What is the proper way to cast out a jig?  I am fishing in about 15' of water. Using a baitcaster how do you let it fall?  Should I lock the spool and let it sink where it may?  I have been stopping the spool with my thumb when it hits the water and then letting the bait take line off the spool until it stops so it will fall vertically.  I have been told you always want to let a jig fall on a tight line to feel the botton and strikes on the fall.

I prefer pitching a jig which allows for a more vertical fall.  I usually pull off a little more line as the jig falls and then engage the reel as the jig hits bottom.  I watch the line for a 'jump' as the jig falls, showing a strike.  I then reel down and swing the rod.

Casting a jig won't allow for much of a vertical fall as the mostly horizontal line will cause the jig to pendulum back towards you but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Dan

The Jig-N-Craw and deep water (15' +) structure

1) Make a long cast

2) Strip 3 or 4 arms length of line, this will assure a vertical fall

3) Count the bait down, 15' of water count to 20 to make certain the bait is on the bottom, do it in your head if need be

4) Pause a good 30 seconds after the bait reaches bottom

5) Lower your rod to the 3 o'clock position while reeling slack & feel for anything unusual

6) Move the rod from 3 o'clock to 1 o'clock in three motions (hops)

7) Pause 30 seconds & feel for anything unusual

8) Repeat 5, 6, & 7 all the way back to the boat

9) If at any time you feel a noticeable tap, tug, line tighten, heaviness, or see line movement.

10) Without hesitation drop the rod, reel the slack, and set the hook

The Jig-N-Craw and deep water (15' +) structure

1) Make a long cast

2) Strip 3 or 4 arms length of line, this will assure a vertical fall

3) Count the bait down, 15' of water count to 20 to make certain the bait is on the bottom, do it in your head if need be

4) Pause a good 30 seconds after the bait reaches bottom

5) Lower your rod to the 3 o'clock position while reeling slack & feel for anything unusual

6) Move the rod from 3 o'clock to 1 o'clock in three motions (hops)

7) Pause 30 seconds & feel for anything unusual

8) Repeat 5, 6, & 7 all the way back to the boat

9) If at any time you feel a noticeable tap, tug, line tighten, heaviness, or see line movement.

10) Without hesitation drop the rod, reel the slack, and set the hook

This is what i do but i only get gobs of weeds with jigs.  Never once have i caught a fish on a jig n pig style jig.  Tubes i have scored heavily with but those jigs are just to heavy for around here i guess.  Always pulling in weeds.  Cannot complete a cast with a jig without weeds!

You don't want to cast a jig in thick grass, flipping & pitching are better because they are vertical presentations; casting a jig is better suited in sparse grass and deeper water (15+). The shape of the jig head in thick grass will also make a huge difference in how clean the jig comes through grass.  

is swimming a jig back to the boat any good at all ??

i prefer to pitch a jig

is swimming a jig back to the boat any good at all ??

Yes, especially if the jig and trailer you're using resemble a baitfish.

Dan

When casting to a particular target, say a stump or log, cast beyond the target, then pull the lure back until it is positioned right next to the target.  Then let it fall straight down on slack line.  Reel up the slack and watch for the strike.  This overcomes the pendulum effect.

when u cast a jig it can get realy expensive.

casting it on the rocks is a bit better because it wont get stuck as often as in the brush or weeds.

pitchjing i a betytewr way to use it