explaining jigging

[the captain]

okay, one of my buddies has been making jigs and he gave me three to try for free and he gave one of my other buddies three to try. The problem arises as he hands the jigs to the other person, the question is how the heck do I use these things. Well I explained to him what I could but I don't use them that much ayway but from my understanding most of the way you work them is variable to conditions and time of day and year. Also color and hair and rubber skirted jigs have their differences too. Water clarity and how fast or slow you work 'em. Is this just me or is this one of them baitcaster moments where it just takes some time to get the hang of it but once you do you'll never forget how?

[fishfordollars]

Cast it, flip it, or pitch it. Fish it like a worm is the best way to tell you. When it hits bottom just lift it off the bottom  and let it fall back, lift it and let it fall on a tight line and it will fall back toward the boat, rip it off the bottom several feet and drop it on a slack line. It all depends on the structure (bluff, grass, creek edge, etc). There are many different ways to fish as you can think of.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

A quick vid I made for Muddy this spring

JIGS

[frogtog]

I wanted to see a fish in that video, so go back and do it again.

[Crestliner2008]

GREAT video!  Thank you  

[Tin]

Ok jig hits will usually always occur on the drop, swimming back to the boat, or after making contact with cover/structure (wood, rock, post of a dock ect). It can be extremely frustrating to learn because you think everything is a bite and even when you great really good at impact jig fishing you will still set on logs and such. I had the oppurtunity to fish with Tommy Biffle a few years back who has made a living fishing a jig and guess what though you dont see it on TV, pros set the jig into logs and such. It is very hard to fish but once you get confidence, it will be the only lure you want to fish.

[BassFishingMachine]

Tin2win is exactly right, it will definetly be the only lure you want to fish. I just started getting the hang of the jig about 2 months ago, and I use it constantly now, it catches some beautiful size fish. And I can definetly say I catch more quality fish now that Ive been using the jig then what I did with the senkos and rapalas. Its a amazing lure, it takes some time to get some confidence in, but keep throwing it and keep working it along the bottom eventually you'll get one to take it. Once you get one, and you have confidence in the lure then you will catch them again and again with the jig. And trust me you'll see what I mean about more quality fish  .

[roadwarrior]

Here is a thread for you:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1189609782

[Tin]

BassFishingMachine is also right about more quality fish. Last year when I fished a lot of finesse fishing and spinnerbait fishing my average tournament fish was 1.54. This year I fished the jig a lot more and that tournament average went up to 2.32. Thats almost another 4 pounds for 5 fish. That is a HUGE difference.

[HookMaster]

The Captain,

Not sure if you know this already, if you decide to start fishing the jig remember to use a heavier line 14-20 lb test depending on the weight of the jig.  Also, rod length is also important.  I recommend at least a 7- 7 1/2 ft rod M-MH action.  IMO the longer the pole the quicker the hook setting.  

[Cory20]

While we're on tackle...

Medium to Heavy rod with fast - extra fast tip

6'6, most likely longer.

A higher speed reel with good gears is a plus.  Let's you pick up slack in a hurry or pull the fish out of the nasty.

Use the heaviest pound test with the lowest stretch as possible.  Straight braid 30lb +, braid with a flouro leader, straight flouro 15lb , co-polymer.

As texan said, you need to pounce on strikes.  They aren't going to hold onto the jig long, there's usually a weed guard and then their mouth, maybe some small branches, to bust through.  You can really swing, it's awesome.  Having stretch in your line gives them more time to spit it.

Good luck

[Jake P]

props LBH, that helped me a bunch. thank you

[mike bat]

for me i had a ton of trouble with jigs .... i just never gave up on the bait .... ok my trouble came with tryin to detect strikes .... the best bit of advice i can give is to keep that rod tip up ,,,, move the bait with the rod .... keep the line tight from rod tip to jig ,,,, then drag or hop the jig .... i never fish a jig on a slack line .... so if im hopping a jig ill lift the jig with the rod tip and drop it back down with the tip .... i olny use the reel to pick line up /// unless swimming a jig ....  i try useing that jig as a feeler ,,, or to feel the bottom ... i can tell if its rock, wood, grass, pete gravle and so on .... the main advice is to fish the jig ..... then be sure to use a low stretch line ,,, you will get better feel and hook sets .... i myself use braid 30-50 lb depending ..... no leader i tie direct polmar .....

[Evan Pease]

I first learned how to fish a jig in a lake full of small bass that would always bite. After I got the hang of it I noticed my catch size go up dramatically. Then when I was confident, I tried it at a different lake with some biggies and had instant success. My favorite rig for jigging is a 7' Team Diawa S with a diawa Viento. As far as jig type I like a 1/2oz blue/black StrikeKing Pro Model or a 3/8oz pumpkin color.

[=Matt 5.0=]

 It is very hard to fish but once you get confidence, it will be the only lure you want to fish.

Like the time we went out and you were drilling them on finesse worms...but I still couldn't put the jig down and switch over.....

There's just something about that hop....hop....hop... BAM!

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

It is very hard to fish but once you get confidence, it will be the only lure you want to fish.

Like the time we went out and you were drilling them on finesse worms...but I still couldn't put the jig down and switch over.....

There's just something about that hop....hop....hop... BAM!

I've created a monster  :

[Tin]

Exactly LBH, a monster alright. I had to put him on a lesh today when we made the pilgrimage up to the new Bass Pro Shops. Some kid took the last 1/8 Terminator Finesse jig in black and blue and he started foaming at the mouth.   lol

[=Matt 5.0=]

Exactly LBH, a monster alright. I had to put him on a lesh today when we made the pilgrimage up to the new Bass Pro Shops. Some kid took the last 1/8 Terminator Finesse jig in black and blue and he started foaming at the mouth. lol

LMAO, you lie like a rug.......

[HookedinNY]

Thanks everyone, the information has been very helpful. I have become interested in learning to catch fish using a jig. My question: is it absolutely neccessary to use such heavy line? The reason I ask is that I presently have only one rod/reel so I would like to be as versatile as I can. Right now my reel is strung with 8# mono but I am thinking of switching to 10# fluoro when the ice thaws. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[rfrazier]

Thanks for the video Russ, very helpful.