Jig Fishing Questions

[whj812]

I am new to Jig fishing.  I purchased some jigs in hopes to learn how to properly fish them.

I have a couple of questions,

When is the proper time to use a jig?

How do I work the lure?

Are trailers required? and What advantages do they add?

Any help or advice would be appreciated.

[jaskoh]

When is the proper time to use a jig? Year Round IMO

How do I work the lure? For me 75% of the time they hit it on the intitial fall. So make a good presentation and thats half the battle. If not let it settle to the bottom. Lift the Jig off the bottom and let it settle again.  Some people swim these baits but I have very little experience in that.

Are trailers required? and What advantages do they add? I always use trailers. Different size ones in different situations but always use them. It makes the jig drop slower which keeps it in front of the Bass' nose for a longer period of time. Not to mention the movement of the trailer creats more vibrations in the water.

[Shad_Master]

Good advice above, but another thought (especially this time of year) is to drop the jig right in the middle of the brush pile or drop it right down the tree trunk.  When fish are holding tight to cover you want to get it right in there with 'em.

Swimming a jig can be a very good technique, but it doesn't work in every situation.  You have to have some visability in the water for the fish to see it.  Try parallelling the bank, weed line or rock line.  If the water is pretty dingy try brighter colors for jigs (white or chartruese) - you may be surprised.

[Joe. S]

Here's a little piece I put together, The jig is my favorite lure to fish because of it's versatlity.

Representation,

First let's start with what a jig represents underwater, I believe the most

Popular use of it is to imitate a Crayfish but they also can imitate baitfish as well.

Jigs come in many different shapes, sizes and colors etc. The most popular crayfish imitators seem to be the good old skirted jig usually tipped with some sort of plastic or pork trailer.

Speaking of sizes, shapes, colors, I'm only going to really get into the skirted jig with a plastic or pork trailer as this is the bait I primarily use, and use it as a crayfish imitator only.

Sizes,

There is a very large size range available,

I mainly use 3 sizes of Jigs in my arsenal or depending on manufacturer the closest weight to these sizes 3/8 oz , ½ oz and ¾ oz.

I will mainly use a 3/8oz when fishing really shallow. The presentation has more time to be subtle because of the lighter weight than just crashing on the bottom in the shallow water.

1/2 oz. Jig

 This is my go to, if there was only one jig weight aloud in my box, this would be it. I guess you could say the happy medium. I fish this 99 percent of the time from a regular bank down to 15 ft and anything in between.

The only time I go to a 3/4 oz. Is if I need to get through some thick weeds, the wind is really blowing or I am fishing dep but want to fish it faster than normal.

Colors,

I don't get crazy on colors when it comes to jigs. I have 3 colors that I have a ton of confidence in and those are Browns, Greens, and Black. It seems the jig has excepted rules on what colors for what conditions were faced with, green or brown, natural colors for clearer water and black or darker colors for murkier water or night time. I do follow that to a point but not because of the rule but because I have confidence in throwing those baits in those conditions. Ive caught fish in clear water with a black jig and fish in murky water and at night with a green jig so what's that tell us. Color is confidence in my book.

Trailers/Chunks

These come in many shapes and sizes, Most of them are made to represent the pincher end of the crayfish which are either threaded or simply hooked on to the jig.

I go rather simple in this area as far as selection.

I mainly use 3 colors in 2 sizes, Green, Brown and Black in 2 or 3 sizes I always match the color of the trailer with the jig, (just a confidence thing)

I will normally start off fishing with a 2 trailer in tournaments, I feel the smaller size may get me more bites in order to get my limit then I may upgrade trailer size to go after larger fish, but there is no rule here either, as I have caught fish over 6lbs. on 2 trailers and fish less than 12 on 3 trailers.

As far as the many styles and brands of trailers, my selection is simple I use my own, I feel they give me the best chances of catching fish and here is why: When a bass hits a jig they will normally engulf the whole lure, Jig and trailer. It only takes a split second for that fish to reject the bait if it notices anything artificial about it. When I make my trailers I add a lot of crayfish oil to the plastic prior to cooking then once poured they go through a 2 stage salting process. Once you get a fish to bite them they are hard pressed to let it go because there is so much taste for them. Because there is so much craw oil in the plastic it makes the baits very soft which helps release the oils and salt when the bait is bitten. (Shameless Plug I know, but the truth as well)

The Bite!

I have been fishing a jig predominantly for the last few years and have probably experienced every type of bite possible, but then again maybe not, sometimes you don't feel anything at all, then sometimes they almost rip the rod out of your hand, and then you have everything in between, you must always be ready to set the hook.

 It is a must to be a line watcher when fishing a jig because you may not always be in direct contact with the lure, and the little twitch in the line that you didn't see could have been a 10 fish or the fish of a lifetime.

One thing I really like to do is know the depth of the water I'm casting to, I feel this is very important, a ½ oz jig on 15lb mono sinks at about  1ft per second. So I know if I'm casting it into 12ft of water and the line stops sinking when I count to 6, something sucked it in, reel in any slack and set the hook.

This is where I believe salts and scents are very handy, normally when I'm fishing a jig I'm fishing some type of structure, rocks, wood, grass, etc. with the equipment on the market you can pretty much feel everything the lure bumps into, when first getting into jig fishing I might have questioned myself was that a fish or a rock, don't know for sure.           But now using my own baits and good equipment as well as a lot of time fishing the jig,  I have the confidence in them to know that when I feel that little bump, I can pause and wait a second or two to see if there is any activity or lack there of on the end of the line before ramming the hook into a nice bass, or a stump.

Equipment:

For fishing these type and size of jigs, I use a 7' Heavy action bait casting rod, I feel this is very important and will not use a Jig on anything lighter, for a few reasons, 1.) These jigs normally have stout hooks that require a decent amount of force to get good penetration. I don't want to take the chance of losing a big fish because my rod didn't have enough power to drive the hook home, 2.) You have the weed guard to deal with as well when setting the hook. 3.) A lot of times the bass will really clamp down on a jig to crush it making it harder to move the jig on the set to get a good hook set, I noticed this especially with small mouth bass.  As for the brand of rod that is personal preference but I think you should get the best you can afford in this area or the added sensitivity.

For a reel, I prefer High speed reels 6.1:1 or 6.3:1 and a decent amount of line retrieval per handle turn. I like this because I can pick up any slack really fast as well as keep up with the fish if it is charging towards me. This is another brand preference issue, I prefer smaller profile reels so I can palm the reel and rest the line going into the reel on my pointer finger for extra sensitivity.

Line

I mainly use 15 lb test mono line for most jig fishing, I don't really go any lighter than that, I will go heavier for certain situations depending on a few factors, structure or cover that I'm fishing, or even the size of the fish I have a chance at catching will dictate the size.  In really clear water I will use fluorocarbon line for reduced visibility. And if I need to go above 20 lb mono for any reason I will switch to a braid for line diameter purposes. You can use any of the three all the time, these are just my preferences and how I utilize each for certain situations.

This is not intended to be a know all of Jig fishing document, these are the ways and equipment I personally like to use and have confidence in for the situations I face,(Notice the title) there are so many variables in fishing that could call for a different tactic from the lure type and  size, to the tackle and line, it would be impossible to list them all.

Some techniques I use...

When I make a cast I let the bait sink, you must always watch your line, a lot of times they will hit it on the initial fall and your line will either twitch, stop before it should, or start going sideways, when this happens reel up the slack and set the hook.   If the bait makes it to the bottom I will wait about 3 or 4 seconds and then drag it about 6-8 inches (Right now he's just cruising on the bottom), then pause, after 3-4 seconds drag again, and repeat this.  Once I feel any obstruction, I pause then shake without dragging, I feel this simulates the crayfish trying to burrow under whatever obstacle it just bumped into.  Then I give it 2 quick very short snaps, this would simulate the crayfish fleeing from a predator, then let it hit bottom and repeat the whole process.  A lot of times right after the pause when you go to drag again it will feel heavy, set the hook. Hook sets are free, If you haven't fished a jig a lot , it takes time before you can get a really good handle on determining fish bites from obstructions.   Practice makes perfect and when in doubt set the hook.

That's for mostly open water hump style fishing and beating a bank. In cover I like to throw it in the nastiest stuff possible and shake it around then repeat casting to it (pretty much pick it to pieces.)

Don't ever think there is such a thing as to shallow, I use to cast to about a foot off shore till a guy on the back of my boat beat me bad, the fish were in that spot right on the bank, now I cast to were I'm pretty much hitting the shoreline.

[Shadcranker]

Time to fish: any time you're fishing. Seriously, the only time I don't fish a jig is when the fish are really keyed in on hard baits in the early spring (jerkbaits, traps, cb's). If they're really aggressive and keyed in on shad, I will do that. Also, sometimes in the Fall when fish are chasing shad, you can't put down a trap or topwater.

I fish jigs year round when fishing fairly slow (shallow, deep, and in between).

I usually fish it slow (90% of time). Only exceptions are:

1. swimming a jig around boat docks.

2. stroking a jig on structure (ripping it off the bottom to trigger a fish).

3. Hopping a jig or speed dragging a big football jig on drop offs.

Trailers are mandatory IMO. As a matter of fact I usually trim the skirt back in line with the bottom of the hook to show off the trailer more. The trailer gives it the crawfish look. My favorite trailer is a Zoom Super Chunk (Super Chunk, Jr for finnesse jigs like the Bitsy Bug). I also like the Zoom Super Speed Craw and Sweet Beavers as trailers.

Best way to develop confidence in a jig:

Leave everything else at home. Take three different sizes and go fish it in cover or on deeper rocky banks. The Bitsy Bug is a great place to start, b/c you will get tons of bites on it, giving you a feel for the bite, and helping to build your confidence.

Keep colors simple. Black n blue and some shade of green or pumpkin brown will cover it 90% of the time.

Good luck, and stick with it.

SC

[jb_adams]

Jigs have got to be an under-rated bait.  Me and my partner do not catch many fish but if anyone catches a fish at all....it will be him and he will use a jig to catch it.

I've tried jigs.  I have a whole box with them.  I have yet to catch a bass on a jig though.

After reading the post above by Joe S., I'm determined to not let him show me up anymore.  I think I know what I've been doing wrong now.  Not watching the line close enough, not counting, not dragging and bumping like a crawfish, and fishing the jig too fast.  I also don't fish cover thoroughly enough.

Great posts guys!  

[grimlin]

Joe.S was the person that taught me the jig...he describes what to do perfectly.

Without his description i'd still be dumber than a bass on how to work a jig. ;D

[whj812]

Wow....

I didn't expect such a response to the questions that I had.  You all have answered all of my questions and then some!!!!  I appreciate all of the help guys.

[rondef]

Great write up Joe, I am going to try using a jig for the first time tomorrow. I now feel like I will at least have an idea of what I need to do in order to have a chance in catching a bass with one. There is a great drop off in the Occoquan river that I have been meaning to try, this will give me that opportunity to really hit the deep water (15-20 feet) hard. I have blue, black green and brown jigs and have three different color crawfish ue to use (red, blue and black). Any suggestions on the color crawfish or do I need to buy another color to use. Once again, thanks for the great write up, that is why I love this forum.

Ron

[Joe. S]

Thanks guys, sorry I didn't see your Q until now my home pc is toast bought a new one and need to send that one back  >

I would just match the color to the water your fishing, If I'm fishing deeper than 12 ft and the water is even slighlty stained I will usually 99% of the time go with a black Jig for the visibilty factor

[roadwarrior]

Great post Joe. S

8-)

[Siebert Outdoors]

Well I think this whole "need to learn a jig" has been cured.  Good post dudes.  Lots of great info. 8-)

[Btech]

WOW awsome article .... what magazine do you work for ... oh wait none thats kuz its better than what they could write

[Chris]

I tend to use a 1/2 oz jig from 12 ft to 1 ft depth. I'll tell you why when you take a 1/2 oz jig and crash it into a spot you give the bass little time to deside to hit your bait. What your doing is making the fish bite when it don't want to. 3/8 oz jig is the most popular weight and the bass see jigs fall at the same rate all the time. Don't be afraid to go light or the other extreme. I have gone behind other boats in tournaments and knocked the socks off the fish by power fishing the used water. If you know a fish is there make a bunch of pitches to the same spot sometimes you can tick the fish off to hit the jig. Always hit the sweet spot first then pick it apart then go back to pick it apart some more giving the area time to chill out for awhile. If the spot is stacked fish will move up in the area and is worth the effert to hit it again. Swimming a jig is an art form that is a killer way to pick up fish. Shad color for clear to stained water, black/chart or black/blue for stained to muddy. Fish it like a spinnerbait but give the bass a sec before setting the hook. Fall through winter this technique is killer just remember to slow it down as the water gets cold.

[Big-O]

Great post Joe, extremely informative and detailed. Swim'em, pitch'em, flip'em, drag'em, twitch'em, hop'em, drop'em, bounce'em, burn'em, punch'em, rip'em, soak'em or just make'em dance a JIG.....it's all good  

And the key to becoming a true Jig-a-Maniac is "stay with it and learn it", it'll do you proud. Could be the most versatile big fish bait ever. I know it is for us Jig-a-Maniacs.

Big O

www.ragetail.com

[Catt]

Maintain contact with your lure at all times, allow the lure to free-fall unrestricted, but without letting slack form in the line; follow your lures down with your rod tip.

Pay close attention to the depth you're fishing, any sudden change in the amount of line you're using could mean you've been bit. For instance, if you're fishing 10 feet of water and the lure suddenly stops at the 7 depth, it's possible a bass has taken the bait. If you're fishing 5 feet of water and 8 feet of line sinks, chances are good a bass is traveling with the bait. This is extremely true on the initial cast and no line movement maybe noticed.

Strikes will sometimes be so subtle with no line movement that they can go unnoticed if you feel is a spongy sensation, as if the line suddenly got heavy set the hook

Always remember bottom contact is critical!  

[firefightn15]

This is a great thread, I'm glad it resurfaced.  From what I've seen recently, a good attractant would up the ante.

[RazorBassin]

Awesome thread!  This Saturday will be the first time I ever fish a jig.  I am really excited after reading this thread!

[Rebel Angler]

wowww so much information 

greats posts everybody!

[Brent Christian]

After reading this I wanna jig fish lol. I decides this year to try to fish a jig, I very rarely fish one.

[roadwarrior]

Hmm...

Most guy's big fish presentation.

I rarely fish a jig unless I'm fishing for big bass,

but I never fish for anything else!

[A-Rob]

I have one on a rod all the time. If I ever switch it is b/c I'm punching mats and need to go to a straight shank hook craw.

Throw it in pads, brush, weeds, anywhere.

Take a fishing trip and don't put down the jig rod. Once you get a few bites you will be hooked (is that a pun?)

Be creative with it and have some fun!

[tjmaniac]

JOE S thanks for the most detailed and helpful reply about jig fishing i have ever read. you obviously like to fish with jigs and have inspired me to continue to practice and get better at fishing with them myself. i remember the first fish i caught with a jig, it was on the fall and it was truly exciting. i had not had much luck with jigs and had all but given up on them when i had caught that fish, and you reminded me just how much fun that was. thanks.

[dumfish]

I am new to Jig fishing. I purchased some jigs in hopes to learn how to properly fish them.

I have a couple of questions,

When is the proper time to use a jig?

How do I work the lure?

Are trailers required? and What advantages do they add?

Any help or advice would be appreciated.

pre- spawn 45-60 degrees.

[dumfish]

I like to use the jig and trailer during pre-spawn in stained water and heavy cover.In clear water I use space monkeys and chigger craws most of the time.