Read Them All

[derviskhan]

Hey guys, new guy here.

Not sure I will be posting that much, however just spent 2 weeks reading 99% of every topic in this general thread. 341 pages of information that is not topped anywhere else on the net. After soaking in this information (or attempting to) I have decided a few things. Informaiton listed is not in any specific order. This is what I pulled most from the wealth of information here.

1. I am going to clean out the tackle box untill it only holds Jigs. I have not given these things enough respect in the past.

2. I am going to purhcase enough jigs to fill said tackle box. Blue/black, and Brownish, and Purpleish. (My grandfather told me when I was like 4 purple was the favorite color of all fish, so I always buy at least 1 of anything in purple)

3. I am going to buy a boat.

4. I am going to start going to Lake Wilson instead of Guntersville.

5. I am going to give up the bucketmouths, for their more attractive, harder fighing cousins the smallies. (for now anyway)

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for ALL the information.

[Ratherbfishing]

I truly think it's a mistake to restrict oneself to one technique. Yes, you may decide to place jigs higher in your priorities and dedicate more space for them but IMHO a versatile fisherman knows when and how to use a large repertoire of methods and lures and isn't afraid to switch as the situation dictates.

[CoBass]

Agree with Ratherbfishing. Even if you want to target smallies for now they will hit on a lot more than just jigs. It's a good place to start for them but just like largemouth, different techniques for different conditions. Being able to adapt to the conditions will increase your success.

[islandbass]

First, let me say welcome! You have arrived at a very interesting conclusion to only use jigs. While jigs catch large bass, there will be days they, largies or smallies, might be willing to take that offering.

[Crestliner2008]

"One method Pete" = path to failure. Enough said.

[dulouz]

There are so many techniques out there and I am slowly learning as many as I can. I haven't got to the jig yet, and I still manage to catch fish. You don't necessarily need a boat IF you have good shore access. I am fortunate enough to have acess to a farm pond that doesn't have much pressure, and a lot of good river bank spots to fish. I did recently pick up a small boat which does open up more opportunities to fish, but sometimes it is nice to just grab a rod and hit the bank.

[Catt]

If those 5 items is all get gleaned from 341 pages then I suggest you re-read them

[Grey Wolf]

You sure didn't learn much if you're going with only one technique.

[derviskhan]

I think there has been a misunderstanding. Yes I am going to limit myself to jigs, so I can learn how to use them better. I did not say I was going to trash my current tackle, or sneak into your guys boats late at night and replace it all with jigs like some kind of jig fairy. I did the same thing with other bait classifications at times, it makes me learn how to use them. I know there will be days I catch 0 fish carrying just jigs, And unlike most of you guys apparently I have carried ALL my tackel some days and caught 0 fish. At the end of those days I didnt even need a 1-800 number for support or anything. If not catching a fish is my biggest problem in a given week I can live with that failure. Also unless you are depending on fishing to one way or another to put food on table or money in pocket I am not sure it should be labeled a failure. In the wealth of informaiton on here the items I listed are the ones I have given the least amount of effort on. It was ment to be comical, stating shift of priorities on my part, and to say thanks for the informaiton. At least I got 1 thing right, I will not be posting often.

[J Francho]

If you're only going to use one bait, then jigs are not a bad call.

It's not like he's going to switch to nothing but Senkos, LOL.

Fish almost always bite a jig.

Jigs usually catch bigger than average fish.

You can pretty much fish a jig anywhere, in any cover, at any depth.

Besides, "jigs" can mean a WHOLE LOT OF DIFFERENT BAITS, and A WHOLE LOT OF PRESENTATIONS.

Start looking at head design, and how it will work in different types of cover.

While I am pretty versatile, 50-60% of my time on the water is spent with a jig on my line.

One thing...keep a few moving baits in your box, "fish finders," if you will. Spinnerbait, topwater Spook, and a couple of crank baits, a shallow and deep model. Locate some active fish with them, and then get to work on catching with the jig.

[Glenn]

I think there has been a misunderstanding. Yes I am going to limit myself to jigs, so I can learn how to use them better. I did not say I was going to trash my current tackle, or sneak into your guys boats late at night and replace it all with jigs like some kind of jig fairy. I did the same thing with other bait classifications at times, it makes me learn how to use them. I know there will be days I catch 0 fish carrying just jigs, And unlike most of you guys apparently I have carried ALL my tackel some days and caught 0 fish. At the end of those days I didnt even need a 1-800 number for support or anything. If not catching a fish is my biggest problem in a given week I can live with that failure. Also unless you are depending on fishing to one way or another to put food on table or money in pocket I am not sure it should be labeled a failure. In the wealth of informaiton on here the items I listed are the ones I have given the least amount of effort on. It was ment to be comical, stating shift of priorities on my part, and to say thanks for the informaiton. At least I got 1 thing right, I will not be posting often.

I saw your post exactly as you stated. Nothing wrong with that. I think most anglers give that tactic a try (sticking to one lure for awhile) - including myself. I think most of us learn that you don't catch much when you do that - hence the comments. Sounds like some folks were just trying to warn you, that's all.

[NBR]

IMHO using only one lure does not provide enough information. If you load the boat then you think what a great lure when in fact the fish were so turned on that a wide variety of lures would have been effective. Or if you couldn't buy a bite it may have been one of those days/lakes/spots where all the bass had lockjaw.

[RoLo]

It really depends on your perception of a “jig”.

If your idea of a jig is a silicone skirt, then limiting yourself to jigs would be painting yourself into a small corner.

If you perceive jigs as I do, then a jig is simply a “weighting system” where the hook and weight are unitized.

In that context, limiting yourself to jigs would not be a great hardship, in fact, most of the soft-plastic lures in my tackle box

are rigged on a skirted or unskirted jig.

Roger

[lazeebum]

Giving up Guntersville for Wilson?

[kms399]

I get you man and I have been trying to convince myself to do the same thing for 3 years I just cant do it. when I fish a jig I cant make myself fish it for more than 10-15 minutes at a time. zero confidence. I have developed a new love for the shaky head though.

[derviskhan]

So maybe the best idea would be having my wife fishing a slew of baits. She can find the fish for me, then I can tell how active the bite is in regards to what I am catching in comparison to her choice of lures on the day. See the difference in quantity , and size. Which is always easier if the number is 0. Steps 1-3 done moving on to number 4. Thanks for the help.

[scrutch]

Welcome to the Bassresource family. I think that the more you post here you will find a great group of people that are more than willing to help. Sometimes it's very difficult to separate seriousness from jest when we see a new member posting as there are many new members that have a wide range of understanding on bass fishing.

Looks like you've got a bead on it. Good luck with the jig... I think you'll like it.

[flippin Dan]

I am somewhat in the same place as you. I am really wanting to learn the jig. The more I use it the more I see it as nothing more than a weighted hook. It has surprised me what kind of trash you can throw it in and get it back out of. Have not caught a lot on it but the bite is really slow on my lake right now. Jackpot Thursday 8 guys brought in zero fish in 4 hours. Saturday from 6 to 12 with a 5 fish limit was won with 2 15" fish. I keep 2 other poles to switch around a bit so that every half hour or so I can make a couple casts with something different to make sure I am not missing out on too much. I keep a guy in the back to throw searching baits in hopes of finding the fish also.

[roadwarrior]

Here ya go. Joe.S on jig fishing:

[derviskhan]

That was a great write up on jig fishing. Always good to read something that ovbiously has passion in it.