How to fish a jig
Hop it off the bottom and let it fall. A jig is fished by feel, and most of the bites happen on the drop.
Last reviewed 26 September 2026 · Editorial policy
What this skill is for
A jig is heavier and more compact than most lures, so it goes to the bottom fast and stays there. It catches fish because it can be worked slowly through the exact structure they are sitting against, and because the fall looks like something wounded.
What you need
- A rod with enough backbone to pull a hook through a jig's point.
- A reel with a solid drag.
- Fluorocarbon or braid with a fluorocarbon leader.
- Jigs in a weight matched to the depth and current.
Step by step
- 01
Match the weight to the water
Use the lightest jig that reaches the bottom within a count of three. Too heavy and you lose the feel of the fall; too light and you never get there.
- 02
Cast and watch the line
After the cast, keep the line tight and watch it for the first drop. A line that stops moving, dips or darts sideways is a bite, not a snag.
- 03
Lift and let it fall
Lift the rod to ten o'clock and lower it, taking up the slack. The jig hops once and falls back — that pause is where the strike comes.
- 04
Feel the fall
Learn the weight of the jig on the line. The moment that weight vanishes, set.
- 05
Set firm and lift straight
Sweep the rod hard rather than flicking it, then wind the fish clear of the cover it will head for.
Where it goes wrong
- Reeling the jig back — a jig is lifted, not retrieved.
- Setting at the first thump, which is usually the bottom.
- Too light a rod to drive an offset point home.
- Fishing one weight everywhere instead of matching the depth.
- Letting the fish get to the timber before you wind.
Related guides
Common questions
What do I need for fish a jig?
A rod with enough backbone to pull a hook through a jig's point., A reel with a solid drag., Fluorocarbon or braid with a fluorocarbon leader., Jigs in a weight matched to the depth and current.. Nothing specialist beyond that — if a step needs something extra it is listed in the guide itself.
What is the most common mistake with fish a jig?
Reeling the jig back — a jig is lifted, not retrieved.
How do I know fish a jig is done correctly?
You can feel the jig tap the bottom on every drop, and a bite registers as a sudden loss or sideways pull of weight rather than a rattle.