I'm weak on jigs - need some pointers

[Micro]

I reviewed the articles on BR, but have some basic questions they didn't address..

I've never been a strong jig fisherman (though I've caught some on jigs - in spite of myself).  Let me tell you what I think, then tell me if I'm wrong...

1)  bullet headed jig are for punching through matted vegatation.

2)  football headed jigs are for dragging or bouncing over a relatively smooth bottom.  

What's the best kind of jig (and weight) for flipping?  I've got some locations in mind that have overhanging trees that I think would be good targets for jigs.   My flipping rod is a 7'6" H/XF.

What's the best kind of trailer for each type of jig?  I know there are trailers that resemble craws, and some that have twisty tails.  I'm thinking the craw-type would be best on jig fished on the bottom, and the twisty type best for jigs that you drop or flip through cover??

What's the best kind of rod for fishing football head jigs?  I've got a 7' MH/F carolina rig rod that feels like a good, stout, extra-fast rod.  Sufficient?  

How do you work a jig you flip or cast through blowdowns or matted vegatation?  Do you let it fall to the bottom then retrieve and repeat?  Or do you actually "jig it."  

I've had a few jigs - BPS XPS brand, and I didn't like the quality - so I tossed them.  So I bought a selection of football head jigs from my local tackle shop.  They are Dave's Tournament Tackle brand and I like the hooks and, paint quality and overall feel and look of the skirts.  I bought a few in each weight 1/4oz to 1/2oz, in watermelon, pumpkin, black, black/blue, and bluegill (watermellon with some stripes, sparkles, and purple strands).   I've also bought a selection of Persauders in crawfish color in various weights.  

[roadwarrior]

Hmm...

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

I m killing 'em on 3/8 oz Evolution jigs, 1/2 oz GMAN jigs and

Micro Munch Tackle jigs. Although I use a variety of trailers,

the Net Bait Baby Paca Craw is hard to beat.

I'm fishing a drop on the "Secret Pond" about 15 yards off the

bank. I move the bait slowly like a crawdad moving over a rock. Over the past three weeks, I have caught a number of nice bass, so many that I have not been fishing soft plastics at all.

8-)

[Micro]

Perfect. Joe S's "article" is exactly what I was looking for. I'm gonna cut and paste that to a word document. In fact, I think it's good enough to be one of BR's articles.  

[Tin]

I reviewed the articles on BR, but have some basic questions they didn't address..

I've never been a strong jig fisherman (though I've caught some on jigs - in spite of myself).  Let me tell you what I think, then tell me if I'm wrong...

1)  bullet headed jig are for punching through matted vegatation.

2)  football headed jigs are for dragging or bouncing over a relatively smooth bottom.  

What's the best kind of jig (and weight) for flipping?  I've got some locations in mind that have overhanging trees that I think would be good targets for jigs.   My flipping rod is a 7'6" H/XF.

What's the best kind of trailer for each type of jig?  I know there are trailers that resemble craws, and some that have twisty tails.  I'm thinking the craw-type would be best on jig fished on the bottom, and the twisty type best for jigs that you drop or flip through cover??

What's the best kind of rod for fishing football head jigs?  I've got a 7' MH/F carolina rig rod that feels like a good, stout, extra-fast rod.  Sufficient?  

How do you work a jig you flip or cast through blowdowns or matted vegatation?  Do you let it fall to the bottom then retrieve and repeat?  Or do you actually "jig it."  

I've had a few jigs - BPS XPS brand, and I didn't like the quality - so I tossed them.  So I bought a selection of football head jigs from my local tackle shop.  They are Dave's Tournament Tackle brand and I like the hooks and, paint quality and overall feel and look of the skirts.  I bought a few in each weight 1/4oz to 1/2oz, in watermelon, pumpkin, black, black/blue, and bluegill (watermellon with some stripes, sparkles, and purple strands).   I've also bought a selection of Persauders in crawfish color in various weights.  

Best kind of jig for flipping or pitching brush and such would be a jig with an Arkie head design or Picasso/Terminator head design. For weights I like to go light, usually 1/4 or 3/8.

For trailers.... as long as it action. I like the Paca's because of their claw action, second choice would be the twin tail grub. I think you are going too deep when thinking about claws and tails. Seeing as though 90% of the hits come on the drop or letting it sit does it really matter?

Football jig rod... You will be fine with it but I would prefer something longer because you are usually working deep water with it so you need some extra length for hooksets.

Working the jig....I let the fish tell me. Today it was a just let it sit day, other days are just on the drop, some days it is when I'm shaking it like a shakey head, other days are bringing back to the boat. Learn to read how they want it.

As for brands thats up too you. I really think the Jewel footballs are hard to beat though, and Terminator Pro Top Secrets are just the best cover jig around, second would be the War Eagles.

And when you want to go out and learn how to jig fish, just bring nothing but your jigs and force yourself to fish with them. Also keep it simple, like a black jig with a black trailer. You know it will catch fish anywhere so why not try it to start building your confidence in jig fishing (which is the hardest part).

Good luck

[Siebert Outdoors]

Here is an article I wrote awhile back.  Might have some good info for you to use.

The bass jig is one of my go to baits. I throw a finesse jig approx 90% of the time. I wrote this article awhile back but it might help some with their jig fishing.

Here is how I fish jigs.

Set up #1

Rod 854 GLX BCR

Reel chronarch sf

line 15lb fluro cabelas

Set up #2

Rod 853 BCR glx

Reel chronarch sf

10-12lb flouro cabelas/triple fish

Setup #3

Rod BCR855

Reel Chronarch 100

Line 30lb braid

Jigs, I make all of mine. Finesse(eakins round head style) Poison Jig head  and Football heads.

The Jig,

There are several things I look for in a Jig. Not all of them are created equal.

Weedguard I like the limper fibers because it bends easier and I feel it gives me a higher hook up percentage. Does hang up more but in the long run its worth it.

Hook A good quality hook Gamakatsu, needlepoint, owner to name a few

Skirt quality just because the skirt looks good some brands dont have alot of strands most production skirts are 40-44 strands I like about 55-65. Gives a fuller skirt and better presentation.

Trailers

I use mostly Joes trailers then some eakens craws, zoom lil critters, and make some of my own now.

Techniques

I very rarely cast a jig.

When casting these types focus totally on the target intended.

Pitch,

Holding the lure in one hand and the rod in the other lower the rod tip and as you are raising the rod tip let go of the lure. This will cause a pendelum action and the lure will go out, faster the coordination between the two the farther the cast. After practice you can pitch with very minimum splash and effort.

Under hand roll cast

Pretty much self explanatory. Basically its holding the rod almost straight out and making a 1/2-3/4 circle with the lure and at the precise second when the lure starts to come back up from the bottom of the circle you release it and the lure goes. Distance all comes from the whip and angle the lure is released. (Watch out for the Trolling motor)

Flippin

dont do this much either. This is basically done by holding line in one hand and useing the lure weight and line in your hand to cast by moving the rod slightly. Usually a very dense or muddy water tactic.

Presentation

I never use the reel to move the jig always use the rod and the length of the rod effects how much the jig will move. Shorter the rod the more tip movement needed to move the jig.

I use 3 forms of presentation.

Dragging basically drag the jig across the bottom. this doesnt work well in chunk rock because of hangups.

Very small hops. Remember go very slow in cold water(less then 50deg).

Swimming, cast out and swim the jig back.

Finesse Jig Usually setup #2

This is best in cold water or finiky bite. Size varies but my favorites are 5/16-3/8. 2" trailer. I will also trim the excess off the jig for a spider jig look. It takes out alot of the bulk. Keeping it small.

Bigger Jigs, Setup #1 or #3

Works better for more agressive fish. The sizes I prefer are 1/2-3/4 I tend to upsize the trailer about mid May to a 3" and go through about September/October.

Fishing thick weeds will require a heavier jig to punch through the top. Most of the time I will throw a 3/4 but some times it requires 1oz. Also a minimum of 17lb but after fishing braid for this I would fish braid no leader. A stout rod is also recommended like a flipping stick. Hit the edges, and pockets, or if your jig will punch through try punching through.

Clear water I will throw lighter line and typically a finesse jig due to skittish fish. My favorite colors are browns or greens.

Stained water usually a jig 3/8-1/2 is prefered gives a bit more water displacement. Sometimes add rattles colors are browns, greens, blk/blue,black. Work an area more because the fish cant see as well.

Muddy water usually throw 3/8-1/2oz and add rattles. colors blk/blue,black

Fish the area extremely well, I have fished trees about 10-15 casts before finally pulling out a fish.

Depth and wind can effect the weight of jig needed. Typically deeper or with the presence of more wind a heavier jig is needed.

Good luck and hope this helps some.

[Tin]

Under hand roll cast

Pretty much self explanatory. Basically its holding the rod almost straight out and making a 1/2-3/4 circle with the lure and at the precise second when the lure starts to come back up from the bottom of the circle you release it and the lure goes. Distance all comes from the whip and angle the lure is released. (Watch out for the Trolling motor).

This is a presention every jig fisherman should master so you can skip the jig (even though you are on a casting set-up) up underneith docks and brush. Not only are you getting the bait to fish who never see many baits, but the skipping on the top of the water is a presentation that grabs there attention. Also the bait skipping across the water gets rid of that big splash that may spook fish. It is also better than flipping or pitching over brush or laydowns because if you do hook the fish you have the fighting advantage over the fish. You don't have to get the fish over the cover.

[roadwarrior]

I think you are going too deep when thinking about claws and tails. Seeing as though 90% of the hits come on the drop or letting it sit does it really matter?

Well, it depends where you are fishing. I am killin' 'em on my ponds, fishing from the bank. This involves extremely long casts to reach structure and move the jig along the structure. 99% of my bites are on the bottom or when being moved off the bottom, rarely on the drop.

Profile and size is very important right now in order to have the tailer visible above the gunk on the pond floor. With bigger trailers, the slightest movement impacts the action of the bait. This is the key to the success I have been having.

8-)

[Tin]

I think you are going too deep when thinking about claws and tails. Seeing as though 90% of the hits come on the drop or letting it sit does it really matter?

Well, it depends where you are fishing. I am killin' 'em on my ponds, fishing from the bank. This involves extremely long casts to reach structure and move the jig along the structure. 99% of my bites are on the bottom or when being moved off the bottom, rarely on the drop.

Profile and size is very important right now in order to have the tailer visible above the gunk on the pond floor. With bigger trailers, the slightest movement impacts the action of the bait. This is the key to the success I have been having.

8-)

I should have specified, I meant 90% when pitching and flipping brush.

[fishfordollars]

I learned to fish jigs years ago by leaving every other option at home. This forced me to figure it out or give up and go home. I have never given up on anything(Well maybe a marrige long ago) and I fished three days with nothing but a jig. I had my moments when I wondered if I had done the right thing. I know now that I did.

[5bass]

I learned to fish jigs years ago by leaving every other option at home. This forced me to figure it out or give up and go home.  

Heck, I've done that with pretty much every technique. The hardest part of fishing one bait/technique is taking everything else out of the boat when its time to practice something new  ;D .....but it helps tremendously, thats good advice.

[HOIST-N-HAWGS]

Under hand roll cast

Pretty much self explanatory. Basically its holding the rod almost straight out and making a 1/2-3/4 circle with the lure and at the precise second when the lure starts to come back up from the bottom of the circle you release it and the lure goes. Distance all comes from the whip and angle the lure is released. (Watch out for the Trolling motor).

This is a presention every jig fisherman should master so you can skip the jig (even though you are on a casting set-up) up underneith docks and brush. Not only are you getting the bait to fish who never see many baits, but the skipping on the top of the water is a presentation that grabs there attention. Also the bait skipping across the water gets rid of that big splash that may spook fish. It is also better than flipping or pitching over brush or laydowns because if you do hook the fish you have the fighting advantage over the fish. You don't have to get the fish over the cover.

Colonel Braddock knows of what he speaks! I am still in awe from a few days back on how effortless he made it seem to skip it 30 feet away into a 1x1 pocket surrounded by brush. I now have no option but to pick out backlashes and hang in trees until I perfect this technique. Absolutely amazing!