Bank Fishing: Jigging Confession

[scudzilla66]

Jigging is my Achilles heel. In the 8 years that I have been Bass fishing I have caught maybe 3 fish on a jig. I know shocker.

I have done quite a bit of research and know the general idea of fishing a jig but cant seem to have any luck.

I have a collection of jigs in black/blue, black/red, and watermelon greens. The trailiers I use are Yum Papi Craws, Yamamoto double tail grubs, and Yum Craw Chunks.

Ive been throwing into laydowns, edges of submerged grass, small areas of rip rap, shallow to deep (6-8 feet, its not a terribly deep pond) points, and just getting exhasperated and throwing aimlessly into the center of the lake.

Ive tried swimming them, small crawling taps of the rod, large pumps, and slow crawling along the bottom...no dice.

I am looking for any tips and helpful ideas from everyone.

[FlatsNBay]

To learn and gain confidence in jig fishing, I would recommend holding off on fishing a jig until you are tearing them up on a worm. Then switch up to a jig in the same area and depth that you are already having success with the worm. You already know that there are active fish and you will have the confidence to stick with the jig. Confidence is the key!  You will end up loving the big fish potential from fishing a jig. 

[Capt. BassinLou]

I've picked up jig fishing just in the last 3 years. When the jig bite is on, it's exciting to say the least. To feel that thump or tic and set the hook on a nice fish is very exhilarating. What's worked for me is manipulating the jig size, trailer size, and/or  fishing speed.
Matching the size of the bait fish in the area helps, as well as matching their color as best you can.
Trailers, I use various trailers and do not use traditional ones. Like craws.
Swimming speed: sometimes slow and methodical results in strikes and other times lightly swimming close or around cover will get you strikes.
Keep at it, you will figure it out soon enough.

[SFL BassHunter]

I gained some confidence in the jig by starting with small jigs. The bitsy bug is a small finesse type jig. Small fish and bigger fish will hit it. Because its small it has a slower rate of fall, and many times they will hit it on the way down. Other times I just hop it around.

Perhaps you can start there. Gain confidence in them and move to bigger jigs.

Swimming a jig has yet to produce for me though.

The bitsy bug in Okeechobee Craw color has produced the most for me. My go to trailer is the netpaca tiny craw. Fits real good on the bug and also comes in that okeechobee craw color. But you can mix and match trailer colors. You don't always have to pair say okechobee craw with the same color. You could put black and blue on there to add to the jig.

[MBB Nate]

So about 2 weeks ago I found an isolated patch of some kind of thick big rooted vegetation on my lake.  I figured what the heck lets flip a jig in.  On the shore there is a lot of thick branched plants and a gap about 3 feet wide to stand in.  I flip a jig in and BAM, as soon as it hit's I pull out a 3lber.  Release the fish and flip back in and BAM, something BIG hit it.  I instantly takes off running and pulls my rod into all these damned trees on the shore.  Heads for the plants, circles around and gets off.  I don't get my jig back.

A couple days later I go back, on the 3rd flip BAM, the monster is on!  It takes off straight into the veg and SNAP, breaks my 15 lb mono like it's fly leader.  It didn't break the knot, it broke the line.  I leave and come back a couple days later, SAME thing happens.

I've lost a total of 3 jigs to what I think is the same fish.  I've labeled her my Oklahoma Dottie.  I'm planning on going out for her again tomorrow.  I respooled my reel with 65lb braid and I'm prepared for war.  I hope I can get her in.  I'll probably catch her one day and she's going to be a 2 lb fish haha.  I hope she has all my jigs in her mouth too because I want those back!

[cortman]

So about 2 weeks ago I found an isolated patch of some kind of thick big rooted vegetation on my lake.  I figured what the heck lets flip a jig in.  On the shore there is a lot of thick branched plants and a gap about 3 feet wide to stand in.  I flip a jig in and BAM, as soon as it hit's I pull out a 3lber.  Release the fish and flip back in and BAM, something BIG hit it.  I instantly takes off running and pulls my rod into all these damned trees on the shore.  Heads for the plants, circles around and gets off.  I don't get my jig back.

A couple days later I go back, on the 3rd flip BAM, the monster is on!  It takes off straight into the veg and SNAP, breaks my 15 lb mono like it's fly leader.  It didn't break the knot, it broke the line.  I leave and come back a couple days later, SAME thing happens.

I've lost a total of 3 jigs to what I think is the same fish.  I've labeled her my Oklahoma Dottie.  I'm planning on going out for her again tomorrow.  I respooled my reel with 65lb braid and I'm prepared for war.  I hope I can get her in.  I'll probably catch her one day and she's going to be a 2 lb fish haha.  I hope she has all my jigs in her mouth too because I want those back!

Sounds cool! You report back when you get her.

@OP Fishing with jigs really took off for me when I caught a bunch on brush piles early spring of this year. I would have said just keep throwing them in brush piles and laydowns. Don't be afraid to throw it right in the middle of the worst stuff. With a little practice you'll figure out how to gently pull it up and around branches and limbs.
My other suggestion would be dragging a football head along riprap and rocky banks. In my experience bass seem to bite a jig pretty readily in those environments.
Good luck! Once you figure out the jig and have confidence in it you'll love it- it is truly a anywhere, any time bait.

[MBB Nate]

Tried this morning but she wasn't home.  Caught a neon bass though.

[Lipripper]

that's a pretty looking Bass.

[rockchalk06]

I cut my teeth on them when I was 5. My dad would tie one on, throw another in my pocket and along with a jar of pork trailers, cut me loose. I had no other choice.

I've applied the same to myself when trying something new. I leave my faithful at home and bring only one.

[LgMouthGambler]

Tried this morning but she wasn't home.  Caught a neon bass though.

What color you call that jig? Jack o lantern? Lol

<")))<{

[MBB Nate]

What color you call that jig? Jack o lantern? Lol

<")))<{

Z-man jig in Boyou Craw with a Yum Crawbug.  All my jigs are pumpkin' black/blue or bluegillish so I wanted something different and damn if it doesn't work well.

[coldfront]

I gained some confidence in the jig by starting with small jigs. The bitsy bug is a small finesse type jig. Small fish and bigger fish will hit it. Because its small it has a slower rate of fall, and many times they will hit it on the way down. Other times I just hop it around.

very similar path I took Rick...  in my home waters, forage was primarily bluegill and craw... I used/preferred the green/brown bitsy bug.  Back then Strike king still had pork and I could tip it with their smallest pork frog.

great combo... just about any trailer that is appropriately sized should work.  I still prefer the brown/green jig with a trailer that mimics a bit of the blue/green you see in bigger craws and bluegill tails.

Now, here in TN... am finding that a bit of orange is the preferred ticket.

one other thing:  I find dragging/shaking to be way more effective in getting bites than hopping.  Sometimes swimming works... but not nearly as much as dragging/shaking.

take y our time.don't be afraid to use 'scent'.  Big fan of Smelly Jelly craw/glitter (orange)

[BankBassBait]

I too have never caught a jig fish, but i bought 3 football heads, lol. I fish with 65lb PP, do you guys think the line visibility affects the fish on the CA DELTA?

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[j102]

So about 2 weeks ago I found an isolated patch of some kind of thick big rooted vegetation on my lake.  I figured what the heck lets flip a jig in.  On the shore there is a lot of thick branched plants and a gap about 3 feet wide to stand in.  I flip a jig in and BAM, as soon as it hit's I pull out a 3lber.  Release the fish and flip back in and BAM, something BIG hit it.  I instantly takes off running and pulls my rod into all these damned trees on the shore.  Heads for the plants, circles around and gets off.  I don't get my jig back.

A couple days later I go back, on the 3rd flip BAM, the monster is on!  It takes off straight into the veg and SNAP, breaks my 15 lb mono like it's fly leader.  It didn't break the knot, it broke the line.  I leave and come back a couple days later, SAME thing happens.

I've lost a total of 3 jigs to what I think is the same fish.  I've labeled her my Oklahoma Dottie.  I'm planning on going out for her again tomorrow.  I respooled my reel with 65lb braid and I'm prepared for war.  I hope I can get her in.  I'll probably catch her one day and she's going to be a 2 lb fish haha.  I hope she has all my jigs in her mouth too because I want those back!

That's a cool story man. I hope you catch her soon and with all your jigs.

[j102]

Tried this morning but she wasn't home.  Caught a neon bass though.

Nice looking bass!

[Mossive]

So about 2 weeks ago I found an isolated patch of some kind of thick big rooted vegetation on my lake.  I figured what the heck lets flip a jig in.  On the shore there is a lot of thick branched plants and a gap about 3 feet wide to stand in.  I flip a jig in and BAM, as soon as it hit's I pull out a 3lber.  Release the fish and flip back in and BAM, something BIG hit it.  I instantly takes off running and pulls my rod into all these damned trees on the shore.  Heads for the plants, circles around and gets off.  I don't get my jig back.

A couple days later I go back, on the 3rd flip BAM, the monster is on!  It takes off straight into the veg and SNAP, breaks my 15 lb mono like it's fly leader.  It didn't break the knot, it broke the line.  I leave and come back a couple days later, SAME thing happens.

I've lost a total of 3 jigs to what I think is the same fish.  I've labeled her my Oklahoma Dottie.  I'm planning on going out for her again tomorrow.  I respooled my reel with 65lb braid and I'm prepared for war.  I hope I can get her in.  I'll probably catch her one day and she's going to be a 2 lb fish haha.  I hope she has all my jigs in her mouth too because I want those back!

sounds like some killer jig's, homemade?

[Mossive]

Tried this morning but she wasn't home.  Caught a neon bass though.

That's a trip, i wonder what causes that

[analfisherman]

Well I jig A LOT from shore using numerous methods and numerous different style including the Yum Crawbug for trailers.

Seeing I like to keep my replies short I'll share an idea with you even though I don't know where you live/fish and in some states it isn't allowed (so check your regs.) but a good way to
start jigging is to use a tried and true fishing technique called drop shoting.

Plastics work everywhere and few anglers hate them.
So choose the bait of your liking or having good luck and confidence in as the center bait and use a JIG as your weight instead of a sinker.

You will fish it longer and vary the retrieves etc. because of your confidence in the center bait and you will be amazed on how often you will get bites on both but see the bigger fish coming on the jig.
Often you'll get doubles and frequently the larger one will be on the jig.

Now 'I' fish it as a jig setup meaning I don't spend a tremendous amount of time leaving it stationary and jiggling but usually hop then jiggle, then repeat or crawl it along the bottom very slowly with shakes and very small hops thrown in on the retrieve.

Good luck and continue to keep it in your rotation..........it will PAY OFF sooner or later and then you'll be hooked.

[BankBassBait]

Well I jig A LOT from shore using numerous methods and numerous different style including the Yum Crawbug for trailers.

Seeing I like to keep my replies short I'll share an idea with you even though I don't know where you live/fish and in some states it isn't allowed (so check your regs.) but a good way to
start jigging is to use a tried and true fishing technique called drop shoting.

Plastics work everywhere and few anglers hate them.
So choose the bait of your liking or having good luck and confidence in as the center bait and use a JIG as your weight instead of a sinker.

You will fish it longer and vary the retrieves etc. because of your confidence in the center bait and you will be amazed on how often you will get bites on both but see the bigger fish coming on the jig.
Often you'll get doubles and frequently the larger one will be on the jig.

Now 'I' fish it as a jig setup meaning I don't spend a tremendous amount of time leaving it stationary and jiggling but usually hop then jiggle, then repeat or crawl it along the bottom very slowly with shakes and very small hops thrown in on the retrieve.

Good luck and continue to keep it in your rotation..........it will PAY OFF sooner or later and then you'll be hooked.

That is an amazing idea! Genus! If the state  allows the double fluke rig, would they allow this?

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[zippyduck]

I know it is legal in PA. And I will use it this year,

[analfisherman]

That is an amazing idea! Genus! If the state  allows the double fluke rig, would they allow this?

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Yes, basically if you can use two lines/rods in your state it can be interpreted as two lures.
To be sure you can call your local DNR but I'm reasonably sure you can.

[Capt. BassinLou]

Well I jig A LOT from shore using numerous methods and numerous different style including the Yum Crawbug for trailers.

Seeing I like to keep my replies short I'll share an idea with you even though I don't know where you live/fish and in some states it isn't allowed (so check your regs.) but a good way to
start jigging is to use a tried and true fishing technique called drop shoting.

Plastics work everywhere and few anglers hate them.
So choose the bait of your liking or having good luck and confidence in as the center bait and use a JIG as your weight instead of a sinker.

You will fish it longer and vary the retrieves etc. because of your confidence in the center bait and you will be amazed on how often you will get bites on both but see the bigger fish coming on the jig.
Often you'll get doubles and frequently the larger one will be on the jig.

Now 'I' fish it as a jig setup meaning I don't spend a tremendous amount of time leaving it stationary and jiggling but usually hop then jiggle, then repeat or crawl it along the bottom very slowly with shakes and very small hops thrown in on the retrieve.

Good luck and continue to keep it in your rotation..........it will PAY OFF sooner or later and then you'll be hooked.

Good tip Anal. Thank you for sharing. I got to check this method out.