Detecting StrikesWhen a bass strikes a jig, often it's an uncertain sluggishness or gentle pull on your line. Sometimes your line feels lighter because the bass has lifted the bait. Remember that bass usually pick up the jig on the fall, so keep a tight, careful line between your jig and rod.
The strike differs from the feel of when a bass hits a spinner or plug bait which is often unmistakably hard, and the line seldom zips away, like when a bass picks up a plastic worm. Set the hook with a quick snap of the wrist (it doesn't need to be a wild exercise of the entire body like on the fishing programs). Set the hook anytime you feel something odd on the line-usually it's a fish. After a little practice you'll recognize strikes as surely as when a bobber goes under.




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What To Add To A JigMany of us know bass jigs as jig-n'-pigs because a pork rind trailer has been hooked onto the jig to create extra appeal. Usually these have been cut in a wedge shape like a frog, and these trailers are often called pork frogs. But pork eels can be productive as well, especially in deep water. All are sensitive to drying out, so if you quit fishing for a while, take it off the hook and replace it in the jar, or keep it wet otherwise.
Light jigs usually call for light pork rinds. The same goes for a dark jig, which usually gets a dark pork rind. Sometimes a local behavior trend will upset the cart and anglers will swear a strange light/dark combination is best right now, but stick to the old combination as a rule. If you have a dark blue jig, a black pork trailer might be appropriate.
Use a smaller trailer instead of a bigger one if you hope to get more bites. It seems bigger fish do like large trailers, but experiment for best results.
It's not wrong to skip adding a pork trailer altogether and to fish the bass jig just plain. Plain jigs will catch bass sometimes. But it's a little like baking a cake and not bothering to add icing-you're better off with something on it.
Plastic crawfish have become an increasingly popular trailer for jigs. The plastic claws stand up when the jig is resting on the bottom, since the crawfish is hooked onto the jig by the tail, and it adds a great appeal for jigs. Pick a small size for these trailers also, and follow the same color combination guide lines for pork frogs.



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ColorsAs a rule, light colors are a good choice for bright sunny days. Dark colors are best for overcast days or at night. Often a particularly bright or unusual color with a dark combination will also work well on bright days. Strong sunlight is also a good condition for the sparkle of Mylar jigs. Bass will prefer certain colors at some locations under specific conditions-but minor color preferences are for every fisherman to argue about. Why someone might use a red-and-black jig over a red-and-brown jig is often a matter of preference.
Water clarity and waves also affect the amount of sunlight bass receive. Consider other factors besides clouds when picking out a color for your jig. For instance, a bright jig would be a good muddy-water choice, even on a cloudy day.



A Basic Color Guide






This Sat. coming up I plan to fish nothing but a jig to really give it a good shot. I plan to flip from 7:00 AM till 11:00 AM. Up to this dateI haven't even had a hit on a jig.
C7

ok, weel i will go ahead and preach on this. I have caught many fish on a jig striper fishing which is exactly the same where i fish cuz they are both in the same habitat. Well, you will usually feel a light thump on your line and takes a while to tell the difference between a bite and cover but watching your line will tell the truth. Your line will jump slightly but they wil not usually carry it away in the winter but will on the bed or in the summer time. Uncle josh pork rinds are the best one i have found yet but honey hole plastic chunks sprayed with bang is also a good combination and it the summer tear off the back half of a lizard and put on it they cant stand it. The way i swim a jig is the first cast i find the drop and swim it out to just before the drop and then bounce it off of the drop and this will usually tell you if the fish are on top or on the drop. IF you do put a trailer on take it off after use if you dont pain in the butt to get off of the hook. IF you also spread out the weed guard you will have a lot less chance of getting hung up. This is what i remember right now but the main thing is dont be scared to throw it into HEAVY HEAVY COVER it will usually come out.

If you have any more questiioon just pm me and i will give you a few secret pointers.

thnx for the info chuck, that is some much needed info for me

Your welcome.I'll see if Wamart carries some pork trailors too.
This Sat.I'll give it a good workout..
C7

chuck, a jig bite can be very fustraiting or unreal, one time it may feel like a wet sock, the next you may not have any contact/weight of the lure feel, or it may feel like running over a brick with a lawnmower[:-], the main thing to remember is that if it just dosen't feel right set the hook, my favorite jigs are stanley and bulldog jigs, also you mentioned pork, i only use pork in the colder months dec, jan, feb, when the water warms i'll switch to plastic trailers like a zoom super chunk, i think the pork gives more bouyoncy for a slower fall in the colder water...

oh yea! you mentioned going jig fishing, you'll never catch me on the water that i wont have a jig tied on and ready

Brother Keith "we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the" Jig.
Luke 5:5 modified.
C7

dont't forget to re-tie after catchin a few

Luke 5:6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.

Luke 5:6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. Brother Keith

Amen ...preacher. To be honest ...I have 0 confidence in the jig. I'm doing this whole thing in faith, I'm going to Walmart tonight in hopes of finding a light one..maybe 1/8 ounce. I'm a believer in light presentation.
Chuck7

small and light are good ideas for clear water and a tough bite, but the light lures are very difficult to pitch, for pitchin i useally stay with a 3/8 or heavier, learn to "lay" it right where you want, when i was first learning to pitch i would take a pound coffee can and practicing laying or dropping the bait right in it, get where you can do that from 30-50' and you'll be amazed, an elevated position helps, i praticed of a picnic table bench, it is a very fun and effective way to fish, the down side, it kind of puts the person in the back at a disadvantage[&o], in a team tournament not a problem, fun fishin you'll need to give the person in the back some stuff to picth atotherwise they will get discouraged rather quickly[&o]

Keith,
When fishing with another I always invite them to take the front.They always refuse.When that happens we take turns being in front of the boat every thirty minutes. When it's their turn, I just simply fish backwards putting them in front.
C7