It COMES DOWN TO SIMPLE BASICS

[Guest the_muddy_man]

Well eventually I will get this jig thing together, it took me all last year and this spring to get Baitcasting together

I am going to par my tackle box to what I use'

An assortment of plastics and wooden plugs and topwater everything else is eventually going/ At this point in my life I have a few ways that catch fish for me AND THATS WHAT IM STAYING WITH I like wood better than plastic hard baits because from using them so long I get the various actions that work for me. The problem will be finging Balsa and Cedar baits that I can throw with a baitcaster, This isn't going to happen overnight But I can not see the sense of carrying all this stuff around and only use the Wooden and plastics most of the time

[roadwarrior]

Well, I recently bought a new soft tackle box that carries 3600 (not 3700) Plano boxes. I can do 95% of my fishing with a handful of lures, but I choose to TRY to use more! I think "versatility" is BS for most recreational fishermen. All I (we) want to do is catch a few really BIG bass!

Muddy,

Fish one or two hard baits ONLY during low light. If you want to stick with the jig, use it EXCLUSIVELY during the day. That is the only way to become comfortable with this presentation. I'm on my second year trying to become proficient with jigs and it's starting to work. For me, jigs are a VERTICAL presentation; for casting, I'm all soft plastics.

[Guest the_muddy_man]

Thats what I do with the hard baits all ready. I fished that jig all hours Ill get it Im just going to give it a rest for a minute. I spent 2 whole days throeing noothing but that jig Thanks RW

[Catt]

Muddy you still got those Texas Rig Jigs I sent you? Well dig em out and try em  

[Siebert Outdoors]

Muddy,

Find some trees laying down in about 5-10 ft of water unless your fish are shallower(spawn) pitch the jig parallel with the tree and slowly drag it down the side up and over limbs. Around here its like clock work. Works almost everytime.

Option 2

Rocky points. locate a point with rocks and or big chunk rock. Slowly hop the jig back to you always staying in contact with the bottom.  You should only be moving the jig 6-8" at a time.

Yes it is slow fishing but very effective.

[Guest the_muddy_man]

GMan: The Three spots I fished most were(in Order) Big Chunky Rocks in 6 to 15 feet of water, Tress and stumps I oput it all around them, and any weedbeds that were around 0 for  Im giving it a rest, because i want to learn how to do it and Im to the point where they look like they would make good sinkers

[Guest avid]

Yo mudster.

Are you havin fun trying to learn jigs?

If not then fueggedaboutdit,

our time on the water is to precious to be banging our heads  

Sometimes when trying to learn something new, it's best to "walk away" for awhile.

enjoy!!!!!

[Siebert Outdoors]

a typical jig bite is very subtle and feels like a tick or bump.  Alot like when your jig hits the bottom.

For me jig fishing is all about being and feeling what the lure is doing down there.  IMO if your not always feeling the jig and what its doing your probably missing bites.  For me its all about in contact with it.  Unlike alot of lure like senkos where a fish will just in hale it and swim off with it.  Bass for me dont usually hold onto a jig near as long as a worm or senko.  Gotta be on top of your game.  

I'm sure you throw a texas rigged worm. Might try fishing it the same way as the worm it might help you gain some confidence.

[basspro48]

Don't give up Muddy!!! listen to the gman and you will soon be catching lunker after lunker on the jig. It took me a year to get the jig thing down and now I always, and I mean ALWAYS, have a jig tied on because it's one of those baits that just plain works.

[Catt]

Ok Muddy one more time take the Texas Rig Jig I sent you and rig it with a worm/craw worm.

Fish it the same way you would fish a Texas Rig  

[Guest the_muddy_man]

Oh I'm Sorry Catt. I found an area on the depth finder that would be perfect for it and I intend to use it next time out. I was on my way in and I found a drop off, from a point onto some boulders I know where it is now and I'll give it a shot next time out.I fished a spot just like it with a bullet pegged onto a trick worm last year and it worked I bet that rig you gave me will work a bit better.

[Catt]

Don't peg it  

Fish it like you would a Texas Rig, this will give you the confidence need when you chance over to a regular jig. When you do fish a regular jig don't flip or pitch it, work it the same way you would a Texas Rig. A jig is not just for flipping'/pitching, working it like you would a Texas Rig can be more productive, you cover more water increasing the odds you'll get bit.

[Guest the_muddy_man]

Thanks Catt, I wasn't gonna peg it. One Question; Do i need to trim the skirt, and if so by how much?

[Catt]

Leave the skirt alone, rig with your favorite worm hook, your favorite plastic & fish it like a Texas Rig. The skirt of a Texas Rig Jig gives your bait the bulk of a jig but still allows the weight to slide up the line keeping the bass from using the extra weight to throw it.

When I teach someone how to fish a jig I start them off with the Texas Rig Jig because it fills the gap between the Jig-N-Craw and the Texas Rig, it is a viable third option that many anglers over look.

With the standard Jig-N-Craw I think to many anglers get the notion that it has to be flipped or pitched, fishing it in a near vertical presentation. A Jig-N-Craw is extremely deadly when fished the same way you would a Texas Rig and in my opinion much easier to master.

[Guest the_muddy_man]

Thank you much Catt

[Catt]

Strike zone is defined as the distance at which a bass has sensed you baits presents and is willing to travel that distance to strike your bait. The key to catching bass is to put your bait into this strike zone as much as possible.

When flipping/pitching you are targeting a single object & the strike zone surrounding it, depending on the amount of cover this could be as little as 2' diameter to 15' diameter. When casting you are not targeting a single object but rather an area & the strike zone surrounding you bait along it's path back to the boat.

This is why I believe your odds of getting bit is greater casting a jig rather than flipping/pitching, once you've caught a few bass on the jig by using this technique then the transition over to flipping/pitching will be easier.

Muddy if you were not confused before you probably will be now, hopefully you will get the message or maybe someone can better explain it.

[.ghoti.]

Muddy if you were not confused before you probably will be now, hopefully you will get the message or maybe someone can better explain it.

Catt, you explained it perfectly, but, what is this Texas Rig Jig? Got any pictures? I'm also having trouble with the jig. I can catch fish on 1/8oz and 3/16oz jigs, but can't catch a cold on a 1/2oz one.

Cheers,

GK