Jig Fishin

[deer0373]

I have been trying to get more confident fishing a jig, but am struggling on knowing when/how to set the hook. I have been attempting to set the hook similar to how I do with my shakey head bites, but haven't hooked up on a single fish. Matter of fact, if I feel the "thump" and allow time for the fish to take the bait, I rarely, if ever, even feel any further action. It's like the fish bumps the bait and then never touches it again.
I guess my main question is, Once I feel the bite, do I immediately try to cross his eyes, or should I be giving the fish a 2 count to inhale it? I know this is a bigger fish bait, and that's what I need to improve on catching.

[fishcraze]

my thoughs, I'm not a huge jig fisher but this is what I do :)
most jigs I hit them as soon as they hit me, just like a worm,the only difference is a heavy football jig I'll try to wait a sec then hit em. It seems it takes them a little longer to get the FB jig in their crunchers.

at least a start :)
good luck
Danny

[Tone2129]

I love to fish jigs, I will fish a jig year round! If you feel the "thump" just cross their eyes. You can not set the hook too hard. If you feel another "thump" that means that the fish has dropped it.

It is somewhat true to wait a split second for a fish to take the jig, but by the time I reel up the slack to set the hook that second has passed and I rip their lips off!

Tight lines,

Tony

[dchance]

Denny Bauer did a seminar here and asked why we see so many people "go on Point" when they think they have a bite. then look at you and say "I think I just had a bite" He said he cannot understand why they were not just setting the hook instead of staring at their rod tip. His best quote was...

"If you are fishing in my boat, you better wear a hardhat, cuz there are gonna be some jigs flyin"


He feels or sees anyhting out of the ordinary, he sets it NOW.

[Fiddlefarter]

I wait for nothing. Don't matter if its a jig or worm. I feel one touch it and I cross their eyes. Since I began doing that I hook-up more. It is very extra important to do this with a jig IMO.

[Fish Loco]

Another thing Denny Bauer Say's ,it don't cost you nothing to set the hook on a jig. So when in doubt jerk and don't wait do it now.

[jb196]

most people fail to keep the rod in a good position while working a jig...most people I see get caught off guard due to rod position...takes some discipline to stay cocked and ready...the beauty of jig fishing is any one pitch can make the day...if you can remember that it will help you stay ready,,,some of your bigger fish won't make the bite so noticable..try and be ready to set before your jig ever hits the bottom

[DrCrankinstein]

Anytime you feel a tick with a jig you better be coming out of your shoes. Jigs are a great crawfish imitator and a bass isn't going to pick it up and look it over before he decides to fill his stomach. Normally, they just innihilate it. I always think about like a cat and mouse game, whomever feels the other one first usually wins!

Hooksets are free. If you feel a tick, set the hook because bass don't have hands...

[deer0373]

Thanks guys. I gotta get rid of this habit of "waiting" to set the hook.

[fishcraze]

one more thought(for now:) sometimes you'll get one that will knock the sh!t out of it and not be there. Let it sit, shake it, then swim it off like a crawfish that's trying to get away.

Danny