Jigs

[Fishin49er]

I have had little experience with fishing jigs and with all the good things i hear about them i want to give them a go, so i have a few questions.  If i was only going to start out with 2 sizes, just to keep it simple, what should they be?  When i wanted to swim a jig would i want an action trailer say a twin tail grub, or a non-action trailer say a spinnerbait type trailer?  I know there isnt always a clear cut answer for things like this but just some guidelines would be good.  Thanks

[Hawgin]

I would recommend starting out with either a 3/8 or 1/2 oz jig.  I would get at least one of them in black/blue.  This is probably the most popular jig color.

With a swimming jig, I think a twin tail grub would be an excellent trailer.

[Catt]

3/8 & 1/2 oz Black/Blue & Black Neon will work at all depths and water colors   8-)

[Shad_Master]

I am certainly not a jig expert by any means, but I have been having more success with jigs this year and offer these "tips" for your consideration.  I think both 3/8 and 1/2 are the best sizes unless you are going to be fishing really deep.  Then you may want to go to a 3/4 or 1 oz.

For swimming a jig, you will want to have fairly clear water and your trailer should impart some action.  Zoom makes a smaller chunk type trailer with long tails that works good.  I have a big debate going with the guy I am learning about jig swimming from regarding rattles.  His take is that he cannot say for certain that rattles or lack of rattles ever really makes a differnce.  Black/Blue is the mainstay for jigs, but don't be afraid to experiment.

As for traditional jiggin, the best advice anyone can give you is take your jigs out fishing and leave everything else at home.  Keep hopping 'em until you learn what the bite feels like and how to set the hook.  It is a little different from anyother style of fishing, but can have some great results.

[paparock]

Where I am in very clear water Peanut Butter and Jelly if the most consistent color to use plus a trailer.

My favorite is a 5/8 football Jewel jiig with a NetBait Paca Chunk.

[Siebert Outdoors]

The finesse jig pictured is my favorite.  I would recommend a jig in this style in 5/16 and 3/8.  I doubt you will fish anything deeper then 15ft until you gain confidence in it.  IMO, the finesse jigs work the best for all fish and are great confidence builders.

[paparock]

The finesse jig pictured is my favorite. I would recommend a jig in this style in 5/16 and 3/8. I doubt you will fish anything deeper then 15ft until you gain confidence in it. IMO, the finesse jigs work the best for all fish and are great confidence builders.

The GMAN is right. I fish a very clear deep water reservoir. Thanks GMAN, I should have added that.

[Catt]

Oldham's Screw Lok

[nboucher]

I wouldn't go heavier than a 3/8 to start. It's easier to feel what's going on underwater with a lighter jig. I often use 1/4 oz jigs in water less than 10 feet  with great success. Jigs are frustrating at first, because they feel so different from anything else. But once you catch a nice fish or two on them, I'm sure they'll become a confidence bait for you, too. It's also fun to experiment with trailers.

[HPBB]

If you only want 2 to start with. I would go with a 3/8 oz and a 1/2 oz

Black/blue for flippin and pichin

for swimming jig I would go with white

once you get used to the jigs and get confidence, then experiment with different sizes and colors.

If you want make your self learn. go out fishing one day with only the jigs, leave everything else at home. It will make you learn how to use them, with out falling back onto a lure that you know how to use.

I do this offten to "fine tune" the way I fish with certain lure

I take only that lure with me and I am forced to  fish with it when i would rather use something else. It make you learn how to fish a lure better.

[Alpster]

If you are fishing in heavy cover, lilly pads or weeds try pitching to specific spots and work on accuracy and quiet (no splash) presentation. Use a craw or pork chunk type trailer. Look for a strike as the bait falls, when it hits bottom let it sit still for 15-20 seconds and make short hops with the rod tip. Watch the line for movement, you may not feel the strike. If the line moves in any direction or goes slack, set the hook. Go get em.

Ronnie

[Bud]

 3/8 & 1/2 oz Black/Blue & Black Neon will work at all depths and water colors      

That the way it work here.               I also like Joe trailer

[RoLo]

If i was only going to start out with 2 sizes, just to keep it simple, what should they be?

Over time, I gravitated to a 3/8 oz jig which I fished almost exclusively, but now I do just the opposite, and straddle 3/8 oz.

For largemouth bass, about the only two sizes I use and recommend are 1/4 oz and 1/2 oz.

For me, the 1/4 oz jig is the workhorse, and in Florida I use it about 85% of the time.

In deep water (scarce in Florida) &/or during a snotty wind, the 1/2 oz jig may be needed.

When i wanted to swim a jig would i want an action trailer say a twin tail grub, or a non-action trailer say a spinnerbait type trailer?

Can't answer that one, because I never swim a jig, but use them strictly for bottom prospecting.

Roger

[basspro48]

I always have a 3/8oz. black/blue jig tied on for flipping and pitching. I can make that jig as heavy or as light as I want, by that I mean I can increase or decrease the rate of fall very easily. If I am fishing in 3' of water and I want a slow fall then I'll take that 3/8oz. jig and add a big bulky floating trailer to it, and depending on the conditions I might even add another skirt. Now if I'm fishing 10' of water and want that jig to get down then I will trim the skirt to the length of the hook and thin out the skirt, I'll also add a small profile trailer like a small craw or grub. Using these modifications I could make a 1/4oz. fall like a bullet and a 3/8oz. jig slowly glide through the water. Jigs are some of the most versatile baits out there and with a little tweaking you can make them do whatever you want.

[ga_hawghauler]

I always have a 3/8oz. black/blue jig tied on for flipping and pitching. I can make that jig as heavy or as light as I want, by that I mean I can increase or decrease the rate of fall very easily. If I am fishing in 3' of water and I want a slow fall then I'll take that 3/8oz. jig and add a big bulky floating trailer to it, and depending on the conditions I might even add another skirt. Now if I'm fishing 10' of water and want that jig to get down then I will trim the skirt to the length of the hook and thin out the skirt, I'll also add a small profile trailer like a small craw or grub. Using these modifications I could make a 1/4oz. fall like a bullet and a 3/8oz. jig slowly glide through the water. Jigs are some of the most versatile baits out there and with a little tweaking you can make them do whatever you want.

[Bankbeater]

I will usually use a 1/4 oz, but sometimes I use a 3/8 oz. depending on the wind. The colors I use are usually black, black/blue, watermelon, and orange/brown. Always with a trailer.

[Papa_Tom]

I agree with most of the recommendations on the flip/pitch/cast. Something between 1/4 and 1/2 oz depending on depth, etc.  Color---something black, or something greenish/brownish or combos of the above.  Double tail trailer.  Don't change much. For swimming jigs, I use a different jig altogether.  Usually one of the Wisconsin-types.  Bullet heads, thin wire hooks, sparse weedguard, etc.  Brovarney, Lethal Weapon.  Almost always 1/4 oz.  Color ---something shad or bream with a single tail GYCB or Zoom.  Clear water, braided line for this.