Jig fishing the multi tool

If it swims it can and has been caught on a jig. Many anglers are nervous on the thought of mastering jig fishing and truth be told it is simple to learn. The old round ball head is a staple on any guide boat or seasoned angler.

I believe more crappies are caught on jigs than minnows. It might be the action style tails, tubes or the marabou feather types. Walleye are caught on action tails; action tails tipped with livebait or just live bait. Trophy bass are caught on a Texas Rig which is a version of a jig.

Jigs eliminate sinkers. They establish pinpoint control and you control the speed. A lighter head will flutter and glide easier than a heavier head. A heavier head maintains better bottom contact especially in deep water or under windy conditions.

Vertical jigging is the easiest and fastest way to a mess of fish. Never allow more than a 45 degree angle and try for a perfect straight up and down presentation.
 
This might mean moving up one or two weight sizes but the control is critical for bottom hugging fish. Remember to drag is to snag and on a river system this results in a lot of tying. The most common weights start at 1/64 and up to 3/8. You can get smaller heads and much heavier heads for specific situations.

Maintain a vertical presentation while raising your rod tip and dropping it down. You will feel the bottom when the jig hits the bottom. If your jig feels weightless set the hook. Most often a game fish will suck in the jig on the fall or drop of the jig. This creates the weightless feeling.

Under most conditions a small hop of 4-8 inches is perfect. Lift up and drop back down. Very simple and it works in any depth of water.

The round head is the most popular and versatile head. However, when working over a lot of rock the slider or glider style head works great. It is also a perfect choice when drifting or slow trolling because the design will allow a nice side to side action in addition to the lift and drop. In addition to these heads anglers will find rattlin heads, prop heads, tube heads and sticker style heads.

Bass and walleye anglers have their choice between plastics or live bait. Popular livebait includes a half of a crawler, a leech or a minnow. In the fall a large chub or sucker minnow draws large walleye, pike and big bass.

Crappie and bluegill are often suspended. If you see schools of fish on your Hummingbird graph take note of the depth. Then simply count down the line to match the depth. On many rods the distance from the reel to the first guide is between 20 and 24 inches. Ten foot down would require 5 or 6 pulls.

Crappie and bluegill anglers do well with the plastic tails and the marabou jig heads. Popular plastic tails include the Whip R Snap and the Whip R Knocker. The old Pinky jig is perhaps the favorite of all time in the non plastic category. All can be purchased through Stopper Lures.

Use the lightest jig as possible and running two very small jigs in tandem a favorite technique of mine.

If you want to master the art of casting a jig try it out on crappie first. With a 25 fish limit you will learn first hand the difference between a weed, log or rock from a fish. Crappies have a distinct thump when they hit and a few days on the water will prep you for the skills used on bass and walleye.

Vertical jigging can be used on all bodies of water and virtually and depth. Match the jig head weight to your needs. Casting over a weed flat easy to learn and mastered quickly when chasing down crappie or bluegill.
 

Story by:
Jack Payne

Photo caption:
walleye caught on a jig
 

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