Jig fishing for largemouth bass is a great way to catch them. It’s also one of the most effective ways to see many of them during the summer. So, how to set up jig fishing for bass?
The biggest issue with bass jig fishing is that it encompasses a wide range of techniques, from close fishing quarters in dense cover to targeting offshore bass on the rocky bottom in 50 feet of water. Because of the variety of jig fishing strategies, using a single bass jig setup for all types of bass jig fishing is. You should utilize at least two or three alternative arrangements to cover all your bases.
In this article, we will show you the basic bass jig setup has the three most common forms of jig fishing for bass:
- Setup for a flipping jig
- Setup for a football jig
- Setup for a finesse jig
These jig fishing setup ways may be adapted to various other bass jigs, allowing you to cover almost all bass jig fishing approaches with only three.
How To Set Up Jig Fishing For Bass With Flipping Jigs?
- Rod: 7’2″ to 7’6″ heavy power, quick action casting rod
- Reel: Baitcasting reel with a retrieve speed of 200 feet per second (7.1:1 to 8.1:1 gear ratio)
- Line: 40 to 65 lb braid
One of the most ubiquitous methods for catching bass with jigs is flipping and pitching, which entails casting jigs over short distances near heavy cover in shallow water, such as laydowns, lily pads, or grass beds.
It is one of the most thrilling and fun ways to catch monster bass in just a few feet of water during the summer months. Because you’ll need to be able to pin down large fish and force them away from cover before diving in and getting entangled, you’ll need to utilize hefty gear. The perfect rod should have a strong power backbone and a fast action tip to make it hard and unyielding.
A longer than 7’2″ rod will provide you with enough leverage to keep huge bass from plunging into the surrounding cover. In fighting a fish, the baitcasting reel should be relatively large and have a gear ratio of 7.1:1 or higher, quick enough to take in the slackline as fast as possible. This will also assist in avoiding the loss of fish in dense cover.
A braided line with a test of 40 to 65 pounds is the ideal choice when fishing in heavy cover. This may sound extravagant when you consider that bass rarely grow over 10 pounds, but many bass fishermen have lost fish on smaller lines after catching a prize. Because braid can cut through grass blades, it’s also perfect for fishing in grass beds. However, if you’re fishing in very open water with little cover to contend with, though, you can decrease the line to 17 to 20-pound test fluorocarbon.
Related: Best Baitcaster For Flipping And Pitching (Top 5 Buying Guide)
How To Set Up Jig Fishing For Bass With Football Jigs?
- Rod: medium-heavy power casting rod from 7’5″ to 8′ with a moderate quick motion
- Reel: 150-size baitcasting reel with a medium-to-quick retrieve speed (6.1:1 to 7.1:1 gear ratio)
- Line: 15 to 17 lb fluorocarbon
Football jigs are made for different types of fishing, and they work best when fished on a rough bottom in 10-foot or deeper offshore waters. Medium-powered gear can be used for jig fishing, so there is no need to worry about the cover.
The fast action tip is an excellent fit for a rod with a medium to medium-heavy power backbone and a moderate. When hooked, a rod with these specifications is softer than a flipping rod and bends in an ideal way. When hooked, a rod with these specifications is softer than a flipping rod and bends in an ideal way. This is essential when attempting to hook fish from a distance since a rod with a stiff backbone will tend to pull the bait from the fish’s jaws.
The rod for this setup should be exceptionally long (Between 7’5″ and 8′), as this will offer you more leverage when hooking fish from 20 to 30 feet away.
The best choice is line to use a 15 to 17-pound test fluorocarbon line, and the reel should be a medium-speed Baitcaster with a gear ratio of 6.1:1 to 7.1:1. Fluorocarbon is excellent for fishing football jigs because it sinks in the water. It maintains a straight line between your rod tip and the football jig on the bottom, so giving you the most sensitivity to feel when a bass bites your lure.
How To Set Up Jig Fishing For Bass With Finesse Jigs?
- Rod: 7′ medium-power, fast-action
- Reel: size baitcasting reel from 70 to 100 with medium to fast retrieve speed (6.1:1 to 7.1:1 gear ratio)
- Line: 12 lb fluorocarbon
When the bass bite is slow, finesse jigs are the way. This can be caused by various things, but one of the most prevalent causes is a recent weather change. Bass quit aggressively feeding in these conditions, making persuading them to bite your jigs more challenging. Smaller finesse jigs with a lightweight fluorocarbon line can result in more bites when fish are fussy or not in the mood to feed. However, you must switch to a lightweight configuration to use these light jigs.
You can jig with an extra small Baitcaster (70 or 100 sizes) or a medium to rapid speed gear ratio should be used for this configuration. Spool the reel with 12-pound test fluorocarbon, which has low visibility underwater and aids in luring fussy fish to bite, especially in clear water.
Remember that using a lightweight jig to catch bass carries some risk, especially when fishing near cover. Because you won’t be able to use as much force as you could with a flipping jig, you’ll need to be extra cautious to avoid fish breaking your line or snagging it in cover. A 7-foot medium-power, fast-action casting rod is excellent for fishing finesse jigs. This is the lightest of the three setups discussed in this post and the shortest, which is beneficial when casting lightweight jigs
Conclusion
So you have a clear and complete understanding of how to jig for bass fishing and everything related. This fishing method is straightforward, uncomplicated, and highly effective if you take the time and effort to learn. The last thing we want to mention is that not all bass jigs are created equal. You want to make sure you’re using the best jigs, so choose from the most recommended brands.
