I've been jigging for stripers on wire for years, and it seems I'm always learning something new and/or getting new advice. How do you like to jig?

Fixed hook or swivel hook?

Straight hook or off-set hook?

Dressed (pork rind) or undressed?

Hand jig or jig the rod?

Quick short jigging or long sweeping jigging?

Preferred colors? (and when)?

Tied direct to the wire or use a leader?

Big bucktails or parachutes?

Favorite spot? (please provide latitude and longitude) ....just kidding! :laughs:

here we go. straight, fixed hook always with a trailer. quick jerks with the ROD. white and pink bucktails in daytime and black and reds at night. always use a leader, preferably with a loop in it so your bucktail swings side to side a little also. as for my favorite spot, it's along the bottom. good luck.

4-6 oz. parachutes.
swinging strait hook.
chartruce or white w/ red head. w/ red pork.
fast short pumps with the rod{upside down}
6' of 80# mono w/a loop knot.
strait down the center of the main shipping lanes in the harbor. 40'-60' :lasso:

4-6 oz bucktail on 300-400 ft straight shot of wire. No leader. Tied direct with an improved haywire twist. Use rod with roller tip so if you are going to jig with the rod, you can jig on the wire.
The style of jig (round head, bullet head, smiling bill)is dictated by the bottom .
We have never used any trailers or such.
I used to jig with the rod, but due to the bum shoulder this year, have been jiggin with my hand.
As for jig method, it is just like fishing with anything else. I mix it up. Some times quick jerks, other times just a slow lazy drag jig. Just work it till it works right.

Jiggin is all a game of feel, but in my opinion is the most productive method for cathing bass ( and blues)

Lessons available.

Book a charter on Ave maria,
and the lessons will be free!!!
You can take your pick of jiggin Boston harbor or cape cod bay!

Great to hear how other people do it. I've gotten to where I prefer to jig by hand, not only when I'm driving my boat, but even with someone else at the helm. I can feel even a swirl behind the jig. I'm not crazy about tying direct (haywire twist), but I've had it recommended to me many times. I guess I'd rather lose the leader to a pot or rock than to have to cleat off or cut the wire.

What I've found, that no one's mentioned, is off-setting the hooks. I've noticed a much better hook-up rate with the off-set. I think it's because often the bass hit the jig head-on, and knock the jig off to the side. With an off-set, they often catch the hook going by. Opinions?

I could use a lesson because I have lost the touch. What do you charge :D

My 9 year old son has out fished me with this recipe:
300 feet of wire
30 feet of 70# flouro ( albright knot )
4 oz black and red
hand jiggin'
no dressings or teasers1
great luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great to hear how other people do it. I've gotten to where I prefer to jig by hand, not only when I'm driving my boat, but even with someone else at the helm. I can feel even a swirl behind the jig. I'm not crazy about tying direct (haywire twist), but I've had it recommended to me many times. I guess I'd rather lose the leader to a pot or rock than to have to cleat off or cut the wire.

What I've found, that no one's mentioned, is off-setting the hooks. I've noticed a much better hook-up rate with the off-set. I think it's because often the bass hit the jig head-on, and knock the jig off to the side. With an off-set, they often catch the hook going by. Opinions?


2 Points
I ALLWAYS jig by hand!!!
In my opinion, I can feel the slightest hit jiggin by hand, and usually I slow up my jig after that hit, and moments later I have that fish on!!!
I use jigs with with a fixed hook (NO swinging hooks)
But I take that fixed hook and put a few bends in it!