By Larry Anderson
Bass anglers often ask the following question, often for purposes of discussion rather than to put it into practice: If you could use just one bait for bass fishing, what would it be? As often as not, the answer is a jig and pig. The lure can be used around the year, in deep water or shallow, and it often catches bigger bass than do other lures. As a result, the jig and pig is the best fishing lure for bass.
About the Bait
The jig portion of the lure consists of a lead head, a silicone skirt and a fiber weed guard, while the pig portion consists of a plastic or pork trailer. Jig and pigs range in size from 1/8 of an ounce to an ounce or more, and most feature heavy-gauge hooks. Plastic grubs, worms and crayfish are common trailers, as are frog imitators made of pork and plastic.
The Necessary Equipment
Jigs and pigs--particularly those that weigh more than 1/4 of an ounce--are best fished on long, stout fishing rods, baitcasting reels and heavy line that is 12-pound test or above. Some anglers use braided line so they can use a stronger line that is not as thick as monofilament. Strong equipment is a necessity because jigs and pigs often are used in heavy-cover situations, and they require a hard hook set.
Why Are They So Good?
Jigs and pigs are fantastic bass lures for a number of reasons. They can be fished along the bottom to imitate crayfish--a favorite bass food--or they can be retrieved like a spinnerbait and imitate a minnow or other fish. The color choices are nearly limitless, and they can be used as a finesse bait when fish are not biting, or crashed through heavy cover to force a bass to bite or risk losing an easy meal. And they are popular among tournament fishermen because jigs and pigs tend to catch larger bass than do other lures.
Color Selection
It is important not to be consumed by the wide variety of jig and pig colors available. In clear water, natural-colored jigs--browns, greens and translucent colors--are more effective. In stained waters, dark, solid colors are better. And anglers are advised to use light colors on sunny days and dark colors on overcast days.
Jig Size
Use a jig that is heavy enough for you to maintain contact with the bottom, or to penetrate cover if you are fishing in heavy vegetation. While a 1/4-ounce jig may be sufficient in shallow water, anglers may need a 1/2-ounce or heavier jig to penetrate cover or to maintain feel in 20 feet of water.
How to Fish Jigs
Jigs and pigs are especially popular lures around shallow cover, where anglers flip and pitch the lures from short distances into open pockets of vegetation. Jigs and pigs also can be cast long distances, then retrieved slowly along the bottom so they resemble a crayfish. This is most effective around drop-offs, weedlines, points and the edges of underwater reefs and humps. Another popular method is to retrieve them in a swimming style. This involves casting jigs out and retrieving them so they swim steadily, or dart through, the water. Either way, they are kept off the bottom and fished in a similar fashion to a spinnerbait or other fast moving lure.
About the Author:
Larry Anderson has been a freelance writer since 2000. He has covered a wide variety of topics, from golf and baseball to hunting and fishing. His work has appeared in numerous print and online publications, including "Fargo Forum" newspaper. Anderson holds a Bachelor of Arts in print journalism from Concordia College.
