What is Slow Pitch Jigging?

Slow pitch jigging, an angling technique that hails from Japan, is making waves across the globe, and it's capturing the hearts of Aussie anglers, myself included. It's not just your average fishing style; it's a game-changer.

At its core, slow pitch jigging shares the fundamental principle of vertical jigging: enticing fish through jig movement. However, as I dug deeper into the differences, I uncovered a world of distinction.

Vertical jigging targets active, predatory fish on the hunt, making rapid, darting movements highly appealing. It mimics a healthy baitfish trying to escape, enticing strikes.

In contrast, slow pitch jigging broadens its horizons, appealing to both active and inactive fish. Most fish are only active for a few hours a day, rendering them disinterested in swift-moving prey when they're not hunting. Slow pitch jigging works its magic by imitating a wounded baitfish, presenting an irresistible, easy meal. Slow pitch jigs are designed to impart random, erratic movements, these jigs flutter, dart, and sway like a vulnerable fish.

Why I started Slow Pitch Jigging?

My journey into slow pitch jigging began with a deep love for the thrill of high-speed vertical jigging for Kingfish, a passion shared by many Australians. Armed with my trusty jigging gear, I'd set off to the offshore reefs near Sydney Harbour, craving the adrenaline rush of a giant Sydney Kingfish biting. However, I soon discovered that the demanding nature of high-speed jigging left me exhausted after just a couple of hours.

Reverting to catching live bait and purchasing frozen squid for convenience, I found success in landing Kingfish offshore, but the excitement of the chase paled in comparison to vertical jigging. Also, buying frozen squid and other bait can be expensive and spending the morning chasing yellowtails and squid can sometimes be unproductive.That's when I stumbled upon slow pitch jigging and instantly fell in love with this style of fishing.

What Equipment Do I Need?

This entirely new way of fishing comes with a brand-new set of gear. Here's a breakdown of the equipment involved and what makes it so unique.

Slow Pitch Jigging Rod

Slow pitch rods may seem surprisingly thin at first, and you might wonder if they can handle formidable catches like Yellowtail kingfish, Tuna & large groupers. Their hidden strength lies in slow taper designed giving the rod their signature parabolic bend. This evenly distributes the flex from the grip to the tip, allowing a rod so thin to battle giants. These rods are designed to work lures in a specific weight range, you can find the minimum to maximum recommended lure weight on the rod's blank. 

Slow Pitch Jigging Reel

Traditionally, slow pitch jigging requires an overhead reel because it has more cranking power. But modern day high end spin reel such as Daiwa Saltiga and Shimano Stella does a perfectly fine job. Which ever reel you decide to go with keep in mind slow jigging requires a minimum of 80cm retrieve rate per crank or more if fishing deeper waters. This allows the angler to easily work the jig up the water column. 

Slow Pitch Jigs

Slow pitch jigs stand apart from traditional vertical jigs due to their distinct shape. They tend to be wider with a center-balanced weight distribution. This unique design grants the jig extended hang time in the water, allowing it to flutter slowly on its descent. This fluttering motion is the charm of the slow pitch jig, simulating a vulnerable, injured baitfish that's too weak to swim and is gently descending, making it an enticing target for predatory fish.

Slow Pitch Jigging Line

Using specialised jigging PE braid line is essential for successful slow pitch jigging. Braid's non-stretch characteristic enables anglers to sense the jig's movements, a critical aspect as feeling the lure is necessary for imparting the desired action on slow jigs. Additionally, PE braid is both thinner and stronger compared to monofilament, thinner line can slice through currents more effectively. This keeps the angler's line vertical in the water column, because it reduce line from getting caught by the current. Additional, features such as coloured braid and chemically smooth coated braid can help you fish specific depth and getting down to that depth with ease.  

Slow Pitch Terminal Tackle 

I wasn't kidding when i said slow pitch jigging requires brand new set of gear: split rings, swivels, split ring pliers and assist hooks. The most important tackle to look out for are assist hooks. 

Slow pitch jigging assist hooks come in 2 pairs. 1 pair attached to the top of the jig and another attached at the bottom of the jig. You might ask Why do you need 4 hooks?. The reason for the extra hooks is to increase the chances of hooking a fish effectively. When a fish takes the jig, the additional hooks swing back and secure the fish from multiple points around its body. This not only distributes the pressure across four different areas but also reduces the risk of the fish tearing the hook out of its mouth, improving the chances of a successful catch.

If you're fishing in places with lots of snags, i recommend removing the bottom pair of hooks and use only a pair of hooks attached at the top.

Slow Pitch Jigging Steps

1. Allow the jig to sink to the bottom, then reel it up 2-3 times to prevent snags.
2. After I successfully avoid the snags I look to see whether my line is tight and vertical. If I don't feel the weight of the jig I will reel up 2-3 times more to tighten the line. 
3. Lift the rod tip up to almost 90 degrees angle to create a bend at the rod tip. I leave my rod in that elevated position until the rod tip straightens. This is how i know the jig has been flicked upwards. 
4. Once the tip of the rod is straight I follow the slack line back down while reeling in once or twice. The idea is to keep your line tight. 
5. i will repeat this process until i worked the  entire water column 
6. Drop the jig back down and rinse and repeat. 

It may sound simple, and it truly is. I can slow pitch jig all day without straining my shoulders and stamina in just half an hour. After getting used to this motion, start to mix up speed, crank and rod tip's angle. Give the fish something new to look at.

 This video shows the technique and getting broken off by a kingfish

What Species Can I catch?