I want to develop some jig skills so I'm going to make a concerted effort to use them more.  I'm in the very tip top of NY and typically fish smaller rivers and reservoirs, so a 3lb bass would typically be an unusually large catch.  I'm wondering about jig size. I'd love to catch bigger fish, but I don't want to go so big I shut out the 1 and 2 lb-ers.  What do you think? 1/4 oz?  I'm thinking of football jigs and jigs to drag through brush.  Thanks.

3/8 is a standard size.

 

5/16 or 7/16 sniper jig for brush! It’s basically a finesse flipping jig and is great for bass of all sizes!

The lead head on a jig doesnt contribute much to the bulk of the bait . 3/8 ounce is a good size . 1/2 ounce falls faster and a lot of times a faster falling lure gets bit more .

Jig fishing from shore isn't easy because you are always working uphill. You are targeting smallmouth bass primarily that feed on crawdads so I would use crawdad colors with brighter tones. 1/4 oz will snag less then heavier jigs. Smaller 2"-3" trailers would be a good match.

Weedless football head would a good choice to start with.

Tom

 

I’m with @WRB, from shore 1/4 finesse jig is good, matching with baby rage maniac or baby rage craw. I like arkie style head better than football head, less snag for me. If I fish from dock or kayak, cast to shore and drag down then 3/8oz would be my choice.

My recommendation is Yamamoto 1/4 oz Weedless Hula jig black w/Owner hook and 4" double tail Hula grub #221 $ 330. This combo will catch bass anywhere.

Tom

3 hours ago, WRB said:

Jig fishing from shore isn't easy because you are always working uphill. You are targeting smallmouth bass primarily that feed on crawdads so I would use crawdad colors with brighter tones. 1/4 oz will snag less then heavier jigs. Smaller 2"-3" trailers would be a good match.

Weedless football head would a good choice to start with.

Tom

 

Personally I find it more difficult to fish downhill especially if its steep because you have to use a heavier weight dig in and stop it from falling down the slope.  If you hop that jig to hard its going to move much farther down the slop then you want it to.  If your fishing uphill you can get away with a much lighter weight and the line stop it from sliding into deeper water, but that's just my opinion.  Other then that hes spot on IMO. 

I'm fishing from a boat.

12 minutes ago, billmac said:

I'm fishing from a boat.

Send PM with email address and I will send a jig fishing article on how to fish deep steep rock structure lakes.

Tom

I usually start with a 1/2oz. If you're fishing deep, 3/4 might be better. A 1lb fish has no issues eating a 3/4oz jig.