I tell everyone that fishes with me and complains about getting hung up, "If you ain't gettin hung up once in a while, you ain't fishin where the fish are".

I like to call my method Tickling. When I feeel that I am fixing to contact some type of wood structure, I slow down and "lightly" wigggle the jig up through the stuff. If it gets snagged, immediately give it slack and let fall back down. Keep tickling it and it will usually pop over the obstruction. If you pull on it or jerk too hard it will snag.

JiggyTlme is right on but add this,If it does snag dont pull hard on it ,Instead barely lift the slack out of it w/rod handle in right hand then take line with L/hand between real and first eye pull line out about a foot then pop it with rod tip.With a little practice youll learn to shot a jig loose most of the time.Also works on T/rig.

A 10 pound plus fish is just a different kind of animal. It's not the exact weight of 10, but there comes a point that the power of a bass goes to a different level. Even our heavier bass rod are not ideal to muscle in a 12 pounder especially getting them out of where they like to live. They fight more like a big saltwater striper with short powerful runs. I am sure I've lost well over a dozen dd fish (probably more) at Falcon over the last 3 years. My heart was broken many times until I finally put a 12.2 in the boat. And I could have easily lost that fish as well.

You look at all the reports from Falcon and it seems like almost everyone catches dds -- not so. I think it's just that people who do catch a big fish are more likely to report it.

When in the bush, don't try to hop the jig too much. The jig will pull over limbs easier than hopping it. Try this in areas that you can get it back to get the feel for it.

Accurately hitting your target when flipping/pitching jigs (or anything) will greatly increase your odds of hooking up with fish. Confidence in your flipping ability is HUGE. Get some coffee cans or something and make little targets that simulate docks or whatever and practice flippin your jig at those. When you can accurately hit what your intending to without thinking about it, you'll not only decrease how often you get hung up but also be able to concentrate more on the bite.

Thanks everybody!

I've gotten a lot out of reading all the responses. Kinda building my confidence while readying myself for a few acceptable losses.

You can bet that when I land a good one off a jig, I'll be back to report it WITH pics!

Help you too, "Lucky Al?" LOL

Carl

Go out and purchase some cheaper jigs until you have complete confidence. Save your self a few bucks in the learning process. A lot of folks are reluctant to throw a high dollar lure in the rough stuff and potentially lose it in the sticks.

That's the plan.

Thanks!

When I started flipping I started out with a 1/2oz to get the feel of the jig and work your way to liter jigs.

It has everything to do with the angle of the dangle. In dirtier water get up close.

I expect to lose at least one jig per trip if I'm throwing in the right places. I actually prefer football jigs in most situations. It's true that the wider head will not allow it to come through certain things, but it also means that it doesn't get wedged into stuff as easily. They also are less likely to roll over on the bottom, which helps with hangups too.

A good sensitive rod and lots of time 'getting the feel' is important. It's important to 'cross their eyes' on the hookset, but it's also really important to be able to distinguish a fish from a limb. Crossing their eyes on a stump in 18 ft of water is a sure way to lose a lot of jigs! I like braid with a 20lb fluoro leader most of the time. Very sensitive.

When I do feel it hanging up, I usually hit the thumb bar to release tension, come over the top of the jig, grab the line and use hand pressure, NOT rod pressure to gently jiggle it free. A fast tip rod is designed in such a way as to keep things at the end of your line buttoned up, whether they be fish or not, so pulling and flexing the rod is a bad idea. Not good for the rod either. Hand pressure is the key for me. Works most of the time.

Nothing wrong with a different opinion/experience.

Gives me something new to think about/try.

Thanks!

I lose a jig or two every trip that I am throwing them in the right places Depending on where you are throwing them, rocks or timber, make sure you have the right jig for the job. In reeds, timber, and docks, I will throw a dirty jigs hp flipping jig. For rocky stuff, I like to throw a football head jig. I'll also drag a california swim jig over them too. Depending on the time of year, this can produce some toad bass. I don't lose as many jigs as some...I only throw them on 30lb+ braid. Come to think of it, 30 lb sufix is all I throw! haha.