Best style of jig for texas rig like hopping the bottom?

[TriStateBassin106]

I really want to get into fishing jigs, this might be a thread for the fishing tackle area but as bass anglers do any of you guys have personal recommendations for a beginner jig fisherman? I've seen plenty of videos about them but from a more personal experience what would you guys recommend? Football head? Swim jig? Color combos etc? Types of trailers? 

[Log Catcher]

I am by no means a jig expert but I will try to help you. I usually use a football jig in 3/8 or 1/2 ounce. Most of the time I use blk&blue or pb&j. I like to match my trailers to the jig. I use a Zoom Ultra Vibe Speed Craw or Twin Tail Grub. I'm sure a lot of guys will post there ways to fish it. Every body likes to do it there own way.

[Russ E]

if I am fishing around rock it is a football jig and a christie craw.  the fottball jig comes through rocks better than an arky style.

if it is around cover I use a Denny Brauer pro model jig with a paca chunk.

I keep color simple. if water is clear I use brown or green pumpkin.

If water is stained I go with black and blue.

[Jig Man]

Can’t beat a football for an all around jig.  I catch bigger fish with a beaver trailer.

[stiffler]

What kind of cover will you be fishing?

 

Cant go wrong with an arkie style jig, as a all around jig. This year Ive been having success fishing a duckett 4x4 swim/grass jig. Its been very versatile for me. Pitching it, swimming it, hoping it, etc..

 

 

[Sam]

Pond Hopper, the jig is only part of the answer.

 

1.  What is the bottom like?  Wood, rock, grass, slop, slime, sand, pebbles?  Makes a difference.

2.  Any docks or piers in the water where you can flip and pitch the jig?

3.  What type and test line do you want to use? Remember, braid and rocks do not get along. Check the rod's parameters to make sure you are within the line test and bait weight limits.

4.  What type of "pig" do you want to use? A really good looking crawfish or a Zoom type pig? Try to match the pig color with your jig color.

5.  Colors? Don't be too concerned about colors. Stick with the blue/black for starters and then go orange and brown.

6.  Jig and pig weight. Do you want to start with a 1/2 ounce or a lesser weight jig and pig? I suggest a lower weight for starters.

7.  Fast baitcaster. 7:1 to pull the fish up off the bottom and to you.

8.  Medium heavy 7-foot rod. Try to find one designed especially for jigs.

9.  Read, read, and read about fishing jigs. Go to YouTube and look up videos on jig fishing. Check out Bassresource YouTube productions on jig fishing.

10. Experiment. Go with different styles, colors, weights; drag along the bottom with long and short movements;  bounce it off the bottom, bounce it high off the bottom; cast and let it sit for a full 60-seconds and then start moving it back to you; keep a log of what you did under what conditions for future referral.

 

Good luck. Let us know how you did.

[TriStateBassin106]

1 hour ago, stiffler said:

What kind of cover will you be fishing?

 

Cant go wrong with an arkie style jig, as a all around jig. This year Ive been having success fishing a duckett 4x4 swim/grass jig. Its been very versatile for me. Pitching it, swimming it, hoping it, etc..

 

 

I'm looking for something all around. Mainly I fish small ponds and occasionally larger private lakes in Northern New Jersey and Pennslyvania, I tried fishing with mini jigs by strike king but I mainly ended up with those slimy **** weeds most of the time on my hook and craw trailer. I need something that can get through that slimy stuff and weed beds. Rocks I'm not really worried about. I have a 6:3 gear Abu garcia low profile and a 6'6 medium heavy. I want to upgrade to maybe a 7'3 or 7'0 medium action for skipping but I need to find a decent price rod and reel setup. I also use 12lb flourocarbon for all my baitcasters and mono for spinning rods.

2 hours ago, Jig Man said:

Can’t beat a football for an all around jig.  I catch bigger fish with a beaver trailer.

How is the football jig around slimy weeds? I want something that won't have weeds on it everytime I bring it in

[Russ E]

Not many jigs work well from bank on weedy lakes.

If fishing a weedy lake from shore I leave the jigs at home and use Texas rigged plastics.

[stiffler]

12 minutes ago, pondhopperNJ said:

I'm looking for something all around. Mainly I fish small ponds and occasionally larger private lakes in Northern New Jersey and Pennslyvania, I tried fishing with mini jigs by strike king but I mainly ended up with those slimy **** weeds most of the time on my hook and craw trailer. I need something that can get through that slimy stuff and weed beds. Rocks I'm not really worried about. I have a 6:3 gear Abu garcia low profile iand a 6'6 medium heavy. I want to upgrade to maybe a 7'3 or 7'0 medium action for skipping but I need to find a decent price rod and reel setup. I also use 12lb flourocarbon for all my baitcasters and mono for spinning rods.

How is the football jig around slimy weeds? I want something that won't have weeds on it everytime I bring it in

Look for some of those grass style jigs with more of a bullet shaped head, like the Duckett 4x4 I mentioned. With that being said, sometimes it just comes with the territory fishing that type cover from the bank. But a bullet shaped head will definitely be more effective. Another option is a pegged t-rigged plastic with no weed guard or exposed hook to get caught up in that slimy stuff. Also work on pitching your jig in holes in the cover, rather then dragging in through. Think of a vertical presentation as opposed to horizontal.

[Bluebasser86]

A Strike King Bitsy Flip is a great little jig that is easy to find, pretty inexpensive, comes in the basic colors, and flat out catches fish. They were a big part of my beginning in learning how to fish a jig. 

[Catt]

11 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

A Strike King Bitsy Flip is a great little jig that is easy to find, pretty inexpensive, comes in the basic colors, and flat out catches fish. They were a big part of my beginning in learning how to fish a jig. 

 

Attach a Zoom Ultra Vibe Speed Craw ?

[waymont]

10 hours ago, pondhopperNJ said:

I'm looking for something all around. Mainly I fish small ponds and occasionally larger private lakes in Northern New Jersey and Pennslyvania, I tried fishing with mini jigs by strike king but I mainly ended up with those slimy **** weeds most of the time on my hook and craw trailer. I need something that can get through that slimy stuff and weed beds. Rocks I'm not really worried about. I have a 6:3 gear Abu garcia low profile and a 6'6 medium heavy. I want to upgrade to maybe a 7'3 or 7'0 medium action for skipping but I need to find a decent price rod and reel setup. I also use 12lb flourocarbon for all my baitcasters and mono for spinning rods.

How is the football jig around slimy weeds? I want something that won't have weeds on it everytime I bring it in

All jigs are no good around weeds. Unless you learn to use a swim jig above submerged weeds, you will have a hard time using jigs around weeds. using jigs on bottom when any weeds/slime is around will be frustrating.