Fish a Jig and Pig during the Summer
by Ken Sturdivant
Southern Fishing Schools Inc.
The bass angler knows how
to fish a jig and pig, but many miss a great opportunity each year.
Since there are no rules in fishing, why not fish the jig and pig in
the heat
of the summer? Bass are very active all summer. After all, they are
a member of the sunfish family. The bass gets hungry more often during
up
a lot of energy and will eat a lot more food. If they see a crawfish,
they will eat it.
The BASS Masters Classic is held in the dead of summer
each year. In the last 6 years, the jig and pig or the jig and plastic
trailer have almost won the worlds championship. Why do professional
anglers use this bait in the largest tournament of their lives? Because
the bass
will eat this imitation.
This is a small freshwater crayfish that all
bass, largemouth, spotted and even small mouth will hardly ever pass
up. With more nutritional values in the small tasty creature than anything
in nature, the crawfish is great food.
Start with a 3/8 ounce jig and
be sure to use the lure that has a fiber weed guard. These tiny fibers
can be cut and trimmed to suit the cover being fished. Stanley and
Bulldog
are name brand jigs that are tournament tested. Buy three colors, black,
brown and blue. Next select the number 11 Uncle Josh pork trailer.
Mix and match the colors and look closely at the head of the pork. Notice
that the hole in the jig is really a slit. With the fat part of the
pork
down, run the hook through the pork.
If the pork trailers are tough
to use, find the plastic imitations and mix and match colors. Once
the plastic
trailer is added to the jig, take a round tooth pick and poke it
right through the plastic in front of the hook. Go all the way though
and
then trim the toothpick on both sides. This will help reinforce the
plastic and it won’t rip off easily.
Rig this bait up with a bait casting rod
and reel and 12 pound test line. Cast this lure and let it settle to
the bottom. Now work the bait with the rod tip and slowly hop this
bait across
the bottom. Strikes will be a solid thump and then jerk real hard.
Try this bait this summer and the largest fish of the year is a possibility.
