Fishing jigs

[Lyndon]

Hey, me and my cousin have fished jigs constantly for about 3 days now and I have manged to catch a half pound bass and that is it. I have had many big strikes and every time I rip I dont have a bass on. Im getting a lil frusterated and I need some advice from somebody who knows what they are talking about. So when is the right time to rip after you line is moving or on the first bite or what?
Thanks, Lyndon

[islandbass]

Just two things I could think of as possibilities.

One possibility could be your rod. If it is not one with the power to set the hook on single hook lures like a jig, it could be that the rod isn't driving the home. Typically, Medium Heavy to Heavy action rods do a better job over a typical all around, medium action rod.

If the rod is rated for jigs and similar lures, was there any slack in the line before the hook set? Setting the hook with too much slack in the line makes for a hook set not sufficient to drive the hook home. Typically, one lowers the rod while reeling up the slack. Then the hook set set by pulling back on the rod.


So to answer your question, the right time to set the hook is right after you've taken up the slack line. When you feel their tug or pull, lower your rod and pick up some line, and then set the hook. All you need is a few turns of the reel's handle.

[Proverb]

I use a cheap 25 dollar pole personally and I always use jigs to catch bass.

First get a hook or knife sharpener and make sure those things are nice and sharp. My jig hooks dull faster than others because they scrape the boulders a lot where I fish on the river.

Second don't try to set the hook if their is a lot of slack because it wont work very well.. reel quickly to tighten up the line and then a nice tug should do fine.

Third I was taught that bass attack sideways not from underneath so a tug in a diagonal direction to the right or left does the trick for me. I don't have much success if I just pull straight up but that could just be in my head.

Give that a try, I'm fairly new at all this but it works for me!

[YellowBear]

A lot of it has to do with the type of jig you are using.
There are hundreds of different jigs out there.
I pour my own jig heads and I use a inexpensive hook, Mustad or Aberdeen light wire hooks for grubs and tubes.
Most of the time I fish these on a ultra lite or medium lite Rod.
When you start getting into heavier jigs like a flipping jig you will want a rod with a bit more power.
The hook set is key to having success with jigs. You will want to become a line watcher.
Most guys will tell you to watch for the line to move one way or another. When you see it move off is when you set the hook. I on the other hand will tell you that waiting this long is to long.
I will cast a jig and as soon as it hits I start watching the line.
Sometimes as it falls you might see it stop before it has time to reach bottom.
When you cast a bait out the line should fall in a strait line back to the rod tip. If you see the line jump tight or go slack, set the hook. Sometimes all you will see is a slight wiggle, set the hook. A good way to learn how to see a strike is to take some jigs to a pool or a body of water that has no fish in it. Cast out and watch your line as it falls. Use different weights and get used to each one. Take note at how fast each jig falls and how the weight of the jig feels on the rod. After you get used to the action of the line in a pool go to a lake and do the same thing. This time when you see your line do Anything different as it falls, set the hook. Most strikes will come on the fall. Keep in mind that the heavier the jig the harder it is to detect a strike. Sometimes all you will feel is a bit more weight. Another good way to learn how to catch fish with jigs, Find a good school of Pan fish. Tye on a 1/16th oz jig head with a tube or curly tail and practise.

[Anonymous]

Lyndon, man you always have good questions. I'm glad your not afraid to ask.
These guys are right on. A stiffer rod with a backbone is what you need when fishing jigs effectively. Otherwise when you set the hook your rod will just bend and no power will go into the set. I always let the bass walk away a little before setting the hook. This also depends on how the fish are striking. If you get slammed, set the hook right away. If you are getting short bit, wait a second and then set the hook. Patience. Remember too, fish them slowwww. And beef them up with a trailer. Also, cheaper jigs will get you less fish. Don't be afraid to spend a little money, it will pay off.



fishnislife

[the1fishingpro]

Hey, me and my cousin have fished jigs constantly for about 3 days now and I have manged to catch a half pound bass and that is it. I have had many big strikes and every time I rip I dont have a bass on. Im getting a lil frusterated and I need some advice from somebody who knows what they are talking about. So when is the right time to rip after you line is moving or on the first bite or what?
Thanks, Lyndon

Like Lyndon said, We cant hook up with these fish that our biting. Even when we set the hook on huge slams, the bass get away. Sometimes i just feel like snapping my pole over my leg haha. But i do use a light weight pole that bends all over the place, so maybe ill try a stiffer 1, but if that doesnt work, im not sure wat else to try. Everyone seems to have a different opinion on wether u rip soon or feel for the weight before u rip. But im not sure which is better because nothing works for me nor lyndon. Hook sharpening sounds like a great idea also, but i have 1 QUESTION, is it best to have a jig rigged weedless or nonweedless? because me and lyndon usually have more bites on the nonweedless that weedless, plus we always snag up anyway, so i dont understand why they even call lures weedless in the first place. Ive also tried using 3 different jigs combinations, 1 was black skirt and chartruese 2 tailed trailer, another was a white skirt with a whire 2 tailed trailer, and the other seems to be a random lure that is a jig thats impregnated with salt and stuff that has a double trailer like tail on it and that lure works the best for us. Second QUESTION, Does it make a big difference if your jig has a small or large hook? or where the hook is placed on the trailer? Third QUESTION, Does it make a big difference if the jigs or trailers have impregnated salts and stuff in them? Last Question, Will any of this advice help us at all if we fish off the bank at Lacamas Lake?
Ok thx The1fishingpro

[Lyndon]

Like keith lol I have one question. Here it is I have a steelhead rod I use for casting farther I have 15 pound test that gets bites just as much or more then keiths 10 pound test. My lure is pretty much a trailer with centipede legs coming out of the sides and it is Greenish with red sparkles. I have a little weight that has a whole in it for the line to go through and the wight goes on top of the hook. I cast the jig and real in the slack and if I get bites I wait tell I feel a huge one or until my line starts to move sideways and I rip straight up or in the oposite way the bass is swimming . If I dont get a bite I leave it for about a minute and then lift it about 3 ft off the ground. Then I leave it for another 30 seconds and then give it little jigs and leave it for 30 seconds. I know that I have ripped many times when I left the line slack and I know that that is one thing I have to change but what is wrong with the rest of this picture? THat is the question?

[skeeter bassin]

When using jigs the best choice is nearly always going to be using the "weedless" variety. Couple of tricks I use to tune the weedguards. First trim all the fibers back at an angle so they make a point toward the tip of the hook and coming just to the end of the hook. When trimming them you want the ones closest to the hook to be the longest ones, also when doing this remove all but about 5 or 6 of the fibers. This will help increase hookups.

While you have the scissors out trim up the skirt as well. You want to produce a nice clean rounded profile with the ones in the middle being a bit longer than the ones on the outside. This smaller profile will help to expose the hook a bit more and also increase hook ups.

As far as hook size goes they should be matched to the jig. Most already are and normally this is not an issue. One factor to look for is a heavy wire hook that is very sharp. Believe it or not many hooks will actually bend a bit when the fish gets into heavy weeds and allow the fish to pull off. Normally not a problem on small fish, but happens alot on larger/stronger fish.

Color depends on water clarity. For most of our west side lakes there is one choice and one choice only. Black and Blue. For clearer lakes go with more natural colors. As far as trailers go, remember what you are trying to resemble in your jig, a craw. Use craw style trailers. As far as pork and plastic, I haven't noticed a difference in the number of bites I get.

The stiff rod has been covered already and rightly so, but what hasn't been mentioned is the line. The preferable line is braid. Reasons being it is exremely sensitive, floats, casts easily, and will cut through vegetation. Whatever line you are using get in the practice of keeping a finger on your line at all times. This is the most important thing you can do to improve your odds, not just with jigs but with any bait. No rod in the world is as sensitive as you are. By keeping in contact with your line you will quickly discover that when pulling over structure your rod will feel it but your finger will not, however as soon as you get the slightest bite it will be felt by your finger. You will be amazed at how easy strikes are to detect once you get in the habit of doing this. Watch the pros, every one of them always has finger contact on their line, there is a reason for this and they are using top of the line equipment. If your watching your line your behind the ball, that fish may have had it and is most likely in the process of blowing it out. Once you feel that bite bring up the slack while lowering the rod tip and and set the hook. I always use jigs with football style heads, this keeps the hook upright at all times so I don't have to worry about which way to set the hook, it's always straight up. This is important to get the fishes head up and out of the weeds. Setting the hook to the side just helps them dig down which dramatically increases your chances of losing the fish.

Good luck to ya and post some pics of them monsters you are soon to get.

[Bigbass Dez]

Man i hear the fustration in these threads ... Im not a hugh Jig fisherman , reason being is because I Know for a fact that in order to properly use this bait a angler MUST devote alot of time on the water too learn this bait ..No one can become a Jig Man over night .. Im a excellent line watcher myself , and I still find it most difficult to detect some bites on a Jig . There are so many darn key factors that go alone with" getting jiggy with it" !! jig type, size, color , trailers , line , retrieve speed , hopping it , draging it , etc .. And for that reason I have the upmost respect to the Jig guys out because i know what it takes to get "GOOD" with this bait ..The best suggestion that i can offer an angler is take a varity of jigs in size and colors and ONE pole to the lake , and spend the entire day fishing them and experiment .. If you Devote the time too learn Jigs the rewards is priceless , keep in mind that jigs out fish any other bass bait ever made , number two on that list is " spinnerbait" .. My A.D.D. wont allow me to become a good jig man (Not enough patience) .. im looking forward to learning more about jigs later in life when im too old too make a thousand cast in a day LOL ...sorry not so helpful here , just being honest about my knowledge of jigs guys !! BBD

[bob johansen]

Looking through my bass records I find that probably about half of my personal lake records were caught on jigs. You folks that say that it takes time to get good with jigs are right. Bites on jigs are detected in several different ways and you must be able to detect them all. Line watching is important, especially on the fall. I once caught a 6-12 at Kitsap Lake and never even felt him hit. There was just a slight tic in the line as the jig fell. I almost always let the jig fall to the bottom and then immediately start to hop it. The only times I don't is when the bottom has a lot of weeds. I fish it a little faster then. I disagree a little with taking the time to drop the rod tip, reel in slack and set the hook. That is excelllent for worms but bass don't generally hold a jig as long as they will a worm. Therefore, I try to fish the jig on a fairly tight line with my rod tip low enough that I can set the hook as soon as I feel the bass. By the time you feel the fish, the lure will be in its mouth. I caught a 16 incher yesterday on a jig and the bite was very subtle. You almost have to sense there is a bass messing with the jig. Sometimes its just a little extra weight somewhat like the drag of a weed. Therefore when you feel something a little different - or if in doubt - set the hook. I do agree that jig fishing requires a rod with some backbone in it. I always use a casting rod for jigs. Jig fishing is a little like drifting for steelhead, you kind of have to just sense there is a fish there. Other times, it will just be an ordinary bite or that delightful little tap-tap. One time, at Benson Lake, I hooked a couple of nice 3 pounders by watching the bass inhale the jig. I seen them take the bait but never felt anything. See lake report in older Benson Lake reports. Good luck, The jig is an excellent bass bait. Oh yes, I always use some Mike's Fluorescent Anise Oil Glo Scent on the jigs. I am convinced it will result in more strikes and the fish will hold the jig in its mouth a little longer.

[YellowBear]

It sounds to me that you guys are getting strikes from small fish.
Sometimes Pan fish and little Bass will grab a jig by the skirt and just rip it.
You need to use the right jig for the job.

It sounds to me that you are trying to use a jig that is to heavy.

Fishing a jig from the bank is tuff because you have to fish it pretty quick to keep it from digging in.
Pick up some plain ole jig heads 1/16th to 1/4 oz. Grab a bag of tubes and a bag of twister tails.
IMHO! I think the best way to fish a jig from the bank is with a float.
Fishing a jig from shallow water to deep is easy but fishing it from deep to shallow is hard to master.
Either way don't hesitate setting the hook. One of the things that I like best about a jig is when a fish hits it he has it. You don't have to wonder if he has the end with the hook in it.

Bass Tracker, try the split tail beavers from innovation lures. I have had the Smallmouth hold these for a long time.

[the1fishingpro]

well, I cant see how a panfish can have a huge trailer in its mouth because me and lyndon barely use jigs with skirts or weed guards. Most of the time. the strikes feel like trout bites, nothing like bluegills or perch. But no1 has answered my questions from before.

Does it make a difference where the hook is placed on the trailer?
Does it make a big difference if the jigs or trailers are impregnated with salts and stuff?
Has any1 fished at Lacamas Lake with a Jig and had good success?

Ppl say that putting cent on lures for bass help, but how is that natural? What makes the bass attracted to anise oil?

What is the possibility of a Catfish biting our jigs during the day?

[bob johansen]

I have no idea why bass are attracted to anise oil but they seem to be. I have used it for years and have caught many very nice bass while using it.

[Bigbass Dez]

I have no idea why bass are attracted to anise oil but they seem to be. I have used it for years and have caught many very nice bass while using it.

I just recently picked up some of that stuff and been using it for about the last two weeks and i have noticed a difference in action and size ... good call B.T. ....bbd

[the1fishingpro]

FishNisLife, might be able to answer my questions I think +_+

[Anonymous]

I will answer your questions the1fishingpro -

Does it make a difference where the hook is placed on the trailer?
You will want to feed the trailer down the hook and punch the hook through half way down like in the pic.
Here is a pretty good article on trailers if you want to do some reading. (this is all I do when I'm not fishing) Just like in school, studying pays off.
http://www.bassdozer.com/articles/trailerbaits.shtml
Does it make a big difference if the jigs or trailers are impregnated with salts and stuff?
Yes, the bass will hold on longer to a salt impregnated plastic.
any1 fished at Lacamas Lake with a Jig and had good success?
I have never fished Lacamas but I'm pretty confident that if I got on the water I could do some damage. I would fish cranks (5-7' runners) outside the weedlines. I would also flip the weeds with a jig and maybe toss a weightless senko around. That's where I would start and adjust to the conditions from there.

Sorry no one directly addressed your questions fishingpro. I know people don't do it on purpose. It was probably just an oversite.


fishnislife

[Anonymous]

I don't want to overwhelm you guys, but if you two are serious about learning how to fish the jig, here is another good article. Also, check out the related articles on the bottom of the page too. This site is full of information and it is in my favorites. I refer to it often.
http://www.bassresource.com/beginner/ba ... rview.html
Another good one about trailers:
http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/jig ... _bass.html


fishnislife

[bassackwards]

I don't want to overwhelm you guys, but if you two are serious about learning how to fish the jig, here is another good article. Also, check out the related articles on the bottom of the page too. This site is full of information and it is in my favorites. I refer to it often.
http://www.bassresource.com/beginner/ba ... rview.html
Another good one about trailers:
http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/jig ... _bass.html


fishnislife

Nicely done....always the voice of reason. Good answer(s)

I need to log off and "get jiggy with it" now.....OUT!!!!! LOL

[islandbass]

Man, is this a great thread!!!! I have not dabbled much with jigs because I realized as BBDez said, it will take a serious commitment. This season I had planned to get to know the drop shot and jigs. I fell in love with the former that I put jigs on the backburner because DSing was so effective.

That's it. I'm going to attack this jig thing and put away the drop shot rod. Thanks for the inspiration and the wealth of information to get me started.

-ib (jig-n-pig virgin )

[bob johansen]

Anyone ever use a fairly heavy jig instead of a lead weight on their dropshots? It could hook up with two lunkers at once.