Deep Jigging Australia: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide
The ultimate beginner's guide to one of offshore fishing's most effective, addictive and rewarding techniques.
To a newcomer, deep jigging can seem intimidating.
Specialist tackle, deep water, expensive electronics and physically demanding fishing often give the impression that it's a technique reserved for experienced offshore anglers only. In reality, deep jigging is surprisingly easy to learn and incredibly effective at targeting large, hard-fighting fish.
Talk to almost anyone who has spent time fishing jigs in deep water, and you'll hear a common theme:
Once you have tried deep jigging, it's hard to go back. Be warned - it is VERY addictive.
Whether you're targeting Barcod in 250 metres, hunting Kingfish on deep offshore pinnacles, or exploring deep-water grounds beyond the continental shelf, deep jigging combines technical skill, some physical effort and the excitement of battling powerful fish in a way that few other fishing techniques can match.
For many anglers, it doesn't become another way to catch fish... It becomes an obsession.
What is Deep Jigging?
At its simplest, deep jigging involves dropping a heavy metal jig to the bottom and working it vertically through the water column to imitate wounded or fleeing baitfish.
Unlike bait fishing, where long periods of waiting can be common, deep jigging is active from start to finish.
You're constantly:
- Watching your electronics
- Monitoring your drift
- Adjusting boat position
- Working the jig
- Looking for signs of fish
- Managing line angles
In other words, you're always engaged.
That level of involvement is one of the biggest reasons why so many anglers fall in love with deep jigging. It's not a style of fishing that suits everyone, but when a powerful fish slams your jig and folds the rod over, it's difficult not to become addicted.
Why Deep Jigging Is Growing in Popularity
Modern technology has transformed offshore fishing.
Today's anglers have access to:
- Detailed charting systems
- Relief shading
- Sonar charts
- High-powered fish finders
- Side imaging
- Accurate GPS positioning
As a result, finding productive offshore structure has never been easier.
Ground that once took years of exploration and local knowledge to discover can now often be identified from a chart before the boat even leaves the ramp.
However, locating good ground is only the first step.
The anglers who consistently catch fish learn how to combine technology, tackle selection, boat control and fishing knowledge into one complete system.
The Three Foundations of Deep Jigging Success
While deep jigging can seem complicated, most successful offshore anglers focus on three fundamental areas.
1. Finding Productive Ground
Every successful deep jigging trip starts with quality structure.
Fish rarely position themselves randomly throughout the ocean. Instead, they gather around features that provide food, current breaks and shelter.
Some of the most productive structure includes:
- Pinnacles
- Pressure edges
- Ledges
- Drop-offs
- Isolated high spots
- Underwater ridges
- Seamounts
Modern charting software makes it easier than ever to identify these areas before heading offshore.
Many experienced jiggers spend almost as much time studying charts and planning drifts as they do actually fishing.
The better the ground, the better your chances of success.
2. Using the Right Equipment
Deep jigging places unique demands on tackle.
Fishing depths between 150 and 400+ metres requires specialised equipment capable of maintaining contact with the jig and efficiently fighting fish from extreme depths.
A typical deep jigging setup includes:
- Thin-diameter PE braid
- Purpose-built jigging rods
- High-quality reels
- Large line capacity
- Appropriately weighted jigs
- Heavy-duty assist hooks
Success often depends on keeping the jig as vertical as possible directly beneath the boat.
The wrong tackle creates excess drag, increases angler fatigue and makes the entire experience far more difficult than it needs to be.
Related Reading
- How to Choose the Right Jig Weight
- Understanding PE Line Classes
- Choosing the Best Deep Jigging Reel
Recommended Products
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3. Controlling Your Drift
This is where many anglers struggle.
Even the best structure in the ocean won't consistently produce fish if the boat isn't positioned correctly.
Experienced deep jiggers constantly monitor:
- Wind direction
- Current strength
- Drift angle
- Boat speed
- Line angle
- Sounder returns
They understand that deep jigging is often as much about boat positioning as rod work.
A perfect drift can mean the difference between fishing productive structure and missing it completely.
What Species Can You Target?
One of the great attractions of deep jigging is the incredible variety of species encountered offshore.
While fish can always surprise you, the following list reflects species commonly found throughout South-East Queensland and Northern New South Wales.
150–250 Metres
- Yellowtail Kingfish
- Pearl Perch
- Amberjack
- Snapper
- Nannygai
- Flametail Snapper
- Ruby Snapper
- Barcod
250–300 Metres
- Alfonsino
- Barcod
- Kingfish
- Flametail Snapper
- Blue Warehou
300+ Metres
- Blue Eye Trevalla
- Hapuka
- Bass Groper
- Alfonsino
- Pomfret
- Oilfish
- Swordfish
As fishing depth increases, proper tackle selection and boat handling become increasingly important.
The Role of Electronics
One topic repeatedly comes up when speaking to successful offshore anglers:
Electronics catch fish.
A quality sounder and transducer allow anglers to:
- Find productive structure
- Locate bait schools
- Identify fish close to the bottom
- Refine drift lines
- Adjust positions in real time
Learning to interpret what you see on your screen can dramatically improve your success rate.
Many experienced anglers spend years refining their understanding of:
- Gain settings
- Frequency selection
- Bottom discrimination
- Chart overlays
- Relief shading
- Fish identification
Often, the difference between an average day and an exceptional day comes down to reading the electronics correctly.
Related Reading
- Understanding Offshore Sonar
- Reading Bottom Structure
- Sounder Settings for Deep Water Fishing
Success in Deep Jigging Comes Through Constant Learning
Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of deep jigging is that there's always something new to learn.
Successful anglers continually experiment with:
- Jig profiles
- Jig weights
- Retrieval speeds
- Hook configurations
- Drift strategies
- Sounder settings
- Boat positioning
Fish behaviour changes.
Current changes.
Weather changes.
Successful anglers adapt to those changes and continue learning.
That's often what separates consistent performers from occasional success.
When Everything Comes Together
Anyone who has experienced a truly memorable deep jigging session knows the feeling.
You've found the structure.
The sounder lights up with bait and fish.
The drift is perfect.
Your jig reaches the strike zone.
Then suddenly the rod loads up as a powerful fish crashes the jig.
After all the preparation, planning and effort, the reward arrives in an instant.
It's those moments that keep anglers coming back for more.
How to Start Deep Jigging
Deep jigging can appear complicated from the outside, but every experienced offshore angler started exactly the same way:
By learning the fundamentals.
In future guides we'll take a deeper dive into:
- Choosing the right jigging tackle
- Understanding jig weights and profiles
- Reading offshore charts
- Sounder interpretation
- Drift management
- Boat positioning
- Jigging techniques
- Species-specific strategies
This article is your starting point.
The real journey begins when you drop your first jig and discover for yourself why so many anglers become obsessed with deep jigging.
Frequently Asked Questions
What depth is considered deep jigging?
Most anglers consider deep jigging to begin around 100 metres, although dedicated deep-water jigging commonly occurs between 150 and 400+ metres.
What fish can be caught Deep Jigging in Australia?
Popular target species include Kingfish, Amberjack, Ruby Snapper, Pearl Perch, Barcod, Alfonsino, Hapuka, Blue Eye Trevalla and Bass Groper.
What braid should I use for deep jigging?
Thin-diameter PE braid is generally preferred because it reduces drag in deep water and helps maintain a more vertical presentation. Typically for Deep Water scenarios you will use PE 2 to 4 braid. The stronger the current is, the thinner the braid needs to be.
Is deep jigging suitable for beginners?
Absolutely! While it may look technical, beginners who use the right equipment and focus on the fundamentals can achieve success surprisingly quickly. It is not uncommon for anglers to catch trophy fish on their very first trip!
Brian caught this impressive Hapuka on his first ever trip to the Deep!
Why is boat positioning so important?
Deep jigging works best when the jig remains as vertical as possible beneath the boat. Proper positioning allows anglers to keep their jig in the strike zone for longer. Learning how to manoeuvre the boat is a crucial part of being successful.
About the Author
Jim Potts is a Queensland-based offshore angler and founder of SeriolaPro. Through years of fishing deep offshore waters throughout South-East Queensland and Northern New South Wales, Jim has developed a passion for deep jigging, offshore electronics and helping anglers catch more fish. His goal is simple: to help anglers fish deeper, smarter and more effectively through practical on-water knowledge.