a few tips on better jigging

[daymere]

Consider the forage
Although a light jig will often accomplish the primary goal of bottom contact, jigs with a bigger profiles might still be the answer if your targeted fish are keying on larger forage. Don't assume. Let the fish tell you what they want. Change colors
Jig heads and plastics come in a thousand hues. Yet, we insist on using the same old favorites. Just because something worked yesterday or even this morning doesn't mean it will work now. Water clarity and light conditions change constantly. Use trial and error until you find a combination that triggers strikes. Don't stop switching even when you start catching fish. If chartreuse , purple , or purple chartreuse seem to work, try different shades of those colors to fine-tune the presentation and see if a slight variation will entice the bigger and better fish. If the bite stops, change up again. Try brighter colors in stained or dirty water and darker colors for clear. Also mixing in two and three tone colors works when the bite goes cold.Also tiping jigs with live baits when the fish call for it . THE FISH WILL LET YOU KNOW WHATS ON THERE MENU IF YOU LISTEN AND LOOK FOR IT. Jig heads come in many different shapes ,colors and sizes don't just rely on the round heads and plain lead heads .Use the right one for the job. Ball-style jigs are most common. They work well in current or still water for casting and vertical jigging. Larger sizes can trolled or drifted. Swimming jigs have a long, flat design with the hook eye placed in front. They're best for casting in weeds . Pancake jigs, are designed to be hydro-dynamic in moving water. They are great for rivers. Boat control and fish finders are the best help when locateing the fish and depth control to keep the bait in the zone longer for more bites. All the colors and fancy jigheads aside, if your not fishing where the fish are your not going to be catching fish .Find the fish then ,test for there flavor or color they want but don't give up changing .Even if you start chatching fish,you might find some they like better when the bite grows cold or slows.Alter jig action
Attract the most-aggressive fish by popping your jig up, then letting it fall back to the bottom. Follow the jig down with the rod tip to keep your line taut in order to maintain control of the jig. Next, try a slow lift-drop, lift-drop. Then, drag it on the bottom or quiver it slightly. Don't be afraid to experiment in different lifts and drops as even the most experienced fisherman has to change it up to the fishes likes .
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[bdn06]

Not having fished much for warmwater fish, just for a short stint in Arkansas, I find it amazing that the same style of plastic, size, etc., will not yield a hit, but the exact design in a different color will? I have had luck fly fishing with slightly different colors and sizes of nymphs, but can usually coax several hits (if they're hitting) on even the wrong size and color.

From what you are saying, too, if one is using a certain color, size, and style, but getting only occasional bumps, changing only to a different color might yield a lot of activity. Is that right? I'm so used to changing in more extremes, say, from a jig to a spoon, to a spinner, etc.
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[daymere]

Fish are always changeing ,so we have to also to keep up.They might like the color, size, and rig but love a slightly different one a lot better. Fish also catch one to missing fish beside them watching them go after a bait so changeing it up keeps them guessing .Water clarity, currents and light changes even very slightly,will change what looks good to the fish your targeting.I look at fishing a little different than some love to experiment ,some like to try the same thing that work before . Trying new jigs and retreves doesnt educate the fish to the same ol jig day after day, so the bigger and older fish have seen this and wont bite even if you drop it on there heads.Changeing it up keeps it fresh every day and keeps you challengeing yourself and the fish.
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