Your Opinions Please

[Dblj44]

I'm still new to fishing, only my second year. I'm comfortable fishing cranks, spinners, and T-rigs and I'm looking for my next technique, something useful for the quickly approaching fall. What should I learn next? Have been considering Jigs and Carolina rigs, and I am bank fishing local lakes in South Jersey.

Is there something else maybe worthwhile for fall and tips for getting started with your suggested technique?

Thanks,

Dblj44

[sprint61]

I would say jig. It is very effective in any season and a lure I feel everyone should always have ready. As far as tips for jigs there is a very good thread pinned in the tackle section about them check it out.

[Ozark_Basser]

Jig and a hollow body frog.

[JazzPipes]

I like the hollow body frog a lot!

 

There is something about being able to hear when the fish bites.

 

I usually dont have a lot of luck when the water is too hot, so I throw my frogs around sunrise and the first hours of the morning.

[WRB]

I'm still new to fishing, only my second year. I'm comfortable fishing cranks, spinners, and T-rigs and I'm looking for my next technique, something useful for the quickly approaching fall. What should I learn next? Have been considering Jigs and Carolina rigs, and I am bank fishing local lakes in South Jersey.

Is there something else maybe worthwhile for fall and tips for getting started with your suggested technique?

Thanks,

Dblj44

IF you have tackle and skills with a T-rig (sliding bullet) than a jig should be easy to learn, you fish them nearly the same method. I would suggest a plain black 3/8 oz football head with Yamamoto 5" Hula grub, take a look at Glenn's vedio, subsitiue casting tackle 12 lb FC or mono line. If you have spinning tackle then 1/4 oz with 4" Hula grub and 8 lb FC or mono.

Tom

[RMcDuffee726]

Jigs catch absolute monsters...learn a jig. When I say learn a jig, I mean live and breathe only a jig for all season.  The payoff is absurd.

[Dblj44]

Thanks, looks like the vote is just about unamious....

[the reel ess]

A few topwaters. A Pop R, A walking-type bait, like Spook or Spook, Jr. Maybe a Chug Bug. There are two good opportunities to use topwaters every day at least half the year. 

[papajoe222]

Don't rule out topwater. Buzzers, poppers or walkers produce throughout most of the fishing season and there is nothing more exciting that seeing a fish explode on top. If nothing else, they'll take your fishing to a new level of excitement and anticipation.

[Mike L]

IMHO, In this order....

Jig

Walking a top water (frog, spook etc)

Soft paddle tail swim bait.

Good Luck and have fun!

Mike

[Big C]

Since fall is coming why not try some jerkbaits?   But, whatever you do start throwing some jigs. 

[A-Jay]

Fishing from shore does present a few challenges and bait selection plays a role so it simply must be considered.

 

A chatterbait / vibrating jig is a solid choice.   It's fairly easy to fish,  can be fished effectively at various depths and is surprisingly snag resistant. 

 

The Strike King Rage blade is a good bait and when paired with a 4-5 inch swim bait type trailer makes a heck of a fish catcher.

 

Also since you are familiar with a Texas rig, and are considering a jig (which as you can probably tell from the responses - IS A MUST) you could add a skirt to your favor Texas rigged bait and you'll have a Texas rigged jig.  This bait has accounted for a TON of Quality bass for me and just as important - I almost NEVER snag it up. (See Pic below)

 

Good Luck

 

A-Jay 

 

[NathanW]

If you were fishing from a boat I would have a different answer (swimjig or jerkbait). But since you are bank fishing and fall is coming learn how to skip a stickbait (Senko) into cover. Its a great way to target the fish that live under overhanging brush that you cannot get through on foot. In the process you should learn how to backhand cast so that you are not limited to effectively fishing only the cover to one side of you. You do this and you will not only be learning new techniques but you will develop new casting skills as well. 

[Senko lover]

I work very hard on my techniques. The two biggest things for me this year were not specific baits.

 

1. Presenting quietly: Flipping, Pitching, and Casting without making a big splash. This is huge!

2. Skipping: I've caught a lot of bass under docks that nobody who fishes my ponds can get under.

[sprint61]

I work very hard on my techniques. The two biggest things for me this year were not specific baits.

1. Presenting quietly: Flipping, Pitching, and Casting without making a big splash. This is huge!

2. Skipping: I've caught a lot of bass under docks that nobody who fishes my ponds can get under.

I like this a lot. Most people want to learn a "lure" but they don't know the proper technique for the lure, if that makes sense lol.

[doyle8218]

Jig & worm.

[CrazyFluker]

I totally agree on the jig. I have a rod dedicated to jigs. And I love the Fluke on a weighted hook, weightless hook and my favorite is the scrounger head.

[chadmack282]

I work very hard on my techniques. The two biggest things for me this year were not specific baits.

Very impressive from a 15yr old!!

1. Presenting quietly: Flipping, Pitching, and Casting without making a big splash. This is huge!

2. Skipping: I've caught a lot of bass under docks that nobody who fishes my ponds can get under.

[chadmack282]

I work very hard on my techniques. The two biggest things for me this year were not specific baits.

1. Presenting quietly: Flipping, Pitching, and Casting without making a big splash. This is huge!

2. Skipping: I've caught a lot of bass under docks that nobody who fishes my ponds can get under.

impressive statement/comment especially for a 15year old.

[tiredbobmarley]

SENKO!!

[Dblj44]

I suppose I should have included it separately but I do fish worms/Senkos. Learned those in the spring, T-rigged weighted and weightless.

[Dblj44]

Thanks for the help, I landed my first jig fish a few weeks ago. Nothing to it, still working on my flipping and pitching, but it's coming along quickly. Boy is a jig bite fun....

[Bankbeater]

I would learn a jig. I won't use a c-rig unless I have tried everything else.

[BacklashBassin']

Jigs, Chatterbaits, and Spinnerbaits and some of my favorite baits, and definitely my go to baits, I would give those baits a shot.

For the days the bass just aren't biting any baits that trigger a good reaction bite, I would try something finesse perhaps drop shooting, which is a deadly technique if you can execute it right. Wacky rigs are a good and easy alternative to the drop shot, while less finesse they are must easier to fish.

There are also some more advanced rigs you should look into like the Neko rig, and Carolina rigs.

Even going old school works, just a worm on a hook and a bobber, although that could catch you sunfish or perch instead depending upon where you fish.

Although you mastered the Texas rig technique, there are so many varieties of plastics you can put on your Texas rig, like creature baits, and beavers baits which are not used as often as regular worms.

Hopefully I gave you some ideas you can try this winter, and master next year. Good luck!

-BacklashBassin'

[tholmes]

Thanks for the help, I landed my first jig fish a few weeks ago. Nothing to it, still working on my flipping and pitching, but it's coming along quickly. Boy is a jig bite fun....

 Congrats on your first jig fish!   Be careful, though. Jig fishing can be addictive. There are so many different types of jigs; hair jigs, feather jigs, etc., that are all effective, and in sizes from small fractions of an ounce to well over 1 ounce. And all will work at some time. You could spend a lifetime learning to fish "jigs". Ive been fishing them for over 50 years and I'm not even close to "mastering" the jig.

 

Tom