How to Use a Jig for Bass Fishing

Jig fishing for bass is a centuries-old technique and one of the most effective and varied methods of catching bass. While jigs can be effective for catching fish, not many anglers are aware of their potential or know how to effectively employ them. This is why you should know how to use a jig for bass fishing.

How to Use a Jig for Bass Fishing

To catch bass using the jigging technique, a skirted jig and a plastic grub or craw imitation trailer are moved along the bottom or reeled through the water column. Jig fishing for bass is a simple and fundamental fishing technique that everyone should learn.

The reason for this is that you can cast them out pretty much anywhere on the ocean without knowing what is going on below. Bass jigging is a technique that catches fish all over the United States in both large and small bodies of water due to its versatility in imitating a wide variety of bait characteristics.

This guide has been curated to help you understand how to use a jig for bass fishing. It will cover the following:

• All the types of jigs you need
• How to choose the right jig and trailers
• The gear you will need, and
• The various techniques behind jigging

Types of Jigs to Use for Bass Fishing

You can think of a bass jig as a hook with a weight and an eye connected to it. Then, they have rubber skirts with hooks for weed guards. In contrast, a very efficient presentation is not necessary for multiple styles.

The weight and shape of a bass jig are the primary determinants of its design. Depending on these two factors, a jig can be used in either shallow or deep water. Here are a few of the best types of jigs to use for bass fishing:

Football Head Jigs

Football head jigs are one of the most popular and widely utilized jigs. They are fantastic for hard-bottom lakes. Their larger heads prevent them from getting snagged on rocks, lumber, and other objects on the lake floor.

It also distinguishes them from other side-lying jigs as they can even stand upright. However, large heads are not an ideal choice when fishing around vegetation as a result of potential snagging.

Swim Jigs

Using swim jigs for bass is a very popular and easy-to-understand fishing technique. Simply retrieve it like a spinnerbait or baitfish lure. They have a sharp bullet-style head that helps them move through cover. They also make hookups simpler since bass bite them as they move.

Flipping Jigs

Flipping jigs get you into dense, murky cover when fishing. These jigs come with weed guards that are usually tight and lack too much play. Some come with a built-in rattle for more attention.

Flipping jigs can weigh as much as one ounce. This makes them a perfect option to use where big bass are likely hiding in dense vegetation.

How to Choose the Right Jig for Bass Fishing

To determine the right jig to use in any given scenario, you should know what the bass in that locality are feeding on. You would also have to consider other factors like:

• Geographic location
• Weather patterns, and
• Seasons

This helps you determine the color and size of the jig to use.

Color

While the color of the jigs you would use depends on several factors, there are 3 basic colors you should have.

• Green Pumpkin – This is your go-to color when fishing in clear water.
• Black and Blue – This is an ideal choice when fishing in murky waters or when the weather is cold, stormy, or cloudy.
• White – This is another option for fishing in clear waters, though it is more suited for fishing around structures.

Size

The wind and the depth of the water are two factors that influence the size of the jig you use. You have to use a larger lure when it gets windier. If your jig is too light, the wind will blow your line and you would be unable to stay in contact with the bottom. Use a heavier jig instead.

Using a jig with the right weight for the depth of the water will get you great results. When the water is deeper, use a heavier jig to cast further and go deeper. You do not necessarily have to fish the bottom of the water when it is deep since most bass live in a suspended area.

Best Trailers for Jigging for Bass

Picking a trailer depends on where you plan to fish. Keep in mind the different trailer affects the behavior of the bait. It mimics the baitfish species, the appearance, and the shape of the bait. Make sure you line up the trailer correctly with the type of jig head you’re using as well.

The three best trailers to use when jigging for bass are:

• Chunks – Ideal for thick vegetation and cover
• Grubs – Easy to use and recommended for beginner anglers
• Craws – Most suited for fishing for bass in deep waters

Best Gear for Jigging for Bass

To properly fish with a jig for bass, one needs a high-quality setup of equipment. The outcome of your fishing trip and your ability to seize advantageous situations could be negatively impacted by using the improper combination of rod and reel.

The longer the rod, the better. A longer length aids in casting into deeper water and placing the bait precisely. Both casting and spinning rods have their advantages, so choose the one that best suits your fishing technique.

The best fishing reel for you is the one that fits your own preferences and fishing technique. You may, however, try casting and conventional reels because of how well they transmit motion.

Jigging Techniques for Bass Fishing

There are two main ways to cast your jig while bass fishing with jigs. Both techniques have various scenarios that they are more suited for. Here is a rundown of these techniques:

Pitching a Jig

You can quickly and precisely get underneath obstacles like docks and branches by using the pitching technique. Standard procedure calls for:

1. A firm push on the spool or opening bail. You can use your other hand to give your bait or the line a gentle pinch.
2. Next, direct your rod’s tip toward your intended target. It is essential to apply pressure to the spool as soon as the bait touches the water to reduce the amount of slack and prevent a backlash.
3. Reel it in and head back to the boat by clicking the handle forward.

Flipping a Jig

In shallow water, where fish are easily spooked, flipping is a sneaky technique worth trying. You have to let out just the right amount of line to hit the mark. To be effective, the bass must be within a very short distance.

1. After letting go of the line, place it somewhere on the ground, away from the water.
2. Next, pinch your line, using your other hand, between the reel and the first guide.
3. Raise your pole so that the bait is hanging below the surface.
4. Make a casting motion similar to a pendulum, releasing your line at the highest point of the swing, toward the fish of your choice.

Conclusion

At this point, you should know everything there is to know about using a jig for bass fishing. This technique is really basic and incredibly effective if you put the time and effort into it. Ensure you keep practicing as that will help you learn how the bite of bass feels across the various objects your line touches.