2 braid directly to the 54 lb fluorocarbon using an FG knot.
This is my preferred braid-to-leader connection.
The FG creates a very slim connection because the braid effectively grips around the fluorocarbon rather than creating two bulky line knots joined together.
That slim profile is particularly useful when the connection needs to move through the rod guides.
A properly tied FG knot also maintains excellent strength while allowing me to avoid adding a swivel between the braid and leader.
So my connection is very simple:
29 lb PE2 braid → FG knot → 54 lb fluorocarbon leader → terminal connection/jig
Simple, strong and effective.
It's About Balance Rather Than Simply Going Heavier
One of the biggest lessons with slow pitch jigging is that heavier tackle isn't automatically better.
The rod needs to work the jig. The braid needs to be thin enough to minimise drag. The reel needs to have sufficient capacity and drag performance without making the outfit unnecessarily heavy.
Everything needs to work together.
For my fishing, PE2 braid paired with a 54 lb fluorocarbon leader provides a good balance between sensitivity, jig control and practical strength.
It also means that catching fish on this equipment is tremendous fun.
One Setup – Three Fishing Platforms
That's ultimately what I like most about this combination.
Whether I'm loading the kayak, preparing a jetski for an offshore trip or heading out on the boat, I can take the same slow pitch jigging outfit with me.
It is:
- Light and comfortable to fish
- Compact enough for a kayak or jetski
- Equally at home on an offshore boat
- Sensitive enough to properly work slow pitch jigs
- Strong enough for the type of offshore fishing I intend using it for
- Simple, with a direct braid-to-fluorocarbon FG connection
There will always be situations where heavier tackle is required, particularly when fishing very deep water, powerful current or specifically targeting exceptionally large fish.
But for my general offshore slow pitch jigging, I prefer an outfit that is enjoyable to fish rather than simply choosing the heaviest equipment possible.
For me, the Nonsuch slow pitch rod and Nonsuch 1500 reel, loaded with Noeby Infinite II 29 lb PE2 braid and finished with a 2.5 metre Siglon FC 54 lb fluorocarbon leader, gives me exactly that balance.
And perhaps most importantly, it's an outfit I can use whether I'm fishing from my kayak, jetski or offshore boat.
For more information on the above setup as well our which setup would suit you, contact Brett HERE.
