How To Pick The Right Bass Jig For The Job
Selecting the Right Bass Fishing Jig Regardless of the type of jig you decide to fish with, it’s important to understand what the typical bass jig is intended to do – it’s a bottom bouncer, a finess bait, a drop-bait, a “lunker retrieval device”. I am personally a big fan of the bass jig and consider it to be a “go-to” lure year round. I am a believer of having various types and colors of bass jigs tied on to multiple rods at any time when fishing.
Most anglers have a love/hate relationship with the bass jig – think about the times you have used it. You either had moderate to great success using it one trip, and the next you had a bite and are unsure if you’ll ever tie one on again. When I talk to anglers about their thoughts about fishing a bass jig, more times than not, comments made are a combination of simply not being comfortable with;
• “when to use it.”
• “where to use it.”
• “how to effectively use it.”
and what we will cover in this article (and my personal favorite)…
• “with all the different types out there, I don’t know which one to use.”
In order to learn how to properly use a bass jig, you need to have a good understanding of how to select the right style of jig you plan to use based on the type of structure you plan to fish in. Let’s review a few popular styles of bass jigs on the market today, what each jigs intended use is for, and hopefully help you better identify the right jig for your next fishing trip.
The Casting Jig
In most cases, the weight is shaped slightly like a tear drop with the eyelet at the tip of the weight. Often times the weed guard is more firm than other styles of jig. What’s it good for? The casting jig is probably about the most multi-purpose jig you can use. It can be used in almost any type of structure and conditions, skipping over rock, over stumps, and through weeds. However, due to the unique shape of the weight and where the line ties on to the lure, it does have a tendency to get caught between the gaps in rock and will catch weeds, moss, and other cover more easily than other styles of jig available. Hands down, this is probably the most common jig used for anglers learning how to fish a jig.
The Football Jig
Like the name suggests, the football jig has a shape most commonly compared to the shape of a football. Due to the wide base nature of the weight, football head jigs do not get stuck in between gaps in rock as easily making them a fan favorite for fishing shelf rock, ledges, and rock piles. They do tend to have a lighter weed guard, making them difficult to fish in brushpiles, weeds, and other vegetation. If you are finding your favorite rocky fishing spot has a tendency to hang up and break off your casting or ball head jigs, the football jig may be the answer.
The Ball-Head Jig
Also referred to the “Eakins Jig”, this jig is another multi-purpose jig. It can be fished in a variety of cover and structure with good success. Most have a fairly light weed guard and a finer wire hook. The head is literally shaped like a ball, and the lure has a tendency to never lay down in the same manner when stopped on the bottom.
The Brush Jig
The brush jig, has also been referenced to a “stand-up” jig. The unique, semi-flat area on the weight of the jig helps the lure “stand-up” on its head when fished. These jigs are ideal for heavy cover, such as brush piles and think vegetation, due to their stiff brush guard and heavy wire hook. Often times the eyelet is recessed to help protect the line knot from abrasion from the cover it is being worked through. Identifying the right type of jig for your next trip is the first step to becoming comfortable, and confident, with fishing one.
- Mark B.
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