Flippin and Pitchin- Jig and Trailer or just the plastic...

[ajschn06]

When it comes to flipping and pitching, or any type of jigging/bottom presentation do you prefer to use a jig and trailer or just some sort of craw/creature bait rigged up by itself?  Do you tend to lean one way or the other or will you typically use both in different scenario's (also, what are the different scenarios for you)?  Is it strictly a quantity vs quality decision with a jig being a bigger bite bait?

[MN Fisher]

I do most of my flip/pitch with T-Rigged baits and un-pegged heavy bullet weights...3/4oz or more. I'll also bubba shot into the same areas - drop shot with 3/4oz+ weights, 4/0+ hooks and larger plastics.

[Hook2Jaw]

I prefer to pitch with a jig on hard cover, which is my normal routine when I get into close combat with the fish.  Wood, wood, wood.  I will often switch to a Texas rigged craw or creature if the bite is slow, presenting a less bulky profile.

 

In grass, I'm almost always pitching a Texas rig if I'm pitching.

[DitchPanda]

My local pond doesn't have any grass...just wood and rip rap. Because of this I use a jig a lot more often than a Texas rig...I just feel like it comes thru that type of cover better for me. When I do throw a Texas rig it's usually a ribbon or curl tail worm..rarely a creature of craw bait.

[Bluebasser86]

I prefer a jig, but anything with heavy line and stout rod is a good time.

[Mbirdsley]

12 hours ago, Hook2Jaw said:

I prefer to pitch with a jig on hard cover, which is my normal routine when I get into close combat with the fish.  Wood, wood, wood.  I will often switch to a Texas rigged craw or creature if the bite is slow, presenting a less bulky profile.

 

In grass, I'm almost always pitching a Texas rig if I'm pitching.

Pretty much my thought process also. Cover use a jig. t-rig if I’m just dragging random bottom.  However, I do get get gut feelings and do the opposite. I am usually rewarded.  Usually i know within 10 minutes if the lure I have tied on is going to work or not. 

[scaleface]

I use Texas rigs most .

[Mike L]

I always start with a t rig and usually end up with it also. 
 

 

 

 

Mike

[the reel ess]

They'll bite either. The jig is better to skip under limbs and docks. You can also just rig a plastic craw on a weedless jighead.  A deadly lure is the Hula grub on a weedless jighead. But they tear up so easily. I've been told the rule of thumb is wood=jig, vegetation=T-rig. Therefore, I jig fish more.

 

If you're going to flip and pitch a T-rig, make sure the hook is at least a superline hook. A really good fish will straighten the usual T-rig worm hooks out enough to get off when you have your drag tight. I've had it happen and lost a likely PB.

[Hook2Jaw]

29 minutes ago, the reel ess said:

They'll bite either. The jig is better to skip under limbs and docks. You can also just rig a plastic craw on a weedless jighead.  A deadly lure is the Hula grub on a weedless jighead. But they tear up so easily. I've been told the rule of thumb is wood=jig, vegetation=T-rig. Therefore, I jig fish more.

 

If you're going to flip and pitch a T-rig, make sure the hook is at least a superline hook. A really good fish will straighten the usual T-rig worm hooks out enough to get off when you have your drag tight. I've had it happen and lost a likely PB.

Good stuff, ess.  Another suggestion I'd like to add with heavier hooks and heavier cover is to avoid texposing the hook point.

 

Why?

 

I'm already swinging hard on my set when I'm fishing a Texas rig in hard cover and don't get hung up nearly as often when my hook is within my plastic.  I personally rig mine just under the plastic.

[the reel ess]

28 minutes ago, Hook2Jaw said:

Good stuff, ess.  Another suggestion I'd like to add with heavier hooks and heavier cover is to avoid texposing the hook point.

 

Why?

 

I'm already swinging hard on my set when I'm fishing a Texas rig in hard cover and don't get hung up nearly as often when my hook is within my plastic.  I personally rig mine just under the plastic.

Indeed. If using an actual flipping hook, it will be exposing itself enough. 

 

Do you guys who use pegged punching rigs with a real flipping hook snell the hook to get it to flip the point forward? The guide I did this with believed in it. He also didn't rig his baits up symmetrically. He put the hook point into the side of the bait so the point didn't have far to travel through plastic.

[scaleface]

1 hour ago, the reel ess said:

If you're going to flip and pitch a T-rig, make sure the hook is at least a superline hook. A really good fish will straighten the usual T-rig worm hooks out enough to get off when you have your drag tight. I've had it happen and lost a likely PB.

Last year I bought some straight shank hooks because I heard so much about them . They were Owner Jungle Flipping hooks . First time ever using them . I was at Lake of the Ozarks one day after the Big Bass Bash that was won with a 6 lber .That 6 lber was worth 100, 000 dollars . So the next day I felt a little tap and set the hook like a boss . I nailed it , just like thousands of times previously ..I had this huge bass at the boat which appeared to be seven plus , it shook its head as I was trying to lip it and the hook came out .My jaw dropped . Upon examining my worm , the hook didnt come through . I took that hook off and havent used it since . I went back to using thinner wire offsets . 

13 minutes ago, the reel ess said:

Do you guys who use pegged punching rigs with a real flipping hook snell the hook to get it to flip the point forward?

I heard that too . Maybe that's the way to go . I dont even know how to tie a snell . 

[the reel ess]

1 hour ago, scaleface said:

Last year I bought some straight shank hooks because I heard so much about them . They were Owner Jungle Flipping hooks . First time ever using them . I was at Lake of the Ozarks one day after the Big Bass Bash that was won with a 6 lber .That 6 lber was worth 100, 000 dollars . So the next day I felt a little tap and set the hook like a boss . I nailed it , just like thousands of times previously ..I had this huge bass at the boat which appeared to be seven plus , it shook its head as I was trying to lip it and the hook came out .My jaw dropped . Upon examining my worm , the hook didnt come through . I took that hook off and havent used it since . I went back to using thinner wire offsets . 

I've had that happen to me with jigs and bigger fish. Hackney said in a video, sometimes when you set the hook really hard and the fish's mouth is closed, you drive the point of the bait into the roof of the fish's mouth and it doesn't find the hook at all. The guide I fished with in FL, his name is Shane Procell-some guys on here know him, had me using a punch rig in some lighter grass. He was using some big gambler craws. They would be huge on my lake. He was using the flipping hooks, but he was only sticking the hook into the side of the bait so it didn't have far to go to get through, as well as the snelled trick. I stuck a bunch of fish with that technique that day and we went through a lot of baits. I had to look up how to tie the snell as well. I rarely use a T rig. And when I do, it's not for flipping. It's so I don't get skunked. ?

[Catt]

Both! ?

 

I have a Texas Rig & Jig-n-Craw tied on 24/7/365

 

If I'm catching in an area on a Texas Rig & the bite stops I'll work that same area with a Jig-n-Craw or vice versa.

 

That applies to casting, pitching, flipping, or punching.

[JediAmoeba]

I prefer a jig.  When throwing it into fallen trees they just seem to come through better and give me better hook ups.

 

Nothing beats the feeling of feeling that tap from a fish and setting your jig firmly into the side of a fallen tree in 10 feet of water with 65# braid.  

[J Francho]

Those are just casts, and they get used with all sorts of baits, not just jigs and Texas rigs. Cover, how I want to bait to act, and what’s under that cover have more weight on what I tie on than any particular cast. 

[Fishin Dad]

I seem to find that a T-rig comes through cover better a lot of times for me.  I also have both tied on every time I go out.  I like fishing a jig so I can skip it and pitch it.  Some days fish seem to show a real preference for one or the other.  I feel like I fish both equally as often though.  Our lakes have such a variety of vegetation, wood, rock, etc. that we just have to adjust to the conditions and the bite in different areas.  

[Bankc]

About the only vegetation in the lakes I fish are water willows.  There's also not many rocks.  So I almost exclusively pitch a jig.  They typically come through the trees and willows better for me.  

[Teal]

Depends on the cover.  I do well with a jig but if it's super thick, I go t rig.  There are days when jig isn't working, I'll try a t rig and it work.. it's not as bulky.   Just be sure that the rod/reel/line and hook are compatible.  It will save you from broken rods and lost fish and lost gear. 

[the reel ess]

1 hour ago, JediAmoeba said:

I prefer a jig.  When throwing it into fallen trees they just seem to come through better and give me better hook ups.

 

Nothing beats the feeling of feeling that tap from a fish and setting your jig firmly into the side of a fallen tree in 10 feet of water with 65# braid.  

I usually just go ahead and get hung up before the fish bites. Cut out the middle man.

[river-rat]

4 hours ago, Catt said:

Both! ?

 

I have a Texas Rig & Jig-n-Craw tied on 24/7/365

 

If I'm catching in an area on a Texas Rig & the bite stops I'll work that same area with a Jig-n-Craw or vice versa.

 

That applies to casting, pitching, flipping, or punching.

 

Exactly the same with me. I'm never without a jig and a Texas Rig on the front deck. I let the fish tell me what they prefer that day.

[Smalls]

I used to pitch jigs a lot, but where I  live now, salt cedar trees are about the only thing to pitch to. They're just too much of a jungle to not hang up in for me. I have found a jig that gets through a lot easier for me thisyear, so maybe I'll do it more.

[txchaser]

Trashmaster Jig makes for a interesting in-between - jig presentation but the hook is buried like a t-rig so less snaggy in the nasty stuff.

[JediAmoeba]

Looking back a few my only decent days this year have been with a strike king structure bug on a 4/0 hook with a 3/8 oz tungsten weight and a bobber stop holding it in place.  But this is what I pitch out in open water and let it fall near weed edges, stumps and other weedy hells.  Color doesn't matter.