FISHING TIPS
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FISHING TIPS |
TIPS FOR JIGS |
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| From: BASSBLITZ |
| When you look at jigs, they all
appear to be pretty much the same. However, there are some subtle differences which
can hamper their ability to perform. Some are best suited for heavy cover, and some for open water. Either can also be effective in both situations, but if you buy jigs only on the basis of size and color, you may be missing other qualitys of the jig which may help you. All jigs will catch fish in any place, but some are more effective when used in a manner they are designed to suit. Firstly, consider the hook. Is it a light wire hook, or a heavier hook. A light wire hook is probably not suitable for flippin into heavy cover, as it may give way and bend or break on a larger fish, especially if it gets wrapped around something. Whereas a heavy hook won't. (shouldn't). Conversely, a heavy hook is less suitable for open water fishing. Make sure that the hook is a quality hook. Lots of jigs come with Mustad needle point hooks, these are great hooks. Check the weed guards. If they are too long, trim them. Long weed guards may cause the fish to quickly reject the jig, before you get a chance to set the hook, if he feels the guard. Cut them on an angle, so the point of the hook is protected, but the rest of them don't stick out. You need them to protect the point, but not get in the way. Trailers........ use them often. When the water is cooler, it's best to try a pork trailer, as this will give the jig a slower, more seductive look. As the water warms up, try plastic, for a quicker retrieve. The size of the trailer also plays a part. Use a larger trailer in dirtier water, for more displacement and vibration. The trailer, along with the skirt and weight of the jig, plus the hook weight, play a part in how fast the jig falls. You want to keep the jig in the strike zone for as long as possible. In shallow water, you want a slower falling jig. The size of the trailer will greatly affect the rate of fall. It's sometimes very tough in shallow water, with heavy cover to get the right combination, as a lighter jig will fall slower, but may not penetrate the cover. Find the right combination, and remember it. When using pork trailers, ALWAYS put the fat side of the trailer, away from the point of the hook. (when the jig is in the water, the FAT side is on the bottom) This decreases the odds of the trailer flipping forward and getting caught on the hook. When using two toned trailers, put the lighter side facing down, as most prey is built like this.( unless it contradicts the above statement !!!.) Some trailers will slide up the hook shank from time to time. Just put a piece of plastic worm, or surgical tubing, behind it to stop it from sliding. Match the color if possible,,,, or Not ?? Thick pork trailers also pose problems with hook sets, if the hook is not a wide gap hook. Match them accordingly, ot trim some pork. Colors ........... Generally, start with dark colors in stained water, and natural colors, (greens, browns), in clearer waters. Many jigs these days come with rattles, or hace rattle holders Rattles are a good idea on jigs, especially in stained water, and heavy cover situations. If they can't see it, they might hear it ??? Jig heads.............. Ball or round heads for open water, rocks etc. Bullet heads for weeds and brush. Standup heads for open water etc. But don't be scared to use any type anywhere !!! Hook setting....... If you are farmiliar with feeling of a bite when using plastic worms, forget it !!! Most of the time, if you wait for the feeling, you will miss many fish. Granted, many fish will just inhale the jig, or just nail it, But more times than not, they will pick it up and hold it for a second, possibly tasting it ?? Anytime you lose contact with the jig, set the hook !!!!! If you can't feel it on the bottom, or hitting limbs etc, set the hook. If you throw it into 5 feet of water, and it only sinks 3 feet, SET THE HOOK. !!!!! Until Next Month. |