Originally Posted by
dockboy
Simplify simplify simplify! Thats the word of jig fishing. This is basic fishing at an elemental level, and one of the hardest to master bar none. Learn the jig, and you can catch fish possibly catch fish every day of the year. But it is NOT instant. You have the learn how to throw the jig every time out. If you go out and throw for the first hour, and switch to a drop shot, it only slows you down in the end.Even guys like Jeff J or Troy Linder on Castaic will often have to work hard to put a limit of jig fish in the boat on given day. But the trade off is increased size in your fish, a jig fish typically runs at least 2.5 lbs. This is the reason the jig has probably accounted for more kicker fish in tournaments than any other.
You need three colors: brown, black, and olive/green. You can get fancy if you like, with multi color skirts and what not. When the bite is on, the fish will often hit them just the same. But if reality, at Castaic or the Lagoon where you often fish, a brown jig gets it done most the time with the clear water and what not. At Piru, the Northerns like a black jig, and some days in murky water or dark clouds, a black jig will produce better than a brown jig. Green/olive works well when the fish are up near the weedbeds, and thus their forage has blended to the environment. For secondary color, thats where you trailer comes in. Flip over some rocks, set up some craw traps if you are local and fish a lake often. Dial in your jig to a close imitation of the size and color the craws are. For example, craws near heavy weedbeds often take on a red tone with green/olive highlights. Craws in the softshell phase might be brown with translucent blue.Observe and experiment, thats the key.
Trailers are varied. The Yamamoto 5" Double Tail is the standard, and probably the most versatile trailer you can have. The Sweet Beavers are great, the ribs produce a pressure on a bass' mouth similar to how a real craw shell might feel trying to escape. The flaps, when opened, move with a very light amount of current and open up and close like a craw on the bottom. Brush Hogs, both regular and Baby sizes, make great jigs trailers. My best flipping trailer, if you cut notches in the flaps like craw claws it does a nice impression, as the bulk of the Hog on a jig makes it stand up pretty good. Pork is indispensable in cold weather. This time of year, a brown jig on brown pork can be the key to getting bit.Super Pork is pretty much the choice when it comes to flotation and movement in pork trailers.
Jig size is connected to conditions. A 3/4oz will get down faster, and this time of year, its what you need to fish 30+ feet of water effectively. But the fish might want a slower presentation, then you'll have to tone it down and fish a 1/2oz. Maybe the regular stuff isnt pulling it out, maybe its time throw on a 1oz and 15lb flouro, try to pull a reaction strike from a better fish. Sometimes they are shallower and want it real SLLLLLOOOOOOOOWWWWWWW.....almost deadsticking. Here, a 1/4 oz can be invaluable, there are several brands of finesse jigs like Skinny Bear that can really get on the fish from time to time.
Retrieves vary. Again, experiment. Dragging works well in general. Maybe you need to hop it a bit, and drag. If you are fishing a 1oz on heavy tackle, you'll pop and run into bottom cover with a fast retrieve. You might have to drag it 4 inches, and let it sit for a minute. Maybe the fish are on a ledge in 35 feet of water that runs through a ditch off a secondary point i na creek arm. Then you might have to let it hit, and shake it for a bit before you drag. When you get it right, the fish will let you know.
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