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An estimate in 2018 showed that 16.4% of the American population enjoyed fishing. This percentage applied to those over the age of 6 years old who fished for fun.

You may be wondering what is a jig for fishing if you aren’t familiar with this. Many people enjoy fishing, but they may not know about jig fishing.

This is a fishing technique that can be a great option if you enjoy fishing. Especially if you like to try out different techniques to see what option is more effective.

Keep reading to find out what is a jig for fishing and how to execute this technique.

What Is the Purpose of a Jig in Fishing?

The purpose behind jig fishing is very straightforward and easy to understand. This is a fishing technique where you try to make your lure look alive.

There are also jig heads that help you to create this effect in the water. If you plan on jig fishing, you will want to invest in a jig head to help you do this efficiently.

You can fish this way by jigging the bait and moving your rod. These movements help the bait to look alive to the fish that you are trying to catch.

You do this by digging the bait and removing your rod. These movements help the bait to look alive to the fish that you are trying to catch.

It is often used by fishers who are trying to catch a large bass. Bass often wait for prey to pass by, so they are going to be watching for life like a movement in the water.

This is also a very effective technique for areas of water that can be murky or weedy. These conditions can make it hard for fish to locate your bait unless it is moving in a lifelike way.

Using the jig head technique helps your bait to attract more fish. It has the potential to be much more effective than simply casting your line out and waiting.

Jig fishing is going to require more work on your part since you have to keep your rod moving. But it can be very rewarding and fun for younger fishers.

How Do You Fish With a Jig?

The process of using a bass jig to catch fish is very simple. All you really need to do is make sure you keep your bait and rod moving so that it attracts more attention.

Most fishers are able to do this by jiggling their rod up and down or back and forth. This creates enough movement that your bait will be lifelike in the water.

That being said, there are a few techniques that you can choose to practice instead. These are techniques that are proven to have great results if you are trying to land a big fish.

If you really want to master this fishing technique, you should try these options. They can help you to step up your fishing game and have more success on your fishing trips.

Bottom Bouncing

Using the bottom bouncing technique is ideal for fish at the bottom of the water. There are many species of fish that hang out at the very bottom and can be difficult for fishermen to reach.

You can practice this technique by hitting the bottom of the water to create a cloud of silt. Once you have done that, use the jig head to create movement in the water where you have stirred up silt.

Fish will start to become attracted to this commotion under the water. They will become aggressive and will often start striking your jig without you having to do anything.

This is the best way to attract fish hanging at the bottom of the water. It may seem counteractive to dirty the water, but this is what makes it so effective.

Rip Jigging

Another technique to try is rip jagging, which is done either at the bottom or in the middle of the water. This is a bass jig technique where you snap your rod up.

This quick motion helps the jig to dart upward in an aggressive manner. Once you have done that, you want to let the jig fall while you keep the line tight and controlled.

Many fish will be attracted to this motion as it is so aggressive. They will be able to immediately see your jig and will believe that it is prey.

It is also very simple to do, and you don’t have to concentrate much. If you find that the fish are quiet, this could be a great way to wake them up and get things moving.

Bottom Crawl

Using the bottom crawl method is pretty self-explanatory. This is a technique where you retrieve the jig when it is at the bottom by slowly moving it along at a crawl.

This is a very easy motion to do since you don’t have to move the jig around much. All you are doing is retrieving the jig at a slow pace, letting it move across the bottom.

If you find that this is not working, you can incorporate a few sharp motions. Allowing the jig to move around a bit can help to attract more fish with this lifelike motion.

Cadence Jigging

The most prominent technique for digging that you are going to find is cadence jigging. To do this, you use cadence or rhythm to create a rhythmic jig to attract fish.

You will usually do a jig, pause, jig, jig type of pattern to create a rhythm. You can always switch this up to create different rhythms that you think will be more effective.

Try to envision how an actual fish would move in the water and imitate that rhythm. The more lifelike it is, the more fish you will end up attracting for a successful fishing trip.

What’s the Difference Between a Jig and a Lure?

If you are wondering what is a jig for fishing, you may not know how it is different from a lure. This is a common question for those who have never been jig fishing before.

The main difference is that jigs are usually fished vertically, while you retrieve lures horizontally. A jigging lure can also be useful in salt water and soft water.

The design of a jig is perfect for that vertical jump motion that attracts the fish. This is very different from a lure that’s designed to move through the water horizontally.

That is why these two fishing gear options are often used in different ways. Their design is perfect for specific fishing methods, but they are not going to be ideal for all kinds of fishing.

Do You Put Bait on a Jig?

If you are interested in jig fishing, you may be wondering if you need bait. This is a very common question since you will need to prepare beforehand if any bait is required.

Another one of the benefits of jigging is that you don’t have to have bait. You can use live bait if that is something that you want to use or already have on hand.

If you do not want to use bait, you can also use plastics to create the same effect. Either option is going to be very helpful in attracting those fish that you want to catch.

You may want to choose between bait or plastics depending on the fish you are targeting. Certain fish are more likely to go for live bait, while others are attracted to the bright colors of plastics.

Unlike other fishing techniques and gear, you don’t have to choose one or the other. It is up to you, so you can customize your fishing trip as much as you like.

Can Jigging be Used for Any Fish?

Do you have the answer to what is a jig for fishing? If so, you may be wondering what types of fish you can catch with this technique.

There are so many different options, when it comes to fishing techniques to try out. The downside to this is that these techniques are usually only good for specific species.

The good news is that jigging is a method that often works for any predator species of fish. This is because predators will be attracted by this lifelike motion, which can result in you catching them.

What Is a Jig for Fishing?

If you are wondering what is a jig for fishing, this can be a great fishing technique to try. Those who love to fish may find this technique very helpful on their next fishing trip.

Do you want to prepare for your first jig fishing trip? Contact us today at Reel Passion to access our newsletter and jigging products.