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Classic Baits: Jig and Grub

Wade's World Fishing: Jigs are extremely popular baits among modern bass anglers, most of whom use flipping jigs, football jigs and casting jigs adorned with a plastic crawfish trailer. However, a few decades back jigs were used mostly with curl-tail grubs. These lures “don’t get much respect” today, but they were deadly in their time, and they still produce for anglers who use them.

A jig-and-grub is highly versatile and can be used in all seasons and in a broad range of cover/depth situations. A jig-and-grub can also be worked with a variety of retrieves: steady swim, lift and drop, etc. Typically, larger grubs (5-inch) and slower retrieves are better in cold months, while smaller grubs (3-4-inch) and faster retrieves produce better in warm months.

Jigheads come in a variety of styles and sizes. Swimming jigheads (“minnow head jigs”), round head, darter, etc. Swimming style jigheads are normally better for above-bottom retrieves, while round head jigs are the choice for bottom-oriented (lift and fall) retrieves.

Jigs and curl-tail grubs can be purchased at most tackle stores or ordered through tackle catalogs or web sites.

Here are additional tips for fishing a jig-and-grub more efficiently for bass.

  • For most presentations, use 6 ½- to 7-foot light to medium action spinning rods and 8-12 lb. test fluorocarbon line.
  • For swimming retrieves, hold the rod at 10 o’clock and reel the jig steadily. If the bait contacts a stump, rock or other cover object, flick it with a quick wrist action, then let it freefall. This is a great trigger for following bass.
  • Swim a jig-and-grub just across the tops of submerged vegetation. If the line/bait loads with grass, rip the bait to clear the vegetation, the continue the retrieve.
  • Be a line-watcher. Many times you will “see” bites (line twitches, jumps, veers) that you won’t feel.
  • If the jig-and-grub becomes “heavy” during a retrieve, continue reeling while lowering the rod tip. Take up slack line, then set the hook.