You would be hard pressed to find another bait as versatile as the jig. This bait has been used for decades to catch monster bass and fill limits with ease. I have put together some “Jig Fishing for Bass” basics to help you smash them bucket mouths!
Jigs can be fished in a number of ways. They can be dropped, dragged, pitched, punched, skipped, and swam just to name a few.
They are even deadly Bass Fishing at Night!
One could try and argue that fishing swimbaits, crankbaits, or worms may be ideal, few can argue the big fish catching ability of the jig.
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What is a Fishing Jig?
When we are talking about bass fishing a jig is the magic bait!
A jig is composed of a weighted hook and a skirt, typically made of silicone.
Bass fishing jigs can also have a trailer, rattles, and multiple colors.
Jigs for bass fishing range between 1 ounce down to 1/8 ounce. More times than not angler are using that 1/2 oz to 3/4 oz sizes.
Jigs are versatile and can be fished anywhere in the water. Although they are known for being fished across the bottoms, they have more uses than just pushes rocks at the bottom of a lake.
Where to Fish Jigs for Bass
As I just eluded to, jigs have a diverse portfolio. Once looked at as the go to method when fish are deep, now carries even more techniques with it.
Jigs are effective in lakes, rivers, and ponds.
They are equally effective around lily pads, rock piles, and lay downs.
Want to catch bass in the middle of the water column?
Throw a jig and swim it by em!
You can fish a jig anywhere you have crayfish or bluegill present. These are two very easy food sources for bass that we can imitate with a jig.
Gear When Jig Fishing for Bass
Gear is rather important while bass fishing with jigs. It seems that the right rod and reel play a huge factor in setting the hook and landing these fish more so than with other bass fishing techniques.
Lets take a minute to got over some of the main gear components while jig fishing for bass.
1. Rod Selection is Key
When jig fishing our rod and reel is the single most important piece of gear we have.
Fishing with the wrong rod will result in missing strikes, bad casts, and frustrations that will lead to lack of focus.
Something at a lower price point that has worked really well for me in the past is the Skeet Reese Tournament rod. Its 7’2 and makes a great option for those 1/4 oz to 1 oz jigs.
I like using this rod for hula grubs, double tail grubs, single tail grubs, and swim jigs as well.
2. Bigger Isn’t Always Better
Selecting the right jig for the job is very important. its not always the case that a bigger jig will catch bigger fish. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
It is far more important to match the size and color of the bait than it is to randomly guess.
There may be times where you will want to pull out the fat bodied jig.
Something like the Booyah Boo Jig makes for a great full body chunky bait.
Pro Tip: Add a Zoom Super Chunk jig trailer to your jig to make it even more irresistible.
If fishing around spawn time or maybe the bass become a little more finicky, try something like the Z-Man CrossEyeZ Flipping Jig. This jig is capable of snagging a large bag as well as catching numbers.
3. What Reel to Use for Jigs
To keep it simple here I am going to recommend a 7:1 reel. The reason for this is because of torque.
Bass can put a tremendous amount of pressure on your reel, especially the bigger ones.
Personally I’m a big fan of the SHIMANO Curado 70 Baitcasting Reels.
Areas to Target Bass
Don’t under estimate the power of dock fishing with jigs. You can approach docks in so many different ways. However you fish them it is important to dissect docks methodically.
Start from the outside fishing your way in. I like to start on the deepest edges of the boat dock and gradually work my way to the shallower ends.
Make a couple casts toward the end of the pier fishing the outer most corners. Fish both the shaded and sunny sides of the docks.
Next I like to work my way down the sides throwing a swim jig or chatter bait.
Last I wills top at about the half way point and cast my jig up to the shallows working it back real slow.
Now there is more than one way to skin a cat so figure out what works for you. Just find a way that makes sense based on your conditions and repeat those steps time and time again.
Conclusion – Jig Fishing for Bass
Let us not forget that the rod is the single most important piece of equipment that we must have to be successful at jig fishing.
Bigger isn’t always better when it comes to jigs. There are situation that require us to use a thinner profile.
Figure out a dock strategy that works for you. Repeat that strategy over and over so that it becomes muscle memory.
I would really like to hear your experiences, gear recommendations, or see pictures in the comments below. Scroll down just a little more and let me know what you think of this article.
