Method

Jigging soft lures: how to get started

When jigging, your shad hops across the bottom on a jig head. Most bites come on the drop, especially from zander and perch.

Good for

Plan a day of Spinning

What you need

Spinning rod with a stiff action: 2.70 to 3.00 m, a maximum casting weight of 30 to 60 g
Fixed-spool reel, size 2000 to 3000
Coloured braided line, about 0.12 to 0.18 mm
Optionally about 1 m of fluorocarbon as a leader
Where there are pike: a pike-proof trace
Jig heads in several weights, in still water usually 5 to 15 g
Shads: 6 to 12 cm for perch and zander, 14 to 25 cm for pike
Landing net, disgorger or pliers, tape measure, priest and knife

Step by step

Before you go, sort out your German fishing licence (Fischereischein), your fishing permit and the rules for the water, for example whether lures are allowed right now.
Thread the shad straight onto the jig hook. The hook point comes out where the hook shank ends.
Choose a jig head as light as possible and as heavy as necessary: you must still be able to feel the bottom clearly.
Cast out, close the bail arm straight away and let the lure sink to the bottom on a tight line. Count the seconds until it lands.
Jigging: twitch the rod twice briefly, make two quick turns of the reel handle, then let the lure sink again.
Faulenzen (the lazy method): lift the lure using only the reel and let it sink for about 2 to 3 seconds. This suits sluggish fish.
A tap or a line that suddenly goes slack is a bite: strike straight away.
Any fish you keep, stun and kill straight away in a humane way. Unhook all the others quickly in the water.

Common mistakes

Rod too short or too soft: you struggle to get the lure moving and you get more snags.
Monofilament line instead of braid: it stretches and swallows bites and lure movement.
Jig head too heavy: the lure no longer hops and cautious bites are lost.
Striking too late: zander and perch spit out the soft lure quickly.

Tips

A small extra treble hook in size 6 or 8 between the jig hook and the tail sits well in the mouth.
Fish the last few metres in front of the bank thoroughly, zander often follow the lure right up to there.
In coloured water, bright and garish colours catch, in sunshine and clear water more often silver or gold.

Quick questions

What jig head weight do I need?

In still water, 5 to 15 g is usually enough. In rivers with a current you need more. Rule of thumb: as light as possible, as heavy as necessary. If you can no longer feel the bottom, go to the next heavier head.

What is the difference between jigging and Faulenzen?

When jigging, you move the lure with the rod, which suits active fish. With Faulenzen, you lift it only by turning the reel handle and let it sink for a long time, the better choice for sluggish fish.

When does the fish bite when jigging?

Almost always on the drop. So keep the line tight and watch it closely. A slight tap in the rod or a slack line shows the bite, then strike straight away.

Check the rules

Closed seasons and minimum sizes are set by each German state (and by each country abroad) and can be stricter on individual waters. We are building an overview with sources and check dates. Until then, check the local fishing regulations and the rules of the club or permit for your water.

Sources (2)

Last checked 2026-10-10. Found a mistake? Write to [email protected].

Know more?

Additions, photos of your catches or a mistake in the text: write to us and we will gladly credit you as a helper.

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