Fish Getting Off My Jig Hook :(

[CC268]

Alright so today I was using a Strike King jig...football head with a pork trailer. I trimmed the skirt up and weed guard and the bass were loving it! However, I had 3 or 4 hooked for a few seconds and then they would get off...I wasn't having this problem with a T-rigged Rage Tail Craw ( I was slaying them with the Rage Craws...14 bass today)...what am I doing wrong?

[iabass8]

they may have just had the trailer in their mouth. try waiting a second or two more before setting the hook if that happens.

[Bluebasser86]

Pork trailers have a bad habit of covering your hook point and keeping you from getting a good hookset. What rod/line are you using with your jig? Some of the SK jigs also have a reputation for having a very stiff weedguard so that's another potential. 

[Swampstud]

Did you let a tad bit of slack in the line before settin the hook or the normal hookset. You really got to drive that hook in.

[CC268]

Well maybe I will keep giving it a shot...get more experience with jigs...I don't think my trailer was in the way at all...I had it set up all the way up to the jig head so it wasn't blocking the hook or anything. I am really tempted to buy some Northstar or Siebert Jigs!

 

Using a Medium-Heavy St. Croix Rod and 12lb monofilament. I am a college student so I have my baitcaster and a drop shot rod with a spinning reel...I can't afford to have a rod/reel for every application.

[LMB ANGLER]

set the hook very hard

[CC268]

Yea maybe I just need to wait a second longer and set the hook harder...I think I may get some Seibert or Northstar jigs. I'm guessing the hooks are probably better quality.

[Bass Junkie]

It could have been smaller fish, or fish that really clamped down on the jig. Sometimes they just get off, I can't explain why. I personally throw any jig 3/8oz or heavier on 20lb. Sunline Super Natural mono and a 7'+ rod with plenty of backbone. When a fish hits it's a quick drop of the rod tip and reeling up of the slack, then I absolutely HAMMER the fish. 

[Grizzn N Bassin]

Keep pressure !!!!

[Swampstud]

Monofiliment may be the problem, it has alot of stretch and it was 12 lb test. Next year try flourocarben it sinks and will give you a direct line to your jig instead of floating and bowing your line. When you set the hook just rip it straight back and reel reel reel. Ihad the same prob this spring and I changed to 50lb braid

[CC268]

Monofiliment may be the problem, it has alot of stretch and it was 12 lb test. Next year try flourocarben it sinks and will give you a direct line to your jig instead of floating and bowing your line. When you set the hook just rip it straight back and reel reel reel. Ihad the same prob this spring and I changed to 50lb braid

 

The issue is I have one setup...a 7' MH St. Croix Triumph with a Daiwa Aird baitcasting reel. I don't have the money as a college student to have several rods and reels for every type of fishing so I have to do with one setup. I figured monofilment would be best for fishing a bit of everything...(topwater, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs, trig, carolina rig, frogs, everything you can think of...the list goes on). If there is line that would fish everything better then I will switch!

 

I may try some hybrid line...

[Bass Junkie]

In my experience you can still get plenty of hook penetration with mono. The Sunline Super Natural mono has very low stretch compared to other mono lines I've used, and it has a very small diameter as well, some where around 12/14lb regular mono. Its a good all purpose line.

[Swampstud]

The issue is I have one setup...a 7' MH St. Croix Triumph with a Daiwa Aird baitcasting reel. I don't have the money as a college student to have several rods and reels for every type of fishing so I have to do with one setup. I figured monofilment would be best for fishing a bit of everything...(topwater, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs, trig, carolina rig, frogs, everything you can think of...the list goes on). If there is line that would fish everything better then I will switch! I may try some hybrid line...

I have a 7' pflueger with braid. I understand your money situation also. It really depends on what kind of fishin you do the most. For me I like flourocarbon for almost everything. Plus it super clear, sinks, and is low stretch. Id only use mono for topwater because it floats. Braid floats also but has very minimal stretch give you the most solid hooksets.

Like I said before for now just try to keep your line tight to prevent the bow and just rip that hook into them and keep reeling. Maybe check your hook sharpness also. That can make all the difference.

[CC268]

Well maybe I will experiment with some different line...I am going to get some good jigs from Northstar as well. Going to place an order in the next few hours!

[LMB ANGLER]

Well maybe I will experiment with some different line...I am going to get some good jigs from Northstar as well. Going to place an order in the next few hours!

if you cant afford to get another line, don't get one, dont get pressured. i am a college student as well and trust me you'll be fine with mono, another thing. you dont only need to focus on northstar or seib jigs, there are cheaper jigs on the market that are as good if not better

[Lip 'em!]

I am a college student as well and definitely understand the money situation! That being said, if you invest in some good braided line for jig fishing (I use power pro 50lb) it will actually pay for itself because you will be able to retrieve more jigs without losing them when you get hung up because the heavy duty line isn't going to break. I first started fishing jigs on mono and I had the same problem with losing fish. Switched to straight braid and started reeling down and really setting the hook hard and that problem has all but been eliminated. Braid is the way to go for jig fishing and like I said, after you lose a few $4 jigs that you wouldn't have lost if you would have been spooled with braid, the line will pay for itself.

[CC268]

I am a college student as well and definitely understand the money situation! That being said, if you invest in some good braided line for jig fishing (I use power pro 50lb) it will actually pay for itself because you will be able to retrieve more jigs without losing them when you get hung up because the heavy duty line isn't going to break. I first started fishing jigs on mono and I had the same problem with losing fish. Switched to straight braid and started reeling down and really setting the hook hard and that problem has all but been eliminated. Braid is the way to go for jig fishing and like I said, after you lose a few $4 jigs that you wouldn't have lost if you would have been spooled with braid, the line will pay for itself.

 

The only thing is I only have one baitcaster...so I need line that will work well for everything, not just jigs

[LMB ANGLER]

The only thing is I only have one baitcaster...so I need line that will work well for everything, not just jigs

you are like me, i have one combo for everything, and really thats all you need, you dont need 10 combos unless your a pro or go to tournaments. since i live in florida my combo has to be very heavy, 50 to 80 pound braid and extra heavy extra fast rod and a fast speed reel

[CC268]

I guess I could try braid?? I didn't know braid was a good all around line

[LMB ANGLER]

I guess I could try braid?? I didn't know braid was a good all around line

then start off with a cheap braid like the bps one its cheap but has quality because the last thing you want is that you end up not liking it and you spend all that money for nothing, not everyone has the same taste

[CC268]

Will braid work well for all types of lures?? (Texas Rig, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, etc)??

[Bluebasser86]

I'd go with a little heavier line but probably go with a copolymer like Pline Cxx in crystal clear. You'll be able to fish everything with it and it's super abrasion resistant and tough so you can put extra heat on them without having to worry. Personally I hate braid for jigs and t rigs but some guys love it, but with a strict budget it would suck for you to buy some, even the cheap kind, and not like it. 

[Bankbeater]

Try trimming the weed guard back away from the end of the hook about 1/16".  Then take a file to the hook and sharpen it.

[K_Mac]

I will add my $.02. If the only difference in catching and missing fish is the trailer, then you have a compelling case for the pork being the problem. I used pork for years. With all the plastic options now available I have no need to mess with it anymore.

 

While 12# mono may be a little light for jigs, I have caught many jig fish on 12# Trilene XL. Like Bluebasser86 I do not like braid for this application, although many use braid, or braid and a leader for  everything.  I agree also that PLine CXX (what I use) or another copolymer like Yo Zuri Hybrid would be a better choice. A good 100% flourocarbon line may be a little better, but is not necessary.

 

I have used the SK jigs with good success. Trimming the weed guard, or just spreading the bristles may help. Sometimes trimming the number of bristles, rather than shortening them all is a better option. As already mentioned, make sure the jig is sticky sharp! Good luck.

[CC268]

Alright guys well I am going down to Bass Pro this weekend and will pick up some Pline or some sort of hybrid. I have made sure to break in the weed guard well before using the jigs. I am placing my order for a bunch of Northstar Jigs tonight, can't wait to get them!