I have started trying to teach myself how to be a good jig fisher the last year or so. I always lose a lot more fish than I would with a reg worm. The bass usually slam my jig, I set the hook and then lose them 3-5 seconds into the battle. Is there a trick to keeping them hooked up? Thanks. I need the help, been losing too many fish lately. Ha

Cross their eyes and reel fast!!!!!

whats your set up?
rod/reel/line/jig type

Sharp hooks, braided line, and a good thwack with a stout rod usually does the trick for me.

I fish jigs on a 7'3 heavy rod.....low stretch line....fast reel 7.01-1.........I really pop them when I get a bite......yesterday it was windy and I didn't feel a bite....line was moving toward me and I got a mediocre hook set.....fish jumped 20 feet from me and jig shot out......it happens .....was an 8 + too.......sucked!

Big flipping Jigs with "flipping hooks"- You need a heavy action rod, heavy line and a "cross their eyes" hookset.

Finesse jig- the lighter wire hook requires less of a hook set. In fact, you can bend the hooks if you put too much "ESPN" into it. Use a medium to med heavy rod.

I alway trim the weed guards (i.e.- cut a few strands out) and bend it a few times and fan it out to get it ready. I trim the skirt even with the bottom of the bend of the hook. I also like to use a scent spray or scent impregnated trailer in hopes that they will hang onto it a little longer, and get it into their mouth a little deeper. Be careful about using a trailer that is too bulky. It can make hooking up more difficult as well.

Good luck. Jig fishing is addictive.

IDK your setup but grab a 7'3"-7"10" H or XH stick with a mod fast tip and some Seguar floro or power pro braid feel the thump reel down quick and go straight up with hook set. If they are just mouthing the jig or u are feeling mush set hook straight back and quick as soon as u feel bite. Make sure u have a fast gear ratio reel to hope this helps

I like a broomstick of a rod with a high speed reel and 25lb floro and when I set the hook I pull so hard if I am flipping shallow the fish usually come out of the water.

How are you setting the hook? If you are sweeping to the side that is the problem. You need a straight up to 12 oclock hook set.


Also, if you are using a jig with a light wire hook they have a tendency to flex and tear a large hole. I like the stoutest hook I can get in a jig.

Depends on the weed guard. For a medium guard you need a medium heavy rod for a heavy guard a heavy rod & heavy line.

I have the same problem. My setup is a 7' hvy with 60lb braid with a 20lb flourocarbon leader and I still loose fish. Even when I rip the rod hard and high. I lost about a 7# the other day. I'll just stick to my texas rigged plastics.

Had this prob a while back, I reel down into them more so with a jig than any other bait. Reel until its TIGHT then cross their eyes. Also I think keeping them down is more important with jig because the weight is attached to the hoo so it slings more. Seems like if u play with them at all u pull off.

Conversely if you are tearing a big hole in their lip in the hook set you can loose them easier too, I use a med heavy unless I'm flipp'n the jig. Little bit of tip goes a long way

You can bend those little weed guards plenty don't worry too much about them. A lot of ppl cut the weed GAIRD even with the hook, I have stopped doing that myself

Let em slam it and swim with it for a sec....then cross their eyes! Too quick of a hookset can cause the hook to dig into the bone but not penetrate....has happened to me as well...now i pause for a bit b4 checking their chin

Bigbass,

I like to use a 7.6 varitas MH with a JM 7.1 reel on Floro 12lb but sometimes its just what ever rod doesnt have anything on it. But I enjoy working jigs.