Another jig question sorry 2025
Ksam1234 reply :
So I looked on the forums for it but maybe I just can't see. How does everyone improve hookups on the weedless jigs ? Do they trim the weedguard at all or trim the skirt ? Or when I put my rage craw on it seemed to long. .. or is that the way it's supposed to be
riverbasser reply :
I increase hookups by setting the hook hard. . . very hard
I do sometimes trim my skirts and if you look at a ragecraw there are sections on the body. Tear off one at a time until it's the length you want. There is no rule on length here only personnel preference or more like bass preference.
sully420 reply :
Usually when anybody starts fishing a jig hook sets are tough because feeling a bite on a jig is different and you tend to get surprised when you get bit and don't get a great hook set. Once you have more experience and the right rod it will become your best hookup bait. I usually trim the skirt even with the bend of the hook. I don't trim the weed guard at all. And you can trim the top of your trailer to give you the profile of bait you think the fish want, you just have to experiment
RichF reply :
I trim the weed guards and skirt a little but I never trim my trailer. The bigger the better, especially if you're looking for better than average fish.
WRB reply :
Did you read the 20 pages thread of jig fishing questions? I am sure this question is covered a few times in the thread at the top of this forum.
Tom
tander reply :
On 8/25/2017 at 2:44 AM, WRB said:Did you read the 20 pages thread of jig fishing questions? I am sure this question is covered a few times in the thread at the top of this forum.
Tom
He said he looked and couldn't find it and he did say he was sorry in the topic, lets just make it 21 pages, not going to hurt anything. 
To answer the question, I trim my trailer to make it more compact and will sometimes trim the weed guard if I think it is way too long.
IndianaFinesse reply :
Try using Greg Hackney's hook setting technique, he demonstrates it in this video https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=greg+hacdkney+jig+hookset&view=detail&mid=088542157E30BD1AAB3F088542157E30BD1AAB3F&FORM=VIRE literally was a game changed for me, this is how I set the hook with almost all baits now (with varying degrees of power of course).
I would not recommend cutting the weed guard, trimming it shorter actually makes it stiffer, reducing hooking percentages. Trimming the skirt length is up to you, it won't affect your hooking percentage but a smaller profile will sometimes get more bites.
WRB reply :
Greg Hackney's hook set is the same that I have been suggesting since 1986 and 1995 In Fisherman articles and defined in Old School Jig fishing thread on this site. Reel and rod sweep set works and so does a whip set when appropriate. The bottom line is each bass angler develops a hook setting technique that works for them. What is more important is strike detection, can't set a hook without first detecting the strike.
Tom
Ksam1234 reply :
On 8/25/2017 at 3:14 AM, IndianaFinesse said:Try using Greg Hackney's hook setting technique, he demonstrates it in this video https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=greg+hacdkney+jig+hookset&view=detail&mid=088542157E30BD1AAB3F088542157E30BD1AAB3F&FORM=VIRE literally was a game changed for me, this is how I set the hook with almost all baits now (with varying degrees of power of course).
I would not recommend cutting the weed guard, trimming it shorter actually makes it stiffer, reducing hooking percentages. Trimming the skirt length is up to you, it won't affect your hooking percentage but a smaller profile will sometimes get more bites.
Ok deff going to have to try this. Never ever fished a jig before so I'm sure I'll get skunked my first day
On 8/25/2017 at 3:29 AM, WRB said:Greg Hackney's hook set is the same that I have been suggesting since 1986 and 1995 In Fisherman articles and defined in Old School Jig fishing thread on this site. Reel and rod sweep set works and so does a whip set when appropriate. The bottom line is each bass angler develops a hook setting technique that works for them. What is more important is strike detection, can't set a hook without first detecting the strike.
Tom
Yeah I'm going to have a hard time at first dextigf strikes vs weeds but I'm sure I'll get it. I have a good flipping rod that's pretty sensitive. Just gonna learn by trial and error
Junger reply :
I'm using a swinging jighead for a weedless presentation.
Turtle135 reply :
I will trim a weed guard so that when it bends down to the hook it ends lining up right around the back of the barb. I will also thin a weed guard to suit the cover.
NiX reply :
I've trimmed the weed guards, trimmed skirts, trimmed the front of skirts, and yada yada. I've caught fish with modifying my jigs and I also catch fish without doing anything to them. IMO I think it is just personal preference, it's a confidence thing. If you're not confident in your lure you are not going to catch anything.
That being said, when I am jig fishing, I swing on them hard. If you are hooking them at the top of the mouth you're doing it right. It's pretty satisfying when you pull em up and the hook is between the eyes! HEADSHOT! 
tander reply :
On 8/25/2017 at 3:14 AM, IndianaFinesse said:Try using Greg Hackney's hook setting technique, he demonstrates it in this video https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=greg+hacdkney+jig+hookset&view=detail&mid=088542157E30BD1AAB3F088542157E30BD1AAB3F&FORM=VIRE literally was a game changed for me, this is how I set the hook with almost all baits now (with varying degrees of power of course).
I would not recommend cutting the weed guard, trimming it shorter actually makes it stiffer, reducing hooking percentages. Trimming the skirt length is up to you, it won't affect your hooking percentage but a smaller profile will sometimes get more bites.
Good video, Hackney knows jigs !!!!
Ksam1234 reply :
On 8/25/2017 at 5:04 AM, NiX said:I've trimmed the weed guards, trimmed skirts, trimmed the front of skirts, and yada yada. I've caught fish with modifying my jigs and I also catch fish without doing anything to them. IMO I think it is just personal preference, it's a confidence thing. If you're not confident in your lure you are not going to catch anything.
That being said, when I am jig fishing, I swing on them hard. If you are hooking them at the top of the mouth you're doing it right. It's pretty satisfying when you pull em up and the hook is between the eyes! HEADSHOT!
So don't be scared of ripping it out of the mouths? Aim for the stars huh.
Dorado reply :
On 8/25/2017 at 3:14 AM, IndianaFinesse said:Try using Greg Hackney's hook setting technique, he demonstrates it in this video https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=greg+hacdkney+jig+hookset&view=detail&mid=088542157E30BD1AAB3F088542157E30BD1AAB3F&FORM=VIRE literally was a game changed for me, this is how I set the hook with almost all baits now (with varying degrees of power of course).
I would not recommend cutting the weed guard, trimming it shorter actually makes it stiffer, reducing hooking percentages. Trimming the skirt length is up to you, it won't affect your hooking percentage but a smaller profile will sometimes get more bites.
Thank you for that link. I learned a lot from watching that twice.
Montanaro reply :
I dont trim guard...but I do spread it out! Better hookups and protects hook better.
I trim skirt up to the hook bend. I prefer smaller profile jigs as I feel like most crawdads bass in my area eat are smaller.
scaleface reply :
A long time ago a pro on television advised on how to trim weedguards . So I trimmed all my jigs that way and ended up with a bunch of jigs that snagged easily .
Jason Penn reply :
my reply to anyone wanting to get better at fishing a jig is start with a smaller jig, and get in a place that has a ton of small bass. after a good day of catching a bunch of dinks, you will have a pretty good idea about how to fish a jig.
Ksam1234 reply :
On 8/25/2017 at 7:11 AM, Jason Penn said:my reply to anyone wanting to get better at fishing a jig is start with a smaller jig, and get in a place that has a ton of small bass. after a good day of catching a bunch of dinks, you will have a pretty good idea about how to fish a jig.
Thanks for advice, the lake I fish is pretty small but has tons and tons of bass big and small. Last week was a feeding frenzy and caught 71 total for the day. So starting there would be a good place to learn .. gotta know the difference between weeds and strikes
CroakHunter reply :
I don't think you'll struggle between weeds and bass if you watch your line and also put your finger on your line above the reel. Bottom contact baits require 100% attention and focus. Watch your line, feel the line between your fingers, and give a quick hookset when a strike is detected. The other things like trimming things and trailers are all personal preference. I also agree with @Jason Penn 1/4 ounce finesse jig with a twin tail grub and find a body of water where the bass population is good and only fish a jig the whole time you're there. You may struggle a few times, but once you get it down it will be all worth it.
scaleface reply :
The jig and twin tail grub is how I learned to fish bottom bouncing lures .
WRB reply :
I am a fan of twin tail grubs with a few exceptions and heavy weed cover is one.
You don't want the trailer to hang up on weeds, it should slide through without the tails stopping the jigs fall. This means you want a trailer with more streamline shape and smaller size claws like beavers, single tail grubs and craws like Larew salty craws.
Jig weight depends on how thick the cover is to penetrate it or how fast the bass want the jig dropping past them.
Strike detection varies and the smaller size a bass is the easier it's to detect strikes; smaller size mouth and more aggressive tending to get away from other small bass with it's prey. The opposite is true with big bass because they have big mouths to easily engulf any size jig/trailer without the angler detecting the strike, if the bass doesn't move off with it's prey.
I know most of you think this is BS and you can detect any strike, not true! Most of the jig anglers get bit often without detecting strikes from big bass and only detect the most aggressive strikes.
Tom
Ksam1234 reply :
On 8/25/2017 at 8:38 AM, WRB said:I am a fan of twin tail grubs with a few exceptions and heavy weed cover is one.
You don't want the trailer to hang up on weeds, it should slide through without the tails stopping the jigs fall. This means you want a trailer with more streamline shape and smaller size claws like beavers, single tail grubs and craws like Larew salty craws.
Jig weight depends on how thick the cover is to penetrate it or how fast the bass want the jig dropping past them.
Strike detection varies and the smaller size a bass is the easier it's to detect strikes; smaller size mouth and more aggressive tending to get away from other small bass with it's prey. The opposite is true with big bass because they have big mouths to easily engulf any size jig/trailer without the angler detecting the strike, if the bass doesn't move off with it's prey.
I know most of you think this is BS and you can detect any strike, not true! Most of the jig anglers get bit often without detecting strikes from big bass and only detect the most aggressive strikes.
Tom
Thanks for the input. Your very informative on a lot of subjects. I'm going to have a lot of lwsneing ahead of me and patience. Telling when the bass strikes on small things has always been a problem of mine which is why I always power fish with spinners or cranks etc. gotta learn the jig I guess. Hear big bass love jigs
NiX reply :
On 8/25/2017 at 5:34 AM, Ksam1234 said:So don't be scared of ripping it out of the mouths? Aim for the stars huh.
If you reel up the slack you won't rip it out of their mouth.
Catt reply :
The Jig is one of the most productive lures for fishing heavy cover of any type known to anglers.
The Jig is one of the most productive lures for catching larger than average bass.
But despite its pure awesomeness the angler must keep in mind there will be days when the bass simply do not want a jig.
So to all the young anglers (not chronological but experientially) struggling when casting, flipping, pitching, or punching with the Awesome Jig keep in mind there will be times when the Jig aint gonna be that AWESOME.
NHBull reply :
^^^this. Last Summer my jig rod was getting constant use and brought me my best and biggest fish. This year, CB'S have taken it's place. I hear that many are experiencing the same thing.
This makes little sense to me, but I don't care as my averages are up this year. I still have one always tied on, it just hasn't been one of those seasons
Jason Penn reply :
On 8/25/2017 at 7:34 AM, Ksam1234 said:Thanks for advice, the lake I fish is pretty small but has tons and tons of bass big and small. Last week was a feeding frenzy and caught 71 total for the day. So starting there would be a good place to learn .. gotta know the difference between weeds and strikes
i was fortunate enough to have a lake just like that 20 years ago. i fished a lot growing up, but got away from it around 15-16 years old. in my late 20's i decided to get back into fishing.
the thing about a place like that is, you know you're gonna catch fish, so any new technique you try out you can really get a handle on.
i started jig fishing with a strike king bitsy bug, and whatever plastic i had in my tackle bag lol. i think i had a day in there where i was actually pinching lizards in half for a trailer. after that, i was hooked!! no tellin how much money that day cost me
Andy007 reply :
On 8/25/2017 at 3:38 AM, Ksam1234 said:Yeah I'm going to have a hard time at first dextigf strikes vs weeds but I'm sure I'll get it. I have a good flipping rod that's pretty sensitive. Just gonna learn by trial and error
I fish jigs and t-rigs the same way....Slow.... I'm a line watcher and as mentioned before sometimes bite detection can be tough especially in thick weeds. Like in the video I have always put a little tension on them to remove slack and better hook set. If the weed doesn't feel quite right, put a little tension on and wait, usually in a few seconds the fish will give you a sign (little tap or pump). I see this more with bigger fish than small ones.
kadas reply :
On 8/25/2017 at 5:02 PM, Catt said:The Jig is one of the most productive lures for fishing heavy cover of any type known to anglers.
The Jig is one of the most productive lures for catching larger than average bass.
But despite its pure awesomeness the angler must keep in mind there will be days when the bass simply do not want a jig.
So to all the young anglers (not chronological but experientially) struggling when casting, flipping, pitching, or punching with the Awesome Jig keep in mind there will be times when the Jig aint gonna be that AWESOME.
So true Catt
Bulletman20XD reply :
The cover I fish will determine what type jig, trailer, and if I trim the weed guard or not. When in heavy cover I spread out the weed guard a bit and trim just a bit of of it. When fishing rocky cover I will trim more but leave it in tact as much as possible. I almost always trim my skirts about 1/8 to 1/4 inch past the bend of the hook. I use Net Baits Paca Chunk Jr/Sr. 90% of the time depending on the size of the jig. The claws on the Paca Chunks flutter and make all kinds of commotion with ease. The downside of them is the claws are really thin where they attach to the body and easy for a fish to pull off or even sometimes throw them off when fighting. So I keep a large supply of the colors I use. I will also use a speed craw at times. These have little action but make a more compact profile. Water clarity also determines if I use a rattle on the jig or not.
Cover, type of cover, depth should determine the weight of the jig. Water clarity determines the color and/or rattle.
I use the BOSS Football Stand-Up and their Invader jig heads almost exclusively and tie my own skirts (mostly living image) Like all baits I fish I limit colors to reduce as many variables in fishing as I can. Colors will range from watermelon variations, PB&J, black, browns, black/blue, craw, and even white at times, some with a little chartreuse and or purple in them.
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