Jigs and pigs

[Slyster]

Here's one for you... (similar to my last jig question.. but more specific- I still haven't gotten that book!)

I use mostly plastics (Senko types) and occasionally spinners and cranks.

Now I bought a jig kit from Bass Pro Shops.. has 12 jigs along with lots of different plastics chunks etc. A goal this summer is to learn these lures.

When and where is the best place to take Jigs and Pigs out- where would they be of more use than my trusty spinner, stick plastics, and cranks. Heavy weedlines? Docks? Sunny mid day times?

Or is it just more of a current taste the fish have?

[musky hunter]

I surely am no expert on plastics, but here is how I got the idea to try a crawfish imitation. I was walking along a paved pathway next to the water for a summer stroll with my hon. We noticed paired crayfish claws on the walk but no other crayfish parts. Since it was 3' above the water, just how did they get there? The mystery was solved when a seagull plunged under water, grabbed a crayfish, dropped it on the bank, nipped off the claws, and promptly swallowed whole and wiggling the rest of the crayfish. Me being the observant fisherman couldn't help but wonder what else swam in the water and might eat a crayfish. The next day I was at Gander buying crayfish immitations and found out they WORK! But it took an observation to inspire me to try it. Well, that's my tip of the day.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Good question sly--And I am going to give the easy answer.. there is no bad time to throw a jig!

[Chris Haley]

The jig is the most versitle lure out there. You can throw/pitch/skip/swim a jig in ANY condition. If I could only have two rods in a boat, one would be a jig and pig and the other a spinner bait rig.

[Slyster]

Cool.. can't wait to try my hand at them! Tx

[RandyFish]

Sly...

I went through my jig learning last summer -- it took me a while, but I now love them.

I use my pig-jig when I want to target a particular hunk of cover. Once you figure out casting them, you can literally throw them like a dart, right where you want them...They are fairly weedless (though if you hang up on wood, yipes).

So if I am working a shoreline, and I see stumps or a downed tree (or an isolated patch of lily pads)...you can literally bounce the jig off the stump and it will drop next to it...Then work it very slowly -- in fact if you get the jig into the area, leave it sit for 30 seconds or so. then just give a hop or two and leave it sit again...

To sum up, I use it for specific targets and fish it slowly....

It's not my "go-to" lure (I am too antsy), but it is my "go-to pretty quickly" lure.

I think I like it because it is really a hassle-free way to fish...I can eat a sandwich when I jig fish.

Also, they are heavy enough to allow you to "stay back" off nice looking cover and make accurate casts. I think I get too close many times, since I use a lot of senkos, flukes, etc. You have be reletively tight to cover to accurate with those lures.

RandyFish

[NuttyGambler]

We had a guide down on Lake Fork who had a great way of getting jigs off of wood. We never lost one jig that day and I'm not sure I can count as high as we had wood hang-ups.

He would take the line in front of the real with both hands, with your arms shoulder width apart. (Note rod can be laying on the deck of the boat) Hold the line tight in your weak hand and then pull back with your strong hand like pulling a bow string. Then release it with a snap. Do this two or three times and the jig snaps free. Takes a little practice, but is amazing how it works.

[Boedigheimer]

Slyster, I have had my best jig-n-pig fishing in the heat of the summer, usually weedline stuff(15-25ft.). I start off with a jig-n pig, then go to a jig-worm. I like a 5/16oz. bass jig and a 1/8oz. mushroom head for hardware.

[delmuts]

my tip would be; after you have used your other lures on a spot. rework that area/spot with a jig! you may be surprised !

[Can'tFishEnuf]

Sorry, just started bass fishing last year. What is a jig and pig? Is it one of those jigs with a rubber skirt and then throw some kind of plastic on it? What weight jig do you usually use? All I did last year was throw spinners and texas-rig plastics. Would like to broaden my horizons a little this year.

[Captain B.R.K]

Quote:

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Sorry, just started bass fishing last year. What is a jig and pig? Is it one of those jigs with a rubber skirt and then throw some kind of plastic on it? What weight jig do you usually use? All I did last year was throw spinners and texas-rig plastics. Would like to broaden my horizons a little this year.

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Exactly what a jig-n-pig is. I typically will throw a super chuck from ZOOM or a crawdad imitation too. As for weight, it really depends on what depth water, what cover you are trying to punch through, and even fish mood. I don't have a general overall oz. for you to buy, but just buy a few in each size.

I just started fishing the jig-n-pig late last summer and have some confidence in it. It is a slower pace vs. chucking a spinnerbait or crank, but it produces fish!!

[delmuts]

if you go back in this forum, you will find some very good info about jigs . but , yes! they are the jigs with skirts. many time we use the ones that have a rattle, but once in a while it works better not to have one on. lure weights can range any where from a 1/8 oz. to a 1 oz. it depends if you are tossing them into heavy weeds, or want a smaller presentation and a slower fall. the main size is usually a 3/8 to a 1/2. colors vary, but black and blue is kind of a main stay. what to tip them with? chunks,craws,grubs, or ??? that varies from person to person. this is just the tip of the uses!

[Can'tFishEnuf]

Thank guys, I will have to pick-up a few and give them a try this year. I lived down south, where bass is king, for 10 years and only fished for trout on a fly. I didn't know what I was missing. Them bass are a blast.