Tips on How to Jig

What are the ways you can use a jig?

Three methods are you can hop the jig on the bottom, you can make the bait swim, or you can use a combination of both.Your presentation of the jig determines if you bring home fish or go home empty-handed.

To hop the jig on the bottom, you cast out and allow the jig to fall on to the bottom. Then lift your rod tip a few inches towards you and let the jig hit the bottom again. Lower your rod tip and reel your line in till the line gets taught again.. Raise your rod tip up again and reel slow again. Then continue this until the retrieve is complete, forexample, the lure is back at your rod tip again. This is known as hopping or the bottom bouncing presentation.

For the swimming presentation you cast the jig out and allow it to hit bottom. While using a slow and steady reel bring the jig in keeping it parallel to the bottom. Reel the jig in giving it a slight twitching motion by jerking the rod upwards in a quick short motion. This gives the effect of the lure swimming. You can reel the lure straight in without the jerking or twitching motion of the rod, but you have a better chance of catching fish if you twitch the rod a few inches. Once the lure is back at the tip of your rod, repeat the procedure.

Another good presentation is mixing the two presentations up. Cast the jig out and let it hit the bottom again, then use the swimming presentation for a short distance. Then let the jig hit the bottom again, wait a couple of seconds, then use the swimming technique again for a few feet. Continue this pattern until you retrieve the jig back in.

Of course you will want to use the fan method for casting. This is done by not casting in the same spot every time and you will find the fish. Cast your lure in the nine o'clock position and do the presentation of the jig you have selected, retrieve it, then cast in the ten o'clock position. Repeat the presentation, retrieve the jig and cast out in eleven o'clock position. Continue to cast out and retrieving until you get to the three o'clock position. If you don't get any strikes during these casts then you might want to move to another location until you find the fish.

Other jigging tips are to keep an eye on your line when you retrieve the jig as any movement in the line can be a strike. Sometimes changing your presentation to something erratic can cause a strike. Also, if you use light line you are more apt to feel the strikes better. Some people tie their jigs directly to the leader instead of using swivels or snaps. Try to be more alert when the jig falls in the water as this is the time when the fish will strike. Also use different size jigs and colors. You might find one color works better than another.

These are some of the successful methods of jigging. Presentation is everything. With a good presentation you will catch plenty of fish to take home. I hope these tips help and good luck fishing