When fishing a Jig what techniques work best for you in the following sitiuations.

Grass, Long tapering point, steep drop, rock flats

In grass I like to pitch it out jiggle it a bit until I am sure it is on the bottom then just wiggle it for a while bring it up do it again.

Long tapering points I like to drag the jigs.

Steep drops I just try to let it roll down  or drag it.

Rock flats I drag it as well.

I know a lot of people pop the jigs or hop them. I just want to see what everyone likes to do.

I personally prefer to either drag my jigs in those situations or I will stroke the jig, which is basically like setting the hook 2-3 times in a row (deep water).  I believe that stroking jigs gives the same presentation as the initial drop does (and we all know how productive the initial drop is on a jig) but does it without bringing the jig back to the boat.

Basically long points, with rocks I will drag a football head.

Deep weeds, I will jerk the jig out of the weeds hard (stroke it) and let it settle back to the bottom, and wait ... then jerk it 2-3 times back out clearing the jig of any grass (if present).

Steve

Wow..Steve, I suprised to hear the term "stroking" from a guy up north! Cool!

I believe the best big fish presentation for jigs is to drag it slowly on the bottom. It is the most natural craw presentation there is. Think about it, crawfish are bottom dwellers who really like to move slow and easy. I've fooled alot of nice fish this way. But then when you throw grass in the picture, you may need to do something to alert a bass of the jig's presence. Then, when fishing offshore, deeper water bass may not be relating to the bottom. That's when hopping or stroking may be the key presentation. I almost always start out the morning with a very slow, bottom dragging presentation, regardless the structure or cover I'm fishing. Then if adjustments need to be made, I make em'. Clues like when a fish nails it on that initial fall may tell me to start hopping it. Either way if I'm not getting bit, it's time to change the presentation.

CJ

Really good info from you two!  I have been wondering what is the best way to get a reaction strike with a jig? Do you guys switch between small profile and large profile a lot?

Short hop it and or rip it in the grass. Short hop it or drag it in the sand and/or gravel.  Short hop and drag in the rocks. Short hop it and drag it down ledges or drop offs. Short hop it in brush after original fall and short hop it in brush on the way out of it. Short hop it but keep it slow.

Really, I normally look to a different lure when I look for a reaction strike. BUT...I have done good by using a heavier jig like 3/4 oz. for a faster fall rate trailed with a chunk that has alot of action and I would be hopping it high or stroking(same thing). Note, make sure it falls on atleast a semi-slack line and watch your line like a hawk. The other way would be to swim it or rip it through cover or grass (no need to use a heavier jig unless you need to get it deeper).

CJ knows a thing or two about the jig bite, I have seen him in action!

Slow and meticulous, or something different if that doesn't work.

8-)

CJ, Great descriptions.  Thanks

Drag it, hop it, jig it, stroke it or what ever; y'all ever fish a Texas Rig Ole School?

It's the same technique with the exception ya gotta shorten the distance between hops

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

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

Also worth mentioning is how fast the jig falls.  I've caught fish before were they wanted it on a real fast fall, so I threw a heavier jig.  Other times, they wanted a slow fall, so I would use a light jig with a pork trailer.  A lot of people have a philosophy that bigger is better with jigs, but I have had success with downsizing jigs to produce more bites.  Also, my preferred trailer is a Paca Craw because of the nice kicking action it gives.

Catt, great post! Those grey hairs count for something huh? I'm not old school but I've been schooled by the old! I started out fishing using strictly nothing but a t-rig worm in some deep ponds and a small river near where I grew up. I would subjest anybody who wants to learn how to fish a jig, learn how to catch fish with a t-rig first.  

I fish a jig with whatever style the fish like.

I fish a jig with whatever style the fish like.

That really contributes to the thread. :

I'll try everything from an erratic swimming action to barely a twitch every 2 minutes or so.  You need to figure out how they want it.

For those who aren't familiar with some of these terms and techniques, this is a quick video I made a while back for Muddy.  It's nothing special, just a quickie but the feedback says it has helped a few folks so give a look of you're not grasping this stuff.

Jiggin