How to Start Fishing Jigs (Basic Setup + Info)

[Senko lover]

Although my opinions don't necessarily represent those of other (far better) jig fisherman on this site, I thought a post like this would be beneficial to many. The information I'm presenting is not the only way to get started into jig fishing, but it is a way that has been working for me since I started fishing jigs. 

Step One: Equipment 

In order to start fishing jigs, you need some jigs (duh!), trailers, and something to throw them on. 

Jigs and Trailers: 

• The Jigs: 
  I'm a big advocate of simplicity in jig fishing, and so I'm starting you off with some basic, proven jigs. 
  I'd recommend a 3/8 oz. casting jig (you might also hear it as an arky head). You're looking for a streamlined head that will go through cover easily.
  3/8s of an ounce is a great weight to start out with. Later on you may want to try heavier or lighter jigs, but the 3/8s is a great size to start with. This jig is very, very versatile and can be hopped, dragged, swum, and fished in all types of cover. 
• The Colors: 
  Again, I'm keeping it simple here. I'd recommend two colors of jigs: one of them being Black & Blue and the other being Green Pumpkin. While there are many, many other colors out there that work and perhaps look cooler, these ones will get the the job done for you. Many experienced jig fisherman primarily use these two colors, and they're a great way to go whether you're starting out or have been fishing jigs for a long time. Note: When I say, "Green Pumpkin," I'm' referring to jigs are primarily green pumpkin, regardless of other colors mixed in, such as purple, red, black, or blue. Fish the Green Pumpkin jig in clear to semi-stained water, and fish the Black & Blue Jig in stained, dirty, or muddy water. 
• The Trailers: 
  I'd recommend the same colors for trailers as I did jigs. The trailer I use 99% of the time on my jigs is a Strike King Rage Chunk. There are many other trailers out there, but the one I'd recommend is a Strike King Rage Chunk (or craw). If you're on a budget, I would recommend picking up some NetBait Paca Chunks, which work pretty well. Otherwise, do yourself a favour and buy some Rage Craw Chunks. 

The Combo: 

• Rod: 
  I'd recommend a Medium-Heavy baitcasting rod. Some people prefer a Heavy action, but I like a Medium Heavy. There are many choices of rod companies out there, so find one that you like. Just make sure you get the best one you can afford. Jigs can be fished on any rod, but they're easier to fish on a sensitive one. 
• Reel: 
  Again, many options are out there regarding reels. Couple things to keep in mind: Make sure you get one that has a decent gear ratio (I like a 6:4:1 or higher). And while I believe that the rod is much more important, it's also wise to get a nice reel for your jig combo. 
• Line: 
  I really believe in throwing my jigs on braid with a leader, but I seem to be in the minority on this, as many jig fisherman like fluorocarbon. I'd recommend 30 lb. braid or 15-17 pound fluorocarbon. The reason I like braid is that it allows me to get a good hookset on a long cast, but fluorocarbon also does a good job. 

Step Two: Research 

• I cannot recommend highly enough that you do some reading on BassResource, particularly the first thread I linked to: 
  http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/12403-jig-fishing-questions/
  http://www.bassresource.com/fish/jigs.html
  http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/how-to-fish-jigs.html
  http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/jig-fishing-specifics.html
  http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/bass_fishing_jigs.html
•  

Step Three: Go Fishing 

• Many people will recommend that you go out and throw nothing but jigs until you start seeing some rewards, but this can also be very frustrating. While jigs are some of the most versatile baits on the market, the bass don't always want them. My recommendation is to gain confidence in fishing soft plastics and especially texas rigs first, and then to go out and throw jigs in places where you know there are bass. 

I hope this helps you get started in jig fishing. Other people on here will have far better advice than I do, so make sure you read the comments and see what they have to say when they chime in. 

Good luck! 

P.S. If you're looking for some jigs to start with, I highly recommend checking out Siebert Outdoors. Mike Siebert has sponsored these forums for a long time and makes some quality jigs. 

 

 

[rchiuz]

Nice post! This is an area I am planning to work on myself. Since I haven't jigged much. The question I have is when do you set the hook? Is it a feel or you notice the line start to move differently?

Happy Holidays!

[Mike L]

Excellent! !

 

 

Mike 

[Big C]

Very good, sums it up nicely.  I like how you said don't throw everything else out the window, just to start fishing jigs it's another tactic not THE tactic.

[A-Jay]

 ~ Very Nice Write Up Senko Lover (but we all know it could be jig lover).

Been fishing jigs for a long time.  Knowing what I know now, if I had used this basic info to start with, I'd have done OK.

Nice Job.

A-Jay

 

[Retired@176]

Excellent post, spot on with colors, trailers and recommended reading

 

[Senko lover]

1 hour ago, rchiuz said:

Nice post! This is an area I am planning to work on myself. Since I haven't jigged much. The question I have is when do you set the hook? Is it a feel or you notice the line start to move differently?

Happy Holidays!

That's where the homework comes in. This thread will answer almost any other question you have. It's pure gold; I think I've read it through at least 5-6 times.  http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/12403-jig-fishing-questions/

For what it's worth, around 70% of my bites are a mushy feeling in the rod tip. I've found that this can vary based on where you're fishing. I know a lot of people catch most of their jig fish on the fall, but although I pay very close attention to my line when the jig is falling, I only catch a small minority of my fish that way. 

For me, if I'm in doubt when I feel something, I set the hook. Sure, it gets me some big logs and lost jigs, but I'd rather have some lost jigs than some lost pigs, you know what I'm sayin? 

[EricTheAngler]

Nice rod and reel combo!

[Catt]

Only one commit!

 

Nice job

[kickerfish1]

Nice write up on the basics of jig fishing! Should serves as a nice starting point for a lot of folks just getting into jig fishing that feel lost or overwelmed. 

[68camaro]

Very nice, jig fishing is something I really want to get better at.

[deep]

Well done!

[fisherrw]

Good post! The only thing I do differently is I use top shelf and Yamamoto double tailed hula grubs for my trailers and a variety of jigs. Excellent job! This post should be pinned

[S. Sass]

I use the NetBait Paca Chunks for trailers but I notice you preferred the Strike King Rage Chunk. May I ask why? I really like the Paca Craw myself. 

[kickerfish1]

2 hours ago, S. Sass said:

I use the NetBait Paca Chunks for trailers but I notice you preferred the Strike King Rage Chunk. May I ask why? I really like the Paca Craw myself. 

The problem I have with chunks is two fold:

1. They have little action making them ideal for negative/neutral fish and better suited for cold water. Not something I will use for majority of my fishing.

2. Chunks lack the necessary length to extended very far between the outer portion of a skirt. They tend to get lost in the skirt and what movement they offer isn't all that visible. For that reason I am only using the Lobster and Regular sized Rage Craws on standard sized jigs.

[S. Sass]

Ahh I was just wondering I don't do a lot of jig fishing so maybe that is hurting my game. Thanks for the info. 

[JustinU1X]

6 minutes ago, kickerfish1 said:

The problem I have with chunks is two fold:

1. They have little action making them ideal for negative/neutral fish and better suited for cold water. Not something I will use for majority of my fishing.

2. Chunks lack the necessary length to extended very far between the outer portion of a skirt. They tend to get lost in the skirt and what movement they offer isn't all that visible. For that reason I am only using the Lobster and Regular sized Rage Craws on standard sized jigs.

When a jig is under water the silicon and rubber stand up revealing the trailer so I wouldn't say they get lost in the skirt. I see where you're coming from though, still not as big of a profile as a full size creature bait. I use the regular paca chunk on finesse jigs and the Sr. size on my full size jigs.

[GoCougs14]

Awesome thread, really couldve used this about a month ago when I was trying to learn the basics on them

[Joey Bass]

Excellent post. Really good starter info. This type of post is so helpful to the new folks as they first come into this great forum. Thanks!

[Catt]

K.I.S.S.

Of all the lures in an angler's arsenal the jig is one of the simplest and yet the most over completed by anglers!

[Senko lover]

12 hours ago, S. Sass said:

I use the NetBait Paca Chunks for trailers but I notice you preferred the Strike King Rage Chunk. May I ask why? I really like the Paca Craw myself. 

The Strike King Rage Craw is far and away my favorite bait in the world. I've caught so many bass and big bass on it. For me, I really like the action that the Rage flanges on the craw give, and it's also just a confidence thing. I have immense amounts of confidence in the Rage Craw, mainly because it performs so well for me. I have used and like the Paca Craw, but it's not my go-to.

[WRB]

It's Christmas, nice gift for everyone to share.

Chunks are a copy of one if the original pork rind lure called a frog. The reason it's called a frog is because the pork "chunk" was nose hooked with weedless hook and skittered across the tops of weed beds to imitate a frog. Bass anglers learned to use the frog with a weedless jig and the pig & jig was born. 

The key to using a frog/chunk is nose hooking it, this allows the twin tail shape to swim more freely. The evolution of the frog was adding curl tails to swim faster, now ridges to move even faster than before. Sometimes a pork frog out fishes the newer faster moving soft plastics, the subtitle Senko like movements that can trigger bass strikes.

Tom

PS, if you are not getting strikes on the fall, you are missing them......focus on strike detection!

[bigfruits]

Great article, Senko lover!

My favorite trailer on a skirted jig (when I want a lot of movement) is the Yamamoto double tail grub. Has a good amount of action when dragged or lightly hopped. Very versatile, drops and swims great.

They are also one of the cheaper Yamamoto baits. (non-hula version)

[hawgenvy]

Great article, Senko lover! I don't play with jigs much because of all the bottom slime around where I live. But I decided to toss a black and blue jig yesterday, and after striking out with my usual craw trailer, I threaded onto the jig hook something new (for me) -- a Zoom Z-Hog in black sapphire, a rather big bug of a trailer. And, BOOM!, a 5 lbs 13 oz fish on the first cast. Splashed water all over the place. Then I nailed a few more smaller ones. Definitely going to use my jig more, and the Z-Hog!

[rchiuz]

If you are on the bank with no visible structure to cast to. Is it worth it to fan blind cast?