Jig vs Texas rig 2024
JRammit reply :
First post here.... Wanted to start a discussion on something ive always wondered...... Hear both sides of the story, or find out if im the only one on my side
Ive been bass fishing for 25 years, and ive never used a bass jig.... Before you condemn me, let me say ive caught plenty of fish throwing a Texas rigged craw bait, using the same presentation you do with a jig
My reasoning at first was budget.... $3 for one jig, or $5 for a whole pack of weights and hooks.... A no brainer right??..... When im dropping something to the bottom of the lake, i don't wanna have much invested in it
But, i soon found more advantages to this approach
1) cost... (just worth saying again)
2) color selection... I can carry infinite colors of my craw baits, and change at my leisure without re-tying
3) fall rate... Once the weight hits bottom, the bait free falls the rest of the way.. Using larger slip weights has less effect on the bait than larger jigs
4) sound... While a jig can tap against rocks to make sound, a Texas rig can do this on its own as the weight taps against the hook (or bead) on every jerk, even over a soft bottom
When you hear "Texas rig", its usually followed by "worm".... But its far more versatile!
So lets hear the other side from the jig guys... What am i missing out on??
Catt reply :
What are you missing out on??
Big Bass!
1. I may lose a jig but I aint never worn one out
2. I can change my jig color by chinging the trailer
3. A larger slip does in fact effect the rate of fall; how much seperation do you believe there is between the lure & weight?
4. It's called rattles!
I keep both tied on 24/7/365 
Turkey sandwich reply :
I like both, though, I don't thrown the T-rig nearly as much as I used to. They both have advantages and are super versatile. If I can, I kind of like having both tied up because they can fish a lot a like and offer a huge range in profiles. The skirt can can add to the profile, and with a quick switch of a trailer you can go from mimicking a crawfish, to mimicking a sunfish. On the T-rig, you can fish almost anything, but it works best on the bottom. The simple answer, for me, is to show the fish I tigons until i can figure out wh out what they like.
A-Jay reply :
Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~
One of the best aspects of virtually any type of fishing is that an angler can do it any way he or she chooses.
Both Jigs & Texas Rigged baits have take some very respectable bass for me as well as accounting for many a memorable days.
If the fish show even the slightest interest (and sometimes even when they don't) I'll fish them EVERY CHANCE I Get
And at times, I'll even fish them both at the same time
You results may vary.
A-Jay
Bluebasser86 reply :
Any plastic that can be fished on a T rig can be used as a trailer on a jig.
Jigs give a bulkier profile and are more active when at rest.
Different head styles come through different kinds of cover better, often better than a plain bullet weight will (football head through rocks).
I pour and tie my own so it's actually often cheaper to lose a jig than a T rig since I don't pay for lead and buy my supplies in bulk, a jig cost less than a dollar to make.
Since I tie my own, my color options are virtually limitless.
They both have their time and place. Ignoring one or the other is leaving yourself seriously handicapped.
MidwestBassin reply :
I totally understand where your coming from. but here us why I consider myself a "jig fisherman". First off, you can make your own jigs EXACTLY how you want them way cheaper/easier than pouring your own plastics. Lure parts online has a great selection and if you do it right, a jig may come out costing you somewhere around a buck. Now, every lure has its time and place, like soft plastics, a jig can be fished 24/7/365 and can be totally altered by the simple swap of a trailer. Its something you have to have confidence in, because everything I have said stands true to a t-rig soft plastic, but my top 10 biggest fish have come from a jig. Without picking up a different rod, a jig can be dragged, dead sticked, hopped, stroked, swam, swam and killed, it goes on... watch some jig videos on youtube and try it out. I make my own jigs, and it is one of my favorite past times.. Hopefully you gain some confidence in a jig, and catch some quality fish on it. tight lines
tbone1993 reply :
From my perspective they pretty much cost the same. $2.99 per my average jig plus trailer comes out to $3.80. For one Texas rig of the same weight it will cost me $3.72. You can find junk jigs just like you can make cheap t-rigs. Cost aside a jig ,with the same plastic, is more versatile than a texas rig. The advantage to a jig is being able to get the stand up action of the claws and the undulations of the skirt. Keeping a jig in one spot and presenting a defensive posture to a bass has caught thousands upon thousands of bass just like the dragging or hopping of a t-rig has.
bigfruits reply :
I land more and bigger fish and get better hooksets with a jig. your results may vary.
buy some arky jigheads, skirts, skirt collars and a skirt tool (cheap tool) and make your own jigs.
PM me if you would like more info.
papajoe222 reply :
Welcome
Both jigs and T-rigs can be rigged with a variety of plastics and presented in similar places. They can also be fished on a five foot rod with success, but to get the optimal results possible, matching your lure/equipment to the cover and conditions will increase the odds of not only catching, but getting bit in your favor.
Jigs offer, not only different options for various cover situations (A-Jay's punch rig is the perfect example. It is the best presentation for punching matted vegetation), they can offer different action on the fall, give the bait a different attitude at rest and as mentioned, the skirt adds another attraction to the presentation.
Versatility will increase your catch rate and jigs add that factor to your soft plastis.
flyfisher reply :
I fish both but i am not sure i can agree with your advantages when you have never fished a jig.
I catch bigger fish on jigs and more on a texas rig on my lakes.
JRammit reply :
Great answers!... I knew there was more to it than just a skirt...
I think every fisherman gets set in their ways, and im no different... But im looking to broaden my horizons
Great to see some fellow tackle makers here!... I do pour my own plastics, but i make all my molds.. Not only is it cheaper, but i can customize my baits...... Currently i dont have any jig making supplies, but i can change that!
One question... The lakes i fish are 99% soft bottom, and about 50% of the bottom is matted weeds... If you had to choose one style of jig head for these conditions, what would it be???
Catt reply :
papajoe, I fish a Texas Rigged Jig which is siimilar to A-Jay rig but it consist of just a weight & skirt. I have them from 1/4-1 1/2 oz
buzzed bait reply :
one thing i know is that my bigger fish for a day usually seem to come from a jig.... but i don't consider the jig a numbers bait usually.
i fish them both pretty much all the time. However, i'd say a worm is tied on the texas rig from spring-summer and fall and winter i usually have a creature bait of some sort on the texas rig... that's just me though.
IneedAnewScreenName-32599 reply :
My preference on jigs versus Texas rig is the ability to put the jig in places you can't with a Texas rig. Someone else mentioned the versatility of the jig. I'm speaking specific to the cast. You may argue that a cast with a Texas rig may end up in some of the same places. I'll argue that you can controllably cast a jig well into cover, or under a dock, skipping it like a fleeing baitfish - without changing your equipment, set up, etc
Like others here I pour my own. And I came from always fishing a texas rig. Once I researched the jig and learned how to cast it with control, I rarely use the Texas rig. Not every jig has those capabilities. Just find one that meets the standards you want and targets the fish you want to catch.
Choporoz reply :
-I can pitch, flip, cast more accurately with a jig than I can with a sliding bullet weight
-I believe I can detect strikes better when the weight is fixed
(pegging the weight can mitigate these two to some degree, of course...but, then, some might argue it isn't really a T-rig anymore)
-I believe I catch bigger fish on the jig
-My feel for the bottom seems to be much more acute with a jig
-Like others above, I think that I spend less per fish on jigs than I do on T-rigs. I lose fewer jigs per hour fishing than I do T-rigs.
-Mostly, I am totally addicted to the 'slam' that often occurs when a big bass hits a jig -- the T-rigged line slowly drifting to the side just doesn't give me the same rush
scaleface reply :
Theres a lot of techniques and lures i dont use . Just dont have the time to fish everything . Jigs are not one of them though .
WRB reply :
You ever fish a T-rig with hair and pork trailer...jig & pig for big bass.
I also fish a sliding weight T-rig with a glass bead between the hook and weight for added sound and color...brass & glass.
All you are possibly missing out on is a bass of your life time!
Tom
Senko lover reply :
1. I fish a jig SPECIFICALLY for big fish.
2. I fish a texas rig for bites, although I catch big fish on them as well.
It's also easier to fish a texas rig in really heavy cover, so I usually opt for them when I can almost guarantee I'll get my jig hung up.
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 12/23/2015 at 11:00 PM, WRB said:You ever fish a T-rig with hair and pork trailer...jig & pig for big bass.
I also fish a sliding weight T-rig with a glass bead between the hook and weight for added sound and color...brass & glass.
All you are possibly missing out on is a bass of your life time!
Tom
Pork for pigs is what I say!
Turtle135 reply :
Many have covered this already but just to reiterate:
1. jigs generally catch bigger bass
2. you can purchase pre-poured and powder painted jigs for less than a buck each and tie on your skirt (I buy rubber skirt material in bulk - very inexpensive)
When the water temperature is in the high 30's - very low 40's I only get bit on jigs crawled on the bottom at a snails pace, they will not touch a t-rigged soft plastic retrieved at an equally slow pace. Anyone else have this same result?
Here is a fattie from last December when the water was around 40 degrees (football jig).
HoosierHawgs reply :
Both of them are some of my least used techniques, I just do so well on reaction baits I have yet to really reach for either. Here is a good interview with Greg Hackney though on how to pick which one.
http://www.bassmaster.com/tips/hackney-jigs-and-texas-rigs
Logan S reply :
They can be similar in certain situations and are completely different in others. Both are staples in my boat and are rigged and ready to go everywhere/everytime, usually on multiple rods of each. In general, I like jigs when fishing away from grass and especially in open water...Will fish either/or when fishing over/thru/around grass...And if I'm fishing 'in' the grass I like a Texas rig. There are exceptions, but most of the time that's how I differentiate. I also like a jig for dock fishing, but will occasionally skip a Texas rigged creature or paddle-tail too.
Most of the time I have my weights pegged on Texas rigs, but I do like to keep it sliding and add a bead sometimes like Tom also mentioned.
monkeyman3dee reply :
I never caught a fish on a texas rig. Then again I dont fish them, I always fish a jig, its my go to ever since I caught that 3 lber (my PB and first jig fish) at my local pond. It is responsible for my new PB and I am addicted to that nice bite when you are slowly dragging your jig, then *thump* set and load up!!!!!
Have been trying the t-rig here and there though.
Raul reply :
On 12/23/2015 at 1:43 PM, Catt said:What are you missing out on??
Big Bass!
Well, that pretty much sums it all.
Even though my 13.86 lb PB was caught with a Rapala Shad Rap ( I bet that sucka was yawning when the bait happened to be passing by ) normally I don´t go around ketchin´ big mommas with crankbaits, now that I come and think about it ...... I haven´t caught many 9+lbers with cranks.
My 13.5 lbs second best was caught with a 4 inch senko and, I bet the she yawned when the bait happened to be sinking right on it´s face, normally don´t go around ketchin´ big mommas with senkos.
Shure, I´ve caught many good sized fish with T rigged worms but if I´m going to hunt for a beegun I´m going to pull out the combo that has produced most of the beeg feesh I´ve caught throughout the years: Jig + Brush Hog as trailer.
FrogFreak reply :
Before last year, I would have told you how I only fished a T-Rig, I just didn't have confidence in a jig. Well, that all changed this last summer. I am now full on addicted to a jig.
Why? The number one reason is it catches bigger fish but I also love the tap tap and the whole hook-set-like-you're-trying-to-break-her-neck deal. I now prefer jig fishing over frogs and topwater for goodness sake! Yes, you should let the bass tell you what they want....but what about me? What about my needs??
I'm in love with the jig.
SNK reply :
On 12/24/2015 at 3:40 AM, FrogFreak said:Yes, you should let the bass tell you what they want....but what about me? What about my needs??
LOL, isn't that the truth. It seems like a one way street when it comes to bass. It's always, where are they at? what are they doing? and what do they want? It's like having a wife, they expect you to be a mind reader.
Mosster47 reply :
I got to the point where I was fighting with my brain on when to use which so I stopped and made it simple. Any application where I would run a normal rubber worm or craw plastic I just fish a jig. I Texas rig 10" and 12" Power Worms to get that stupidly huge waving presentation and a C-rig on all lizards and creatures.
I'm probably missing some fish by not being as versatile, but I'm confident and I'll take that.
Bankbeater reply :
For me it is fishing pressure. I started using jigs because a lot of people around here use t-rigged plastics. Not very many use jigs.
hoosierbass07 reply :
On 12/23/2015 at 1:05 PM, JRammit said:First post here.... Wanted to start a discussion on something ive always wondered...... Hear both sides of the story, or find out if im the only one on my side
Ive been bass fishing for 25 years, and ive never used a bass jig.... Before you condemn me, let me say ive caught plenty of fish throwing a Texas rigged craw bait, using the same presentation you do with a jig
My reasoning at first was budget.... $3 for one jig, or $5 for a whole pack of weights and hooks.... A no brainer right??..... When im dropping something to the bottom of the lake, i don't wanna have much invested in it
What am i missing out on??
Right on brother! I've been bass fishing for four or five years now. The first thing I learned - soft plastics rule and the Texas Rig rules the world! I fish very clear strip pits 99% of the time. Like others, I've bought lots of other lures, crankbaits, jerkbaits, jigs, spinner baits, etc... The only thing that produces is the Texas rig with soft plastic worms/stick baits/lizards. Drop shot works pretty good too.
I've tried fishing jigs for the last four or five years and have received almost no good results. That's too bad too because I think they look cool and I like having my lures sink to the bottom, which is why I like the Texas rig so much. But jigs, not worth my time anymore. Crankbaits, not worth my time anymore. Jerkbaits? Total joke. Jigs? The only jig that does work is the Ned rig which is a little jig head and half a soft stick bait on it.
I could throw a Texas rig all year and in fact that's what I plan on doing in 2016 with a few spinner baits, drop shots and Ned rigs thrown in. Jerk baits are a marketing gimmick as far as I can tell. Crank baits too. Jigs, don't work for me.
Maybe it's the state I live in or waters I fish at. But the only thing that works is the Texas rig. I might have a different opinion if fished at Kentucky Lake or some other good fishery. But it's fishing - use the lure you want.
hoosierbass07 reply :
Oh, I forgot to mention - Texas rig creature baits don't work for me either, except lizards. I'm at the point where I'm not even going to take creature baits with me anymore unless it's a lizard.
JRammit reply :
On 12/31/2015 at 9:37 AM, hoosierbass07 said:
Right on brother! I've been bass fishing for four or five years now. The first thing I learned - soft plastics rule and the Texas Rig rules the world! I fish very clear strip pits 99% of the time. Like others, I've bought lots of other lures, crankbaits, jerkbaits, jigs, spinner baits, etc... The only thing that produces is the Texas rig with soft plastic worms/stick baits/lizards. Drop shot works pretty good too.
I've tried fishing jigs for the last four or five years and have received almost no good results. That's too bad too because I think they look cool and I like having my lures sink to the bottom, which is why I like the Texas rig so much. But jigs, not worth my time anymore. Crankbaits, not worth my time anymore. Jerkbaits? Total joke. Jigs? The only jig that does work is the Ned rig which is a little jig head and half a soft stick bait on it.
I could throw a Texas rig all year and in fact that's what I plan on doing in 2016 with a few spinner baits, drop shots and Ned rigs thrown in. Jerk baits are a marketing gimmick as far as I can tell. Crank baits too. Jigs, don't work for me.
Maybe it's the state I live in or waters I fish at. But the only thing that works is the Texas rig. I might have a different opinion if fished at Kentucky Lake or some other good fishery. But it's fishing - use the lure you want.
Im right there with ya on the worms!... I could easily take everything else out of my tackle box, fish nothing but worms all year and be happy!
But it helps to build confidence in all other types of lures... This year i focused on crank baits.. I use to hate fishing cranks!.. They looked so good in my tackle box, but theyre expensive compared to a bag of soft plastics, so i was paranoid about losing them.... Then i started building my own... I cant say its cheaper, but im definitely more motivated to use them since i put forth so much effort to make em!
Fishing clear water is tuff!... I would stick with plastics too!..... My main spot is usually a slight green stain with 3-4 ft visibility... But with this last round of rain we got, it turned into chocolate milk!.... Threw me off my game a little, cranks have produced a few, but nothing else is working now
Brayberry reply :
For me the deciding factor is what kinda fish I'm looking for. If I'm looking for numbers I got with the Texas Rig, If I want quality, I go the jig
Turkey sandwich reply :
On 12/23/2015 at 8:52 PM, JRammit said:Great answers!... I knew there was more to it than just a skirt...
I think every fisherman gets set in their ways, and im no different... But im looking to broaden my horizons
Great to see some fellow tackle makers here!... I do pour my own plastics, but i make all my molds.. Not only is it cheaper, but i can customize my baits...... Currently i dont have any jig making supplies, but i can change that!
One question... The lakes i fish are 99% soft bottom, and about 50% of the bottom is matted weeds... If you had to choose one style of jig head for these conditions, what would it be???
Almost any heavy vegetation means you're going to want a more "flipping" style head or swim jig style (for fishing over or through the weeds versus on them) than football or round head style (which will do nothing but collect weeds).
Turkey sandwich reply :
Hoosier-
As for the other lures, think of them as tools in a tool box and nothing more. A hammer is pretty useless if you're trying to remove a bolt, and a socket wrench sure as hell isn't going to cut through a 2x4. Part of having them is knowing how and when to use them. Also, there's a big difference in how a master craftsman uses his tools versus a cheap contractor.
Catt reply :
On 12/31/2015 at 12:09 PM, Brayberry said:For me the deciding factor is what kinda fish I'm looking for. If I'm looking for numbers I got with the Texas Rig, If I want quality, I go the jig
The size or number of the bass y'all are catching has nothing to do with lure selection!
It has to do with location selection!
Ya can't catch big bass where they aint!
Catt reply :
I've researched tournament results for the last 25 years and not just the Pros but everything I could find on the web. I also researched results for double digit bass over that same time frame.
From that data
7 out of 10 Texas Rig anglers say a Jig-N- Trailer is their #2 weapon if choice.
7 out of 10 Jig anglers say a Texas Rig is their #2 weapon of choice.
6 out of 10 tournaments were won on Texas Rigs
5 out of 10 double digit bass were caught on Texas Rigs
Fishes in trees reply :
The choice of jig versus tx rig is different for everyone and certainly subject to conditions faced on a daily basis. Catt relayed some interesting stats. Even though I know enough about stats to be leery about using past history to predict present and future results, I , like many other fisherman find myself using baits and techniques that I've had success with in the past. Not saying you shouldn't, just saying that using stats to prove what happened in the past is NOT the same as using them to predict current or future success.
To throw gas on the jig versus tx rig debate, over the past 2 years or so I've had much better results using a jika rig than either a jig or as tx rig. JMO
long island basser reply :
On 12/23/2015 at 1:43 PM, Catt said:
I keep both tied on 24/7/365
Same here.... Actually it's 24/7/274 for me. no winter fishing for me.
Catt reply :
We must first understand the Texas Rig is a technique that we can use to fish a multitude of lures.
The research debunks the myth that the Texas Rig is only for catching numbers. Year in & year out the Texas Rig outproduces both in numbers & size any other technique.
The Jig-n-Trailer is #2!
Does this mean they work under all conditions? No!
What it means is if ya looking for a place to start #1 & #2 are a pretty good choice.
hoosierbass07 reply :
Maybe I would had more luck with jigs if I would have thrown them like I throw Texas rigs, basically into anything. But I just cant think about getting a three dollar (or more) jig stuck and losing it. Texas rigs are not only cheaper but catch way more bass. I probably have a hundred bass hooks and tons of soft plastic worms to last a lift time. If I loose a hook, worm and bullet weight it is no big deal. But if I loose a jig it is like (oh man, that's four dollars down the drain plus I didn't catch anything on it in the first place.)
JRammit reply :
On 1/1/2016 at 8:34 AM, hoosierbass07 said:
Maybe I would had more luck with jigs if I would have thrown them like I throw Texas rigs, basically into anything. But I just cant think about getting a three dollar (or more) jig stuck and losing it. Texas rigs are not only cheaper but catch way more bass. I probably have a hundred bass hooks and tons of soft plastic worms to last a lift time. If I loose a hook, worm and bullet weight it is no big deal. But if I loose a jig it is like (oh man, that's four dollars down the drain plus I didn't catch anything on it in the first place.)
That's exactly how i use to feel
Lots of guys make their own jigs for that reason... I pretty much make everything else, i just havnt made any jigs or spinners yet.... I was considering it, so thought id post this thread to get a little more insight
I got some answers i was looking for... Besides the obvious difference of skirt vs no skirt
Unless i missed it, no one mentioned a difference in "feel"..... I would imagine a jig would give your hands a better feel of the lake bottom... But i can't say for sure, cause ive only used T-rigs
kickerfish1 reply :
I like and use both but probably favor the jig most of the time. I have caught numbers and size on both though I believe the basic texas rig has accounted for a few more bigger fish though that could be because I have been fishing them longer.
A-Jay reply :
On 1/1/2016 at 8:34 AM, hoosierbass07 said:
Maybe I would had more luck with jigs if I would have thrown them like I throw Texas rigs, basically into anything. But I just cant think about getting a three dollar (or more) jig stuck and losing it. Texas rigs are not only cheaper but catch way more bass. I probably have a hundred bass hooks and tons of soft plastic worms to last a lift time. If I loose a hook, worm and bullet weight it is no big deal. But if I loose a jig it is like (oh man, that's four dollars down the drain plus I didn't catch anything on it in the first place.)
You could always modify your Texas rig to look like a jig but still fish like a Texas Rig.
Just add the skirt.
A-Jay
Catt reply :
It doesn't matter if I'm casting, flipping, pitching, or punching I fish Texas Rigs & Jigs the exact same way.
My T-rig & Jig rod, reel, & line are identical, the only time I deviate is punching & then both setups are heavier.
I find that when my students are having problems hanging up it's cause they are trying to force the jig through cover...ya gotta finesse em through.
Turkey sandwich reply :
Bingo! Even fishing heavy cover, I don't lose that many jigs to trees, rocks, Lilly pads, etc. you just can't always be an elephant in an antique store in your approach. Even from just a fish catching perspective, every bump that jig makes against branches, stumps, weeds, etc gets amplified through the water by the surface it makes contact with. Just a little less tap can go a long ways.
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