Question about Jigs worms

[JLKIH]

I just started fishing artificial lures about 2 years ago. I have read articles about how to fish jigs and worms. I try fishing them slowly like the articles recommend, but I feel like I am wasting my time (because of no confidence) Can anyone give me some ideas to help me gain some confidence in either of these catagories. I would greatly appreciate it.

[brendanc]

JLK,

When I want to learn a lure that I do not have confidence in, I try to choose a lake that has aggressive/stupid bass in it. Then I leave all my other tackle at home. I only bring the new lure I am trying to learn in multiple sizes and colors. It's feast or famine. I have no choice but to figure out how to catch fish with it, or I can pack it up and go home. Sometimes it takes hours and sometimes it takes days. When you do connect with a fish, your confidence will definitely increase.

The other thing you can do is keep the lure you want to learn tied on another rod while you’re fishing what ever you normally fish. When you start catching fish in an area, switch over the lure you want to learn. In other words, use what you are confident in to locate fish first.

On a side note, a jig and a worm are 2 baits that are a must know for any bass fisherman. The worm should be a quick one for you to learn. The jig might take a bit longer. Either way, get out there and experiment. Try working these lures in different ways. Hop, drag, swim and crawl them until you connect with a fish. One other thing you can do is make sure that you are trying to visualize what the lure is doing as you are moving it. Sometimes if you just focus on trying to make the lure appear to be alive, you forget about trying to catch a fish and that’s usually when you’ll get the first one.

Good luck and let us know how you make out…

BC

[MMT]

Stupid bass=confidence. Good point Bren!! I know of a few places that have nothing but stupid or really hungry bass in them.

[JT_BAGWELL]

One thing I would suggest for gaining confidence in jigs is to start off using the smallest jig you can. I am in the process of getting comfortable pitching 1/8 ounce jigs which is pretty dang small when using 20lb test line.

By using a smaller bait you are more apt too catch smaller fish but at the same time you are building your confidence level in the bait.

Another factor that I think is very important is choosing the proper color. Typically I use either a black/blue jig or a white jig. My friend Dave Lefebre who fishes the Flw Tour and the Bassmaster tour and has already qualified for the 2003 classic told me that he tries to use jigs that match the color of the water. For example if the water looks like coffee use a jig that is the color of coffee. This is a concept that I have not personally tried but it has been successful for dave.

Good Luck and I hope this helps a little.

Jeremiah T. Bagwell - Illinois

[Scott Johnson]

JLK , I agree total with Brendan. If I want to learn more on a lure I will leave everything else at home. Not only do you gain the confidence but you learn how to work the lure and what that lure does to produce strikes.But dont get down on your self if you blank that day, things happen and the next time you try that lure you might have one of your best days ever.The hardest thing to do sometime is learn something new, but will power and deterination will help you get that goal.

[johnnie crain outdoors]

All of the pro staff have responded with perfect answers, that's why ya gotta love this site. The only way I learned the worm was to fish only a worm for a day. I fished a purple Creme Scoundrel for 8 full hours and caught six fish. I did like everyone suggests, except fish for stupid bass, it appears we have no really stupid bass in Iowa, or surely I would do better. The jig is much easier to learn, the bass think it is a crawfish and knowing that crawfish have tough outer shells, the bass bite down harder to crush the crawfish, the strike is more of a thud than a tap, believe me, I love being thudded.Good luck and don't give up, it you cast it, they will come!!!! Johnnie Crain Iowa Pro Staff.

[mofish]

I agree with what has been said. Here in Texas we have stock tanks (resivors-small ones) that the cattle water out of. Most ranchers stock these with bass and catfish.
They are the easiest places to learn how to fish a worm or jig. Like Brendan stated the fish are dumb to the way of the worm. I teach a Kids fishing class here for the 4H and that is were we take the kids and some of the adults to learn what it is like.

Leave everything at home exect the jigs or worms which ever you want to learn with and just fish all day with it and pay attention to the differnt sensations that are comeing thought the rod tip and if it does not feel right SET THE HOOK.

[Eric]

I would concentrate on fishing small finesse type worms, 4" strait tail worms or ring worms will garner more strikes becuase of there unintimidating size. Some baits that have been productive for me have been the Zoom Finesse worm and 4" Dead Ringer, small Berkley Power Baits and 4" Slider Worms.

I suggest starting with light line and a spinning rod. Possibly a 6' to 7' Medium action quality graphite rod and 6 to 8 pound line. This combo wil give you enough power for anything but large bass in heavy cover.

As for presentations I would try a split shot rig, light carolina rig or texas rig. Try and keep it simple and only use as little weight is needed for casting distance, ( 1/16 - 1/4 oz ). Using a light weight will force you to slow down and help the bass inhale the bait easier. Also be sure to use a quality worm hook just big enough that it wont overpower the worm and kill the action.

The same goes for jigs as well. In my opinion there is more to fishing jigs and in some cases the bass may simply not want a large profile bait such as a jig. Start with smaller jigs such as the Strike King Bitsy Bug, Terminator Finesse Jig or ISQ Bambino Finesse jig. Use small trailers to make a compact bait. Although jigs are normally fished around heavier cover ( 80% flipping / pitching )with these smaller lighter jigs you can cast and fish them through a variety of cover.

I dont believe a worm is ment to represent anything imparticular but a jig in most cases will mimic a crawfish. As a general rule fish worms during the warmer months and jigs during cooler weather. Pay close attention to the type of bottom you are fishing and try and figure out what type of forage the bass are feeding on in that area. If you think it may be craws, try a jig.

Here is a a few colors that I have confidence in with both bait styles. I wouldnt leave home without any of them!
Worms; Watermelon, Green Pumpkin, Pumpkinseed and Black.
Jigs; Black n Blue, Watermelon, Green Pumpkin, Browns and Blacks. ( Crawfish hues )
Try and match the trailer with the color of the jig.

I hope this helps and I feel confident that you will soon be catching bass on worms and jigs. Just try and leave some fish for us!! HA HA

[dansfishntales]

All of the suggestions made by the other members of the Pro Staff are right on the mark. Finding a good fishing spot, as
mentioned on the “tanks” in Texas, is a very good idea.

As for actually getting the feel of the worm or jig, be sure to stay in contact with something on the bottom. Use a rod with
good feel, part of which can be the selection of line. An IM7 graphite rod with a braided line will let you know when a fish
is almost breathing on the lure.

Still on the subject of line, it is a good idea to watch the line, and for this you may want a high visibility version. Some
anglers fear spooking the fish, but in most cases, especially murky water, it doesn't make much difference. Anyway, you are trying to learn and build confidence.

You may want to use some sort of fish attractants. Two that will help build confidence are Kodiak's Crawfish Paste (made
of real crawfish) and Bang. They will plant a positive mental image, and at the same time work.

Along this same line of thought, use lures with strong attracting factors, such as Gene Larew Lures with both garlic and salt. These are two very good fish producing ingredients. You may also want to consider Berkley Power Baits, and Mann's garlic scented Jelly Tubes or berry scented Jelly
Worms. As I said before, it will not only help produce a positive mental attitude, but will help catch fish, which will further enforce that attitude.

Tubes are a great soft plastic lure, and when rigged Texas style are fished like a plastic worm. This will teach the
technique of the worm, while providing a lot of strikes.

While there are a lot of similarities between fishing a jig and worm, one difference comes in the hook set. There is more forgiveness if you drop some slack with a worm, but dropping the rod tip, and giving a bass some slack on a jig has a 98% chance of losing the fish. I learned this from
Lonnie Stanley, one of the best jig fishermen in the country.
If you drop the jig the lure feels unnatural to the bass. When setting the hook it is best to reel down while keeping a tight
light, then “pop” the hook.

A combination that has worked for me in fishing a jig and worm, is to use the two together. The smaller jigs and finesse
worms were already mentioned. I like to use a small 1/8 or 3/16 ounce Gripper Hair Rubber Jig, with a 4-inch Berkley
Power Finesse Worm or Mann's Jelly Worm as a trailer. The straight tailed worms make excellent trailers for this jig, and
will be ideal for triggering some difficult bites. My favorite color is a purple/blue jig with a black worm trailer. Best
retrieves have been a slow crawl, or bottom hopping, with pauses.

Color is another part, and when someone is starting you can't go wrong with black for the worm, and black/blue for the jig,
with a black or black/blue trailer.

Maybe this story will help you build some confidence in fishing the worm. When I was doing very well in the 1980's in tournaments I used a Texas rigged, 6-inch Mann's
Augertail worm 90% of the time. My colors were black, black grape, copperhead, and the one I used most - smoke/red flake. The technique used 98% of the time with
the worm was flipping, where I worked every nook and cranny of stumps, roots and wood piles. Heavy feelings, taps/holds, and line movement triggered the hook set.

Hope some of this has helped.
Dan