What is slow pitch jigging?

Slow pitch jigging is a vertical fishing technique that uses fluttering metal jigs to mimic dying baitfish. It's effective in both saltwater and freshwater and works especially well when fish are not chasing fast-moving lures.

What size jig should I use?

Choose jig weight based on depth and current. Use 10–20g for docks and shallow water, 40–100g for nearshore, and 300g+ for offshore or deep water. Match the weight to how quickly you want to reach the strike zone.

Can slow pitch jigs be used in freshwater?

Yes! Submission Jigs are used successfully in lakes and rivers for bass, walleye, trout, and more. Their lifelike flutter action triggers bites when other lures fail, especially in cold or pressured conditions.

Do I need special gear for slow pitch jigging?

While you can start with standard rods and reels, a true slow pitch setup includes a soft-tip rod, high-speed conventional reel, braided line, and fluorocarbon leader. Lighter gear helps you feel the jig’s action and detect subtle strikes.

What types of fish can I catch with Submission Jigs?

Submission Jigs catch bass, redfish, black sea bass, snapper, grouper, yellowtail, tuna, and more. They're designed for both freshwater and saltwater action, from docks to deep sea.

How do I rig and use your assist hooks?

Attach the assist hook to the top eyelet of the jig, we like two on the eye side for the 10g and 15g jigs, and one on each end for 10g through 80g. For best results, use one or two assist hooks depending on the jig size. All Submission Hooks are saltwater-rated and matched to each jig size.

Sep 22, 2025

Dock Fishing with Submission Jigs: The Complete Guide

When the bite gets tough around docks, you don’t need luck—you need the right gear and the right jig. Slow pitch jigging, especially with Micro and Lightweight Submission Jigs, is one of the most effective ways to pull fish out from pilings, shadows, and structure where they stage and feed.

This tutorial breaks down the gear, techniques, and jig types that make the difference between a skunked day and a loaded cooler. Whether you’re new to slow pitch jigging or looking to sharpen your dockside game, here’s how to make every cast count. Check out the video at the bottom to see it in action!

Back in the day Submission Fishing Co called our jigs Slow Death Jigs before streamlining the name is Submission Jigs. And well before there was a single Sumo on a tackle shop shelf, we were out on our kayak in San Diego and Mission Bays fishing the docks. This old school tutorial video is an oldie but a goodie, and we hope you get something out of it! Shoot us a DM or an email and let us know!

🎣 Gear That Makes or Breaks Your Success

Spinning Reel

Stick with smaller reels—2500 size or smaller.
Smaller reels allow line to come off smoothly, giving your jig lifelike action.

Line Choice

Thin braided line with more strands = smoother, stronger, more sensitive. I like the Berkley X9.
Monofilament leader over fluorocarbon—mono offers better knot strength and abrasion resistance, crucial when you’re fighting fish around pilings.

Rod Selection

You’ll want a rod with parabolic backbone—enough strength to pull fish away from dock snags, but still soft enough to give the jig a good action.

🪝 Tips for Fishing Docks with Submission Jigs

Use Clips for Flexibility
Don’t waste time retying—use clips to switch jigs quickly as conditions change.
Position Strategically
Approach docks and pilings from angles that let your jig flutter naturally. Fish are waiting in ambush, so your presentation matters.
Manage Slack
Let the line be as slack as possible while letting the jig fall. That flutter is what triggers bites from predatory fish - even when they're not hungry.

🐟 Why Jig Shape Beats Jig Color

Most anglers think changing color is the fix when the bite slows down. But here’s the truth: shape matters more than color.

Jig profile controls action. A wider jig flutters; a thinner jig darts. Fish react differently depending on their mood and environment.
Switching shapes = more fish. Instead of swapping to another blue or pink jig, try switching from a Mercenary to a Sumo. The change in action often flips the switch.
Adapt to conditions. Light, tide, pressure—all of these affect fish behavior. Varying jig profiles gives you the edge when fish are finicky.

🧠 Pro Tip: Casting Distance Counts

Even when fishing docks, don’t be afraid to cast long. With the right jig weight (10g–40g for docks, 80g+ for open water), you can cover more structure and increase your odds of finding feeding fish. Some anglers cast up to 100 yards and still get bit. We have two great casting jigs: The Mercenary (10g - 60g) and the Death Blade (15g - our first slow pitch jig designed especially for casting with industry-first center fixed hooks to minimize snags.)

Why Submission Jigs Make All the Difference

At Submission Fishing Co., we don’t design jigs in boardrooms. We design them on the water, testing until they earn their place in your box.

✅ Micro & Lightweight Jigs (10g–20g): Perfect for docks, piers, kayaks, and lakes.
✅ Asymmetrical Shapes: Built to flutter like a dying baitfish, forcing predators to strike even when they’re sluggish or stuffed.
✅ Durable Build: Through-wire construction, sealed foils, and BKK assist hooks mean you’ll fish the same jig drop after drop.
✅ Versatility: One jig works in both fresh and saltwater, cast or vertical.

That’s why anglers call them skunk-proof.

Want to see it in action? Here is our oldie but a goodie video guide (back when we were called Slow Death Jigs!):

Final Word

Dock fishing is a puzzle: structure, current, and picky fish. With the right gear, a smart jigging technique, and especially the right jig shape, you can turn docks into consistent fish producers.

Don’t waste your time with flimsy plastics or bait that dies on you. Equip yourself with Submission Jigs and create the bite—because waiting on luck is not a strategy.

👉 Shop Micro & Lightweight Jigs for Dock Fishing