Or move...it's a dink.

Hey guys when you feel a tap or tap tap I imagine that's the bass crushing the bait but I could be wrong. I'm just learning this bit and went out today and got that tap tap and didn't quite know when to set. I left it for a little and then set the hook. To my surprise I had one hooked to then lose it on its way in.

Weird experience

Take your set up in the front or back yard. Pull out 20-30 yards of line and have someone hold the jig with the line tight. Then have then tap on the line above the jig 2-4 times. That's what a bite feels like.

But remember this phrase......when in doubt, set the hook!

As soon as I feel that "tap tap" I set the hook. I do not hesitate.

I have yet to get bit on a jig since the spawn. I am convinced that the area I fish is no longer holding fish. Its about a twenty yard stretch that is riff raff as far as you can cast. On top of this I didn't see any bait fish or bass yesterday. And I tried as many different retrieves as I could think of. I watched my line on the fall and all the way back nothing. They may have moved to deeper water idk, but I will continue to try until I get bit I am determined to get it down

Does anyone use jigs from ***? Intersting concept. I think my jig rolled over and probably skin hooked it. He also has his technique for setting which involves physics and using the line as a whip. Interesting stuff

As soon as I feel that "tap tap" I set the hook. I do not hesitate.

Thanks for that. I don't know if the bass is nipping at it when I feel that or if it's actually in his mouth.

Thanks for that. I don't know if the bass is nipping at it when I feel that or if it's actually in his mouth.

Depending on your trailer, sometimes that little tap tap can be bluegill. Either way setting it is better than not.

1. This is the first year for me to fish since I was a kid.  

 

2.  I've also come to the conclusion (that I severe the right to change) that jigs don't work as nearly as well as I read about or see about, at least not the places I fish here in Indiana.  

 

I've had horrible success rate with jigs.  

 

 

1. If this is the case then you're far better off using plastic worms and the like IMHO. You want to have fun and catch fish, you want numbers to keep it fun. Just when you're getting back into fishing probably isn't the best time to jump in to learning the jig. Once you're feeling a little "seasoned" might be a better time. When you can look at the water and have a solid feel for the most promising spot to fish, and you've had your fill of 1-2 lbers and are happy to give up 1 or 2 dozen bites for 1 or 2 bites but from bigger fish then it's probably time. Just my 2 cents.

 

2. I felt the same way for a long time. I tried them time and again with little success. This past season I was determined to learn to fish a jig effectively. First I bought a proper baitcasting rig instead of trying to just use a medium spinning combo and "make" it work (Huge difference). Then I read up as much as possible and went out with nothing but my jig and pig rig. Long story short I caught more bigger fish than ever this season and the jig is my #1 confidance bait now. It was absolutely worth the struggle to learn and worth the investment for the right equipment.

 .  I've also come to the conclusion (that I severe the right to change) that jigs don't work as nearly as well as I read about or see about, at least not the places I fish here in Indiana.  

.  

 

PM "bassin is addicting"........ Jon is from Indiana as well.

He never caught a jig fish either, until he came to the roadtrip at Pickwick last year.

 

Judging from the pics he sent me this summer, Jigs work just fine in the hoosier state.

Maybe he can give insight to your local waters .

Hey guys when you feel a tap or tap tap I imagine that's the bass crushing the bait but I could be wrong. I'm just learning this bit and went out today and got that tap tap and didn't quite know when to set. I left it for a little and then set the hook. To my surprise I had one hooked to then lose it on its way in.

Weird experience

If the bass is a largemouth they tend to engulf the jig fully into their mouth and crunch it between the tongue and top of the mouth. Look into a basses mouth and in the back on the top of the mouth are a set of crunchers used to kill prey. Largemouth use their lips to prevent prey from escaping, not usually to bite with. The tap you feel is the jig hitting the back of the bass mouth, the second tap is often the jig being spit out.

You can't set too fast on largemouth bass. Smallmouth and spots often grab a crawdad by it's claws and shake it, before taking it info the mouth, so a hesitation works OK. More than likely the bass swam directly at you and simply spit the jig without being hook well.

Better hook set will help.

Tom

If the bass is a largemouth they tend to engulf the jig fully into their mouth and crunch it between the tongue and top of the mouth. Look into a basses mouth and in the back on the top of the mouth are a set of crunchers used to kill prey. Largemouth use their lips to prevent prey from escaping, not usually to bite with. The tap you feel is the jig hitting the back of the bass mouth, the second tap is often the jig being spit out.

You can't set too fast on largemouth bass. Smallmouth and spots often grab a crawdad by it's claws and shake it, before taking it info the mouth, so a hesitation works OK. More than likely the bass swam directly at you and simply spit the jig without being hook well.

Better hook set will help.

Tom

He could have I couldn't see it but I set, felt that familiar feeling of a hooked bass, reeled him in then he vanished.

Determined to land my first one though.

1st Tap:    The bass Inhaling your lure

2nd Tap:   The bass Exhaling your lure

3rd Tap:    Your buddy tapping your shoulder to ask: "What are you waiting for?"

 

Roger

1st Tap:    The bass Inhaling your lure

2nd Tap:   The bass Exhaling your lure

3rd Tap:    Your buddy tapping your shoulder to ask: "What are you waiting for?"

 

Roger

"What are you waiting for, bass don't have hands".

"What are you waiting for, bass don't have hands".

 

I did catch one bass that had hands, but all his teeth were missing!

 

Roger

1st Tap:    The bass Inhaling your lure

2nd Tap:   The bass Exhaling your lure

3rd Tap:    Your buddy tapping your shoulder to ask: "What are you waiting for?"

 

Roger

LMAO! That's good!

Wow I just read the first page where Joe posted that long tutorial! That was great. I know its several years after it was written but I am glad I checked this topic. I just bought some jigs with different color skirts and had no idea how to use them properly. Great info on this topic!

Great article! This answered all my jig questions too!  Thank you.  Tight lines.

After all this I have to start jig fishing...

 

Thank you all for this topic.

Just put in an order of jigs from Siebert Outdoors. Finally decided to commit to learning to fish the jig this year. In the very limited amount of jig fishing I have done previously, I only used the small Netbait Paca Craw trailers. Any recommendations for another basic/staple trailer in the jig world? Otherwise I'll just buy a bunch more of the Paca Craws since it's all I know.

 

Thanks.

Just put in an order of jigs from Siebert Outdoors. Finally decided to commit to learning to fish the jig this year. In the very limited amount of jig fishing I have done previously, I only used the small Netbait Paca Craw trailers. Any recommendations for another basic/staple trailer in the jig world? Otherwise I'll just buy a bunch more of the Paca Craws since it's all I know.

 

Thanks.

 

Rage craws and Lobsters!

 

Jeff

Rage craws and Lobsters!

 

Jeff

 

Ditto

how far should your craw trailor hang out of the skirt? it the green one to far out? I dont know if it helps but im fishing central ohio(not erie) so the average bass would be like 2lbs

I have always had better success with chunk trailers. Smaller trailers. Compact. I believe its all about experimenting though. See what the bass want.

Thanks for reply about trailers. In light of the previous post regarding trailers, I too have wondered how far out people leave their trailers. Which also leads me to ask whether you guys like to trim the skirts up to the end of the hook? Or do you guys leave the skirts long(er)?