A Jig Mystery

[WRB]

You covered the water front and left no stone unturned.

I am speechless.

Tom

[Pat Brown]

I feel like it's still hard to rule out confidence if other people catch fish on jigs on your body of water.  It's weird how that works but it doesn't really matter.  If they aren't working for you, skip em!

 

I'm trying to be more fluid and adaptable and less worried about what it is I'm throwing and more worried about where the bass are biting and what they want.

[FishnMtlHd]

Thank you to all for your insight and tips, here's my tentative plan: forget jigs for the rest of the Summer, continue focus on the drop shot (which I'm relatively new to and loving), then re-visit this thread in the Fall and with a cleared/open mind and some confidence toss a jig again. 
 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Most of the local lakes around here are shallow (2-2.5" avg depth) with soft bottoms, not ideal for jigs.  Whether you catch a fish or not, you have to clean that bait or at least the eye every cast.  

They definitely work the best in late winter/spring, when the fish start to push shallow and are feeding heavy on crawdads.  Its only those 3 or 4 weeks where ill take the time to fish a jig (not counting swim jigs) more then half of the cast, especially if Im throwing a little football on a ledge or point.  The rest of the time Im throwing a jig I have a target in mind.

I have a buddy who's just that good when it comes to a jig.  He has unshakable confidence, not just in jigs but in general.  He doesn't unconsciously speed up he starts to feel the pressure and he just knows that the next cast could be the be the 5+ hes looking for,  hes really methodical.  My problem is that I know I can go to a shakey head or ned rig and put up more #s, which is what I usally do if Im struggling.  

A good bait to try if skirted jigs arent getting bit are spider grubs on a light head.  They just seem to catch em all the time.

[Catt]

One thing I would try is what we call a Texas Rigged Jig. Similar to a Punch Rig just lighter. Throw with a worm, creature, or craw worm.

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/BOSS_Weed_Eater_Punch_Head_3pk/descpage-BOSSWDE.html

 

[T-Billy]

2 hours ago, FishnMtlHd said:

Thank you to all for your insight and tips, here's my tentative plan: forget jigs for the rest of the Summer, continue focus on the drop shot (which I'm relatively new to and loving), then re-visit this thread in the Fall and with a cleared/open mind and some confidence toss a jig again. 
 

Fall is prime jig time IMO. Once the weeds die off, it's all about shallow sun baked wood that has deep water near by for me, all the way down to 38 degrees. The big girls will come shallow before heading to their winter haunts.

[FishnMtlHd]

Thanks, I've seen these and I'm hesitant as they're lead which means big and you have to buy the skirts separate and install them which I suppose is no big deal. I was looking at the Gambler skirts that have just a small ring and you use your own tungsten weights which I have at least 30 of. I think the weight might click against the metal skirt ring which could be a bonus? These:  https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gambler_Quick_Change_KO_Punch_Skirts_2pk/descpage-GQCPS.html?from=gshop&gclid=CjwKCAjwzo2mBhAUEiwAf7wjkjRP9DJXphgMrqCb_tGTeaBPsva8RzY_Rs_bCxK_M-HJqgIa-Opi8BoCZ0kQAvD_BwE

 

 

[Catt]

1 hour ago, FishnMtlHd said:

I was looking at the Gambler skirts that have just a small ring

 

This was my next suggestion, I bought some Stanley Hand Tied Punch Skirts. 

[fin]

What makes you think the skirt ring is metal? I would assume it's a plastic or rubber material.

 

Some spinnerbaits are made with skirts/rings like that. You might already have some. I've tried this homemade type before and never was very impressed with the way it worked. Never tried those Gamblers though.

 

I've always thought someone should make sinkers like the Boss product @Catt linked. Then you could buy your own skirts in bulk, get some o-rings and you're set.

[FishnMtlHd]

Not sure it was a while ago, must've read it somewhere; there's several types as I'm sure you know so maybe it's the non-quick change ones.

 

[Glenn]

Just got through cleaning up this thread.  Some y'all need to read this:

 

 

[cadman]

I probably fish the same waters you do as I am from northern IL and fish S.E Wisc lakes exclusively. I can tell you this I used to be a die hard crankbait guy until I fished with a friend I met and he changed my whole perspective on jig fishing. Once I learned to jig fish, I caught more fish and bigger fish. I can tell you this, that not every day is a jig bite day. As I am a very confident jig fisherman, there are some days that I struggle with a jig. At that time need to change tactics. Also I will tell you this, that all the lakes I fish, I use a 1/8, 3/16 and 1/4 oz jig max, 1/8 oz being the preferred daily jig. With a trailer it ends up weighing about 3/8 oz give or take. I never fish any heavier jig unless it's 20 feet plus. Also with the lighter jig, the falling action is much different than using a 3/8 or 1/2 oz jig. What I suggest is going into the Fall season, you will get less bites with a jig, but the fish will be bigger. I would also wait till Spring next year and  go out on these lakes with only jigs and trailers. This will force you to learn how to use a jig and see what the fish are doing. As dumb as this sounds, I learned to jig fish by feel. Cast your line, close your eyes and slowly hop and stop your jig as it sits on the bottom, waiting for a pick-up or line movement. This will help you concentrate and focus on what's going on. You will feel this thru the rod and into your hands and then into your brain on when a fish taps or picks up a jig. Once you master this you can cast and keep your eyes open as you fish. Concentrating on what's going on and focusing on your line is key. I hope this helps some. Finally, if you want to PM me about some of the lakes you fish, I would be more than happy to discuss some techniques.   Good Luck.

[FishnMtlHd]

Alright guys, it happened! There were several days this past October that I did really well with jigs!! Totally stoked lol. They were 1/2 and 3/8 oz rigged w/UV Speed and Z Craws. Several 16-17", 3 18" and change, a couple 19's , and 3 in the 20" range which are definitely Hogs in my waters! A couple from a boat but most from the shoreline. It was a freakin blast. I fished them very slow - let it drop, a few hit on the fall and after twitching a bit but most came after hopping it 2-3 times and just letting it sit which I read on this site somewhere. I thought it was a reply to this post but I read through and it must be in another post, not one of mine. I remember specifically the person said to hop the jig 2 or 3 (or just 3?) times as "that's what a real craw does". This stuck with me and it's precisely what I did and it caught the majority of my fish so that's really cool. I can't say this one tip was the only reason why I caught em' but it certainly helped and I think it gave me more confidence, as did plenty of other replies here that were similar in terms of imparting action, weights, patience, etc. Anyway thank you to all, the people on this site have definitely made me a better angler and I seriously can't wait to fish jigs this Spring!  

[RipzLipz]

@FishnMtlHd I’m not too far south from you. I have not read through this entire thread, so my apologies if I am repeating suggestions.

 

Once you get to ice out next spring, hit the water as soon as possible & throw that jig & craw. At that time of year, you will likely be fishing for fewer bites but the quality might surprise you. Fish your prime locations & don’t be surprised to find some up on the banks. I prefer overcast days for clearer waters (seeing bottom in 6-10’). Be prepared as soon as the lure hits the water, watch/feel your line, set the hook hard & hang on. You can also scout areas prior to ice out & make note of where sun is shining on banks for the majority of the day - can do this later in fall/winter as well.

 

Glad you broke the jinx & keep that jig wet!