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Although my opinions don't necessarily represent those of other (far better) jig fisherman on this site, I thought a post like this would be beneficial to many. The information I'm presenting is not the only way to get started into jig fishing, but it is a way that has been working for me since I started fishing jigs. Step One: Equipment In order to start fishing jigs, you need some jigs (duh!), trailers, and something to throw them on. Jigs and Trailers: The Jigs: I'm a big advocate of simplicity in jig fishing, and so I'm starting you off with some basic, proven jigs. I'd recommend a 3/8 oz. casting jig (you might also hear it as an arky head). You're looking for a streamlined head that will go through cover easily. 3/8s of an ounce is a great weight to start out with. Later on you may want to try heavier or lighter jigs, but the 3/8s is a great size to start with. This jig is very, very versatile and can be hopped, dragged, swum, and fished in all types of cover. The Colors: Again, I'm keeping it simple here. I'd recommend two colors of jigs: one of them being Black & Blue and the other being Green Pumpkin. While there are many, many other colors out there that work and perhaps look cooler, these ones will get the the job done for you. Many experienced jig fisherman primarily use these two colors, and they're a great way to go whether you're starting out or have been fishing jigs for a long time. Note: When I say, "Green Pumpkin," I'm' referring to jigs are primarily green pumpkin, regardless of other colors mixed in, such as purple, red, black, or blue. Fish the Green Pumpkin jig in clear to semi-stained water, and fish the Black & Blue Jig in stained, dirty, or muddy water. The Trailers: I'd recommend the same colors for trailers as I did jigs. The trailer I use 99% of the time on my jigs is a Strike King Rage Chunk. There are many other trailers out there, but the one I'd recommend is a Strike King Rage Chunk (or craw). If you're on a budget, I would recommend picking up some NetBait Paca Chunks, which work pretty well. Otherwise, do yourself a favour and buy some Rage Craw Chunks. The Combo: Rod: I'd recommend a Medium-Heavy baitcasting rod. Some people prefer a Heavy action, but I like a Medium Heavy. There are many choices of rod companies out there, so find one that you like. Just make sure you get the best one you can afford. Jigs can be fished on any rod, but they're easier to fish on a sensitive one. Reel: Again, many options are out there regarding reels. Couple things to keep in mind: Make sure you get one that has a decent gear ratio (I like a 6:4:1 or higher). And while I believe that the rod is much more important, it's also wise to get a nice reel for your jig combo. Line: I really believe in throwing my jigs on braid with a leader, but I seem to be in the minority on this, as many jig fisherman like fluorocarbon. I'd recommend 30 lb. braid or 15-17 pound fluorocarbon. The reason I like braid is that it allows me to get a good hookset on a long cast, but fluorocarbon also does a good job. Step Two: Research I cannot recommend highly enough that you do some reading on BassResource, particularly the first thread I linked to: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/12403-jig-fishing-questions/ http://www.bassresource.com/fish/jigs.html http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/how-to-fish-jigs.html http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/jig-fishing-specifics.html http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/bass_fishing_jigs.html Step Three: Go Fishing Many people will recommend that you go out and throw nothing but jigs until you start seeing some rewards, but this can also be very frustrating. While jigs are some of the most versatile baits on the market, the bass don't always want them. My recommendation is to gain confidence in fishing soft plastics and especially texas rigs first, and then to go out and throw jigs in places where you know there are bass. I hope this helps you get started in jig fishing. Other people on here will have far better advice than I do, so make sure you read the comments and see what they have to say when they chime in. Good luck! P.S. If you're looking for some jigs to start with, I highly recommend checking out Siebert Outdoors. Mike Siebert has sponsored these forums for a long time and makes some quality jigs.

A few glides came in this week. Yum.

Very excited to try the bluegill

The problem I have with chunks is two fold: 1. They have little action making them ideal for negative/neutral fish and better suited for cold water. Not something I will use for majority of my fishing. 2. Chunks lack the necessary length to extended very far between the outer portion of a skirt. They tend to get lost in the skirt and what movement they offer isn't all that visible. For that reason I am only using the Lobster and Regular sized Rage Craws on standard sized jigs.

Did a little research on the Rake and found Mr. Bill is a deceiving liar! Here is the Rake chasing away photographers during Bills and its honeymoon in the woods Here's the new couple out looking for bigfoot Here they are arguing over dinner again. you two i swear!

I have the 6:1 and I use it for topwater. It's a great reel and I have no issues or problems. I put a 96mm Metanium handle on mine because I prefer a longer handle. As for deep cranks, I suppose the 6:1 would work fine for cranks up to 10 foot or so. I prefer a 5:1 (or my Zillion 4.9:1) for deep cranks, but everyone has their own style. Like others have said, it is just a Curado I. However, for a few dollars extra you can have something different that not everyone has. To me, it was worth it, but to others it might not be. Go with whatever makes you happy, because at the end of the day, that's all that matters.

Anywhere on the site where you see "X minutes ago", you can click it to go the to the last post of any thread. So yes, you can go directly to the last post of a sub forum from the main forum page. With that, I'm going to close this thread. All I'm doing is preventing you guys from just clicking around and trying things. I encourage you to just try clicking on stuff to see what happens; and hover over images, links, and text to see what happens. There's a lot of cool stuff to discover!

What are you missing out on?? Big Bass! 1. I may lose a jig but I aint never worn one out 2. I can change my jig color by chinging the trailer 3. A larger slip does in fact effect the rate of fall; how much seperation do you believe there is between the lure & weight? 4. It's called rattles! I keep both tied on 24/7/365

There is a new i model coming in February! Instead of a 50 model they're calling it a 70 size. Here's a picture. If it doesn't come up pm me and I can tell you the website.

We would like to wish everyone on these forums a very Merry Christmas and a Joyous Holiday season. May all our New Years be prosperous and filled with memorable experiences. May we have the strength and fortitude to deal with any personal adversities. May we be mindful of those that need support. As an added wish; may we all get a new PB. " Kit " & " Stitch "

Yes, that's them. They were working today too.

Great article, Senko lover! My favorite trailer on a skirted jig (when I want a lot of movement) is the Yamamoto double tail grub. Has a good amount of action when dragged or lightly hopped. Very versatile, drops and swims great. They are also one of the cheaper Yamamoto baits. (non-hula version)

Tried quite a few..Zman Project Z is the best I've tried so far

Merry Christmas!!!

Exactly the same deal I got on my Scorpion. If I was looking to buy that platform today...a USDM Curado I for $119 would be a no-brainer...

Glad they announced before Christmas. I still have time to take the wife and kids' presents back so I have cash to put a couple pre-orders in.

YESSSSSS!!!! Soooo...Scorpion 70 too??

Sweet!!! I was gonna pick up a 200I but I think im gonna hold out.. On that website it shows that theres going to be a HG model and XG model. Would it be same to assume that the XG model would he in the 8:x:1 range?

Well shoot it looks my reel to rod ratio is going to be even more unbalanced than it already is

Sometimes it just a color difference, a couple more bearings or not or no difference at all and some JDM reels at least in the past, were not available here at all or have a USDM cousin. Sometimes they cost more and sometimes they don't and some models in Japan may be available in left hand retrieve while their USDM cousin may not be and some models may have different gear ratios. Like fishballer said, sometimes you just want something that not everyone has.

I use both spinning and bait casting for wacky. Setup is all braided mainline (10, 15 or 20lb) and a leader from 4-15 lb test. Typically use either Gamakatsu Split/Drop hooks in 1, 1/0, or Wide Gap Finesse hooks. I tie on my own weed guards. For worms, anything from Senkos to knock-offs to Trick and Finesse worms to minnows, etc. Will also use weighted wacky hooks, usually 1/8oz.

Only one commit! Nice job

It takes all of 10 seconds to open it up and turn a brake tab on or off. Most baits can be thrown using either 1 or 2 tabs on. If you have a well trained thumb like you say then turning 1 tab on would be plenty. Set it and forget it.

LOL, isn't that the truth. It seems like a one way street when it comes to bass. It's always, where are they at? what are they doing? and what do they want? It's like having a wife, they expect you to be a mind reader.

The subject on what colors bass can see depending upon depth and water clarity/color has been studied and commercially exploited before by Dr Loren Hill, anybody heard of the Color C-Lector ? for some of us old farts like Tom, Catt, RoLo and myself this is not new, we lived through those ages back in the 90´s when tackle manufacturers took a big effort making their baits Color C-Lector "approved", as many novelties the Color C-Lector craze was short lived, same thing happened to the Photofinish craze and the Guanim finish craze. What bass can see and what bass is willing to bite can be two completely different things, personally I like certain colors and honestly I catch a lot of fish with them but you can bet that I catch a lot of fish with those clors simply because that´s what I use most of the time, I like "shad" colored baits ( even though I´ve never seen a Tequila shad colored shad ) and baits with lots and lots of metal flake, I´m confident to say that the glitter/ shine the metal flake produces when struck by the light attracts more than the color of it. Choose whatever color you like and throw it with confidence, it´s more important for you to choose the "right" bait ( shape, size, properties like water displacement n such ) than to choose the "right color".

Christmas definitely came early. I was thinking about a Metanium to pair it with but I'm not a 100% sure.

I think you might be visiting stores with low inventory, and what's left for the season may be mostly left handed. I've seen that happen. Otherwise, what you're asking about isn't a reality. Most manufacturers have a more limited left handed selection because they don't sell as well. There are definitely more righties produced, much to the chagrin of south paws.

First post here.... Wanted to start a discussion on something ive always wondered...... Hear both sides of the story, or find out if im the only one on my side Ive been bass fishing for 25 years, and ive never used a bass jig.... Before you condemn me, let me say ive caught plenty of fish throwing a Texas rigged craw bait, using the same presentation you do with a jig My reasoning at first was budget.... $3 for one jig, or $5 for a whole pack of weights and hooks.... A no brainer right??..... When im dropping something to the bottom of the lake, i don't wanna have much invested in it But, i soon found more advantages to this approach 1) cost... (just worth saying again) 2) color selection... I can carry infinite colors of my craw baits, and change at my leisure without re-tying 3) fall rate... Once the weight hits bottom, the bait free falls the rest of the way.. Using larger slip weights has less effect on the bait than larger jigs 4) sound... While a jig can tap against rocks to make sound, a Texas rig can do this on its own as the weight taps against the hook (or bead) on every jerk, even over a soft bottom When you hear "Texas rig", its usually followed by "worm".... But its far more versatile! So lets hear the other side from the jig guys... What am i missing out on??

Very nice, jig fishing is something I really want to get better at.

Your choice of spinning rod with with a 2500 sized reel 10-15 lb braid to 8-12 lb fluoro leader

Nice write up on the basics of jig fishing! Should serves as a nice starting point for a lot of folks just getting into jig fishing that feel lost or overwelmed.

Nice rod and reel combo!

If it were me, I'd go very early in the morning or at dusk and throw poppers. You can't beat the topwater action and a lot of times the fish aren't use to pressure early in the day. Sometimes In these small ponds the algae gets out of control which is who I avoid lures that go in the algae. Also you'll never lose s topwater lure. The other suggestions were good too. Frogs are great to fish in the surface slop or lily pads, but you might miss a good number of fish. Experiment with a few of these techniques and see what works best and what you like to throw.

Hootie is right, if you buy from a reputable JDM retailer, there is no hassle. As far as price goes, it all depends on if you want a JDM reel. I would pay more to have the JDM version. The big difference is when you buy a JDM Shimano that is available in Japan and in the U.S. like the Antares, Aldebaran and Metanium. The one you get from Japan is considerably cheaper right now.

Most People say use a 6 for square bills.. I was using a 6 for the longest but decided to try a 5:4.1 with the spool all the way full and have been having more sucess. I felt like I was always burning it with the 6.3... I like the cabelas rods but I would find one shorter ..6'6 to 6'8" for shallow cranks... Accuracy is a critical when throwing cranks into.shallow wood . Just a sugestion.. I'm still trying to find the "perfect" square bill set up.

Fish don't know the seasons, fish the conditions the same as you would at any other time of year based off water temp, clarity.....

It stared for me back in the 70s when I use to make lures, one night I decided to stuff a bullet weight into a rubber skirt. It was so difficult I gave up after only making a half a dozen. This little trick when paired with a craw worm won me many a tournament. Scott's Marina on the Texas side of Toledo Bend is a one room building, a small wharf big enough for a couple jon boats, and a launch. Scott sold Community Coffee which is the #1 coffee of Cajuns and why I hung around. He had maybe a dozen packs of worms, 4-5 spinner baits & traps. On one particular morning I notice some new lures lying on the counter, I picked one up & the little card read "Big Red's Flying Jig". Inside was the lead head of a spinner bait, a skirt, & a 3/0 offset hook with a hitch hiher attached. I bought em all! This was the perfect answer to putting a skirt on a bullet weight! Later I found Barlow's Tackle sold just the weights and then Cyclone Lures made a Slip-n-Jig.

For some anglers its how they can get a bullet weight through cover easier than a jig, a problem I don't have with jigs. For me it's changing the profile of a t-rig, the added action of a skirt, & eliminates buying a skirt bead. Like with a jig I use skirts with round strands, flat strands, fine cut strands, or wide cut strands. I can't really explain its fish attracting abilities but what I do know is I've fished behind guys throwing t-rig & jigs and caught fish they missed. Is it the bait? I don't know but it works which is all I care about! WRB, it alway amazed me how someone on the west coast gets an idea while someone on the east coast has the same idea & someone on the third coast does the same! For me it confirms, yea that'll work! And yes you can get them in tungsten in weights from 1/4-1 1/2 oz

I own one. What do you want to know?

Also back in the 70's Bill Habbock made a skirted bullet weight with vynl skirt on a collared bullet weight he called a Bum that was used for a T- rig with Super Float worms and split the worm about 4" into 2 tails. Tinkering around with bass lures is lots of fun and sometimes you stumble onto a " secret lure" of your own. I remember my first T-rig, the Texas rig had have a red painted bullet weight to catch bass! Tom

I'm excited to give these a try! I just started pouring and tying my own.

I fish both but i am not sure i can agree with your advantages when you have never fished a jig. I catch bigger fish on jigs and more on a texas rig on my lakes.

Any plastic that can be fished on a T rig can be used as a trailer on a jig. Jigs give a bulkier profile and are more active when at rest. Different head styles come through different kinds of cover better, often better than a plain bullet weight will (football head through rocks). I pour and tie my own so it's actually often cheaper to lose a jig than a T rig since I don't pay for lead and buy my supplies in bulk, a jig cost less than a dollar to make. Since I tie my own, my color options are virtually limitless. They both have their time and place. Ignoring one or the other is leaving yourself seriously handicapped.

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ One of the best aspects of virtually any type of fishing is that an angler can do it any way he or she chooses. Both Jigs & Texas Rigged baits have take some very respectable bass for me as well as accounting for many a memorable days. If the fish show even the slightest interest (and sometimes even when they don't) I'll fish them EVERY CHANCE I Get And at times, I'll even fish them both at the same time You results may vary. A-Jay

I had a Curado G, and was impressed. Then I bought a Curado I, and was blown away, it's the best I've had so far. I've tried Lews at a few stores around here and while they're nice looking, they just don't feel as refined. They feel like my Bass Pro Carbonlite, which feels substantially "cheaper" in as that it's not as solid feeling. I say go someplace that has both, pick them both up, palm them, spin the handles, simulate casting, and make your choice off of feel...not brand reputation. You're the guy who's going to make a million casts, it's got to feel "right" to you.

You better buy one of each color to make sure you're covered.... just kidding. I like Blue Craw.

Nothing works all the time and there are no real rules as far as trailer colors go - That said, I've had success with Green Pumpkin, Black & Blue as well as anything that has the word "Candy" as part of the description. A-Jay

All I know is, I'm right handed and I learned to fish with a spinning reel, always holding my rod with the right hand, and reeling with the left. No switching hands, always casting and fighting fish with my dominant hand. It wasn't until I first tried playing around with baitcasters this year that I really grasped how awkward it would feel to reel with the right while holding and working a bait in my non-dominant hand since i had been doing it the other way all my life. It was so alien, I just decided I would use lefty baitcasters, and so far that seems just right (as it were). The reel selection is indeed more limited -- for some reels, the left doesn't have as many gear ratios available -- but after 30 years of always using my right hand to hold a rod, and reeling with the left, my hands just don't want to cooperate the other way.

I find it very interesting how people all across the country kind of copycat or model their gear and tackle as other people. Truth of the matter is not everyone is fishing the same kind of water, structure, etc. Knowing your water type will really allow you to hone in on tactics that work in your areas and others that wont. Live in Maryland...75% of all of our water is shallow, mainly stained, tidal rivers, where grass is super important. We have a few big lakes/reservoirs. So if Im fishing these shallow (relatively) rivers with grass and tides, I can limit the baits I throw and the gear I use. I know if Im working a shoreline in 4-8 feet of water, I dont need a Football Head jig tied on; Im better off with a squarebill, Spinnerbait, jig etc. Also since the water tends to be stained, I can leave those translucent natural colors at home; instead focusing on my black& blue, junebugs, reds etc. Vice versa there is a rather large reservoir bout 20 minutes from me, that gets very deep, very quick; almost no flats, you can be 3 yards off shore and be in 15 feet of water. So there Ive eliminated 5 or 6 techniques just off of that; Jigs, 10 inch worms, deep cranks, shakeyheads are what I turn to, and not a squarebill that maxes out in 5 feet of water. So just some advice as you buy tackle and stuff this winter...just cause you see Greg Hackney punching mats on Toldeo Bend, doesnt mean you have to do the same thing if you dont have matted vegetation. No reason to go out and buy a 1.5 Tungsten weight and such if youre pitching to laydowns. If you tend to have muddy water...no reason to buy smoke colored grubs. K.I.S.S Keep it simple stupid

This thread should end well.