Bass Jigs
Jigs are considered to be some of the best bass bait that can be used throughout the entire year and in all situations; they are never a bad choice despite of fishing methods. Of course, you need to be aware of the fact that lures do not do magic and in some days a crankbait could work better, or a spinnerbait as a matter of fact. Basically it is up to you to decide which to use in a fishing day. However, jigs are recommended for cold water conditions when the slow presentation is essential or in rather delicate situations when the bass are hard to catch. Do not misinterpret us, jigs are not efficient only in winter, they can be used with tremendous results in spring and summer that is why we recommend you to use it anytime, anywhere with high hopes. It can be used in a wide variety of areas where bass inhabit like cold water drop-offs or around weedbeds during late summer, early fall.
In the following we will describe how to retrieve the bass jigs. These jigs are usually worked slowly across the bottom, across objects and structures that might inhabit bass. There are some cases in which you can cast a jig into a nice looking location and let it “rest off” for a couple of minutes before starting the retrieving maneuvers. In some cases, the bass will snatch up the bait where it lies but however, most of the bites will occur when a jig is falling. It will either be on the initial cast or after a little bit of jigging by the fishermen. We recommend that you work the jig slowly with a bit of anticipation.
We strongly do not recommend casting and retrieving jigs quickly, as with other baits and we advise you that each cast should take a little period of time. The power of the bass jigs lies in their ability to be twitched and hopped along in a slowly matter thus luring the bass into taking the bait. The bass jigs are known for being ideal for heavy brush environments. Surprisingly, the bass jigs are snag-proof.
As far as choosing the right jig size, you need to know to simple facts:
1. The smaller baits are in most cases efficient;
2. It is essential to be able to comprehend the action of the bass jig.
These two simple factors can form you a much clearer image about the size of the jig you need. Keep in mind that the smaller and slower baits with a thinner line and low visibility are considered by many to be more efficient at catching bass in comparison to their bigger brothers. It is advisable to search for the lightest bait and line you can procure. However, if you are not able to tell what is going on with your bait under the water because it is a windy day or there is a heavy current, we recommend switching to a heavier jig but do not overdo it. The heavier lines will affect the rate of the jig’s fall, as follows: a light line will make a jig fall faster while a heavier line will make it fall slower, simple as that. In tough situations, for example in the winter or when there are cold fronts and heavy angling pressure, a heavy jig will be less efficient than a light model.
If you are wondering what you can add to your jig, keep reading this article. Many among us know the bass jigs as jig-n’-pigs, mainly due to the reason that a pork rind trailer is hooked onto the jig for the simple purpose of making it more appealing to the bass. In most cases, these are cut in a wedge shape similar to a frog. They are most efficient in deep water but keep in mind that they are sensitive to drying out which is why if you have not gone fishing for a while, it is advisable to take it off and replace it.
If you are using a light jig it is best to use light pork rinds or dark jigs. If you have a dark blue jig, a black pork trailer might be appropriate. If you are looking to get more bites, which we think so, use a smaller trailer instead of using a larger one because it looks like bigger fish enjoy bigger trailers.
Another popular trailer for jigs is the plastic crawfish which stands up when the jig is resting on the bottom. Because the crawfish is hooked onto the jig’s tail, it adds superiors appeal to the bass. Choose smaller sizes for these trailers. As far as coloring is concerned, a general rule would be to use light colors for sunny days. For nights and overcast days, use dark colors. Mylar jigs should be used when there is a strong sunlight. You need to know that the bass prefers certain colors at specific locations under specific conditions.