Got my first jig bite, lost the fish... 2025
ib_of_the_damned reply :
I was using a Booyah Baby Boo jig, pitching at a submerged christmas tree at my local city lake. Two or three shakes, bam fish on. Went to set the hook, brought it up to the surface and two feet in front of me it popped off. What do you do in a situation like that? Keep pitching the jig back, toss something else at the tree, or move on to a new spot? Also what are some of your jig fishing tips to keep the fish from throwing the jig? Thanks!
bassmanET reply :
I too am just learning to jig fish. First time hooked 2 fish lost them both. My next outing landed a 2lber. Are you using a trailer? I was fishin a jig & pig first time. Realized that I had too much pig trailer hooked on. Just hook the very top of the pork trailer. That stuff is super strong & hard to hook into so, it won't fall off. That way you have more hook exposed. Swing for the fences!! ;D
K_Mac reply :
I have not had much luck getting a follow-up strike after missing one on a jig, but I would try a weightless wacky rigged Senko/Stick-o a few times just in case...
It sounds like the fish surfaced before you had a chance to set the hook. Sometimes that happens. I have probably caught as many fish on a jig of one kind or other as on everything else combined, and I still have one shake loose now and then.
I use Bouya Boo jigs a lot, but have no experience with the "baby" version.
A couple of suggestions:
1. Set the hook fast and hard.
2. Make sure you have the proper rod (power and speed) needed to drive the hook home.
3. A fast reel makes it easier to "catch up with the fish" when he is running toward you.
4. Spreading the bristles of, or trimming the weed guard may help some.
5. Make sure the hook is big enough for the trailer you're using.
6. Did I mention striking fast and hard?
Good luck and hang in there. Jig fishing is cool. 8-)
Paul Roberts reply :
Ahhhh..the "short-line syndrome". When they get close less leeway for error, esp with a green fish. They can easily pull off due to rod angle in close and less stretch in a short line.
When they get close, lead them with the rod until they and you are ready. At some point they'll stop fighting and become placid. Then get the fish coming toward you smoothly to your thumb -don't try to bring your thumb to the fish (very far) -just like with a net. If you are reaching or grabbing, you are risking losing em.
Always keep the fish's head under water. Often when you bring one close, bc of rod angle pulling upwards, they may make a head-thrash or jump. Don't let em do it. Drop the rod to the side and snub em down.
You do these things and you won't lose many, with any lure type. Jigs tend to have good hook gaps, but the compact weight in the mouth allows them to throw a lure with any slack.
As to that spot -if you caught one there always throw back. Bass are not usually alone.
As you fish such a spot, pay close attention to where the fish was and try to hit the same spot again, before probing on. And then re-visit it.
Pay attention to what the jig was doing: falling, accelerating, paused, speed, ... This might give you a clue as what the fish want.
swilly78 reply :
Don't forget, don't "bow" to the fish when setting the hook, maintain line tension!!
Hot Rod reply :
What power/action/length rod are you using?
What line type and lb test?
When you are in close to heavy cover you have to be able to control a fish somewhat to get their head turned and get them to the boat. Not to mention getting a good solid hook set.
The wrong rod/line is a sure route to frustration when pitching/flipin'.
Hammer 4 reply :
I suspect he's fishing from shore. I know in the heat of the battle it's sometimes hard to do what is needed sometimes. i.e. keeping the rodtip down so the fish won't jump, you wanting to keep pressure on them so naturaly you raise the tip way up, and in shallow water, that bass can be out of the water in a flash.
Set the hook, then keep the rod as low as you can, while maintaing pressure. I've lost a few in city lakes, so don't worry...it gets better.. 
Also, it helps I find to trim the weed guards on the jigs..
hookset on 3 reply :
i-b,, tough one to lose. Hope next time things go smoother.
Just reading the replies of our fellow BR members, It's as though pro bass fisherman had answered your call for help. AMAZING!
I've been a B.A.S.S. member for 35 years. What took me decades to learn and apply that knowledge,these members have instructed you in a page of replies.
Trust me, it does not get better than Bass Resource.
hookset on 3
Phranchise1213 reply :
My best advice would be to make sure your weed guard is trimmed appropriately, companies will always give you more than enough weed guard and it is usually meant to be trimmed to your liking, just like the length of the skirt. Try holding the jig head and cut the bristles parallel to the hook. If you run your finger over the guard, there should be just enough to deflect the cover past your hook. This definitely helped me improve my hookups when I first started throwing jigs.
Tight Lines
Phil
ib_of_the_damned reply :
QuoteWhat power/action/length rod are you using?What line type and lb test?
When you are in close to heavy cover you have to be able to control a fish somewhat to get their head turned and get them to the boat. Not to mention getting a good solid hook set.
The wrong rod/line is a sure route to frustration when pitching/flipin'.
Rod: 6'6" MH/XF Vendetta with a Silver Max(I have a Revo SX on its way...)
Line: 10lb. Yo Zuri Hybrid
I already had the weedguard trimmed to a little past the hook point. I ended up cutting out some fibers after I lost that fish. I plan on thinning out the rest of my jigs. After losing that fish, it has increased my desire to become a better jig fisherman.
Luke at Gouldsboro reply :
A lot of good tips have already been suggested, and I agree. My tip would be to throw at least 3 more casts in the same spot. if it's big enough cover, there could be more bass in there.
Rio Maverick reply :
Make sure your hook is very sharp.
VABassin'14 reply :
I think the two most important tips are to make sure your hook is sharp and that you don't have too much weed guard. Boohay makes nice jigs, but the weed guard is a little too long when you take it out of the package.
roadwarrior reply :
Joe.S has some good advice on this thread:
http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1189609782
8-)
ib_of_the_damned reply :
All the great answers are greatly appreciated! I went fishing today to the same lake I fish, pitching to the same submerged xmas tree and got bit twice. I have a problem with my reaction time with setting the hook, I feel that I analyze what is happening on the bottom too much. Maybe I need to work on instinct and not think too much... It literally felt like the fish was chewing on my jig and I was trying to figure out if it was a fish or not and didnt set the hook until it was too late...
Paul Roberts reply :
Reactions to jig bites do need to be quicker than plastics bites bc bass just don't hold jigs long -even with pork. Dunno why really.
You'll get used to identifying bites. But you'll miss some too, esp when fishing in wood, when it IS important to be somewhat tentative -don't want to set the hook into wood.
I don't think you're analyzing too much at this point. You do have to learn what things feel like down there. You are not born a jig fisher, or crankbait fisher, etc... . You have to gain some experience with it. 'Instinct' is simply a knowledgeable hand -quicker than your thoughts. Keep analyzing what you're doing. 'Instinct', or whatever you want to call it, will come.
What'll happen is you'll get to know that particular tree -where everything is, and you'll get less tentative there. You'll be amazed how much you'll learn from that one tree -esp if it continues to hold fish -which it probably will. And you'll see why so many anglers are jig fishers; they can go right down, and in, where the fish are -and fish will eat em.
As said by others, make sure you keep those hooks dangerously sharp. The point should stick, not slide, on your thumbnail.
NorCalFishinguru reply :
You really have to stick em fast and hard because they dont tend to hold on to it for vely long once they feel that heavy weight. Try applying some scnet to increase your odds, theyll hold onto it longer. I thought this video was pretty cool. Explains why you might have felt that repeated tap tap tap! that all of us jig fisherman live for, Its my go to bait for sure. Lets you cover all water columns and paint a picture of every weedbed, stup, piling and contour on the bottom. Ive even caught bass crawling a jig over matts as a topwater bait.
Hammer 4 reply :
I think Paul posted some excellent info. Keep at it, once you begin to learn the feeling of bass hitting a jig, you catchs will increase.
I would recomend that you add some scent also. So far I've had good luck with Megastrike. Long Fin has it.
I haven't fished tri cities, but might head over to check it out..I'll be sure to bring plenty of jigs..
ib_of_the_damned reply :
QuoteI think Paul posted some excellent info. Keep at it, once you begin to learn the feeling of bass hitting a jig, you catchs will increase.I would recomend that you add some scent also. So far I've had good luck with Megastrike. Long Fin has it.
I haven't fished tri cities, but might head over to check it out..I'll be sure to bring plenty of jigs..
I have told myself that I should fish a jig exclusively until Im comfortable and confident in my jig fishing abilities. As for the scent I use Bang Pure Crawfish and I slather it with that stuff.
About fishing at Tri City, im there almost everyday cuz its so close to my house. Im down to meet up at Tri City if you wanna check it out, I can show you some spots that have produced for me. But that would have to stay between you and me... :-X
Catt reply :
The art of feeling a worm/jig bite is a fine combination of watching your line and feeling for unnatural sensations of what your bait shouldn't feel like. Some times you will feel that classic Tap, some times you'll only see line movement, some times your line will simply go slack, but some times there will only be a feeling of heaviness that is almost like your line will not move. The bites where the bass moves after inhaling you bait are the easy ones to feel because there is line movement, the bites where the bass simply inhales your bait and just sits there are the hardest to feel. Feeling a worm/jig bite requires keeping a certain amount of tension on your line while at the same time keeping a certain amount of slackness in your line. To the average angler this makes no sense at all but the worm/jig angler it makes total sense.
Maintain contact with your lure at all times, allow the lure to free-fall unrestricted, but without letting slack form in the line; follow your lures down with your rod tip.
Pay close attention to the depth you're fishing, any sudden change in the amount of line you're using could mean you've been bit. For instance, if you're fishing 6 feet of water and the lure suddenly stops at the 3 depth, it's possible a bass has taken the bait. If you're fishing 3 feet of water and 6 feet of line sinks beneath the mat, chances are good a bass is traveling with the bait. This is extremely true on the initial drop and no line movement maybe noticed.
Strikes will sometimes so subtle with no line movement that they can go unnoticed if you feel is a spongy sensation, as if the line suddenly got heavy set the hook.
The hook set is the only part of this sport that is still free so when in doubt drop the rod, reel the slack, and set the hook.
koulaid reply :
What i learn is that when hook setting, whip the rod downwards instead of upwards. I saw this on a pro youtube video. I'm gonna try to do this, this year.
A-Rob reply :
I'm sure it was just a fluke. I don't seem to loose fish once I got them hooked on a jig. Although one sticks out in my mind....it must've been a fluke for ya bro. A stiff weed guard and a big hook usually keeps it tough to throw.
I'd maybe follow it up with a worm...I've followed up fish with a jig, followed by a jig and caught it haha.
Keep fishing the jig it'll pay off.
brushhoggin reply :
ib, when these guys say trim the weed guard, it doesn't mean to trim them down, this makes each bristle stiffer, too deflective. just cut a few bristles off entirely to thin the rigidity. maybe even close to half of all of them
Hammer 4 reply :
Sounds good, I'll bring some Megastrike with me..
QuoteQuoteI think Paul posted some excellent info. Keep at it, once you begin to learn the feeling of bass hitting a jig, you catchs will increase.I would recomend that you add some scent also. So far I've had good luck with Megastrike. Long Fin has it.
I haven't fished tri cities, but might head over to check it out..I'll be sure to bring plenty of jigs..
I have told myself that I should fish a jig exclusively until Im comfortable and confident in my jig fishing abilities. As for the scent I use Bang Pure Crawfish and I slather it with that stuff.
About fishing at Tri City, im there almost everyday cuz its so close to my house. Im down to meet up at Tri City if you wanna check it out, I can show you some spots that have produced for me. But that would have to stay between you and me... :-X
ib_of_the_damned reply :
QuoteSounds good, I'll bring some Megastrike with me..QuoteQuoteI think Paul posted some excellent info. Keep at it, once you begin to learn the feeling of bass hitting a jig, you catchs will increase.I would recomend that you add some scent also. So far I've had good luck with Megastrike. Long Fin has it.
I haven't fished tri cities, but might head over to check it out..I'll be sure to bring plenty of jigs..
I have told myself that I should fish a jig exclusively until Im comfortable and confident in my jig fishing abilities. As for the scent I use Bang Pure Crawfish and I slather it with that stuff.
About fishing at Tri City, im there almost everyday cuz its so close to my house. Im down to meet up at Tri City if you wanna check it out, I can show you some spots that have produced for me. But that would have to stay between you and me... :-X
pm me when you want to go.
ib_of_the_damned reply :
Here are a couple pics of the fish I got today on my jig. I was working a jig for over a week straight and this is the result. What do you guys think it weighs?
K_Mac reply :
Nice job. The first of many. 8-)
As far as weight...? It is hard to tell from a picture. I have seen fish smaller that were said to weigh 5+. Since you did not use a scale, you have a lot more...flexibility. ;D
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