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Jigs are one of the most productive baits
today, especially in water clarities from slightly murky to
clear, in water temperatures below the sixty degree mark and
when bass are in an inactive mood and buried in deep cover. Jigs
are presentation lures and the key to fishing them is to make
them look as much alive as possible. This is accomplished
through a slow presentation.
A jig is a heavy, lead-headed bait with a single hook. An
attracting skirt or trailer is added to the hook. With a good
weed guard, they can be fished effectively in dense cover where
big bass live. They are subtle and discrete and move into
big-bass territory without making a lot of commotion, as would a
live crawfish or baitfish. And once hooked, the bass has a
harder time throwing the single-hook jig than it would a
treble-hook lure. A pork or plastic trailer is often added to
these baits.
Jig Weight
A tremendous variety of jig weights are available. Learn the importance
of jig sizes and how to fish each. For clear water, lighter
weights that can be effectively combined with light line and
spinning tackle are recommended, especially 1/8 and 1/4 ounce.
For murky or deep water and dense cover, heavier jigs, 3/8 to
5/8 ounce, can be fished on stout bait casting tackle with heavy
line. When the wind is blowing a bow in your line, it's hard to
maintain contact with the jig to detect strikes. Go to a heavier
jig.
As a general rule, fish the lightest jig weight you can get away
with -- that is, the lightest one that permits you to feel the
bottom and any cover it contacts. Keep a supply of different
weight jigs, ranging from 3/16th ounce to 3/4 ounce size for
different water temperatures, water clarity and type of cover.
Fishing Techniques
Use the jig as a "drop bait." Cast to the bank and engage the
spool. Let the jig fall on tight line. When it hits bottom, drop
the rod tip, reel up the slack and draw it back slightly to move
the jig and cause it to start dropping again. A strike may be
detected only as a line twitch. Set the hook immediately.
Jigs can be used as casting lures. Cast them around stumps,
logs, grass or other cover and retrieve as you would a
Texas-rigged plastic worm, allowing the bait to fall on a tight
line. In open water, a weed guard may not be needed on a jig,
but a weed guard is recommended in water with plenty of cover.
Jigs can also be fished by "swimming." Simply cast out and begin
a slow, steady retrieve with the rod at 10 o'clock. The jig will
flow smoothly through the water like a swimming baitfish. This
retrieve is especially effective on flats in the springtime.
Colors
In clear water, light colors (white, chartreuse, green) tend to work
best. Transparent jig skirts and transparent crawfish-type
trailers cast less of a silhouette and are less threatening to
spooky bass. In murky water, black, brown, purple and
contrasting dark colors often produce best. The trailer (plastic
or pork rind) color can be altered to change the appearance of
the bait quickly and economically.
Tips
Remember that jig fishing demands lots of concentration.
Fish jigs slowly during all seasons, but extremely slow in cold
water.
As a rule, smallmouth bass tend to prefer hair jigs while
largemouths are more often taken on the bulkier rubber jugs.
To improve your feel and maintain your maximum pounds of hook setting
pressure, use a fast action medium-heavy to heavy rod in the 6
1/2 foot or even longer lengths.
Jigs are excellent night-fishing lures. Many fishermen use a
heavier jig at night, one that can be fished on stouter tackle,
even in clear water.
When bass aren't hitting more attention-getting lures such as
rattling crank baits, a jig fished in or close to cover is often
the answer to getting bass to strike.
Keep your hooks sharp. Sharp hooks penetrate more easily and
they're harder to dislodge.
Jigs are one of the most productive baits today, especially in
water clarities from slightly murky to clear, in water
temperatures below the sixty degree mark and when bass are in an
inactive mood and buried in deep cover. Jigs are presentation
lures and the key to fishing them is to make them look as much
alive as possible. This is accomplished through a slow
presentation.
A jig is a heavy, lead-headed bait with a single hook. An
attracting skirt or trailer is added to the hook. With a good
weed guard, they can be fished effectively in dense cover where
big bass live. They are subtle and discrete and move into
big-bass territory without making a lot of commotion, as would a
live crawfish or baitfish. And once hooked, the bass has a
harder time throwing the single-hook jig than it would a
treble-hook lure. A pork or plastic trailer is often added to
these baits.
Jig Weight
A tremendous variety of jig weights are available. Learn the importance
of jig sizes and how to fish each. For clear water, lighter
weights that can be effectively combined with light line and
spinning tackle are recommended, especially 1/8 and 1/4 ounce.
For murky or deep water and dense cover, heavier jigs, 3/8 to
5/8 ounce, can be fished on stout bait casting tackle with heavy
line. When the wind is blowing a bow in your line, it's hard to
maintain contact with the jig to detect strikes. Go to a heavier
jig.
As a general rule, fish the lightest jig weight you can get away
with -- that is, the lightest one that permits you to feel the
bottom and any cover it contacts. Keep a supply of different
weight jigs, ranging from 3/16th ounce to 3/4 ounce size for
different water temperatures, water clarity and type of cover.
Fishing Techniques
Use the jig as a "drop bait." Cast to the bank and engage the
spool. Let the jig fall on tight line. When it hits bottom, drop
the rod tip, reel up the slack and draw it back slightly to move
the jig and cause it to start dropping again. A strike may be
detected only as a line twitch. Set the hook immediately.
Jigs can be used as casting lures. Cast them around stumps,
logs, grass or other cover and retrieve as you would a
Texas-rigged plastic worm, allowing the bait to fall on a tight
line. In open water, a weed guard may not be needed on a jig,
but a weed guard is recommended in water with plenty of cover.
Jigs can also be fished by "swimming." Simply cast out and begin
a slow, steady retrieve with the rod at 10 o'clock. The jig will
flow smoothly through the water like a swimming baitfish. This
retrieve is especially effective on flats in the springtime.
Colors
In clear water, light colors (white, chartreuse, green) tend to work
best. Transparent jig skirts and transparent crawfish-type
trailers cast less of a silhouette and are less threatening to
spooky bass. In murky water, black, brown, purple and
contrasting dark colors often produce best. The trailer (plastic
or pork rind) color can be altered to change the appearance of
the bait quickly and economically.
Tips
Remember that jig fishing demands lots of concentration.
Fish jigs slowly during all seasons, but extremely slow in cold
water.
As a rule, smallmouth bass tend to prefer hair jigs while
largemouths are more often taken on the bulkier rubber jugs.
To improve your feel and maintain your maximum pounds of hook setting
pressure, use a fast action medium-heavy to heavy rod in the 6
1/2 foot or even longer lengths.
Jigs are excellent night-fishing lures. Many fishermen use a
heavier jig at night, one that can be fished on stouter tackle,
even in clear water.
When bass aren't hitting more attention-getting lures such as
rattling crank baits, a jig fished in or close to cover is often
the answer to getting bass to strike.
Keep your hooks sharp. Sharp hooks penetrate more easily and
they're harder to dislodge.
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