Back in the early years of covering the Bassmaster Classic, I had the pleasure of fishing and watching the greatest bass angler, in my opinion, of all time—Kevin VanDam (KVD). KVD was a master at any technique that was needed to win. He would throw spinnerbaits, crankbaits, worms, topwater—whatever the bass wanted on a given day.

There was one lure, however, that I learned a lot about while spending time on the water with KVD: the jig, and the various trailers associated with them.

Fishing jigs and the use of a variety of trailers is one area I feel all bass anglers need to learn, and learn efficiently. There is not one single time during any given season when jigs will not produce. The middle of winter throughout spring and summer, and into fall, a jig and trailer will flat out catch fish.

What Is a Jig in Fishing? Types, Trailers, and How They Work

There are a variety of jigs anglers can use, and they range in different weights, too. Small hair jigs can weigh 1/32 of an ounce, while larger swimming jigs can go upwards of 1 ounce or more. There are Ned jigs, football jigs, flipping and pitching jigs, swim jigs, and even standard jig heads, all of which have a place and time.

For trailers, there is not a single jig I use, with the hair jig being the only exception, where I do not employ some form of trailer. Trailers can come in all shapes and sizes. Trailers for most jigs I use will be some form of creature bait or crawfish pattern, with colors usually watermelon/red, green pumpkin, or blue. On rare occasions, I will use a white jig on a swimming jig. On some Ned jigs, I will use a longer finesse-style worm anywhere from 6 to 10 inches.

Types of Jigs and How to Fish a Jig for Bass

Ned Jig Fishing Lures for Bass

Ned jigs offer anglers the ability to fish a jig vertically in the water column and usually are used in conjunction with a small bullet-style worm or longer finesse worm. I will usually fish Ned Rigs with a Ned worm, which is a smaller bullet-shaped worm and about 3 inches in length.

This jig looks and feels like it is something nothing would bite, but believe me, dragging this along open bottom or through weed lines when the water is cold, or the fish are lethargic due to fronts passing, is deadly.

To fish a Ned, simply make your cast and allow it to settle on the bottom. Let it sit there for at least a minute with absolutely no movement, then either drag slowly or make subtle hops back to the boat.

Football Jig Fishing for Bass

The football-style jig I use is similar to the Biffle Bug, which is a football head with a swinging-style hook. This jig is ideal for making long casts to offshore structure, gravel, ledges, or rock piles.

The jig is accompanied by a creature-style trailer to mimic a scurrying baitfish like a crawfish. The football-head jig is best used by making your cast and allowing it to sink. Once it hits bottom, I gently reel in the lure, making sure it is constantly dragging across the bottom. This will send a small cloud of dirt, which directly mimics baitfish.

Bass will usually strike with aggression, so set the hook quickly.

On the tackle side, the Spartacus Defender Combo, the 7-foot medium-heavy spooled with 15- to 20-pound-test fluorocarbon, is a hot outfit.

Swim Jigs: Versatile Jig Fishing Lures for Bass

These jigs are probably the ones I use the least, but do not overlook them. They flat out catch fish, but heck, how many different lures can I throw?

The swim jig is a great search bait, as you can work it through heavier cover and deflect it off grass and other debris. It also resembles a larger-profile fleeing baitfish—shad, herring, bluegill, depending on the color.

The head is pointed, allowing it to swim better than a traditional head.

Flipping and Pitching Jigs for Bass Fishing

These jigs, by far, are the ones I use the most. I have been flipping a blue 3/8-ounce jig and trailer into heavy cover for over 35 years.

I will use this jig in the nastiest cover you can find. This jig, as it falls, represents a dying baitfish. As it lands and “poofs” the sand, it looks like a crayfish. Hop it back, and it is a wounded baitfish or fleeing crayfish.

If you see heavy cover, blown-down trees, or lily pads, use this jig.

The head is streamlined with a heavy-duty weed guard to limit snags. A quick tip is to cut back the weed guard even with or just slightly past the point of the hook.

Finesse Jig Fishing Lures for Bass

The finesse jighead I use, and there are many others, is a small hair jig. I only opt for this jig in colder water, or immediately after the spawn when fish are still utilizing less energy due to the spawn.

The jig is best used on light, 6-pound-test fluorocarbon, and allowed to sink slowly, sit, then reel in and start all over.

The Spartacus Defender Spinning Rod in 6-foot, 6-inch length is a good go-to combo. Spool it up with 6-pound braid and top it off with 6-pound fluorocarbon, and hold on.

Punch Jigs for Heavy Cover Bass Fishing

The last jig is the big boy, and I say this because this jig could be as heavy as 2 ounces, depending on the cover.

The jig is definitely streamlined, and the key element is a flipping hook. This hook naturally flips upward on the bite to ensure a solid hook set.

This jig is used in canopy-type cover that cannot be penetrated without the weight. For this, you need a stout rod rated for 15-25 pounds, 7-1/2 feet or longer, and a beefy reel spooled with 50-pound braid.

Choosing the Right Bass Fishing Jigs, Rod, Reel, and Line

New this year is the Spartacus Defender Series of rod and reel combos, with KastKing offering spinning and baitcasting combos that will work well with any style jig.

Match the jig and line size to your choice of spinning or baitcasting, and hit the water.

Whether you are dragging a Ned jig across a cold-water flat, working a football jig over offshore structure, swimming a jig through cover, flipping into heavy vegetation, or punching through thick canopy, understanding how and when to use different bass fishing jigs can make a major difference.

Until next time, tight lines and screaming drags.

How Do You Trim a Jig Skirt for Better Action?

Trimming a jig skirt can change its fall rate, profile, and action. Shortening the skirt allows the strands to flare more easily, creating a wider, more compact profile and potentially adding water resistance during the fall.

For a more streamlined presentation, remove some skirt strands rather than simply cutting them shorter. This can reduce bulk and drag while allowing the jig to fall more naturally.

Use a fuller skirt for more flare and a slower, more deliberate fall, and thin the skirt when you want a cleaner profile and less resistance.

What Is the Most Versatile Jig Trailer?

A craw-style or compact creature bait trailer is one of the most versatile choices for bass jigs. It works well with football jigs, flipping and pitching jigs, and many other jig styles while giving the presentation a natural crawfish or baitfish profile. Green pumpkin is a particularly versatile color that works in a wide range of water conditions.

Jig vs. Jig Head: What’s the Difference?

The main difference is how the hook and weight are designed and how the lure is presented. A jig typically has a weighted head, skirt, and hook designed to work with a trailer, while a jig head is usually a simpler weighted hook that is paired with a separate soft plastic lure. Jigs are generally better for presentations such as flipping,pitching, and fishing heavy cover.

About the Author: 

Tom Melton is an outdoor writer and lifelong angler with over 40 years of fishing experience. In 1994, he served as Editor of The Fisherman Magazine on Long Island. He has written more than 5,000 fishing articles and columns and is the author of Fishing the Long Island Coast. Now based in Florida, Tom focuses on freshwater bass fishing as well as saltwater species, sharing practical techniques and gear insights for anglers of all levels.