Getting Out Of Comfort Zone

[swarrin4]

I have only started recently fishing, for a little over a year now. I have become very confident in Texas rigging and wacky rigging as well as top waters like poppers frogs and buzz baits. I want to get away from those confidence baits and try something new. I feel being out of your comfort zone is the best way to improve. I was wondering what you all would recommended to try that compliment the baits I am already comfortable with. Some information on the waters I fish are small mouth fisheries. One is a creek with a d**n which has a rocky bottom and some submerged timber. The other is an old quarry with many big rocks and timber lining the shorelines. I was thinking of either trying jigs or crank baits. Do you guys think these would be good or would other baits be better suited for these conditions?

Thanks,

Shane

[DeBassin619]

Learn to fish a Football Headed Jig or a C-rig. It would work great for the quarry. Learning to fish a jig will definetly get you out of your comfort zone. Actually, any deep water presentation will.

[tomustang]

I dot know what kind of rods you have but since your throwing topwaters, t-rigs, worms you'll be good for jigs. You can start cheap enough that if you don't like it you wont lose out much. Some booyah or strike king jigs in 3/8oz with a creature trailer should be a good start

[Shad_Master]

The best way to get out of your comfort zone and learn a new technique is just go fishing and leave all your other stuff at home. For instance, if you want to learn jigs, don't bring your soft plastics with you, etc.

[smalljaw67]

Cranking is something that will serve you well with the kind of water you fish and a jig is something everyone should learn as it will catch fish in cold or warm water and in any season. I would keep it limited until you get confidence in a new technique, use smaller 3/16oz or 1/4 oz finesse type jigs and step up to 3/8oz and 1/2oz once you get confidence and know the best places to use them.

[A-Rob]

crankbaiting

[The Guy]

I'd get some squarebill crankbaits and bounce them off of the timber and rocks. I like bandit 100's but there are a lot of good brands on the market.

[Sam]

Learn to fish a Football Headed Jig or a C-rig. It would work great for the quarry. Learning to fish a jig will definetly get you out of your comfort zone. Actually, any deep water presentation will.

X2

Let me tell you my story about jigs.

I have always done great with Texas, Carolina, shaky head, drop shot and wacky rigs. The jig and pig never really interested me.

Then, one day a few years ago, I decided to learn jig fishing. So I took my baitcaster with only 10 pound flourocarbon line and a 6'6" BPS extreme rod with a Curado 100 to learn how to fish with jigs.

No other baits. Just jigs.

I learned. And learned pretty well. I would rather throw a football jig than a Carolina rig over rocky points and in stump fields.

I did learn the following which I will share with you.

1. 3/8 size is my favorite.

2. Use a crawfish type trailer. Rage Craws with claws dipped in JJs Charturese Magic.

3. Use heavier line. Start with 15 or 17 pound flourocarbon or 60# braid. Go with a 7' medium heavy fast action tip rod that can handle the 17 pound test line and your bait size.

4. Cut a little off the weedguard and fan the weedguard if you need to help protect the jig more.

5. Don't be afraid to change the skirts that come with the jig. If you look in tackle shops you can view many different colors and styles.

6. Look for jigs that have the skirt on both sides of the rubber band. Some of the skirt material will cover the jig's head.

7. Peanut Butter and Jelly; Black and Blue; and Green Pumpkin are my favorite colors.

8. Drag the jig on the bottom or hop it like a crawfish. Let it sit between movements.

9. Fish a jig slow. Remember, you are mimicing a crawfish.

10. If you swim a jig make it look like a bluegill.

11. When setting the hook set it HARD over your head.

12. Remove all grass and slop off of the jig between casts.

13. Unless you are using braid, check the line after every five or six casts for nicks and cuts. Retie after two or three fish.

14. They will hit the jig on the way down. So be ready from the moment the jig hits the water until it is back to you.

15. Catfish will hit jigs. Catfish will destroy a jig. So will bowfin.

16. Learn to pitch and flip a jig.

17. Learn to skip a jig under a dock, boathouse, pier or overhanging cover.

18. Learn to have the jig enter the water quietly.

19. And bring replacements with you. You will lose them so don't get upset. You lose them where the fish live!!!

20. Try to find a copy of Denny Brauer's book or DVD on jig fishing.

So take only your jig setup and hit the water. Make notes and set your pattern for fishing a jig and keep the notes in a three-ring binder for future reference.

Good luck.

[swarrin4]

Thanks for all the great responses. I went out and purchased a couple jigs in different sizes and colors with some trailers. Made sure I got black and blue because that color has served me well in soft plastics where I fish. Nothing like learning a new technique to keep things fresh and fun. We will see how things go, looks like nothing but a jig for the next few times out.

[Jake P]

I would suggest spinnerbaits through standing timber. Always produces for me. Also get some square bill crankbaits and throw around the rocks. Square bills and rocks are a KILLER combination. Good luck!

[*Hootie]

X2

Let me tell you my story about jigs.

I have always done great with Texas, Carolina, shaky head, drop shot and wacky rigs. The jig and pig never really interested me.

Then, one day a few years ago, I decided to learn jig fishing. So I took my baitcaster with only 10 pound flourocarbon line and a 6'6" BPS extreme rod with a Curado 100 to learn how to fish with jigs.

No other baits. Just jigs.

I learned. And learned pretty well. I would rather throw a football jig than a Carolina rig over rocky points and in stump fields.

I did learn the following which I will share with you.

1. 3/8 size is my favorite.

2. Use a crawfish type trailer. Rage Craws with claws dipped in JJs Charturese Magic.

3. Use heavier line. Start with 15 or 17 pound flourocarbon or 60# braid. Go with a 7' medium heavy fast action tip rod that can handle the 17 pound test line and your bait size.

4. Cut a little off the weedguard and fan the weedguard if you need to help protect the jig more.

5. Don't be afraid to change the skirts that come with the jig. If you look in tackle shops you can view many different colors and styles.

6. Look for jigs that have the skirt on both sides of the rubber band. Some of the skirt material will cover the jig's head.

7. Peanut Butter and Jelly; Black and Blue; and Green Pumpkin are my favorite colors.

8. Drag the jig on the bottom or hop it like a crawfish. Let it sit between movements.

9. Fish a jig slow. Remember, you are mimicing a crawfish.

10. If you swim a jig make it look like a bluegill.

11. When setting the hook set it HARD over your head.

12. Remove all grass and slop off of the jig between casts.

13. Unless you are using braid, check the line after every five or six casts for nicks and cuts. Retie after two or three fish.

14. They will hit the jig on the way down. So be ready from the moment the jig hits the water until it is back to you.

15. Catfish will hit jigs. Catfish will destroy a jig. So will bowfin.

16. Learn to pitch and flip a jig.

17. Learn to skip a jig under a dock, boathouse, pier or overhanging cover.

18. Learn to have the jig enter the water quietly.

19. And bring replacements with you. You will lose them so don't get upset. You lose them where the fish live!!!

20. Try to find a copy of Denny Brauer's book or DVD on jig fishing.

So take only your jig setup and hit the water. Make notes and set your pattern for fishing a jig and keep the notes in a three-ring binder for future reference.

Good luck.

WOW!!, excellent!

Hootie