How to Fish With a Jig Head
Jig heads are among the most versatile fishing lures available. They can be dragged along the bottom, hopped with 2- or 3-foot bounces or retrieved without ever hitting the bottom. Plastic tails can be attached to the back of them, as can live bait, and they are available in such a range of sizes that they can be used to target fish species that span the gamut from small to large. Once you learn how to fish with jig heads, you will find the limitations for using them to catch fish are just creations of your mind.
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Instructions
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How to Fish With a Jig Head
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1
Select a jig head. Choose based on weight, and the rule of thumb is this: Use only as heavy a jig head as you need to use to stay in contact with the bottom. While a 1/16-oz. or smaller jig head works well for sunfish and crappies, a 1/8-to-1/2 oz. jig head works well for walleyes and bass and a 1-oz. or heavier jig head works well for larger fish like northern pike and muskies.
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2
Tie the jig head to your fishing line.
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3
Decide which type of bait you want to use. Plastic trailers like grubs and paddle tails are popular choices, but live bait like minnows and leeches work well, too. Live bait is a good choice when the bite is slow, but if the fish are biting at a rapid pace, you will save time and effort by using a plastic trailer.
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4
Jig heads can be used in shallow water and deep water and nearly everywhere in between. So choose your fishing spot based on the seasonal patterns of the fish you are pursuing.
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Cast your jig head out and let it sink to the bottom. Retrieve it in short hops by raising your rod to the 12 o'clock position and reeling as you lower it to the 9 o'clock position. Do not reel as you raise it back to the 12 o'clock position. Try other retrieve styles, too, like casting the jig out and reeling it in slowly, or dragging the jig along the bottom.
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When a fish bites, drop your rod tip slightly, then set the hook with a snap of the wrists.
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Tips & Warnings
Choose a color for a jig head based on personal preference and what you are most comfortable with.
