jig tips?

[Matt in NOVA]

This weekend I tried fishing with jig-n-craw rigs on rocky bottoms, fishing from shore -- so I was reeling in uphill.  I lost the first jig to a snag on the first cast, and the second one after about three casts.  That's the first time I ever tried fishing with jigs, and it was a little discouraging.  Can anyone give me any tips on avoiding snags with jigs, esp. on rocks?  I'm wondering if my technique was the problem.  I was just barely twitching them along the bottom, a few inches at a time, resting for a few seconds between twitches.

[NateFollmer]

It's sort of hard to explain, it's something you have to see, but you have to keep your line slack... but tight at the same time, almost like having a slight bow in your line. I do this by letting it fall but lift up on my rod a little as it drops. Rocks are a pain and I lose a lot of jigs in them. You might want to switch to a lighter jig. What style were you using? I try and use swimming jigs or jigs with a pointy end when I'm in the rocks. Football heads and rocks don't mix for me... I'm not a very skilled jig angler though so take my advice for what you will I know enough to be dangerous, but I know most of these guys on here would smoke me with a jig haha.

[Matt in NOVA]

What style was I using? Hmm. Uh... lol! Man, I'm so clueless.

Round head, brown and green rubber skirt, head covered in something glittery, weed guard of stiff plastic bristles. I think I got it at Dick's, maybe Wally World. I could give you more details when I get home tonight.

[NateFollmer]

Well if it was round and oblong (like a football) it may have been a football head jig or it could have just been a standard ball head jig too. Either one is great, but I like jigs with thinner heads when fishing rocks (like swim jigs, they aren't just for swimming you know!)

[roadwarrior]

If you look back through this section, there is at

least one thread on jigs on just about every page.

Here's a great one with additional links from page 3:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1276832195

[Matt in NOVA]

Thanks.  I did go back and read some of the older posts before I posted -- I even read that one you linked to -- but I didn't see much specifically about avoiding snags.  There's some good stuff on technique, though.  Thanks again.

[roadwarrior]

Okay...

If you fish from a boat you can usually get them

back with a lure retriever. From the shore you might

get them back using braid or jigs with a thin wire

hook that bends. Otherwise, you need to stick with

soft plastics.

[Nice_Bass]

Don't be afraid to lose them.  Fish them from shore, and your catch size will increase makeing it worth a little lost money.  Have fun out there.  If you are fishing larger rocks, such as off of a dam, Jump it a bit more; you dont want it to find every crevice to get stuck in. 

[Gatorbassman]

When I'm working mine through rocks I get fewer snaggs if I fish it a little fast. I try not to let it settle. With the my rod tip high I just bump the rocks as I hop it along.

[Matt in NOVA]

OK, thanks.  Good tips.  Keeping them moving to keep them out of the cracks makes sense to me; I just wasn't sure if you could fish 'em that way. 

[tnbassfisher]

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1268449182

I'm not sure if that will help you with exactly what you are looking for or not, but it is a decent little technique.

[pat_walker_fishing]

When I'm working mine through rocks I get fewer snaggs if I fish it a little fast. I try not to let it settle. With the my rod tip high I just bump the rocks as I hop it along.

I agree...i would go buy some cheap football heads and fish it faster.  Ive never had trouble with jigs, but with shaky heads!!!!!!!!!! Man, i have lost so many jig heads over the past few years!  Also, mabey try a really bulky trailer....something that might give it some more lift??? 

[Nice_Bass]

Also.  Check this site out for your jigs.  Prices are right and quality is great. a BR member makes them.

http://www.siebertoutdoors.com/