Jig Fishing Help

[bigboss]

does anyone have any tips or tricks for gettin bites with jigs? i try all the time with jigs but i dont every get bites

[3dkicker]

Check out previous posts on jigs and jig tips. Search "jig tips" and you'll find all kinds of stuff. Just keep working at it. You'll figure it out.

[bassfisher02]

I dont know where Alameda is, so im not sure what the conditions might be like where you fish. But, i love the jig. When waters cold, i like to pitch the jig right into/onto/near structure thats in relatively shallow water, or near it. I let it hit the bottom, bounce it a few times, then bring it in some, i'll stop the retrieve every few seconds. you just gotta try different things and see what works. Docks and pillars are my favorite structure to work the jig, then trees, then rocks. grasses and what not i'll throw at but i dont like to as much as i do other structure.

[betursweetbass]

My tip: Be versitile and don't limit yourself to just one approach with them. Use them often and with different presentations. Swim them, crawl them over the bottom, work them around structure and just like any other lure, work them with confidence and patience. Lastly, use braided line or a minimum of 17 pound test when fishing them.

[ToPwAt'R GuY]

Put some scent like kick n' bass or smelly jelly on it. In cold water use a pork trailer. In warmer water I use plastic trailers. This time of year fish it slower. I hope you get some bites.

[ROBZILLA]

Most of the time you get the hit on the down fall! if you throwing in from a boat do big bounces 4 feet high then let it fall and repeat. if throwing out from shore I do a little different thing,I do a slow steady retrieve with a sudden pause here and there. most of the time I'm just off bottom from a foot to 3 ft. and they will come running for it trust me.

Some times you got to be really alert because you will feel a light double tap on your line this is your hit in both scenarios.then set the hook cause you got the fish!

[pig n jig]

Originally Posted by bassfisher02

I dont know where Alameda is,

02, Alameda is in California, I'm only guessing though from the college. P N J

[lizardsrule]

Fish it where the fish are active and you will get bit. Most beginners don't realize they are getting bites(I didn't). Watch your line, and you need to set the hook fast. I believe it was Cajun(and great forum member from yesteryear) said. You will feel 3 taps. The first tap is the bass picking it up. The second tap is the bass spitting it out. The third tap is on your shoulder from the bass, saying you just missed another one. They don't always tap however, but if it feels different in "ANYWAY", set the hook. Hooksets are free to everyone.

Lizards

[skeeter944]

i went the other day and got a bunch of tap,tap,taps,but i set the hook immediatly and didnt hook up with anything.

[Vabass22]

Skeeter, if using a heavy jig, in a rocky/snaggy bottom, those taps could be the bottom. But, keep setting it, and eventually you'll get a tug back.

[jrward]

Try small jigs tiped with live bait....two inch crayfish or a large crawler. Take it slow and watch you line.

[skeeter944]

vabass,it was a 3/8 ounce jig with a craw trailer.

[ROBZILLA]

you ever sharpen your hooks? this might result in bad hook setting. try a stinger hook when your out for the first little bit you might get them this way till you get the hang of hook setting. once you start getting them in the mouth with the jig you take th stinger off.

[pig n jig]

Skeeter, If the craw has 2 little tentacles between the claws, or legs on the body, little panfish will be trying to eat them. Pull them off and throw back in there to see if the tapping stopped. Its easy to miss them sometimes, hooksets are still free of charge last I knew, don't ever take a panfish type tap for granted, I have seen alot of times it wasn't no panfish tapping the jig. P N J

[bubba bass bigfoot]

i am new to jigging. so i had the same question.

[skeeter944]

ok,my craw did have 4 legs on it,now i pinched them all off. thanks!