Need Some Jig Help From The Experts

[DelcoSol]

The past three weeks I have entirely commited to fishing a jig. During the past three weeks I have not landed one bass with it. The issue I am having is when I feel the strike I set the hook, I then fight the bass for five to ten seconds then they come off. Meanwhile my buddy on the boat with me is having the same problems but with a bunch of success today. I tried changing jig types, trailers, rod weight all to the same result. I am alternating between a Mann's stone jig and Strike king football jig in 1/2 oz with rage chunk trailer. Either 7'4" Daiwa Ballistic extra heavy or 6'9" Abu garcia Veritas micro guide medium heavy. Both with the same reel and line. Lews tournament pro speed spool with 15# fluro. I don't know if I am feeling the strike too late and they're spitting it or maybe too early? They're not jumping and spitting the hook either.. Everything seels OK and then all of the sudden fish gone. Its really frustruating. All day long today my buddy was catching them and I got none. All of the fish have been nice too including his personal best today at 4lb 14oz. Thanks for any help guys

 

Frank

[mc6524]

Just a couple things to share that may help. A common jig bite is one where the bass picks up the jig lightly and swims off with it. That's why watching you line I important. My guess is that you are rushing the hook set. The fish doesn't have it in his mouth so when you go to set the hook the jig is not far enough in the bass's mouth to get a true hook set.

[BamaBoy5]

From my experience if you do hook it make sure to keep constant pressure on it because for me i have had several fish come off from just a little bit of slack. I just started fishing jigs this year and once you get the hang of it i have become addicted to them. I have to agree with what was said you may want to wait just a second or two longer before setting the hook.

[paul25]

 when you see your line moving or you feel the bite reel down to the fish and set the hook. It has helped me out alot i haven't had a bass get off yet on jigs this year, and this is really the first year i've devoted alot of time to them. When you do reel down and set the hook it seems to always get them in the crusher part of their upper lip, right where you want the hook.

[DelcoSol]

Thanks for the help guys. I will have to wait until next weekend to try it out. Really wanted to throw the rod in the lake today lol.

[CPBassFishing]

Were you reeling down on the fish and then setting? If not you have to do that. I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess that you were probably setting on a slack line and not getting the barb in them good enough.

[papajoe222]

Aside from dropping the rod tip and reeling up the slack line (I never give a fish more time than that), my only suggestion is using a straight up hook set as with any single hook bait.  Your equipment is more than adequate for the job, that's why the focus is on your hook set.  Don't play a touch and feel game with the fish. When you feel that tap or see the line move off or jump, reel down and swing up.  If I were a betting man, I'd bet that's the style hook set your buddy uses.

[BlackMagic82]

Reel down and swing up - and man-size your hook set.  Like everyone has said above, you should have a pretty good hook-up ratio when you do these two things, anything less than a full swing on a jig and you're asking to lose the fish.

[martintheduck]

I don't know about y'all, but when I set a jig I RIP the hell out of that hook.

[ColdSVT]

Reel down and swing up - and man-size your hook set.  Like everyone has said above, you should have a pretty good hook-up ratio when you do these two things, anything less than a full swing on a jig and you're asking to lose the fish.

yep! concuss that fish!!!!

[Siebert Outdoors]

"I then fight the bass for five to ten seconds then they come off."

 

They probably spit it once the fish hits the surface?? If that is happening its a hook set issue.

 

It could be too light of rod,too much line slack, or not enough umph!! in the hookset.

[HeavyDluxe]

... or bad hooks.  I had similar problems with some of the jigs that I had in my tackle box previously.  The start of this year, I made a commitment to the jig and upgraded accordingly to some of Siebert's jigs.  I don't think I'm swinging any harder on the fish, but my hook-up ratio has increased and I attribute it to the quality of the hooks.

[TexasRigger21]

My biggest problem when I first started, is that I forgot to check the hook point constantly. It seems like a simple thing, but it makes a big difference.

[JunkYard814]

Also, if you're not fishing heavy cover, you may be better off trimming the weed guard.

[DelcoSol]

Thanks for the replies guys. I agree I am certain its a hook set issue. I will try the reel down method. Jigs are brand new with and the guards are trimmed. I have also switched to a heavy rod thinking that the hook wasn't penetrating.

[Catt]

Bass do not have hands! When you feel the bite it’s in his mouth!

 

Drop the rod – reel the slack – set the hook like you’re trying to break something

[gripnrip]

When you dial in that "magic" color, they will absolutely choke it down!  Their mouth is much harder in these areas.  Spool on some braid and use a flouro leader if needed.   SET THE HOOK!  If they take it that deep and you didn't drive the barb home, they'll likely spit the hook.

[MarkH024]

Sharpen your hooks. Jigs take abuse especially around rock and wood. Keep your hooks like needles. Dull hooks=poor hooksets=lost fish.

I fish with braid too as it gives the best feel in my hands. Fluoro leader if I'm in lots of rock and wood.

[Smallmouth Hunter]

Here are some tips:

 

Hook set direction

1. Don't set the hook sideways because it can pull the hook out of the fish.
2. Set the hook up at a 11-1 a clock direction

Jig modifications

1. spread the weed guard every hour or so, if it is too thick it is harder to set the hook.
2. Bend the weed guard around. This will keep it spread out.

 

Fish it really slow this time of year, and watch the line.

[bonzai22]

One of the biggest bass ive caught on a jig swam towards the boat and i had to catch up to it so like everyone else is saying make sure to reel up to the fish before you set it. Also i would use a high speed reel i use a 7 to 1 gear ratio so i can reel up to them and keep pressure on them.