Jigs in shallow lakes

[Tucson]

I normally use jigs to fish a rocky deep-water impoundment in AZ but will be spending some time in FL in a much shallower lake, average depth of 6'.  Are jigs (pig & jig type) useful in such shallow water?  I use 3/16 & 3/8 ounce Assalt jigs.  Any special technique or just drag 'em through the mud?  Thanks for any input.  

[WABass]

I catch bass in 2-3 feet of water on jigs all the time, I fish them the same in 3 feet of water as I do in 10 feet of water, good luck.

[Deuceu72]

A jig will catch fish deep or shallow, rocky or grassy, night or day, in other words, this is one of the monst versatile baits invented and will catch fish in almost any condition.  ;D ;D ;D

[Triton21]

A jig will catch fish anywhere they can swim.

Kelley

[FatBoy]

You can just drag it like you say.  Or try giving it little hops with a quick jerk of your rod tip (maybe 3-5 inches movement of the rod).  Vary the pause between hops.  At least that's worked for me on shallow flats.

[Alpster]

Pitch them gently around the stickups and wiggle them in the weeds.

Ronnie

[Tucson]

Looks like we have a consensus!  Thanks for your help.  I've got 150 jigs from the Assalt close-out sale and five weeks on Little Lake Harris to try them out.  Oh Yeah!  

[SPEEDBEAD.]

You can just drag it like you say. Or try giving it little hops with a quick jerk of your rod tip (maybe 3-5 inches movement of the rod). Vary the pause between hops. At least that's worked for me on shallow flats.

Whats up man?  I havent seen you on here in a while. Great to have ya back in the saddle!

[nboucher]

You can just drag it like you say.  Or try giving it little hops with a quick jerk of your rod tip (maybe 3-5 inches movement of the rod).  Vary the pause between hops.  At least that's worked for me on shallow flats.

Whats up man?  I havent seen you on here in a while. Great to have ya back in the saddle!

I had the exact same thought. Good to hear from you, FatBoy.

As for jigging shallow. One day last season, I had 3/8 oz. jig tied on while I was floating in about two feet of water in some pads in my kayak and I was doing something so just let my line dangle down in the water for a second. Bang! A nice three pounder grabbed it. I don't know too many other baits that can do that.

[basspro48]

Don't forget about swimmin a jig. This is a good alternative to a spinnerbait in shallow water, take a 1/4-3/8oz jig, put a twintail grub trailer on it, throw it out there, and reel it straight back in. It's just like spinnerbait fishing but with a jig, and it can be the ticket when everyone else is pitching a jig or throwin a spinnerbait.

[CJ]

I agree a jig will catch fish anywhere.I fish jigs in my home lake which fishes deep and shallow.I went to Florida to find out that t-rigs and weightless plastics were the ticket.Really those type presentation were more suitable for the grass and weeds.

[RoLo]

Great thread guys...good stuff!

I would only add one little thought. In my opinion, jigs should not be thought of as "deepwater lures" necessarily,

but rather as "bottom lures", because when properly fished, jigs are effective at any depth.

Roger

[HPBB]

I catch fish as shallow as 6 inches or less with Jig & pigs. If there is any wood around , no matter how shallow, pitch a jig right up on it. Infact most of my Jig fish come from water shallower than 5 feet

[Guest avid]

Listen to CJ.

I'm not familiar with the particular lake you are fishing, but jigs are used less in Florida than in most other states because our water typically shallow and very weedy.  I really like throwing jigs.  I'ts just a fun way for me to fish.  but I oftne have to swith to a pegged wieghted tube, or beaver because the jigs wont come through the weeds clean.

[Catt]

Great thread guys...good stuff!

I would only add one little thought. In my opinion, jigs should not be thought of as "deepwater lures" necessarily,

but rather as "bottom lures", because when properly fished, jigs are effective at any depth.

Roger

X2  

[bassfishingnerd]

Like someone in a previous reponse said, swimming a jig is very effective.  I find that it works the best sometimes over the top of vegetation where you would normally run a buzzbait.  You had better hold on to your rod, because they will try to take it from you using it like that!