Skirted jigs for bass

[LipRip]

All summer I have been trying to get down the skirted jig technique while fishing for bass. I can't seems to do it...........I mean, it shouldn't be rocket science! I just dont understand how I still am not catching fish with it.

I've tried working it like a tube jig........I've tried ripping it off the bottom looking for reaction bites.....and nothing has worked! I haven't caught a single fish on one EVER! I usually work them on drop off right outside or inside the weeds.

can anyone help me.....PLEASE! I've become so frustrated with fishing a skirted jig that I've pretty much givin up on them.

HELP!!!!

[McCarter]

i cant speak for anyone but myself but the jig bite for me this year had been pretty slow.  i have caught them here and there but it is usually my go to bait all year long but just hasnt been happening for me this year.  i have been throwing a shakey in the same places i would normally throw a jig and have been catching a ton of fish on that.  i still always start with the jig, but after 20 minutes or so with no bites, i switch.

i dont know if the weather this year has anything to do with it.  like maybe it has effected the crayfish in some way.  maybe they all died.  i doubt it.  but something has definatly been up.

dong give up on the jig.  throw it for 20 minutes on each spot and then switch up.  i have the best success crawling and twitching it along the bottom. i usually work my jig very very slow.  alot of my bites come when the jig has been sitting still for 20 - 30 seconds.  But when the bite is on, the jig wont make it to the bottom alot of times.  i have had some success hopping it, and some success using a heavier jig and basically swimming it along the bottom, but 99% of the time, i fish it really slow.  i try to imagine a crawfish on his day off and how he might act when he has nothing to do and not a care in the world.  then i give him a broken leg and a bad cold.

McCarter himself

[Mark117]

Liprip, I know you don't like my tips...but I will share them anyway?  First off; trim your skirt short around the head and cut the skirt even with the round bend on the hook. Small and compact. the only trailer you will ever need is a super chunk jr. threaded on the hook. small profile! keep your colors simple; watermelon/greenpumpkin jig...greenpumpkin chunk= clean water
black/blue fleck jig....blue saphire chunk= stained or muddy water

KEEP IT SIMPLE!

one last tip; try using a 1/2 oz. or bigger all the time.
Better skipping and you can fish faster and cover more water!

good luck and I hope this helps. Some lakes are better jig lakes than others???
                                          jj sniper

[Mark117]

Mccarter, don't you ever sleep???

[McCarter]

who has time to sleep?  im tying flies for the salmon trip coming up.  got about 60 done so far tonite.  been slacking. 

McCarter himself

[ROI Outdoors]

Get some 1/2 Football Jigs in PBJ, Green Pumpkin with Orange Strands and Black & Blue; the best skirts are darker on the top and lighter on the bottom (2 toned to better resemble Crayfish).  I prefer Omega Jigs but will also throw Rock Stalkers and Strike Kings (anything with a strong WIDE GAP HOOK), for trailers get some Bama Craw, Dirty Craw, or any other TWO-TONE Rage Craws (Strike King Rage Series) and break of the skinny part of the body before putting it on the jig.  Some days they prefer jig/trailer combinations with contrasting colors and other days they prefer jig/trailer combinations that match.

A lot of guys throw 1/4 & 3/8 ounce jigs but I have found 1/2 ounce football jigs are the most versatile - they have the most natural presentation due to the fact that they maintain contact with the bottom just like a crayfish and also produce more reaction strikes due to the faster fall.  In my opinion the best line is PLINE Flouroclear (the cheaper stuff that's flouro-coated) in 20 lbs. test - anything lighter and you'll be breaking off fish and losing jigs.  Braid works good as well - generally anything deeper than 18 feet or stained water.

If you're fishing drops and breaks DRAG the outside weedline and try to find Rocks/Gravel/Hard bottom - with a 1/2 ounce football jig you can feel every nook and cranny down there; the bonus with this techinque is that you become familiar with every weed/rock/log/structure down there - I've found some interesting structure in lakes that I would have never found if I wasn't dragging jigs!  If you feel gravel or rocks stop dragging the jig and dead stick for 10-30 seconds, repeat and repeat until you get bit.  I rarely fish water shallower than 8 feet and have caught 90% of my biggest fish in 12-20 feet - when you get bit dragging in over 12 feet you'll know it!!!  Think about eating live Maine Lobster/Snow Crab or crawfish (excellent with a Corona or 3!) - you're not going to nibble on it or mouth because it will tear your mouth apart - you're going to inhale it and crush it; Big Bass always (99.9% of the time) INHALE jigs, it feels like your jig disappears all of the sudden so always maintain contact with the bottom and don't have a bunch of slack line or you'll miss fish. 

I spent a good part of the winter in my kitchen trimming skirts and testing trailers in my sink (OCD for sure) and my biggest observation is most jig skirts are way to bulky and unnatural - I pull 5-10 strands out and trim the skirt down so that the skirt barely covers the hook.  Just experiment until you think it looks like a crayfish in the water.  I didn't start fishing jigs until 2 years ago; but when I started to gain confidence with the presentation it became by far my most productive technique for BIG fish.  You don't catch the numbers of fish dragging jigs as other presentations but you do catch BIGGER fish.  Last week I caught my biggest Michigan Largemouth on a local Grand Rapids lake that went 7.4 lbs. on a 1/2 PBJ Rock Stalker so go get some football jigs and Rage Craws and start dragging until you whack one - I promise you won't be disappointed!  Setting the hook on a jig fish is by FAR the most satisfying hook set

One other suggestion I forget about is scent - CB's Hawg Sauce is the BOMB!!!!  The down-side of this stuff is the scent doesn't wash off; you'll be smelling Crayfish Oil for days.

Perfecting the Skirted Jig Technique is actually harder than Rocket Science but once you start to figure it out you'll be the better off than anyone at NASA has ever been.

Return On Investment Outdoors
"Maximizing the Return on all of Your Outdoor Investments"
Visit us online @ www.roioutdoors.com

[McCarter]

my biggest observation is most jig skirts are way to bulky and unnatural

One other suggestion I forget about is scent

the first point in dead on.  its amazing to me how many people email me or pm me and ask me for tips on jig fishing but then the same people who are looking for help becuase they arent doing good with jigs are telling me they dont like our Upskirt Jig because the skirts are only 40 strand and they want a bulkier skirt.  Ive seen some companys using 80-90 strand skirts.  this is ridiculous, especially for this area.  the crayfish the bass are eating  here arent that big.  smaller profile is key.

as far as scent goes, everyone has there favorite and using one over the other will come down to experimenting to find your favorite but if you are throwing a jig with no scent, your missing the boat.  I am a huge fan of Mega Strike and if i am throwing a jig, the tube stays in my pocket.  i apply often and trust me it makes a difference. 

There are a few other things to remember when throwing a jig as well.  First start with the jig itself.  Before we started making our own, there were a handful of jigs that i liked and used.  But not one of them would i throw right out of the pack. Here are some things to do to your jigs before they ever hit the water.

First, examine the hook eye and make sure it is free of debris from paint or excess lead.  Most jigs are mass produced in out of country factorys so there is room for error.  I sharp wedge of cured paint or lead will ruin your day really fast if it catches your knot and cuts it.  always make sure your hook eye is 100% clean.

Next, examine the hook itself. since most heads are powder painted when hot, the powder can find its way onto the hook itself.  Even a small glob of paint the size of a needle point can hinder a hookset.  Inspect carefully and use a razor blade of fine file to remove any paint from the hook.  Then make sure the hook is nice and sticky sharp. You can use your finger nail to test the sharpness of the hook.  Put the point of the hook against your fingernail and without using any pressure try to drag the point across your nail.  if you can the hook is not sharp enough.  it should stick to your nail.  Use a fine file or hook sharpener to get her nice and sticky sharp. be careful not to over sharpen as once you go to far, its hard to get it sharp again.

Like JiggaMan said, smaller compact skirts are best so the next step would be to trim up your skirt and pull out any strands needed to slim the jig size down.  this is something you will have to experiment with but trial and error will teach you a lot.  (I wouldnt mess with the skirts on the jigs we sent you as they are already cut down to what i think is perfect, give them a shot before messing with them)  I usually like to cut the bottom strands ( the ones coming from the bottom of the band) about 1/8" below the bottom of the bend of the hook.  and then the top strands about 1/4" below the hook.  On skirts that use rubber bands to secure the skirts, i like to make sure the band is straight around the collar.  sometimes they arent, and you will find that one your first missed hookset, your skirt may disappear on your.  always make sure it is all the way over the collar.  Nothing to worry about on our jigs as we wire tie them.  Next thing with rubber collars is to grab the top half strands and give them a couple firm pulls while holding the bottom  strads tightly.  This does a couple things.  It can straighten the skirt out a little and will also give it a little more flair.  Dont pull too tight as you dont really want to move the stands out of position, but just give them a little stretch and seperation.

As far as the weedguards go.  We used to trim them right in the shop before packaging them, but again some people didnt like it so we leave them long and let you trim them. This again will come down to preference but also let the type of cover you are fishing dictate how long or short you want it and how stiff you want it.  the shorter it is the stiffer it is.  you can also trim out some strands of the guard to soften it up.  I usually trim my guards about 1/4" past the point of the hook and i keep it parallel to the bottom of the guard where as a lot of people will cut it straight across from the hook.  I dont know if you can picture that or not.  Come to the Midwest Kent Lake tournament this saturday and i will show you what i mean.

Thats all i got for now. Some tips to get you started.  Stick with the Jig and listen to all the great advice the members give you.

McCarter himself

[dartag]

is  Mega Strike   what you and Cheetam are alway chewin and spittin.  Roland Martin would be proud of you. 

got to admit i am enjoying throwing Jigs.  My drop shot rods are pouting in the locker though.

[matt]

my biggest observation is most jig skirts are way to bulky and unnatural

One other suggestion I forget about is scent

the first point in dead on.  its amazing to me how many people email me or pm me and ask me for tips on jig fishing but then the same people who are looking for help becuase they arent doing good with jigs are telling me they dont like our Upskirt Jig because the skirts are only 40 strand and they want a bulkier skirt.  Ive seen some companys using 80-90 strand skirts.  this is ridiculous, especially for this area.  the crayfish the bass are eating  here arent that big.  smaller profile is key.

as far as scent goes, everyone has there favorite and using one over the other will come down to experimenting to find your favorite but if you are throwing a jig with no scent, your missing the boat.  I am a huge fan of Mega Strike and if i am throwing a jig, the tube stays in my pocket.  i apply often and trust me it makes a difference. 

There are a few other things to remember when throwing a jig as well.  First start with the jig itself.  Before we started making our own, there were a handful of jigs that i liked and used.  But not one of them would i throw right out of the pack. Here are some things to do to your jigs before they ever hit the water.

First, examine the hook eye and make sure it is free of debris from paint or excess lead.  Most jigs are mass produced in out of country factorys so there is room for error.  I sharp wedge of cured paint or lead will ruin your day really fast if it catches your knot and cuts it.  always make sure your hook eye is 100% clean.

Next, examine the hook itself. since most heads are powder painted when hot, the powder can find its way onto the hook itself.  Even a small glob of paint the size of a needle point can hinder a hookset.  Inspect carefully and use a razor blade of fine file to remove any paint from the hook.  Then make sure the hook is nice and sticky sharp. You can use your finger nail to test the sharpness of the hook.  Put the point of the hook against your fingernail and without using any pressure try to drag the point across your nail.  if you can the hook is not sharp enough.  it should stick to your nail.  Use a fine file or hook sharpener to get her nice and sticky sharp. be careful not to over sharpen as once you go to far, its hard to get it sharp again.

Like JiggaMan said, smaller compact skirts are best so the next step would be to trim up your skirt and pull out any strands needed to slim the jig size down.  this is something you will have to experiment with but trial and error will teach you a lot.  (I wouldnt mess with the skirts on the jigs we sent you as they are already cut down to what i think is perfect, give them a shot before messing with them)  I usually like to cut the bottom strands ( the ones coming from the bottom of the band) about 1/8" below the bottom of the bend of the hook.  and then the top strands about 1/4" below the hook.  On skirts that use rubber bands to secure the skirts, i like to make sure the band is straight around the collar.  sometimes they arent, and you will find that one your first missed hookset, your skirt may disappear on your.  always make sure it is all the way over the collar.  Nothing to worry about on our jigs as we wire tie them.  Next thing with rubber collars is to grab the top half strands and give them a couple firm pulls while holding the bottom  strads tightly.  This does a couple things.  It can straighten the skirt out a little and will also give it a little more flair.  Dont pull too tight as you dont really want to move the stands out of position, but just give them a little stretch and seperation.

As far as the weedguards go.  We used to trim them right in the shop before packaging them, but again some people didnt like it so we leave them long and let you trim them. This again will come down to preference but also let the type of cover you are fishing dictate how long or short you want it and how stiff you want it.  the shorter it is the stiffer it is.  you can also trim out some strands of the guard to soften it up.  I usually trim my guards about 1/4" past the point of the hook and i keep it parallel to the bottom of the guard where as a lot of people will cut it straight across from the hook.  I dont know if you can picture that or not.  Come to the Midwest Kent Lake tournament this saturday and i will show you what i mean.

Thats all i got for now. Some tips to get you started.  Stick with the Jig and listen to all the great advice the members give you.

McCarter himself

Good advice,I always clip my skirts to less strains and recently just started buying my jig heads from a good friend and add my own skirts.This way i can make my skirts the way i want them.

However,the bulkier the skirts the slower the fall rate and some days this can be the ticket to a good bite.

The jig has been my go to bait for about 3 years now this being the 4th year,the jig bite has really slowed for me as well.So it hasn't really been my go to this year.I've been stuck on tubes this year.

McCarter,if you like Megastrike check out JJ's Magic.

[McCarter]

funny you say that about the tube.  i have gotten away from throwing them on inland lakes over the past couple years but with the jig bite being so slow for me, i have went back to the tube.  caught 3 of our 5 keepers on a 4" green pumpkin tube on kent yesterday.  also broke off a dandy.  15 lb seaguar just isnt strong enough for the big kent lake smallies and largies anymore.  broke off twice both fish well over 4 lbs.  i am the tournament magician!

McCarter himself

[Mark117]

Please keep the breakoffs to yourself....and pass the tissue?
we all know you would be a rich man if you didn't break off fish?

                 maybe try powerpro?

                  all smiles,
                                 jj sniper

[Mark117]

When is NEMESIS coming out with their own TUBE line? I need a special color?

[McCarter]

im just glad it was with someone other than kevin.  i needed to bring in an outsider to witness the magician at work.  he has vowed to go forth and spread the word.

its too bad you were scarred of fishing against the big names JJ.  you probably could have won that one with both hands glued to your giant face

The sniper hides well.

McCarter himself

[Mark117]

NOW YOU SEE THEM, NOW YOU DON'T?

Yes, If i wasn't helping Chris move on Friday, I might have had time to get my boat and gear ready to take the big boys out! Thanks for the help? oh, you were out practicing on Friday.....my bad???


              keep your head down,
                                                jj sniper

P.s. Just getting ready for the big throw down on portage.

[McCarter]

funny, i was at chris house from 7pm-12am.  didnt see you.  the sniper hides well indeed.  he did say you stopped by for an hour.  that was nice of you.  How long does it take to get a frog rod ready?  Wheres Waldo?  Found him.  Wheres the Sniper?  Still looking!

McCarter himself

[Mark117]

I was hiding in the tree out front, making sure you were working?
Good job!

oh, topic skirted jigs? Call NEMESIS for all your jig needs! Thanks

[dashaver63]

When I fish dirty water like we have down here in Ohio all the time, I like bigger, bulkier jigs with big trailers and rattles. I use the Paca Craw Senior and the Berkley Rock Jig in at least a 1/4 ounce, Black/Blue. The rock jigs have a big full skirt and paired with a paca craw it really moves a ton of water. Thats what I look for in a jig, it's a deadly tool in dirty water where there is 6" or less of water clarity. Those fish will hold real tight to cover and you have to actually slide the jig down the stump to catch them, and if you are using a smaller jig with more subtle action, you just don't catch them. A big floppy jig makes a bass feel threatened and it strikes out of aggression more than anything if it feels the jigs drop close. If it doesn't bite on the fall, I just let the jig sit for a minute the shake the rattles so the bass can find it.

[ROI Outdoors]

Nemesis Football Jigs???  I like the Upskirt for flipping but you'd sell the *#*#*# out of footballs, anything that can dragged and sits upright once stopped would produce.  Custom Silicone and Rubber Stranded Skirts with a strong Wide Gap hook and I'd take 20 1/2 ounce and 10 3/4 ounce to start. 

This fall we will be shooting some videos highlighting Michigan-made Baits and putting them online so if have any current or new products you'd like featured give me a call 616-558-6133.  We'll be filming on St. Claire, White, Muskegon and a few private Bill Dance like lakes so it should be fun!

[dominater]

Two Things I can think of:
I'm not sure if you are flipping shallow or dragging deep.  If you are fishing shallow, remember you are fishing for 5 bites.  Very rarely are you going to have a 10-15 fish day on the jig.  However,  you usually get 5 bites and they usually are the five you need for a high finish.

If you go an 1/2 hour - 1 hour without a bite, I would switch to a worm/creature bait.  If you go another 1/2 hour - 1 hour without a bite, I would switch to the jig.  Repeat.