Can You Jig With A Baitcaster? Detailed Guide For Beginner

The jig is one of the favourite techniques of experienced anglers in fishing. When wisely using the jig with the baitcaster, fishing becomes easier. However, so that you can understand and master the basic techniques when using a jig with baitcaster, we will learn a few things below.

What Is A Jig In Fishing?

All Tips You Need To Know About Jig In Fishing

Jigging is the fishing technique of using a jig, a fishing lure. A jig is made out of a metal floater with a hook fashioned into it and a squishy body to entice fish. Jigs are designed to move through the water, jerky and vertical, contrasted with spinnerbaits for bass fishing. The jig is quite adaptable since it may be used in fresh water and salt. Many species are drawn to the lure, making it popular among fishermen. You can use this technique with the baitcaster to catch bass for the best effect.

Jigging is mainly used to catch fish by piercing them with particular hooks. In general, when jigging, the line must be dragged to pierce the fish using sharp weighted hooks that, when pulled, have enough momentum to penetrate the fish and prevent it from escaping. This gear attracts and catches slow-moving fish, most typically during spawning seasons. The majority of fish captured using jigs are near the bottom fishing.

A jig’s head can have a variety of forms and colors and varied attributes. The round head is the most prevalent, although there are also fish head-shaped, coned-shaped, and various other shapes. The flipping jighead, football jighead, and grass jighead are the most common jighead forms in bass fishing. 

There are many types of jig bodies. These have many shapes. Colors can range from bright yellow to transparent brown with silver and red flakes. Also, during the summertime, look at colors for the heat, such as browns or blue with black hair. Many others catch fish like smallmouth and largemouth bass. Bait such as minnows, leeches, or nightcrawlers can also be used as jig’s bodies.

Jig bodies come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Rubber or silicone is the most popular material. These can resemble a grub, frog, fish, paddle tail, lizard, or various insects and come in multiple shapes. Also, during the summer, consider hues that are heat-resistant. Many others are successful in catching smallmouth and largemouth bass. Jig bodies can also be made from bait like minnows, leeches, or nightcrawlers. 

Basic About A Baitcaster?

A Baitcaster is a fishing reel with a revolving spool mounted on the fishing rod. We move the rotation handle and spool lines onto the reel and rotate the spool.

When using a Baitcaster to throw a lure, the spool is allowed to evolve quickly, releasing lines throughout the cast. The spool essentially ‘unwinds’ the line by turning exceptionally smoothly during the forms, which is made possible by its roller-bearing mechanism.

How To Skip A Jig With A Baitcaster?

Skipping a jig behind a low-hanging cover is an excellent approach to capturing fish that others would never try to catch. It enables fishermen to position a lure in areas where there are not just a lot of fish but also some great lunkers.

The reel must be appropriately set up whenever skipping a jig with a Baitcaster. First, keep in mind that the spool pressure and the brake are adjusted tighter than usual. Also, make sure to keep your thumb pressed on the spool. Finally, make sure you’re using a fast tip rod.

Skipping a jig creates a lure that looks just how it sounds. You don’t take the bait. It’s similar to skipping a flat pebble across the calm water. When anglers skip the bait, they can offer the lure in spots that would be very hard to reach. Docks and low-hanging limbs are no longer inaccessible.

Lures are rarely seen by the bass that congregates in these regions. Nine out of ten fishermen never try to put bait in such spots. Those who do try it usually fail miserably. That implies that only a small percentage of fishermen locate this unspoiled bass. That alone is motivation enough to understand how to skip a jig, but another advantage exists.

Use A Baitcasting Reel

“So why should I use a baitcaster?” many of you may be thinking. That’s an excellent question.

It all boils down to precision. Baitcasting reels are far more precise than spinning reels. Don’t get me wrong, some sure fishermen are adept with a spinning rig in terms of precision, but putting a lure precisely where you want it is what baitcasting reel skills at. While it may appear overwhelming, and backlashes are an injury, you can learn this technique, and the rewards will be well worth all the effort and work you put into it.

Use A Lure

The bait used for skipping is equally as important as the rod and reel for success. When looking for the ideal skipping rock, aim for one with moderate mass and an overall round appearance. When choosing a lure to throw on a Baitcaster, do it the same way.

Some manufacturers create and sell lures mainly designed for this strategy. These jigs’ heads have a flat surface and are tiny but hefty. I nearly always begin with a ½ ounces jig and work my way up.

When selecting a trailer, equal attention to a substantial yet flat profile should be at the forefront of the decision-making process. I usually wear a “creature” type of soft plastic with short appendages. This specific bait, as shown in the photo, is relatively flat. The objective is to select a jig and trailer mix that produces a smooth surface.

Rod And Reel Setup For Jig With A Baitcaster

As I previously stated, setting up the Baitcasting reel is crucial. I always use a high-speed reel with a 7.2:1 gear ratio, but it is not required. When it is complete, I like to reel in my line swiftly.

To begin, set the brakes tighter than usual. The reel tension knob should now be tightened. You don’t want to crank it down, but you want to keep the line from free spooling. When skipping, I like a straight braid. The bait will be transported across some unpleasant terrain. That is what braid is intended for. I use a 50lb test, although many fishers have different tastes.

You’ll find out what works with the waterways you fish in most of the time.

The size of the perfect jigging rod is determined by your height and the distance between your boat deck and the water’s surface. Ultimately, you need to pick a rod size that permits you to roll the cast comfortably. Most anglers will need a shorter rod than what they are used to. I’m easily skipping a jig with a rod in the 7′ to 7’2″ range. You’ll know when you’ve found the appropriate length, believe me. It simply seems right.

I want a medium-heavy action rod with a quick taper. A good roll cast relies heavily on the soft tip. The quick tip instantly engages the backbone of the medium-heavy action rod. This is essential for yanking a bass out from underneath the hefty cover.

Apply Mental Game 

Skipping jigs with a Baitcaster is as much about what’s going on in your head as what’s in your hand. I viewed an excellent video on this topic by Mike Iaconelli.

To paraphrase, he stated that you would face repercussions. What’s the point? You can usually go back and pick it out after the retrieval.

That one piece of advice altered my entire attitude toward this helpful talent. Don’t be concerned if you receive a lot of hostility from the actors at first. Finish your presentation as usual. Once the lure is in the boat, you may remove the backlash to cast.

Many fishermen instantly pull out the backlash, and as a result, they frequently miss a strike.

I guarantee you; that it isn’t that difficult to master if you deliver the lure with confidence and don’t hold back in your cast.

Using A Suitable Cast

An essential piece of advice I can provide to everyone learning to skip jigs is maintaining your eyes on the target. Consider what happens when a baseball player is poised to make a throw. The fielder’s gaze is fixed on their goal. When skipping a jig, the same thing must happen. Your arm, hand, rod, and reel will look after themselves.

Once you’ve identified your target, throw a reel and shoot the lure with the tip of your rod into the water. This requires time and practice. It’s okay to be irritated, but the cast’s mentality comes into play here.

Setting Hook And Retrieve

Most strikes will occur immediately, or if not, work the cover back. It would help if you smacked into whatever you could.

The hookset must be strong when employing this strategy to get a bite. This is why a medium-heavy action is required. You would like to turn that bass’s head and bring it as close to the boat as possible. Otherwise, it will sink further into the cover, decreasing your chances of yanking it out.

A strong hook will be found on a skipping jig. This, together with the braiding line, may give you the optimism to swing hard.

How To Start Jig With A Baitcaster As A Beginner? (5 Steps)

There are 5 Steps for you to start jig as a beginner:

  • Knowing the bottom you’ll be casting in is crucial, so go to locations you’ve been to or get guidance from more experienced anglers.
  • It is critical to prepare for your trip before heading out fishing in any mode. Check the weather forecast, especially for jig fishing, and pick days with consistent wind and sea conditions.
  • If you’re new to this technique, we recommend starting with smaller species and light jigs (up to 90 grams). You may go for bigger fish as you acquire skill and practice.
  • In jig fishing, the angler’s physical fitness is crucial, especially if we’re after big fish. Fishing fighting belts are recommended for holding and pulling the rod.
  • When fishing activity is detected beneath the boat, sonar or sounding equipment may be beneficial.

Conclusion

The versatility of the baitcasting reel to place bait precisely wherever you want makes it the #1 choice among elite fishers countrywide while fishing. Practising jig with baitcasterwill set you apart from 95 percent of your fellow water fishers. You’ll receive bites that others won’t, and each role-play includes the potential to trap a bucket-mouth bass monster.