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 JigsJigs are one of the most productive baits today, especially in water clarities from slightly murky to clear, in water temperatures below the sixty degree mark and when bass are in an inactive mood and buried in deep cover. Jigs are presentation lures and the key to fishing them is to make them look as much alive as possible. This is accomplished through a slow presentation. A jig is a heavy, lead-headed bait with a single hook. An attracting skirt or trailer is added to the hook. With a good weedguard, they can be fished effectively in dense cover where big bass live. They are subtle and discrete and move into big-bass territory without making a lot of commotion, as would a live crawfish or baitfish. And once hooked, the bass has a harder time throwing the single-hook jig than it would a treble-hook lure. A pork or plastic trailer is often added to these baits. Jig WeightA tremendous variety of jig weights are available. Learn the importance of jig sizes and how to fish each. For clear water, lighter weights that can be effectively combined with light line and spinning tackle are recommended, especially 1/8 and 1/4 ounce. For murky or deep water and dense cover, heavier jigs, 3/8 to 5/8 ounce, can be fished on stout baitcasting tackle with heavy line. When the wind is blowing a bow in your line, it's hard to maintain contact with the jig to detect strikes. Go to a heavier jig.As a general rule, fish the lightest jig weight you can get away with -- that is, the lightest one that permits you to feel the bottom and any cover it contacts. Keep a supply of different weight jigs, ranging from 3/16th ounce to 3/4 ounce size for different water temperatures, water clarity and type of cover. Fishing TechniquesUse the jig as a "drop bait." Cast to the bank and engage the spool. Let the jig fall on tight line. When it hits bottom, drop the rod tip, reel up the slack and draw it back slightly to move the jig and cause it to start dropping again. A strike may be detected only as a line twitch. Set the hook immediately.Jigs can be used as casting lures. Cast them around stumps, logs, grass or other cover and retrieve as you would a Texas-rigged plastic worm, allowing the bait to fall on a tight line. In open water, a weedguard may not be needed on a jig, but a weedguard is recommended in water with plenty of cover. Jigs can also be fished by "swimming." Simply cast out and begin a slow, steady retrieve with the rod at 10 o'clock. The jig will flow smoothly through the water like a swimming baitfish. This retrieve is especially effective on flats in the springtime. ColorsIn clear water, light colors (white, chartreuse, green) tend to work best. Transparent jig skirts and transparent crawfish-type trailers cast less of a silhouette and are less threatening to spooky bass. In murky water, black, brown, purple and contrasting dark colors often produce best. The trailer (plastic or pork rind) color can be altered to change the appearance of the bait quickly and economically.Tips
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