I fish with finesse jigs mostly, so my setup matches that. Your rod selection is based upon the physical weight of the bait, not the technique.

I like a 6-6 medium rod with 10lb test mono tied to a 3/16 oz. santone finesse jig. I set the hook straight up. Reel down to it, a little slack in the line so they can't feel you pulling on it, straight up. I don't lose many fish, but I don't keep track of the ones I lose.

I use this setup for pitching distance. Any more than about 20-30 feet away and I think the rod has too much play and the line too much stretch to hook them well. If I have to back off and cast farther than that, I'm probably throwing something else.

It's what I like, so I don't really care if it's the "right" setup or not.

For ease of casting, line size or bait action I will agree but I will often throw light/smaller baits in heavy cover and no way in hell you get that fish out of there with a M rod a lot of times. You have to consider type of cover as well in line and rod selection or you will be telling woulda, coulda, shoulda stories at the ramp.

Personally I won't throw a jig until the guard is cut to just past the point of the hook. Any longer is just an extra "spring" to push against the roof of the fishes mouth. I also completely cut off 3-4 strands if I'm not fishing extremely thick brush piles. As far as hook sets; extremely quick seems more important than extremely strong. Just my two cents.

I pitch jigs into heavy cover with this same setup on occasion. You can get them out. I haven't noticed any difference in landing fish out of heavy cover. I don't do that a lot, but I have. In heavy cover, I'm usually pitching a heavier bait so it can make it's way down through it. Heavier bait, heavier rod.

But, like I said, I don't care if it's the right setup or not. It's how I like to fish, and I have success at it.

I like light line and light rods, and know how to get the best out of them.

Heavy cover , heavier rod. Stiffer weed guard on flipping an/or brush jig requires heavier rod or you will not get a good hook set. And you will not be pulling them out of tree's, heavy brush & grass...with a medium rod.

You're right, I forgot you there. As a side note, I said in heavy cover I USUALLY use a heavier bait. HEAVIER BAIT, HEAVIER ROD.

I actually agree, too limber of a rod can act as a spring while the fish is jumping, you don't have nearly the control over the fish as you would with a heavy action or high-end med heavy. Also, trimming the jig shirt back a little seems to help penitrate the lip with less resitance for me. Some anglers do this/ some don't, its personal prefference.

Good rod, good line, good drag, and a gamakatsu hook!! That's the secret! Santone Jigs know this!

Look up Boss Woodwalker jig heads. We make our own jigs with the boss heads. Let me know if interested. They're $4. They are great jigs. I use a 7-3 MH with 25 lb invisx. Haven't lost a fish yet. They normally hook up in the top of the mouth.

Bend the hook out a little.you will hold fish but will hang up more.but it will improve your catch ratio.

[quote=Bigbass88]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

Try to loosen the weed guard and fan it out a bit. Some jigs have very stiff weedguards. Also tighten the drag, use 20 lb line, make sure to use a fast gear ration reel to quickly take up slack, and hit em hard!

here is an in-depth article published by ultimate bass about NuTech Lures' NuJig. it goes into detail on how snagproof it is and how well it hooks.

http://www.ultimatebass.com/-general-bas...e-in-baits.html

bo

Bo, I caught an 8 today on your jig, it was not hooked in the top of the mouth, it was all the way down in her throat, had hell getting it out without hurting the old girl, she was fine.

an 8lber. is sure a good one happykamper. hope you get lots more of them.

bo