Jigging for Bass with Lighter Tackle
Fishing with jigs is the most versatile, affordable, and arguably the most fun way to catch bass. Jigs are effective throughout the year whether you fish from a boat or shore. The versatility is found in the weights and styles of the heads, the material and colors. Jigs can be fished throughout the water column, but are best fished bouncing on the bottom where fish are usually found. You can fish jigs fast, fish them slow or fish them still. Jigs are equally effective in lakes and rivers.
Catch More Bass with Jigs
Large and smallmouth bass are the most sought after fish in America. Bass inhabit lakes, ponds, creeks and rivers that are within easy reach of most fishermen and women. While there is a vast number of baits and techniques that bass fishermen use, fishing with jigs is the most versatile, affordable, and arguably the most fun way to catch bass. Jigs are effective throughout the year whether you fish from a boat or shore.
The versatility is found in the weights and styles of the heads, the material and colors. Jigs can be fished throughout the water column, but are best fished bouncing on the bottom where fish are usually found. You can fish jigs fast, fish them slow or fish them still. Jigs are equally effective in lakes and rivers.
There are many ways to fish jigs. Cast your jig out and let it sink to the bottom and hob it back. You can fish vertically with a yo-yo motion. Tip it with a piece of nightcrawler, minnow or just fish it as is. For suspended fish, countdown to the desired depth and swim it back with an erratic motion imitating an escaping bait fish. You can also hang a jig under a large slip bobber to keep your bait suspended in the strike zone.
The relative low price of a jig enables you to stock up on enough sizes and colors for most anticipated situations without breaking the bank. Stock up on both imitator and attractor patterns.
With a few simple tools and learning a couple basic knots you can learn to tie your own jigs. Few fishing moments are as rewarding as catching a fish on your own creating. View this video by a FishUSA Product Specialist demonstrating how simple tying jigs can be!
Jigs are made with many materials. Bucktail is the most common. Maribou, with its enticing built-in action is very popular as are all the variations of plastics. FishUSA stocks a wide range of jigs from various manufacturers.
My Favorite Jigs for Bass
These quality buck hair jigs have excellent profiles and are offered in 7 life-like colors. Sizes range from 1/8 to 3/8-oz. The sculpted minnow jig head and premium Mustad Ultra-Point hooks imitate baitfish or crawfish. The 1/4-oz Golden Shiner is a favorite of mine for river fishing for smallmouth bass.
These innovative jigs will do double-duty for other species of fish but are in the wheelhouse of bass fishermen. Beautifully painted jig heads are followed by a new skirt combination of glow-in-the-dark and flashabou fibers. This unique skirt reflects light and attracts fish near and far. Patterns with chartreuse in the 1/8 to 3/8-oz. range are deadly on bass.
Berkley Fusion 19 Bucktail Jig
The unique feature of this jig is it has two hook "pull-points" or "line-ties". The top pull-point is for vertical jigging, the nose pull-point for casting, drifting or trolling. A bait keeper on the shank of the hook ensures your soft plastic or live bait will not be easily pulled off. This extremely versatile jig comes in sizes from 1/8-oz. to 1-oz. in 8 colors.
I love baits with vivid eyes, and if you do too, the VMC Bucktail Jig, with its 3D holographic eyes are tailor made for you. These jigs are available in 1/8, 1/4 and 3/8-oz. sizes and 8 color patterns. For bass I recommend the Firetiger and Chartreuse/White in the size appropriate for your waters.
VMC Dominator Marabhttps://www.fishusa.com/VMC-Dominator-Marabou-Jig/ou Jig
No jig arsenal is complete without an ample supply of marabou jigs. No other material has the natural undulating action of marabout. Marabou is particularly effective for vertical jigging. The Dominator has a 60 degree rotated jig eye enabling you to impart more control to maximize the action of the jig. A hint of flashabou fibers reflects a light to attract fish. The Dominator is available in basic black, brown and white in 1/16, 1/8 and 1/4-oz.