Jigs Vs. Worms

[thebus71h]

I know it's probably been covered 10 million times. But when you pull up to a spot, or whatever it may be, what makes you throw a texas rigged worm or soft plastic, and what would make you throw a jig? Do you fish jigs as "structure only" baits, or if you are working a shallow bank, would you throw it along there even with no structure?

[keithdog]

I'll often use both in the same areas untill I figure out which the fish are interrested in that day. I do use the jig more around brush, and in heavy vegitation I usually will use soft plastics with few appendages, such as a beaver style bait. The fewer appendages of a beaver type bait allow the lure to slip beneith the heavy weedmat more easilly without hanging up. In lilly pads I use both about equally. Same with more open water, untill I figure out what they prefer.

[silverbass14]

Originally Posted by keithdog

I'll often use both in the same areas untill I figure out which the fish are interrested in that day. I do use the jig more around brush, and in heavy vegitation I usually will use soft plastics with few appendages, such as a beaver style bait. The fewer appendages of a beaver type bait allow the lure to slip beneith the heavy weedmat more easilly without hanging up. In lilly pads I use both about equally. Same with more open water, untill I figure out what they prefer.

i think jigs are better but that is what i think. what do u think?

[bassattack]

i think jigs are better for smaller fish like in a stocked pond but i think worms will catch bigger fish i like use in zoom flukes

[Bassboss]

I use worm in weedy deeper places, where the bass are more active, I'll switch to a jig around brush...... they do imitate craw dads, so they are more affective in lakes/ponds with them. Since they are made to look like craw dads, they are said to do well when bass are on beds. You can watch Kevin’s videos on them to get some more info, don't no much about them though....

[doc]

Originally Posted by thebus71h

I know it's probably been covered 10 million times. But when you pull up to a spot, or whatever it may be, what makes you throw a texas rigged worm or soft plastic, and what would make you throw a jig? Do you fish jigs as "structure only" baits, or if you are working a shallow bank, would you throw it along there even with no structure?

Water temp, natural forage, cover, and fish mood determine if i trow a jig or worm.

Tho in the really thick stuff I tend to throw a jig no matter what it just snags less. Dont be affraid to work one on a shallow bank, might try a football jig.

[JB]

I like to throw the jig up against wood, either the end of a log, behind it, or work over a stump.

[MIbasser]

Originally Posted by Bassboss

I use jig more in weedy deeper places, where the bass are more active, I'll switch to a jig around brush...... never caught anything on a jig so, don't no much about them

If you have no luck with Jigs, why post??? (had to edit last comment).

Onto the topic, I usually have one of each tied one and will throw either one for a while until I find what they like.

However, most people will throw what they have CONFIDENCE in. That is where they will start out.

As other posts go, bass will eat anything - if they are hungry.

[cassidyta]

I will usually have both tied on and will more or less allow the fish to decide. My general rule of thumb for the first few casts is the depth of the water near the structure I am fishing. If the logs, rocks, weeds are in water 5 foot or deeper, I prefer to start with a jig. If it is less than 5 foot, then I switch to a worm. I have found that I get more strikes on the fall with the jig while the worm is a 50/50 on the fall vs the the bottom.
Of course rule has an exception water depth is not into play when I am working a rocky point. I will usually stick with a jig in that scenario.

[carolina-rig-01]

i agree with doc on water temp and natural forage. i don't start throwing a t-rigged worm until the water gets fairly warm, and if there are a lot of crawdads in the body of water then i will fish jigs over worms almost always.

one other thing that is worth pointing out is fishing pressure. with jigs becoming more popular fish are seeing less and less of plastic worms. if i hear of a good jig bite but can't seem to get bit on a jig i will throw a plastic worm.

[OneMoreCast]

Originally Posted by bassattack

i think jigs are better for smaller fish like in a stocked pond but i think worms will catch bigger fish i like use in zoom flukes

I would have to disagree with this reply. I've caught many big fish on a jig, and not in a stocked pond. From what I've seen in my days as a fishermen, jigs are literally people's "go-to" baits when fishing in and around heavy cover. They work all season, and in a variety of different situations. I do know for a fact that you can catch BIG fish w/ jigs w/ a trailer of some sort. I would suggest you seriously consider using the jig more in your fishing and I promise you won't be disappointed.

I think worms work better in lilly pad areas, or in coves where the lilly pads open, in weedy areas. I have used worms in these types of areas with a great amount of success.

[carolina-rig-01]

Originally Posted by bassattack

i think jigs are better for smaller fish like in a stocked pond but i think worms will catch bigger fish i like use in zoom flukes

yeah no offense but i couldn't disagree more. a jig is one of if not the best big fish bait. a worm can get you quality bites at times but a jig will do it more often.

[The Doc]

I second that

[bassattack]

i was talking about like crappy jigs and tube jigs and stuff my bad ..........

[CMorg]

I dont fish areas with no structure. I will fish areas with no cover... anyway , I throw a jig when ever , where ever. I feel I can always catch a fish with a jig. I love jigs.

[doc]

Originally Posted by bassattack

i was talking about like crappy jigs and tube jigs and stuff my bad ..........

I have a feeling about you hmmmmmmmmmm

[bassattack]

what do you mean u have a feelin about me??

[CCbass]

I only fish jigs in the winter, plastics in the summer at times, weather flipping or working a shore line for the most part, other baits more the other times of the year. As someone else said, confidence, always caught me fish using this pattern so why stop.

[BassinID]

I usually pick which by the type and amount of cover I am facing, I will flip plastic to lay-downs and docks, although I do hit these with a jig heavily if I pattern the fish to jigs. I usually start with jigs when fishing verticle cover, such as brush and weeds.

[frogpond11]

Generally speaking, plastics have caught me more numbers of fish than larger fish...and jigs have caught me less numbers, but better quality. Again, this is just averages that I'm talking about. Of course I have caught big fish with plastics and I've caught some little bitty fish with jigs as well. But on average, the plastics get more bites and the jigs get better quality bites, but less bites overall.



Justin