Questions from a beginner about jigging and rigging

[Shad_Master]

There is no sure-fire abosulte test for whether or not you have just hooked a "big-ol-pig" or a rock/twig/piece of grass - it just comes with practice and experience - setting the hook is the surest way to "know" - but then think about what that one felt like when it is a fish.  It just comes with exposure and even then you will whiff more than you actually do get a bite.

The only way to even try to be sure is to watch your line - if it is swimming off, it ain't doing it by iteslf.  Swinggg!

[helms83]

Today was the first time I really focused on c-rigs, t-rigs, and jigs. At times I thought I might have had a small hit, but I couldn't tell if it was a fish or the bottom (I don't believe the bottom of the lake is completely rocky, but I'm not sure). My line would tighten as if my weight was stuck among rocks, but then loosen again.

My question is how do you know if you have a strike using these setups? Are they subtle hits or strikes like when using crankbaits? Do the fish simply swallow the baits and not run until you set the hook or will they ****** and run?

I don't want to be the type to say, "when in doubt, set the hook." I want to learn the feel, and not tire myself out hooking rocks 

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[SoFlaBassAddict]

I don't throw a c-rig that often, so I'm no help there.  I consider myself a very good t-rig person though.  I think that, along with the help of several members here, has helped me greatly learn how to use a jig.

What you're describing is unfortunately a very common thing.  Sometimes the bite on a t-rig or a jig is very noticeable.  You'll get that tap or thunk on your line.  No problem, cross his eyes.  When you get into the questionable bites is where problems can start.  Lots of times the bite will just feel mushy, very similar to small clumps of grass on the bottom.  I understand you don't want to set the hook on everything, but one of the only was to discern whats a bite and whats not is to just set the hook.  If it's a fish, you hopefully remember what it felt like.  Hooksets are free.  I'm not sure what kind of line you're using, but braid, fluoro, or braid with a fluoro leader can help you detect strikes much easier.  Also, switching to tungsten weights has helped me detect bites and bottom composition a lot as well.

[tbird]

I don't throw a c-rig that often, so I'm no help there. I consider myself a very good t-rig person though. I think that, along with the help of several members here, has helped me greatly learn how to use a jig.

What you're describing is unfortunately a very common thing. Sometimes the bite on a t-rig or a jig is very noticeable. You'll get that tap or thunk on your line. No problem, cross his eyes. When you get into the questionable bites is where problems can start. Lots of times the bite will just feel mushy, very similar to small clumps of grass on the bottom. I understand you don't want to set the hook on everything, but one of the only was to discern whats a bite and whats not is to just set the hook. If it's a fish, you hopefully remember what it felt like. Hooksets are free. I'm not sure what kind of line you're using, but braid, fluoro, or braid with a fluoro leader can help you detect strikes much easier. Also, switching to tungsten weights has helped me detect bites and bottom composition a lot as well.

I agree

Also a rock or stump /brush doesn't pull back when slight pressure is applied or move your line.

    T

[lmoore]

Shad_Master is right.  Experience is the key.  My recommendation would be to pause when you fel pressure.  Many times the fish will move the line, whether you feel another thump or the line just starts swimming in one direction.  Familiarize yourself with that initial strike so you can better feel the difference between bottom and a fish.  The one problem you'll have is that sometimes fish, especially big bass, will grab the lure and just sit in that spot.  Learning to feel those takes TONS of experience.  As a general rule, if you feel something that just doesn't seem quite right, rip the lips off of it.  Won't hurt anything to bounce off a rock, and will be amazing when it's a nice 5 pounder. 

[Sam]

At the old Bassmaster University series the pros stated the following:

1.  Know how the bait feels without getting a strike.

2.  It costs nothing to set the hook.

What they meant was that you need to know when your bait feels "different" either with a tap or tap tap or with pressure.

SET THE HOOK!

Always keep one finger on your line at all times, if possible, to help feel the strikes.

And yes, you can go nuts with the small bass and bluegills hitting your bait but that is part of the game.

If you are fishing plastics and the bait comes back twisted along the hook, then you had a strike.

As the guys said above, practice, practice and practice. 

[Sam]

C-Rigs - Keep line tight and feel for the tap tap.

Texas Rigs - Keep line tight and feel for the tap tap.

Jigs - Keep line tight and feel for the tap. Yes, only one tap.

Senkos - Keep line tight and watch for line to move and feel for the tap tap.

Watch your line and always keep a finger on the line.

Point rod tip between 10AM and Noon, depending on your style.  I usually keep rod tip at 10AM but other friends go with the Noon position. I can get a faster hook set at the 10AM angle.

When in doubt, SET THE HOOK.

Practice, practice and practice. 

[Jig Man]

I don't want to be the type to say, "when in doubt, set the hook." I want to learn the feel, and not tire myself out hooking rocks

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I probably have been fishing jigs longer than you have been alive.  It still comes down to sometimes, "when in doubt set the hook" as they don't always take the jig with a tap.

My recommendation to you is to not try to master 3 very effective techniques at the same time.  Pick one that you like best and use it till you get decent with it then move to another.

[NateFollmer]

Another tip too. If you're line does start moving (even if the fish starts pulling your drag) SET THE HOOK! I can't tell you how many times I used to get too excited and just start reeling. Just because the fish can pull that hard to engage the drag, it doesn't mean it's hooked.

[5bass]

My recommendation would be to pause when you fel pressure.  

This is it. When you 'think' you get a hit, pause for a second and during that pause put your line in position to where the only thing it could be is a fish. When I say put your line in position I mean to give it just enough slack to eliminate any current pull that may be causing the feel of a bite or your boat drifting and dragging your bait across or against something. You have to eliminate the things that could be causing the feel of a bite to know what an actual bite feels like.

While learning this you may miss a few fish because you pause too long but if you always pay close attention to current and boat movement while you're fishing the pauses you have to take to determine a bite will get shorter and your feel will get sharper. 

Or you can just set the hook on anything and everything and try to figure it out that way.

[5bass]

[postsmovedhere1] 5 [postsmovedhere2] General Bass Fishing Forum [move by] five.bass.limit.

[hmongkidBee]

here let me help you okay.  With texas rigs the bite will feel like this: thump, thump, thump.  Sometimes the bass will give you one hard thump and you'll see your line start moving.  SET THE HOOK!  With a jig the bite is usually a hard thump(if fish are active), or it can be as subtle as a small tick on your line.  Usually I see my line moving though and that indicates a bass.  Don't hesitate and SET THE HOOK!  Last for carolina rigs you don't actually feel the bite, it's more of you feeling the pressure of the bass either swimming away or swallowing your lure already.   Hope this helps.