Jigs

[CrustyMono]

Jigs

Jigs Overview

     There are many types of jigs, and it can get confusing. Typically, jigs look like crayfish. As you know, swim jigs look like baitfish. They are affective allayer long, and can be found on almost any angler's rod who is worth his "two cents" all year round. Especially prominent in the winter and summer months when bass become lethargic, are jigs. Just as one would use different crankbaits in different situations jigs are the same way. Certain jigs strive in certain areas where others do not. 

Jig Types

Football: Ever try to roll a football to your buddy? Chances are it didn't roll straight towards him. Football jigs are designed to roll like them on hard ground. The "wobble" makes it look more realistic. They usually have a horizontal line tie.

Grass: Designed for heavy cover and vegetation, grass jigs are designed to be completely weedless. Usually have a vertical line tie and thick weed guard.

Flipping: Most similar to a Grass jig, these jigs are designed to be placed into thick cover like wood piles. they have a very thick weed guard and line tie will vary.

Skipping: Designed with a flat bottom, these jigs are designed to be skipped into cover with an under-hand cast, similar to the action required to skip a stone. 

Rock: Specifically for not getting wedged in rocks, they have a wide, flat head and will come through rip rap (rocks) with ease.

Shakey: A go-to finesse bait for many anglers, the shakes head is a round jig with a flat bottom. It is designed to stand up. Try a 4-6" finesse worm.

Punching: The most heavy duty jig made, it will come through almost anything. consists of a tungsten or lead cone with a skirt and extra heavy-duty hook.

Swim: A swim jig is built with a hydrodynamic head designed to cut through the water column. Most swim jigs are designed to looked like baitfish. Whether that is shad, perch, bass, or bluegill, all are very affective. Just like a jerkbait, swim jigs can be fished a variety of ways. Experiment with multiple methods to discover the best technique for you. One method is called a straight retrieve. just reel it in consistently to keep it a desired depth. You can also try lifting your rod about a foot and then reeling in the slack. This will create a rise-and-fall action.

Bladed Swim Jigs: Basically a swim jig with a metal blade attached to the jig head. the blade creates vibration when retrieved. Will work well in dirty and clear water.

Jig Tips

Rod: 7'2" MH for MOST applications except heavy-duty stuff. Will work well in 3/8-1oz jigs. longer rod helps with cast distance and hookset.

Reel: Any bait caster with at least 10 pounds of drag will be fine. Slower gear ratios will ensure that you do not reel too fast. Faster gear ratios will help you take in line faster. 

Line: 12-20 pound fluorocarbon is best in clearwater situations. Low stretch and visibility. 15-30 pound braid. Smaller diameter and high strength are positives. When using braided line, be sure to use heavy duty hooks, as it will compliment the no stretch qualities of the line.

Color: Perhaps the most confusing aspect of jig fishing. In clear water, natural colors will work best. Bright and dark colors will be best in stained waters. 

Trailers: Try to match you trailer with your jig color. If you can not, try to match the opposite.

Written on May Fourth, 2016.

[Yakalong]

I don't throw jigs a lot, every year though at the start of the year I try to throw something new or something I haven't used in a while. Maybe this next year it will be the jig.  A question though, I fish with a lot a rocks on the bottom and dragging the jig across it gets hung up a lot, what type of head would be best? Thanks 

[CrustyMono]

54 minutes ago, Yakalong said:

I don't throw jigs a lot, every year though at the start of the year I try to throw something new or something I haven't used in a while. Maybe this next year it will be the jig.  A question though, I fish with a lot a rocks on the bottom and dragging the jig across it gets hung up a lot, what type of head would be best? Thanks 

I would stick with a football head jig. They are very good at not wedging into rocks like a swim jig would. The head will easilyunwedge from them. They are specifically designed for rocks. here is a picture:

I would also consider a swinging jig. it is basically a larger shakey head. the head has an attached ring with a hook attached to that. The 3/8 oz through 3/4 oz model would best be used on a mh bait cast setup with 17 pound fluorocarbon.

[juicebass]

Fished a football jig for a solid 2 hours around a ton of rock and boulders and Adventually it got snagged down there. Was worth it, felt everything on the bottom.. any other bait would've been gone long before 2 hours!

[Yakalong]

8 hours ago, CrustyMono said:

I would stick with a football head jig. They are very good at not wedging into rocks like a swim jig would. The head will easilyunwedge from them. They are specifically designed for rocks. here is a picture:

I would also consider a swinging jig. it is basically a larger shakey head. the head has an attached ring with a hook attached to that. The 3/8 oz through 3/4 oz model would best be used on a mh bait cast setup with 17 pound fluorocarbon.

Thanks for the info I will pick some up and give them a try. 

[CrustyMono]

23 hours ago, juicebass said:

Fished a football jig for a solid 2 hours around a ton of rock and boulders and Adventually it got snagged down there. Was worth it, felt everything on the bottom.. any other bait would've been gone long before 2 hours!

Yes it was, don't expect to perfect it on your first try with a new technique. Fishing a football  jig is much different than a punching jig or flipping docks. I would consider it lucky that you didn't snag earlier. Good luck and be sure to check back!

[primetime]

 I rarely use Football Jigs in Florida unless I am on hard bottom, but recently I have been told by other angler's that they actually like to use them in some "Soft Bottom" situations when they know crawfish are in the area.

It was explained to me that you want the football Jig to scoot like a craw and also burrow into the soft bottom a bit, to get the attention of the fish. I guess the key is using the right weight.

The places they drag football jigs are the same places I would never think to use one. I use a C-Rig or Texas rig instead, but have you ever tried this?

Great Breakdowns. Thanks for taking the time to explain the differences of jigs, I have noticed that Football Jigs get so much press & that is the type of jig I use least. I use light stand up Football Jigs for shaky heads, but I have never been confident with the Biffle Bug type of jigs unless on sand or hard bottom, I think I am going to heavy. I would imagine you would want a lighter jig in soft bottom if it is a football jig. Good Stuff. 

Too many tackle options out there these days, but in the end, if you can fish every type of jig you can pretty much fish anything I guess.

Trailers: Try to match you trailer with your jig color. If you can not, try to match the opposite.

This is why we all have too much tackle. This gray area is what allows me to rationalize much of my spending which I kind of enjoy. You never know when that black and blue jig needs a Tomato seed trailer.

[MBB Nate]

This year I started ignoring trailer colors.  My observations lead me to believe action and size far outweigh color of trailers.

[juicebass]

People say to use a 

On 2016-11-19 at 7:39 PM, MBB Nate said:

This year I started ignoring trailer colors.  My observations lead me to believe action and size far outweigh color of trailers.

 

On 2016-11-19 at 7:39 PM, MBB Nate said:

This year I started ignoring trailer colors.  My observations lead me to believe action and size far outweigh color of trailers.

Isn't said that in cold water it's better to use a bulkier trailer that doesn't have much action?

I used a small trailer with a lot of action and it did very well, out fished my friend using a slower bulky profile.. it 42 degree water! So there ya go! That goes to show anything can work at any time basically 

[A-Jay]

Don't forget the hair jigs ~ They are a very effective option anytime but do often shine in colder water.

These 1/4 & 3/8 oz Predator Hair Jig & plastic combos get it done.

A-Jay

 

[IndianaFinesse]

3 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Don't forget the hair jigs ~ They are a very effective option anytime but do often shine in colder water.

These 1/4 & 3/8 oz Predator Hair Jig & plastic combos get it done.

A-Jay

 

Yep, cold water bass love hair jigs.  Just yesterday I caught almost 45 fish, mostly on an 1/8 ounce Bucktail jig.