My First Shaky Head Bass

[islandbass]

I am stoked to the bone about finally catching a bass on a jig technique. For those who don’t know, jigs, despite being a bass catching lure, whose effectiveness in catching bass is well renowned and legendary has been a tool that has eluded me since my fishing journey began. My first and only jig caught fish was on a football head and smallie beaver last season. I have yet to catch a bass on the bread and butter jig (with a rubber skirt) and trailer combination. I wanted to improve that statistic this season and decided to start with the Shaky head.

I could no longer contain the urge to get out there to not only fish but to get this monkey off my back so I sacrificed my lunchtime to “get it done.”

I broke out my 7’ M Mag-Touch trunk rod and Curado 101D spooled with a top layer of 8# Spider wire Red Mono and tied on a Spot Remover Jig and slapped on a 4” Robo worm.

I pitched the lure out just passed an area of rip rap and did my best to give life to the worm in a way that was similar to how I work a drop shot. Sight unseen, I visualized in my mind working the line while keeping the jig head in place.

About 15 minutes into it, I felt feedback through the line. Since I know I wasn’t moving the jig, I knew it had to be a fish. So I set the hook as I do the line moved madly away from me.

I don’t know why, but I pulled what I call an “Iaconelli,” or my take on expressing sheer joy and excitement that follows a hook set, and I am not going to ask for forgiveness. Every shout and fist pump felt great and I cherished every second.


1st Shakey Head Bass

I quickly took a photo and released her to fight another day. Unfortunately, I lost the jig that caught her and two more jigs in the last 10 minutes I had left.

Slowly, steadily and hopefully, I am going to crack this puzzle of jig fishing this season.



Bass Fishing in Downtown Seattle on a lunch break from the shore? It doesn’t get any better than this.

Conditions: Partially Cloudy
Date: Monday 06-07-10
Location: Lake Union, Seattle, WA

[Bassboss]

Sweet IB! Sounds like a day that will no be forgot! Hope you catch a bunch more this season on some kinda jig! btw, how do you like that rod!

[BigBassin144]

Congrats on your first jig fish. That's a great start, and soon you'll be catching them on a jig n pig. That was also one of the hardest lures for me to learn too.

BB

[WaffleJaw]

Very cool IB!! I know the feeling of accomplishment when you knock the skunk off a technique/lure..Congrats!

[WatterBoy]

Way to go, IB -- that's awesome!

[rodnreel]

Congrats, IB! That's a good looking smallie!

[TN_Bassin]

Nice job. I see you're using a MagTouch.... How do you like the feel of the handle?

[islandbass]

Thanks, guys!

@ TN: I like it because it is relatively thin and I can grab it easily. It might seem a bit too skinny for someone who might have very large hands, but that is just a guess. It really keeps its "new" look 24/7.

The only minor "downside" is that when it is cold, the handle will be cold to the touch until the heat from your hands warms it a bit.

It fares just as alright when wet, but I did notice that if the handle were installed backward, the grip when wet would have been better. I liken it to feeling something against the grain vs. with it.

Bottom line, I love it but I also like cork.

[Jim80]

Nice Ib great to get that monkey off your back huh




Jim

[TN_Bassin]

Originally Posted by islandbass

Thanks, guys!

@ TN: I like it because it is relatively thin and I can grab it easily. It might seem a bit too skinny for someone who might have very large hands, but that is just a guess. It really keeps its "new" look 24/7.

The only minor "downside" is that when it is cold, the handle will be cold to the touch until the heat from your hands warms it a bit.

It fares just as alright when wet, but I did notice that if the handle were installed backward, the grip when wet would have been better. I liken it to feeling something against the grain vs. with it.

Bottom line, I love it but I also like cork.

Cool, the reason I ask is that you're one of the only other person i've seen using them besides my uncle, and i was interested to see what another person thought of the grip. Personally I love the grip, it's different and definitley seems to act more like a grip when wet. The only problem I think might be an issue down the road with it is durability, but so far my uncles had his for close to a year and the grip seems as strong as ever.

[MallenManson]

Congrats IB! That's a pretty smallie!