Jig weight are important to bass fishing because the weight of the jig will determine in what way the jig fall through the water. If the jig is too light, it will get stuck in the grass. If the jig is too heavy, it will crash into the strike zone and the bass will not be able to react.
The angler should choose the weight of the jig according to the specific water conditions. For example, if the water is clear and shallow, a light jig weight can be used because it will allow the jig to flutter down to an lake floor. If the water is deeper, a heavier jig weight will allow the jig to reach the bottom of the lake quickly and allow the bass to feel the jig when it is being taken.
How to Choose the Right Jig for Bass Fishing
The design of the jig head is another important factor in jigging for bass. For instance, a football head jig is used for areas of the lake that contains rocks and gravel, as the football head will rock from side to side in those areas. A flipping jig is used in areas that have docks, as the compact size of the flipping jig will not get hung up on the pilings.
A swim jig is used in areas that have abundant grass, as the tapered head of the swim jig will allow it to slice through the grass stem. Punch jigs are used in thick vegetation, as the punch jig will drop through the mats where the bass live. Each of these jig heads should be used in the environment in which they are encountered, as the chart in the article indicates which jig weight work best with each of these jig head designs.
The trailer for the jig is another important factor. For instance, a small trailer should be used with a light jig head, as it will keep the jig and its fall to be slow and slim. A large trailer, such as a craw or a beaver jig head, will add bulk to the jig and help it to fall more slower, especially when the jig head is heavy.
The large trailer will also help the bass to locate the bait in stained water; however, it might look incorrect when using a jig in clear water. The trailer size should match the jig weight being used. According to the article, the water conditions and the time of year will change the way the jig should be selected.
During springtime, light jigs can be used to fish around the spawning areas of the bass. During summer, the bass live deeper in the lake or in vegetation. Thus, heavier jig heads will allow them to penetrate to those deeper area.
During fall, the medium jig head weight is used to fish behind baitfish. During winter, the bass live in deep rocky areas, so lighter jigs will be dragged slow across these areas. Thus, the jig weight will need to be changed with the change of the seasons.
The color of the jig is another important factor. For instance, natural color of the jig will dissapear against the clean lake floor. If the water is murky, black and blue jigs will allow the bass to see the jig in the murky water.
If the visibility of the bait is low, chartreuse colors will provide the bass with a target to see. The color of the jig can be determined by watching the jig skirt movement in the specific body of water being fish. Finally, the fishing gear will need to match the jig weight.
For instance, spinning gear and light line will be used with light finesse jigs so that the light jig can fall naturaly into the water. Casting rods has more strength to help drive the hook into the bass when the bass is in cover. Using the proper fishing rod will make all the difference between a rock and a fish.
Finally, the line should also be watched while the jig is falling. The bass may strike the jig prior to the jig reaching the lake floor. When the bass takes the jig, the line will exhibit a twitch or slack, at which time the hook should be set to catch the bass.