The bottom to top issue I have have (in clear water) is how to not accidentally have a cast land right on top of a fish - or are you strictly sight fishing? With fly fishing this works fine since the fly is so tiny and light. With a jig and bobber I would assume that this makes enough of a splash to frighten a fish.
For jigs, I was using a 1/8oz black and pink marabou jig and a 1/8 oz all pink jig. I was using 8lb test a flourocarbon leader. I think I was mostly doing things correctly, I probably just need more time on the water with these fish. Perhaps I will try and tie up some smaller jigs.
I have done a lot of trout and bass fishing, but I am new to steelhead fishing. I usually believe that the difference between catching and just casting is to make sure that I am fishing in spots where there are fish. The more confidence I have that I am in the right spot, using a reasonable approach, the easier it is to maintain diligence. I have rarely been fishing when a subtle color or lure difference made a huge difference. Even in fishing for "selective" trout it usually comes down to the quality of the presentation rather than the exact fly. Thus, I am trying to understand if I am basically doing things correctly.
However, I would really like some input on how many casts you make into a spot? Is steelheading (lets say for summers) more of a run 'n' gun situation or is it more of slow, methodical approach. How far do you think a fish will move to take a jig (vertically and horizontally)? Does it make sense to fish through a run, then lower the jig a foot and fish through again or would any summer have hit the first time (does the 1 foot depth change make any difference)?
Before I had kids I would find the answers to these questions myself by spending a lot of time on the water. However, I do not get out very often now and so I am trying to stand on some of your shoulders to help myself up the learning curve
Thanks for any and all tips!