The small males on the lakes I fish just moved up. If you're missing 80% of your bites on a jig it's most likely 1# fish grabbing the trailer. When a bass over 3# inhales a jig you don't miss them.

What type of knot are using on your jig. I have always heard to use a snell knot for any type of flippin.

That would be a neat trick considering most jigs have the head molded in right up to the eyelet.

Right now the bass are striking to move something off the nest. Very different from when they are answering the crawfish dinner bell.

Thanks for all the input! Got me to thinking and I think I needed to amp up my equipment. Was throwing on a short MH rod primarily and probably need to stick with the flipping stick which is longer and heavier.

Spread that weed guard out. Some brands are super stiff so bend em a few times and spread em out.

Stiffness of rods vary alot from brand to brand. If your pitching something close you don't need a big broomstick. The MH generally will be fine. A 6'9 rod or even shorter if you like ...depending on the brand.

Or the bites were Crappie

I have a replacement coming from Gloomis now. Its a MLX 954C. I've never used a one piece that long but it should be lighter than the two piece pitching rod.

Bigger Rod, bigger line, lay the wood to them! Right now they are just picking up a bait and swimming it away from their nest, and blowing it back out, not really eating.

I probably should have mentioned that I am in the TX Panhandle. We're still looking at low 30s at night and water temps in the mid to low 50s. Haven't seen any beds as of yet though that should change soon. The 2 fish I caught looked to be female - fat, eggy looking. The first and largest fish that shook off was easily 4 pounds. Basically, I don't think male bass were the issue in my particular case though I appreciate the insights.

Try a Viper XP jig.