First Jig Fish

So I caught my first fish, two actually, using a jig. In this case it was a Strike King Bitsy Flip in 1/4 ounce with half of a Zoom speed craw trailer. One small bass and one fairly large warmouth. That warmouth had me pretty surprised.

So 2 fish out of probably 100 bites. Youtube would have me believe that as soon as I get a bite I swing for the fences. No waiting to see if the fish has it, and setting the hook as hard as I can. This strategy has been pretty unsuccessful.

Advice? I caught these 2 in about 7 minutes time after I started fishing, and setting the hook, a lot more like I do when I fish soft plastics. Should I be letting the fish take it before setting the hook or is it really just pure reaction to a tap on the line?

I suspect the warmouth you caught might answer your question of missed strikes. Maybe sunfish pecking your jig.

Usually when I'm fishing a jig they hit it pretty good. I give a good tug to set the hook but definitely dong swing for the fences.

Congrats on your first jig fish. I always have a jig on my deck. It's an addiction.

I love jig fishing. I blister their tails when I set a hook with a jig tied on.

When people talk about jig fishing and swinging for the fences they are talking about full size jigs and bass.

You're talking about a finesse jig and sunfish.

Never set the hook the second they hit it. Wait just a moment and figure out what you're dealing with.

Learn the difference between a bass strike and a sunfish peck. Watch your line.

A bass is looking for a meal. It will hit your jig once and slowly move off. He just ate and is in no hurry. Your jig is completely in it's mouth. Swing for the fences.

A sunfish is looking for a fight. Your bait invaded its space and he wants it gone. He'll peck several times, usually with one long pull to get your bait off its turf.

I got into finesse jigs this year and it can be frustrating or fun when your jig is getting attacked by sunfish. If a sunfish gets a hold of it chances are the hook isn't in their mouth. You're going to miss 99% of them just because they're too darn small. If they feel big enough to try then I let them take it for a sec on slack like then do a quick snap kind of hookset.

Just remember, where there are big sunfish there are bigger bass. You'll go through a lot of trailers but it'll be worth it when you find that big bass.

This X1000

With a jig that small pretty much everything will peck at it. Try upsizing to a 3/8 and a bigger trailer and see if you catch some bigger fish and get fewer bites.