jig fishing

Looking for info on fishing a jig never fish one but feel like I need to learn, I've caught off a swim jig just never fished a jig on the bottom. Whats the bite feel like? Kinda like a worm bite?

Depends, and I hate to say that but it does.

I've dragged or pitched jigs and never felt the bite. At all. My line just started moving away. Set the hook.

I've dragged and pitched jigs and had the line jump and rod tip shake. Violent strike. Set the hook.

If you've fished a Tex-rig worm a lot then you should have experienced both of these situations. Jigs can be the same. Not every bottom is the same though. You may not feel the jig in mucky-soft bottom and bass may not be in that stuff as much (or ever) if there is better structure around. Hard bottom, sand, rocks ... preferable, and you'll have more jig-to-bottom contact, thus more feeling of what's going on.

If you have a pond or lake that's a great area to practice in. Take a lot of jigs and trailers and just cast, drag, hop, feel the difference, etc.

Presentation is everything with a jig.. A 7' rod really helps and I use light braid, like 20-30lb.. You gotta be able to flip and pitch it. I have more grab it on the fall but when it makes it to the bottom, I'll hop it once or twice and then pull it up. The bite, it comes in all different ways. May not feel it or they may take the rod from you. Keep an eye on your line cause they will grab it while falling and start swimming and you will never feel it. Tree tops and pier post are dynamite with a jig.. Especially a big pier with a lot of post back up under it, that's why you gotta be able to flip it back up in there. Always start at the front of said structure and work your way back. Jigs can be expensive so I use the same techniques with a Texas rig lizard or crawfish, and it really helps when learning to flip and pitch.. Jig fishing can be disappointing until you figure it out, but when you do it's hard to put it down. Its one of my favorite ways to fish. Good luck

Also, if you hold with the left hand and reel right but have to use your right hand to pitch/flip/cast and then switch hands, would strongly suggest learning to pitch/flip, cast with your left hand so you don't have to make the hand-switch. It's funky at first but becomes instinct and as soon as you cast/flip/pitch, you're ready to start reeling or set the hook immediately if need be.

Yea I can already flip an pitch woth both hands just never flipped a jig alwayd a creature bait

When in doubt set the hook. You will hang up sometimes but you will catch fish.

Exactly. Swings are free. Swing like a mo' if it feels remotely funny or weird.

Lots of good advice up there and I can't add much. I was determined long ago to learn how to fish a jig and pretty much put away all other baits until I did. Now it's about all I fish.

Flipping a jig is second only to top water in the fun factor.

You use a medium, medium heavy or heavy rod on this? I'm wanting to fish some soft plastics like this. Also do you like a leader on that braid?

I fish a lot with ultralights 1/32- 1/16. I like a rod in excess of 6.5 foot rated 1/32-1/4. I like larger jigs too but when they won't hit the heavier jigs they will the lighter ones.

Medium heavy.. Just because I do like to flip a Texas rig plastic (creature, lizard, worm..) 7.1:1 real to pick up slack quick and no leader. Also, play with the timing when you hop it once it hits bottom. Sometimes a few quick, short hops work and other times a longer hop with more of a pause in between.