How do I 'Jig 'n Pig'?

[ZOKU]

Got a couple of fairly large jigs with the weed guard and built in rattle system... also got a jar of pork. I had no idea the pork was that tough to get on the hook... it looks so soft and mushy in the jar. How do you normally hook the pig onto the jig? Also, should they simply be dropped over the side of a boat? I casted one out a couple of times yesterday just a short distance... I know it's a finesse bait and I've not practiced much with them. Once it's sitting on the bottom, do you normally jig it a few times? slowly reel? what's the normal process?

Did a search but didn't find anything too specific on this topic...

Any pointers?

[Juice]

Normally the way i fish the jig n' pig is just flipping it to specific cover. Whether it be a hole in the lilly pads or some reeds. As for hooking the trailer. I hook it through the middle of the widest part, or just alittle ahead of it. But i try to keep it long enough so the legs can be seen past the skirt. Heres a few ways to fish it.

1) Once it rests on the bottom you can jiggle the rod tip. Its pretty effective if the bass are looking at it and dont really wanna bite.

2) You can raise your rod tip up 3-6 inches,reel,and let it go back to the bottom and repeat.

3) It can also be used as a search bait. Cast it out toward deeper water. Slow roll it like a spinner bait. I would much rather use a big spinnerbait for it. But its just another technique.

But the Most important thing to do is to experiment with it. If you got a pool or even some shallow, clear water, where you can see the jig. That would be helpful for you to come accustomed to how much the jig raises up when you jig. Im sure Dietz or someone else will have some other ways to fish it. Good Luck!

[ZOKU]

Thanks, Juice!!

[CASTnBLAST]

If you thought getting the pork on the hook was tough wait till you try and remove it !There is a small hole punched in the pork for the hook to run through and with a little patience you can remove the trailer to store for later use.You want to hook it from the bottom up the top of the pork being the smooth/flat side.

I pitch this lure to specific target areas and quickly real it back when it out of the suspected strike zone.Pitching is easier in my opinion than flipping and can easily be learned with a little practise,it took me less than 15 min. with each of my 2 boys.Many of my strikes are on the initial drop of the jig so stay sharp.Simply overhand casting and bombing the water isn't what this lure was intended for but learn it and you'll love it.

[delmuts]

one trick we used to use for removing pork trailers; was to turn the pork around after using it.pressing down and sliding it back up and off the hook. ( after fishing it for a while you elongate the hole and by turning it; it gives you a little better angle to slide it off) this mite help.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Del-n the easiest way to get pork off is to not use it. Plastic has more colors and better action and it never gets caught on the barb causing a missed fish. I used to use pork a lot. Then I started using it only in real cold water.. now I havn't used pork in about 5 years..

[ZOKU]

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I pitch this lure to specific target areas and quickly real it back when it out of the suspected strike zone.Pitching is easier in my opinion than flipping and can easily be learned with a little practise,it took me less than 15 min. with each of my 2 boys.Many of my strikes are on the initial drop of the jig so stay sharp.Simply overhand casting and bombing the water isn't what this lure was intended for but learn it and you'll love it.

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Aside from pitching it to specific cover, is it effective at all in open water? i.e., working shorelines? Or is it primarily used for boat docks, fallen trees, lily pads, etc, etc?

Once pitched, is it just a couple of jigs up and down? Or is effective if reeled back in? Also, I know since it's a finesse bait - is it mandatory or most effective when worked super slow?

[TonkaBass]

The jig is one of the most effective baits around. Trust me, it's hard to fish it wrong. Swimming, yo-yoing, pitchin' - flippin', jigging, dragging, over-the-shoulder, just about any retrieve. I will throuw in, most already know, black/blue is a classic!

Northland Jungle Jigs are the BOMB!!!

[ZOKU]

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Northland Jungle Jigs are the BOMB!!!

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I'll hafta keep my eyes out for this brand/model... thanks for the tip!

[delmuts]

dietz! i only use plastics too, but thought i would mention about the pork trailers just in case!

[ZOKU]

OK. Tried this for just a little while on Waconia this morning. I simply do not have the confidence I probably should in this rig... And despite the weed guard on the jig I've got, it honestly isn't all that 'weedless'. I don't recall what brand I purchased.

Aside from the pork trailer, what else do you guys use as a trailer for this bait? I was almost gonna put a plastic worm (senko, maybe?) at the end - but thought it seemed kinda odd.

Help?

[TonkaBass]

My fav trailer is the Zoom Super Chunk. I ussually thread it on the jig.

(Make sure the "chunk" portion of the trailer is on the outside of the hook when you thread it on, this give you the most gap.)

[fish'n 4 fun]

zoco,

I've seen a lot of different products used for trailers. Personally, I like soft plastic grubs/twister tails. Basically anything that will make the bait appear big a bulky. Also, so it won't fall quite as fast. Be creative with color combinations and appearance.

[RandyFish]

Zoku,

I am just learing Jig and pig this summer -- I was very frustrated until recently.

I finally am having luck -- jiggin' is quite a blast.

Here are my suggestions, where I am having some luck:

Specific use: Pitched right up to the banks (I actually wind up pulling the jig off the bank into the water many times) underneath overhanging branches, Large rocks, etc.)

Action used: Cast out. Reel up slack but do not move the jig. Wait. I count to 20. then lightly wiggle the jig. If no hit, snap your wrists back to "pop" the jig, let the jig fall and wait a bit, then repeat process a couple times.

If no hit, reel in, Recast. Repeat.

Jig Color and size: Black/blue for dirty water. Tan/green for clearer. about 3/8-1 ounce size.

IMPORTANT NOTE ON SIZE: Make sure pick a size that will allow you to keep a tight line, so you can "feel" the jig...the a bite on a jig is very different than other lures. (A slightly heavy jig may be best when learning. I have not used any smalll jigs at all) I have seen the fish swimming with a jig before I felt the bite.

Because of the strange bites, I used braided line to help me feel the bite. I just switched to a Flouracarbon becausde I switched reels, and I like that for jigging a lot. As low stretch -- it seems -- as braided.

I have been getting the best hook ups with a jig called "The Rock Jig." Others have worked, too, including the Jungle Jig.

Trailers: Plastics. No pork. Dark Blue or green/tan to match jig. I really like to have trailers that float when the jig is not moving (look like craw claws). Have used Yum Brand.

I have been using 3X Plastic Craws -- these things are highly bouyant (they do not sink, ever). I cut them to shorten them and use the claw portion as trailer. Storm and Power Bait makes a bouyant craw,too.

There..that is my rookie's guide to learning the jig...the bite really has improved in the last two weeks ro so.

Other guys on the page know a lot more than I do, but I just wanted you to know that you can figure this out....very, very fun way to catch fish hiding in the shallows.

[Tom Wilson]

I was out there this morning too. The bite today was pretty slow. I only caught 8 Bass this morning, and one Muskie. I stuck with a shallow pattern this morning, just because it has been so successful as of late. This cold front didn't help keep my fish up shallow. It is nice to see the water temps back in the low 70's though. Two of the eight were nice, but the rest were dinks. Which Boat were you guys in, and how'd you do?

[CASTnBLAST]

Alot of guys are knockin pork as opposed to plastic most likely because of the cost factor.I feel the fish tend to hold onto pork a bit longer and if your fishing the gnarly stuff the jig was intended to your going to go through plastic aplenty(not to mention the bait munchers who love rippin them little claws off).Just remember to keep the pork damp if you start fishing with another rig or the pork will end up looking like a chunk of jerky.Eventually the little hole punched in the pork will get larger and fall off the jig though(I know it's hard to believe).

[ZOKU]

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I was out there this morning too. The bite today was pretty slow. I only caught 8 Bass this morning, and one Muskie. I stuck with a shallow pattern this morning, just because it has been so successful as of late. This cold front didn't help keep my fish up shallow. It is nice to see the water temps back in the low 70's though. Two of the eight were nice, but the rest were dinks. Which Boat were you guys in, and how'd you do?

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Tom:

You definitely did better than us. We were out there around 6:30 a.m. Only managed to boat one bass... a nice 4-pounder. Also got a decent sized Muskie near the boat but actually managed to lose him when the net was put in the water.

Blah. Overall, I was hopin' for a better day... I couldn't do anything right.

My buddy has a simple 14' Alumacraft... I saw your trailer in the parking lot and I may have caught a glimpse of your boat on the lake - but never really got very close. *shrug*

[delmuts]

you will still get hung up on stuff at times. and in weeds ( depending on the type) you will still have some problems. one thing yo can try is to grab the weed guard and spread it out so it gives you a wider/ and maybe a little more protection .i do this; plus i trim the weed guard down so it only sticks above the hook by a little . it doesn't seem to change the effectiveness of the guard and makes for a little less that the fish has to bite on to get into the hook point.