Lure of the Month / bi-week, bi-weekly curious - Part Five - Something Jiggy?

[JohnR]

Got a PM to have this round's Lure be a Jig. Because Jigs are such a big and diverse area, we should split some up to discuss this week and maybe more next week.

Jigs - what should we discuss in this go-round?

[Jackbass]

Favorite plastic/jig head combo rigs.
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[Back Beach]

Its almost time for rubber shads...one of my favorite lures as it turns inept fools like me into experts with little training...worthy of a thread, IMO. Some don't consider them to be jigs, though.

[fishbones]

Originally Posted by Back Beach

Its almost time for rubber shads...one of my favorite lures as it turns inept fools like me into experts with little training...worthy of a thread, IMO. Some don't consider them to be jigs, though.

I was thinking the same thing. Last year was the first that I used the real heavy ones like jigs in deep, fast moving water. They must be pretty good because even I caught fish with them, and I'm about as inept as it gets. Before last year, I had always used the smaller, lighter ones with a more traditional retrieve.

[JohnR]

I'd say lets figure which traditional jigs to go with - shads at a later week, no?

[Jackbass]

Originally Posted by JohnR

I'd say lets figure which traditional jigs to go with - shads at a later week, no?

Shads are multi purpose and deserve their own week. Jigs and jig heads along with their accoutrements (smart Guy talk) can be used in so many different settings that it would be cool to see how others utilize the same items to do different things. For example how many different things have you set up on a wobble head and been successful. Or even a regular old jighead
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[JLH]

Originally Posted by Back Beach

Its almost time for rubber shads...one of my favorite lures as it turns inept fools like me into experts with little training...worthy of a thread, IMO. Some don't consider them to be jigs, though.

I fish them like jigs, usually instead of bucktails unless I know the bluefish are around. I picked up some of the deep shads over the winter and am looking forward to trying them out in a few spots this season!

[tysdad115]

This is definately one of my weakest points fishing jigs. Look forward to reading your input on jigging.

[Got Stripers]

I fish jigs and rubber almost exclusively, starting early spring with 4" split-tails on 3/8 and 1/2 oz Kalin Ulimate jig heads for schoolies, transitioning to heavier heads and bigger baits as the season progresses. I can't think of a more versitle combination, one which will catch everything for scup to 100 lb tarpon.

Stop by my booth at the MSBA show the end of the month, on my board I'll have at least a dozen examples of different jig/rubber combinations. I love a 2-1/2 to 4oz jig with a 7" split tail, around the Vineyard in the summer, I can use the same set-up to drift and jig for stripers, blues, black sea bass and fluke.

[Saltheart]

If I have time I'll write more but here is the biggest thing to be successful with jigs.

Be totally alert when using a jig. You need to be right on top of every feel you get as feedback from the end of your line. A fish grabs a jig just for a second then he knows its not edible. You need to be able to nail the fish instantly or wait a pre planned second or two etc but if you are gabbing or spacing out you miss your chance. The plastic bodies and the ones impregnated with salt may give you an extra second or the fish may be feeding with reckless abandon and inhaling everything at any given time but in general , being totally commited to following that jig at the end of the line with total awareness will mean a huge amount of difference in your success rate with jigs.

If you are bouncing the bottom , you will get feedback through the line and you can tell the difference when its doing what you want or about to get snagged. Again , you have a split second to do something about it or get snagged and possibly lose the jig.

[ProfessorM]

I have been saying I am going to make a mold for that jig Mike for several years as I have some originals but it keeps getting put on the back burner as I really don't fish jigs anymore. I know they work well but I just can't get into it as far as jigging the canal goes.

[Slipknot]

Originally Posted by ProfessorM

I have been saying I am going to make a mold for that jig Mike for several years as I have some originals but it keeps getting put on the back burner as I really don't fish jigs anymore. I know they work well but I just can't get into it as far as jigging the canal goes.

if you don't make it, i will

don't make me do it

[JamesJet]

The jig heads from CC Charlies are also very good.

Why is it that no one makes a collarless jig mold? Most people cut the collar off anyways.

I have been jigging the canal for 4 or 5 years with progressively more and more trip each year dedicated to doing it. As soon as I think I have something figured out, I seem to go backwards... That said a couple things that I find make a difference is to use super glue (I use a gel one) or zip ties to hold the bait on. You can get a lot more use from each if you do that. The other tip is don't ever mix red and black sluggos with anything else. That color is a good one, but they'll turn everything else red....

[Mike P]

M&Ds and CCCs sell the same bullet jigheads. CCCs also sells them painted, in black and white.

B&D Enterprises jigheads are also very good.

[slow eddie]

i've been using a 3/4 oz. jig with white and red pork rind for decades.
used with an egg in white water, deadly