What Is a Jig Bait?

The fishing jig is a simple lure, but extremely effective in a variety of scenarios for an array of fish in both fresh and saltwater. Jigs consist of a hook with a weighted head that gives it enough bulk to drop down to where fish are. Often adorned with hair, feathers, plastic, rubber or live bait, the fishing jig is available in different sizes, colors and shapes, notes Learning How to Fish.

Jig Hooks
The hook lengths and sizes vary on jigs, with the hook's eye typically bent forward as much as 90 degrees. Hook colors include red, gold, black and bronze, while the length of a jig hook's shank -- the part of the hook that goes from the eye to where the hook begins to bend -- differs as well. Long-shanked hooks allow the use of soft plastic baits attached to the jig, while anglers favor shorter shanks when putting live bait such as a minnow or grubs on their jig.

Jig Heads
The portion of the jig that causes it to sink into the depths when you cast it out is the jig head, usually composed of lead or tungsten. The jig head, positioned at the top part of the hook where the eye is, has a collar that extends partway down the shaft of the hook. Some are straight and smooth, while others feature a small barb that holds any plastic baits attached to the jig in place. Colors vary on jigs, with the clarity of the water often dictating whether you employ a brightly colored jig or a darker one.

Weights
One of the most important aspects of the jig bait is its weight. The jig must sink through the water to where the fish are, but not so quickly that it frightens the fish or causes them to lose interest in the jig bait as a potential meal. Anglers such as ice fishermen use lighter jigs, between 1/32 of an oz. and 1/8 of an oz., for catching species like bluegills and crappies through holes in the ice. They slowly flutter these jigs until a fish strikes them. The largest, heaviest jigs target fish in deeper waters such as striped bass and lake trout, with weights of the jigs up to 2 full oz. The depth of the water, the wind conditions and any current are factors in determining what size jig to tie on your line.

Adornments
When an angler uses a jig adorned with tinsel, soft plastic, silicone, hair or some other feature, the idea is to try to replicate aquatic creatures fish might dine upon. These adornments also reduce the rate at which a jig will sink in the water, allowing the fish a good, long view of it as it makes its way downward. Adornments make a jig look almost lifelike to a fish. For example, a soft plastic jig mimics such forage foods as grubs, crayfish, minnows or leaches. A plastic replica of such a creature, available in multiple shapes and colors, covers the jig.

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