Types of Jigs and How They Are Used in Fishing

The size of your catch during a fishing excursion is heavily determined by the choice of fishing lures and baits you use. Amongst many fishing lures, jig lures have stood apart due to their sinking abilities, making them ideal for deep water fishing. 

The jig lures are very small and are shaped like tiny fish (like the minnow), and that makes them more enticing to the fish.

Discussed below are the various types of jig fishing lures, and how they are used in fishing.

Hair Jigs

A hair jig lure is lightweight and is designed to fall freely and slowly through the water. Additionally, the hair jig has a physical shape resembling a floating crayfish, and is ideal for catching fish swimming slightly above the riverbed.

However, the hair jig’s lightweight nature makes it very cumbersome to use in a crowded river or lake as it poses a risk of getting stuck or breaking.

Flipping Jigs

A flipping jig’s head-tip is also shaped like a small fish, making it very enticing for predatory fish. Since flipping jig is very heavy and compact, it is handy for catching game in waters with lots of vegetation, rocks, and other debris.

If an angler wants to increase the chances of getting a catch, it is recommended to let the flipping jig drop down fast then retrieve it with as much haste as possible. The rapid sinking and retrieval attract the fish lying around the bottom, waiting for easy catches.

Ned Rig Jigs

The principle of deep-water fishing is based on attracting the targeted fish with a fishing lure that can sink and also float inside the water. 

A Ned rig jig lure is specially designed to sink deep enough in water with the help of its compacted material, all while floating just above the riverbed. This jig floats due to an umbrella-shaped skirting that is positioned slightly above the hooking chain. Bass fish are the primary target of this fishing style since they tend to wait around for prey to come to them. 

Ned rig jig lures in most  fishing tackle shop are colored, making them even more irresistible to the fish.

Tubular Jigs

Tubular jigs are specially designed tubes that allow the hook and lines to pass through. A compacted head mimicking a crayfish is attached to the bottom of the tubular jig, just above the hook. 

Since the hook remains exposed, the fish swallows the hook first before getting to the jig.

The splashing drop of the tubular jig is very enticing to the fish and increases the chances of having a bite on. Since they are lightweight, the tubular fishing jigs are very useful in shallow water fishing.

Grass Jigs

There are species of deep-water fish that specialize in hunting prey camouflaged in water weeds. When fishing for such species, one is required to mimic the movement and appearance of water-weed prey.

The grass jig is designed to thrive in waters that have a lot of weeds, and their streamlined head make navigation amidst the weeds easy. The hook guard restricts the weeds from entangling with the hook.

It is very difficult for the predatory fish to restist the urge of biting on the grass lures because, just like other jigs explained above, they mimic small fish and worms. 

Stand-up Jigs

As the name suggests, the stand-up jig lures are designed to fall fast and stand upright at the bottom of the water body, mimicking small bottom-dweller fish like the crayfish. Therefore, the stand-up jigs are ideal for catching bottom-feeders who scout the waterbed for food.

Wobbling Jigs

Fish are pretty curious, and their instincts are wired to reach for food (with open mouth) immediately there is an action in the water. In order to mimic the movement of potential prey, a wobbling jig moves and rotates inside the water as it drops and when retrieved. 

Conclusion

Knowing the kind of fish you are targeting is as important as choosing the right lures and baits. The jigs summary provided above is a good reference in future purchases.