Bass Digest/April, 2014
When I was asked to write about a certain topic I was a bit stumped for a while. I then remembered I have had numerous questions about Jig fishing, I have had great success on jigs and have often been asked how does one build confidence in this big bulky application and my response to them was “Just throw it” but there is a little more to jig fishing than just throwing it and here are some tips for the newbie jig fisherman out there to get you started.
I remember not so long ago fishing a body of water, we were just coming out of a typical Cape Town winter, with the water being cold and stained with blue bird skies. Our chosen target area had lay downs as cover that were packed along a rocky shoreline, which shouted “jig “fishing to me. But not just any Jig. The order of the day called for Jigs with big profiles, which have plenty of water displacement and rattles for extra noise attraction - a big meal for any bass coming out of its winter slumber. The fishing started off a bit slow, but after we figured out that the fish were holding deep inside the cover we started getting solid bites. At the time I was throwing a dirty jig in a dark pumpkin and blue colour with a Big Bite Baits swimming craw in tilapia colour with two rattles inserted into the bait. The fish were not that many but the bites were good and we ended the day with some solid fish.
I think first off one needs to know what Jigs to purchase as they all have their place in any serious bass angler’s tackle box. Secondly you need to know how to prepare your Jig to increase your hook-up ratio, thirdly presentation is important using colour and imitation and lastly, having the right equipment for the job.
Let’s start off with brands and this is just my personal preference. I am a big supporter of the whole range of Jewel Jigs from Outdoor 365, Dirty Jigs, War Eagle Jigs and my most recent favourites, being the Rock Crawler Jigs from Blue Water Gear
Trailers are personal preference, but here I use Big Bite Baits Swimming Craw and the Xcite Baits Raptor Tail Jnr and Raptor Tail Chunk because of their high floating action, also supplied by Blue Water gear. If I’m fishing clear water or the bass want more of a subtle presentation with a finesse Jig you can’t go wrong with the Conquistador Finesse Pro Craw Trailer. Next comes the different types of Jigs depending on the application required.
Flipping Jig
These Jigs have great balance and along with the unique head design, hang-ups are minimised when fishing in thick vegetation like weed, reeds, lilies and hyacinth. Make sure you have skirts that give a nice fall and bloom, they are great Jigs for Flippin, Pitchin and even swimming applications. These Jigs also come in finesse versions. Their small profile allows fishermen to fish a finesse Jig in the thickest of cover with minimal hang-ups and ideal for when conditions get tough or fishing pressure is making bass tight lipped.
JIGS
THE YEAR ROUND BIG FISH CATCHER