No wonder bass jigs catch a lot of fish. Squads have been responsible for countless tournament victories over the decades. Unlike other baits, a jig requires more attention to detail to be successful.
Bass jigs should be used around heavy cover and on a rod designed for jig fishing. These lures are perfect for dragging along the bottom of a lake or river, but can also be fished from the water column by swimming.
There are many artificial lures on the market that an angler simply picks up and uses without much thought to equipment and presentation. A template is not one of them. Well, you can, but the results will not be what you are looking for. In this article, I'll break down all the details needed to make this attraction a favorite.
Be near heavy cover when jig fishing
Bass anglers know that big fish live on some really nasty, twisted stuff. However, most of us will avoid falling into this type of situation because the chances of getting “hanged” are high. The bait is expensive. We don't want to lose them.
In order to be a successful fisherman, we need to change this mindset.
Templates are designed to be used in situations where no sane person would place them. The bass that call these dense, impenetrable places home are the very ones that will tip the scales in your favor.
It takes a bit of practice, but you'll soon learn the best way to retrieve a jig in these situations, but you have to be willing to set this lure in places other anglers aren't. Once you get past the mental block that prevents fishermen from casting these things, you'll have a whole new lake or river to fish. Because? Because a lot of people never throw a bait in there.
The Right Rod Jig Fishing Rod
Fishing in this thick material requires the right rod. The proper fishing rod will prevent the bass's head from turning and allow the angler to immediately transfer power directly to the hook.
With the fish unable to turn, the chances of getting it off the deck and into the boat increase exponentially.
So what is the right fishing rod?
If you're casting in thick coverage, a heavy-duty rating rod with an extra-fast or fast action is what you're looking for. The tip of the rod should reach the spine almost immediately. If the rod bends too much or gives too much, the chances of pulling out the fish are slim to none.
A good casting jig almost looks like a telephone pole, but is still nimble enough at the tip to allow for precise bait placement.
If you are using a more "bottom rebound" template, you can use a weighted average power rating with great success.
Correctly adjust the coil
I have seen many fishermen lose their bass whenfishing with jigBecause of this. The drag should be fully activated. This is not the time to allow the fish to run with the bait and 100% of the energy must be transferred to the hook for it to penetrate. We don't want slippage.
If you are casting the jig, loosen the tension on the spool and brake system. You want the bait to come off the reel effortlessly. This will allow you to cast longer casts, as well as give the bait a chance to enter the water with little to no swell. A silent entrance means you are more likely to receive a backlash attack.
Taking a few minutes to make any necessary adjustments to your reel will pay big dividends.
The importance of the slack line when jig fishing
For a template to work best, it should land on a loose line. When a bass template falls completely vertically, the most natural action can take place. The worst thing a jig can do is swing towards the angler with a pendulum motion.
Soft plastic trailers will also have more life when presented with a straight vertical drop.
To ensure your bait lands on a loose line, lower the end of the rod as the jig enters the water. If you are letting the jig travel a good distance, you may need to remove the line from the spool as it falls.
Be attentive. There will be a lot of bites when the bait is released. Watch and see if the line stops sagging or if there is even the slightest twitch. In that case, reel in and set the hook.
heavy line
When casting thick coverage, the thick line is a must. I prefer to use a 50 pound braid. Some jig anglers are even heavier than this, but I have had great success with this size.
The braid is not only extremely sensitive, but can also withstand the abrasion that will occur when thrown into brush piles and around dock cables.
Remember, most of the hits from this thick cover will be true reaction hits. The bass will not stare at the bait too much. It will land in front of them and they will just react.
Proper Reel Selection for Jig Fishing
This is definitely a time when you want a high speed reel. Look for a deal with a gear ratio of 7.2:1 or higher.
A high speed reel will do two things for you. First, it will allow you to do a lot more presentations in a day of fishing. Once you're done casting, you can quickly reel in that line and move on to the next step.
Second, and perhaps most important, a high speed reel gives the angler the leverage needed to get the fish out of that heavy cover. Remember the previous part about the slack line? A high speed reel will grab that extra braid so fast that the fish won't even have time to know what happened.
The hook
This is the time for that legendary power hook.
There are many situations where we need a more subtle side sweep hook. This is not the time for that.
When you feel that thud, wind up that little piece of string and hit it all the way down. This will not only give you the best penetration possible, but it will also keep the head of that big bass coming towards you and out of the thick cover.
A less powerful hook on jig fishing will put the odds in favor of the bass as it spins and burrows so deep you'll never see it.
keep it simple
When choosing template colors and trailers, simplicity is important. It's very easy to get overwhelmed in the equipment store. There are thousands of possible combinations and each angler has his favorite.
to start yourfishing with jigcollection, stamps in three colors: black-blue, pumpkin-green and brown.
Match the trailer of your choice to the template color and you're done.
As you progress through your jig fishing career, you will make slight variations in your color choices and find a few that you feel confident in. At first, focus on these three options and life will be good.
final thoughts
jig fishing emheavy coatbecause massive bass is something I never get tired of. When that line jumps out and you're backing up with a six-pound weight struggling to get out of the brush, well, let's just say that's one hell of an adrenaline rush. Get out your smartphones because it's photo time!
These eight tips will tip the odds in your favor and make jig fishing something you'll never tire of.
Good luck, stay safe and don't forget to cheer someone up today, you never know how it could change their life forever!
FAQs
How do you fish with a jig for bass? ›
Catching bass on jigs is a technique that originated by skipping jigs or plastic grubs under docks and around trees. Then by casting and dragging it across the lake's bottom, till today, swimming it through vegetation. Anglers are common to fish jigs at all water column depths, especially along the bottom.
What is the best way to fish a jig? ›- Cast out and let your jig hook sink to the bottom and count a few seconds or wait until you feel the spoon hit the bottom.
- Snap or pop your wrist and rod tip up quickly a short distance and let the lure drop back to the bottom.
- You can jig up and down, side to side or up and down and sideways.
Black and blue offers the ultimate in contrast, which gives bass a target any time the water's got some stain. Use a black and blue jig in dirty water, during low light conditions, and anytime around vegetation.
What time of year do you fish a jig? ›Bass jigging works best when lunkers are holding near shallow cover such as grass, rocks, laydowns, and docks. Fishing a jig in deeper water is productive in the summer and winter time or when baitfish have moved offshore.
What are the best jig colors? ›Four jigs colors will work any place you fish. Black-blue, brown, green pumpkin or watermelon, and white. These colors will match most prey species anglers may find in the waters they fish.
What size jig is best for bass? ›The most common sizes of bass jigs would be 1/4oz, 3/8oz, and 1/2oz. Find what works for you in the water conditions you are fishing and start catching more fish.
What gear ratio is best for jig fishing? ›Spincast reels in the 3.0:1 to 4.0:1 gear ratio range are great for bait fishing or slow-moving bass tactics such as worm or jig fishing and the reels with a 5.1:1 gear ratio can handle most bass fishing applications except are too slow for high-speed techniques such as buzzing a buzzbait, waking a spinnerbait or ...
What color catches the most bass? ›This work revealed that fish trained to attack either red or green exhibited a high degree of color selectivity: red targets were chosen correctly more than 80% of the time, and green targets were chosen correctly almost 75% of the time.
What color attracts bass the most? ›Most expert night fishermen use black or dark blue lures. The theory is that these colors provide a more distinct profile when silhouetted against the lighter background of the water's surface. Thus, a dark lure is easier for bass to see and strike accurately at night.
What color attracts more fish? ›Green Light and White Light are the most common colors used to attract fish to Boats, Docks and Piers because they are brighter and will attract fish from a greater distance.
Will bass bite a jig at night? ›
On any given day, nighttime offers some of the best opportunity for catching a big bass. Fishing bass in the dark is a favorite for many in the know because the action can be outstanding after the sun finally sets and there's a good chance at catching some of the biggest bass in any given lake across North America.
Should you put bait on a jig? ›Jigs can be tipped with live bait or it can be teamed with plastics to pretty much catch any fish that swims. Looking at the jig head you can make the statement that it is one of the most versatile delivery systems known to fishermen.
What action rod is best for jigs? ›Fast action rods are great for most applications where a short to long casting distance is involved and single hooks are the rule, such as worm and jig fishing. Medium and medium-fast rods will usually provide a little more casting distance and still provide adequate hooksetting power.
When should you throw a jig? ›Jigs shine best when imitating craws. Throw a jig around shallow wood cover, near docks, or anywhere else bass would be feasting on craws. Jigs, in my opinion, are also more suited for trophy hunting. The bigger, bulkier presentation is more likely to draw strikes from your new PB than a slimmer Texas Rig.
What is the best color for a jig head? ›Conclusion. If you're fishing in clear water, red is a good idea to choose for the jig head color, but if you're fishing in murkier water, chartreuse is a good idea because it will attract more attention.
What ounce lure for bass? ›Sinkers most commonly used with plastic worms, lizards and creatures weigh 1/4 to 1/2 ounce. With tube baits, finesse worms and grubs, try a 1/8- to 1/4-ounce sinker or jighead.
Does the color of the jig matter? ›Color can be a consideration when choosing jigheads, too, but don't fret over it. Measuring just a fraction of the total package, body color does the heavy lifting. In fact, often the best choice is going with straight lead color and letting body color steal the show.
How do you speed up jigging? ›How to speed jig. Speed jigging basic moves, let the lure (JIG) drop to the bottom, when the jig touch the bottom, lift it up rapidly to avoid hanging and start to jig. Depending where you fish and avalaible species, most of predators can be located all along the water column.
Do you put worms on jig heads? ›What is a jig head worm? It is a way of rigging a worm on a jig head that has become very popular in bass fishing the past few years. It is a simple way to fish and has a subtle action that bass like. In a recent Field and Stream poll of some pro bass fishermen, they rated it the top way to catch numbers of bass.
How can I tell when a fish is biting? ›Watching a spinning line where it enters the water can show a tell-tale twitch of a fish taking a jig or a lure. Or watching the rod tip for little tugs, nibbles or simply a drag on the line can let you know that a fish is biting.
What makes a good bass jig? ›
Q: What makes a good bass jig? A good hook and weed guard paired with a well-designed head and skirt make for a great bass jig.
How heavy should a jig head be? ›The best jig head size is usually still the 1/8 ounce or 1/4 ounce because they are usually in the upper parts of the water column.
Are shorter rods better for jigging? ›“It's much easier to work a jig, and the particular action necessary, with a shorter rod,” says Shimano's Robby Gant. The angler also feels more comfort with a slow-action rod, with the bend occurring closer to the hand grips — just make sure not to high-stick the rod in the process.
What fish are attracted to jigs? ›Jigs. Jigs are designed for a certain type of fishing called "jigging." Fishing with jigs is an excellent way to catch bass and other types of freshwater fish.
What is the best length for a jigging rod? ›The recommended length of an offshore jigging rod is 5ft to 6ft. The length of 5ft to 6ft is short for lure fishing, but for offshore jigging where casting is not important, a shorter rod is easier to use because it focuses on lure handling.
What is the secret to catching bass? ›Bass like to ambush wounded prey, so a beat-up worm is perfect to use, especially in shallow water. In shallow cover—wood, stumps, clumps of grass—I like to use a spinner bait with a red or pink head, and a crank bait with red hooks. The red makes the fish think the bait's injured, and they'll bite at it.
What is the best bass lure ever? ›- Weedless Frogs. Once vegetation thickens, big bass seek shallow weedy holes to feed. ...
- Topwater Lures. ...
- Buzzbaits. ...
- Crankbaits. ...
- Spinnerbaits. ...
- Jerkbaits. ...
- Softbaits. ...
- Jigs.
Key Points To Land Your Biggest Bass
You'll generally want to avoid spinnerbaits and swimbaits and go with topwater frogs, worms, crankbaits, or jigs. Anglers may succeed in their usual spots using big baits and a slow presentation to attract the bigger fish in the area.
In response to a positive smell, bass generally will hold onto a worm emanating a positive scent for a longer time. This gives you an advantage of being able to get a good hook set and catching the fish. Three scents that appear to be positive scents are salt, anise, and garlic.
Where do the biggest bass hide? ›Fallen trees, big rocks, bridge pilings, weed clumps, even garbage like an old chair — if it blocks current, bass dwell around it. As waves wash away the shore over the years, trees topple into lakes and rivers. Bass typically prefer horizonal cover, especially with overhead protection, and laydowns offer both.
What attracts fish the most? ›
There are many scents that fish absolutely love and there are many scents that fish can't stand. Here is a quick list of the attractive scents and the ones that repel fish. Attractants: salt, fish slime, fish guts, fish extracts, human saliva. Possible attractants: milk products like cheese, coffee, garlic.
How can I attract a lot of fish? ›- Use Fish Lights around your lake dock and shoreline area to attract fish.
- Using aeration in your lake or pond to create a healthy environment for your fish.
- Create a home for your fish using an old tree placed in your lake.
Some of the best freshwater fishing bait include worms, leeches, minnows, crayfish, crickets and grasshoppers. Select good saltwater baits including sea worms, eels, crabs, shrimp, strips of squid, and cut-up pieces of fish.
What month do bass go on bed? ›Traditionally, bass are on the beds spawning as early as mid-February in extreme southern regions of Florida and Texas and later as you head north. It can occur in mid-April across Oklahoma, Arkansas and Tennessee, and as late as mid-June in northern states like Minnesota and Wisconsin.
What time do bass like to bite? ›Late Afternoon/Dusk
During the 5 to 7:30 p.m. time frame, you'll get the bass-biting low light again. In the late afternoon dusk, bass will find topwater lures enticing. However, if the weather is chilly, the bass might get a bit lazy. When this happens, head toward deeper waters!
Bass see colors as bright, green, red and dark—and that's about it.
Do jigs catch bigger bass? ›On average, a jig catches bigger bass than most other lures. Some anglers shy away from jigs because they believe they get less bites.
Do you tie a jig directly to the line? ›Jigs are finesse lures designed to be tied direct to the fishing line. No snaps, swivels or quick clips should be used with attaching a jig to fishing line.
Can you bottom fish with a jig? ›Bottom Bouncing
Bucktail jigs, spinners and live bait are among some of the best bait for bottom fishing. The dragging motion causes the lure to bounce along, stirring up small clouds of sand or mud.
Because jigs can effectively mimic crawfish and baitfish, two favorite food sources for bass, they are typically viewed by these fish as prey, which is why they are so effectively used to target bass by anglers.
What bait do you put on a jig? ›
Jigs can be tipped with live bait or it can be teamed with plastics to pretty much catch any fish that swims. Looking at the jig head you can make the statement that it is one of the most versatile delivery systems known to fishermen.
What size rod is best for jigging? ›Hackney suggests a minimum of 7 feet but says 7-4 and 7-6 rods are best. The longer rod picks up line quicker and helps you power fish away from cover. For casting jigs into deeper water, he likes a 7-6 with a lighter tip. Again, the longer rod improves hook sets on fish farther away and in deeper water.
What fishing line is best for jigs? ›Fluorocarbon is the best line for jigs in my opinion because it's clear, it sinks, stays taut underwater, and is much more sensitive than monofilament line. Switching from mono to fluoro will result in not only more bites, but more detected bites as well.
What speed should a jig be played at? ›Since jigs are a bit easier to play – since they have fewer notes per beat – you can play them a bit faster. Very generally speaking, good jig tempos might be around 115 – 135 bpm.