Need help with jigs

[JacobK]

Hi guys lately i've been hoping to get into jig fishing so i purchased the uncle buck's 18 jig kit from BPS and a pack of net bait's baby paca craws in green pumpkin//watermelon.

i'm a shore fisherman and i haven't had any luck yet i also get caught up alot in heavy mossy cover is there something i can do to make it a bit more weedless?

i'm fishing my jigs with a 6'6" st croix med-lite fast action rod, gander mountain advantage pro reel and 12lb test yo-zuri hybrid.

and also any tips to help get me my FIRST jig fish?

[Jake P]

Here are a few articles that may help you out a little bit.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1214833823/0

I would suggest reading the post that Joe.S wrote.-http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1189609782

One other thing, if your fishing jigs, i would switch to a heavier rod. At least medium but i would suggest medium heavy. Hope this helps.

[Megastink]

Ok, lets start with your rod: you need at least a 7' Med Heavy, Fast action rod with some backbone. A 6'6" is ok, but youll want that extra leverage in your hookset, especially in mossy areas. Which brings me to my next advice: your line..... 12 lb mono, or fluoro for that matter, will SNAP under the friction created by rubbing against thick weeds. If you're gonna flip grass, you better throw it on, at least 30 lb braid (i like Power Pro), but 50 is better. Also, Concentrate on the edges of the weeds, or irregular features, like Holes in a thick bed, or a pocket around the edge. Flip it in, shake it a few time, and pick it back out (this is where that long rod comes in handy ) So, good luck, and may your line always be tight!

[tyrius.]

also any tips to help get me my FIRST jig fish?

Being a fellow shore angler I'd say not to fish the jig in the summer in the moss.  No matter what type of jig head you get you're going to reel in a lure full of moss.  In order to catch you're first jig fish you want to find water that is clear of moss and has other structure/cover.  Laydowns, rock piles, etc are great places to utilize the jig.  I've got a pond that I fish that has an area with a rock bottom where a creek runs into the pond.  The jig KILLS there.  I can fish that little area for an hour and catch fish every few casts.  However, if I move away from the rocks the only thing I catch is moss.  

I throw toads, frogs, t-rigged plastics on top of the moss and drag the bait across the top and let them fall or pause in any holes.  You'll need a stouter rod for this though.  A ML is just too light to be able to pull a nice fish out of the heavy moss.  I currently am using a 6'6" MH rod that I feel is too weak.  Next year, I'm planning on moving up to a flipping stick or something of that nature.