What Is A Jig?

[hoosierbass07]

  OK, I've been on this board for a good while now.  I've got seven or eight books on fishing and I read Bass Master and In-Fisherman and other fishing magazines.  And I watch tons of fishing videos.  But there is something I'm not sure of.  What is jig?  I mean, I know what a jig is.  Or at least I thought I new was a jig is.  But now I'm not sure.  

 

 When YOU say jig, are you talking one of those jigs with weedguards?  Or are you talking about jigs that are nothing more than a roundish ball of lead with a hook in it, like a shaky head jig?  

 

 I don't like jigs and I'm not planning on  to use any this spring/summer.  I had horrible results last year from them.  But the jigs I'm talking about are those jigs with weedguards.  Not those other jigs. 

In fact, I bought some jigs without weedguards, wacky heads, and did catch a bass using that with a rubber worm last year and I'm sure, if I kept using it, I would have caught more bass on them.  

 

 I have some books bass fishing and when it shows "jigs" all the jigs shown are almost without weedguards.  They are the simple ballhead and hook jigs.  Now, I believe those will work and I plan using those kinds of jigs

this summer.  

 

 So when some of you say your favorite lure is a jig, what kind of jig are you talking about?  A weedguard jig or a simple ballhead jig?  

 

I swear, I hate those weedguard jigs.  I used them so much last year and caught so little, I don't plan on using again this year.  But those simple ballhead jigs, yeah, I think those will work good.  

[FlipnLimits]

Hoosierbass07

 

Both are jigs.  The weedgaurd equipped jigs, with a skirt, are generally what bassfishermen refer to as jigs.  The bald jigs are not commonly referred to as jigs by bassfishermen.  More akin to "jigheads".  Naked jigs used for crappies and bluegill/brim.  It all depends who you talk to. 

 

Regardless of their name, don't quit on jigs yet!  A successful bass fisherman will master this weedgaurded monster.  It's my #1 bait for quality bass.  Learn it, love it, embrace it

 

FL

[Wbeadlescomb]

With the correct setup a swim jig with a weed guard is one of the fish catchinest baits there is

[Xyndifor]

Hoosierbass07

 

Both are jigs.  The weedgaurd equipped jigs, with a skirt, are generally what bassfishermen refer to as jigs.  The bald jigs are not commonly referred to as jigs by bassfishermen.  More akin to "jigheads".  Naked jigs used for crappies and bluegill/brim.  It all depends who you talk to. 

 

Regardless of their name, don't quit on jigs yet!  A successful bass fisherman will master this weedgaurded monster.  It's my #1 bait for quality bass.  Learn it, love it, embrace it

 

FL

Agreed. I got more serious into bass fishing last year including giving jigs a serious try and it got me 4 of my top 5 (the third biggest was on a spinnerbait in the fall) the biggest bass I caught in my entire life. Don't give up on jigs. This year it's nastering flipping and pitching and giving crankbaits of all types a real go.

[mmrivera86]

You tube "bassresource" and find their video on jigs. He has a few videos on jigs and all of them are very educational. I really enjoy jig fishing and I've used quite a few different kinds for the different scenarios. def agree to not give it up just yet.

[gripnrip]

Don't give up on jigs.  I haven't had much luck in them in the past. . . . . . . until last year!  Something clicked!  A jig is the most versatile bait in one's box IMO.  You can imitate anything a bass will eat.  And it will overall be one of the baits that you'll catch big fish with once mastered. 

[Tlaz]

Can someone explain to me the difference between a regular jig and a swim jig? I think swim jigs heads are just slightly different? Also, do you use a steady retrieve on swim jigs? I want to do more jigging this season.

Thanks

[roadwarrior]

Any jig can be used, but what is called a swim jig has a slightly different head and

the hook shaft is horizontal without any vertical slant. I prefer 3/8 oz and a trailer

resembling a baitfish, not a craw. Examples are the Rage Tail Menace & Shellcracker,

Single Tail Grub and paddle tail swimbaits.

[mnbassman23]

Can someone explain to me the difference between a regular jig and a swim jig? I think swim jigs heads are just slightly different? Also, do you use a steady retrieve on swim jigs? I want to do more jigging this season.Thanks

You are correct the difference is the head shape. Most times a swim jig will have a cone shape. When I fish swim jigs it's usually on a steady retrieve with some short pops of the rod tip added in. Just enough to get the skirt to flare. There are a lot of ways to work a swim jig but this is standard for me.

[roadwarrior]

Other than depth and the retrieve speed, I don't "work" a swim jig.

The action is all in the trailer.

 

Here is one little hint that also applies to fishig The Rig: If you feel a little

bump, keep reeling and maybe speed up. These "bumps" are baitfish

following the lure, not bites. You will ALWAYS know when you get a strike!

[Catt]

One of the simplest lures made & yet the most overcomplicated by anglers.

K.I.S.S.!

[MarksHooked]

Whenever someone mentions a jig here I picture a skirted weedless jig. I have yet to catch a fish on a skirted jig, but it seems to be so many people's confidence bait in so many threads! I'm going out one day this summer with nothing but them and some trailers this year

[Tlaz]

Thanks all. That answers my question perfectly. Trying a swim jig this season!

[Wbeadlescomb]

Thanks all. That answers my question perfectly. Trying a swim jig this season!

Braid is a must along with a medium heavy fast action rod. I prefer 1/4 ounce chartreuse and white swim jig

[Wbeadlescomb]

Swim jig

[gripnrip]

Whenever someone mentions a jig here I picture a skirted weedless jig. I have yet to catch a fish on a skirted jig, but it seems to be so many people's confidence bait in so many threads! I'm going out one day this summer with nothing but them and some trailers this year

And that is how you learn!  When I want to learn a new technique, I leave everything else at the house.  It forces you to fish that bait and that bait only!  

 

Example-  When I first started shooting a rifle or shotgun, my pops handed me a single shot.  He emphasized to make that shot count because you only have one.  I had to prove myself with the single shot.  In a way, fishing the jig only, is your single shot.  Make it count because that's all you have to fish with.  Get some confidence in the bait.  When you do, then it will be another tool in the box you can use.

[hoosierbass07]

 I may have mentioned this before, but I have to work friends (both are into fly fishing) and both say jigs don't catch bass.  I said "I see them used on TV fishing shows all the time and they catch bass, and online people tell me they work and catch big bass."  Both guys replied in words I can't say here.  lol.  They did say on TV they are fishing at stocked lakes and any person online that tells me they are great bass catchers are "full of it."  lol.  No, I'm not calling all you guys and gals liars.  I believe you 75%.   But from my one year of fishing (last year) I have a bad taste in my mouth over jigs.  Particularly when I took my nephew fishing with me and let him use plastic worms while I focused on jigs and he ended up catching the bass while I caught nothing!  In fact, in late summer while i was using a jig he caught a nice sized bass with a plastic worm.   Now the jigs I'm talking about are those skirted weed guard jigs.  Not those simple ball head jigs.  

 

 Maybe the lakes and ponds I fish it don't have jig friendly fish.  

[Munkin]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jig

 

Allen

[TorqueConverter]

In bass fishing talk a "jig" is a weedless jig head dressed in either rubber, silicone or hair.  It was developed as a stand alone lure but plastic trailers are commonly add to the bait for additional action and profile.

 

To outsiders they are known as "bass jigs". 

[Tyler j]

Really don't hate on weed less jigs, you can throw them right up in the trees or brush and work them out , plus they catch absolute giant bass

[Tyler j]

I may have mentioned this before, but I have to work friends (both are into fly fishing) and both say jigs don't catch bass.  I said "I see them used on TV fishing shows all the time and they catch bass, and online people tell me they work and catch big bass."  Both guys replied in words I can't say here.  lol.  They did say on TV they are fishing at stocked lakes and any person online that tells me they are great bass catchers are "full of it."  lol.  No, I'm not calling all you guys and gals liars.  I believe you 75%.   But from my one year of fishing (last year) I have a bad taste in my mouth over jigs.  Particularly when I took my nephew fishing with me and let him use plastic worms while I focused on jigs and he ended up catching the bass while I caught nothing!  In fact, in late summer while i was using a jig he caught a nice sized bass with a plastic worm.   Now the jigs I'm talking about are those skirted weed guard jigs.  Not those simple ball head jigs.  

 

 Maybe the lakes and ponds I fish it don't have jig friendly fish.

This may mean that you need to down size or change colors

[hoosierbass07]

Let me ask this - for those of you who catch bass on those jigs, what time of day do you use them, morning, midday, evening, night? Last year I only fished in the evening hours.

[Xyndifor]

 I may have mentioned this before, but I have to work friends (both are into fly fishing) and both say jigs don't catch bass.  I said "I see them used on TV fishing shows all the time and they catch bass, and online people tell me they work and catch big bass."  Both guys replied in words I can't say here.  lol.  They did say on TV they are fishing at stocked lakes and any person online that tells me they are great bass catchers are "full of it."  lol.  No, I'm not calling all you guys and gals liars.  I believe you 75%.   But from my one year of fishing (last year) I have a bad taste in my mouth over jigs.  Particularly when I took my nephew fishing with me and let him use plastic worms while I focused on jigs and he ended up catching the bass while I caught nothing!  In fact, in late summer while i was using a jig he caught a nice sized bass with a plastic worm.   Now the jigs I'm talking about are those skirted weed guard jigs.  Not those simple ball head jigs.  

 

 Maybe the lakes and ponds I fish it don't have jig friendly fish.  

 

 I may have mentioned this before, but I have to work friends (both are into fly fishing) and both say jigs don't catch bass.  I said "I see them used on TV fishing shows all the time and they catch bass, and online people tell me they work and catch big bass."  Both guys replied in words I can't say here.  lol.  They did say on TV they are fishing at stocked lakes and any person online that tells me they are great bass catchers are "full of it."  lol.  No, I'm not calling all you guys and gals liars.  I believe you 75%.   But from my one year of fishing (last year) I have a bad taste in my mouth over jigs.  Particularly when I took my nephew fishing with me and let him use plastic worms while I focused on jigs and he ended up catching the bass while I caught nothing!  In fact, in late summer while i was using a jig he caught a nice sized bass with a plastic worm.   Now the jigs I'm talking about are those skirted weed guard jigs.  Not those simple ball head jigs.  

 

 Maybe the lakes and ponds I fish it don't have jig friendly fish.  

 

 

 I may have mentioned this before, but I have to work friends (both are into fly fishing) and both say jigs don't catch bass.  I said "I see them used on TV fishing shows all the time and they catch bass, and online people tell me they work and catch big bass."  Both guys replied in words I can't say here.  lol.  They did say on TV they are fishing at stocked lakes and any person online that tells me they are great bass catchers are "full of it."  lol.  No, I'm not calling all you guys and gals liars.  I believe you 75%.   But from my one year of fishing (last year) I have a bad taste in my mouth over jigs.  Particularly when I took my nephew fishing with me and let him use plastic worms while I focused on jigs and he ended up catching the bass while I caught nothing!  In fact, in late summer while i was using a jig he caught a nice sized bass with a plastic worm.   Now the jigs I'm talking about are those skirted weed guard jigs.  Not those simple ball head jigs.  

 

 Maybe the lakes and ponds I fish it don't have jig friendly fish.  

Plastic worms will probably catch more fish than anything else but a jig will get you the big ones. Be patient and stick with it. Sorry for the multiquotes. Internet exploder was freezing on the cabelas website.

[FlipnLimits]

Let me ask this - for those of you who catch bass on those jigs, what time of day do you use them, morning, midday, evening, night? Last year I only fished in the evening hours.

Jigs are pretty versatile and tempting to bass most of the day (that's my belief and I'm sticking to it   You surely will catch 'em morning and afternoon.  Maybe some of the other guys who fish nights can speak to that. 

 

What you'll find with jigs is the learning curve of where, how, and why to use them, moreso than what time of day.  It's fun to learn and well worth the effort.  I try to learn something new ever single time I head out, even if it's a new twig in the waters I often fish.  There are different types of skirted bass jigs for grass, wood, swimming, etc, to consider.  Choose your jigs by your cover and water clarity, for starters.  Most of my lakes are shallow, murky, and have laydowns, so I fish dark colored jigs that will pull through wood, as an example.     Ok, I'll quit rambling now, let others do some talking. 

[Xyndifor]

Let me ask this - for those of you who catch bass on those jigs, what time of day do you use them, morning, midday, evening, night? Last year I only fished in the evening hours.

You can use jigs at any time of day. If it's nighttime you may want to use a darker color because bass see those better at night like black/blue for example and if you may want to use one with a rattle for added attention getting power since it'll be dark and their vision is really limited at night. They rely more on their other senses where during the day it's usually a sight thing that triggers the strike.