Though there is more than one type of fishing jig, and countless more ways than that to fish one, these can be among the most effective pieces of tackle in your repertoire.
This short post will go over some high level notes for how to work one along with some general observations.
Table of Contents
How to Work a Jig
The best way to work a jig depends on three things:
- The type of jig you are fishing
- The species you are fishing for
- And what that species responds to on a given day
The first two are easy to figure out, the last one will require you to pay close attention on the day you’re out there.
That said, some effective techniques for jig fishing include:
- Hopping a trailer on a jighead along the bottom. This can be highly effective when fishing for flatfish or when searching an area to see what’s around.
- Yo-yoing it vertically through the water column. This covers a lot of vertical space and can help you dial in on how deep the fish you’re targeting are.
- Twitching or jigging it at a specified depth. This technique can be effective on fish that are suspended at a specific depth and which are not willing to leave that portion of the water column.
- Finding structure and letting it clatter on and around it as you work the lure. This will result in some snags, but it will send out loud vibrations that will attract fish.
- Straight retrieving; this is one of the least effective techniques, but it can work on fish that are very aggressive.
General Tips for Jig Fishing
While jigging can be highly effective on a wide range of target species, there are some things you can do to ensure that your technique attracts fish. Here are some general observations:
- If fishing a soft plastic or a trailer on a jighead, periodically inspect the lure before casting or dropping down again to make sure that it is properly seated, and not twisted around it.
- If fishing a metal jig, consider tipping the hooks with real bait or with a scented plastic, as this can add color, movement, and scent that can attract skittish fish.
- Inspect your metals between casts or drops to make sure they are not fouled; the action of jigging can cause the hooks to wrap around the lure body or the leader, which will foul the lure and prevent a proper hookset.
- Slow down; pauses are generally a good thing when jigging and most fish will strike when the lure is either stationary or when it is falling through the water column.
- At the same time, if fish are feeding aggressively, don’t be afraid to speed up your retrieve; it will throw more vibrations and you will not be able to take in line faster than a fish can come hit it.
- Find and target structure. You will almost always perform better and boat more fish if you are working your jig around or casting to structure than if you are fishing in open water.
Explore Jig Heads, Slow Pitch Jigs and More
Hopefully you found these suggestions helpful and put at least some of them into practice the next time you’re out on the water.
Till then, if you need to stock up with some new tackle, visit Johnny Jigs. They carry a wide range of tackle including slow pitch jigs and other fishing tools and accessories. Visit their website and get in touch with them if you have questions or want recommendations before buying.
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