[bigtex]

I had a young man ask "how does a jig bite feel?"  When all of the other anglers got through spilling there secrets, skills, and opinions that is when I stepped in.  I told him this

I have found only one way of explaining how you will know when a bass bites your soft plastic and JIGS.  I compare it to having kids around the house, I only have one.  Now I know that there will be some kids reading this and can't really relate to what I'm saying but I do believe that the quality of kids on here can read between the lines and will pick up on what I am saying.

  Type of bite---how it feels when you get the bite
     
"1.)  Hard bite---when your child runs head on into you for one of those "I miss you hugs."
2.)  Light bite---when your child hangs onto your shirt and you know he/she is there just by the small tugs.
3.)  Silent bite--when you don't feel your child tugging on your shirt but when you turn around to walk you step all over them."  


By-- Jack McNutt--My grandfather

I use this all the time and it has been passed down to me by my grandfather before he was called to Heaven.  I hope this helps you and keep me posted on your fishing trips.

 

[hellabass]

Good analogy

Here is another way to look at it and I learned this from Woo Daves.  Pay attention to what your jig feels like when you are not getting a bite, which is 99% off the time and whenever it feels any different.....   SET THE HOOK!

When you think about it, its really that simple  :-*

Rich
www.RichLindgren.com

 

[nwgabassmaster]

That is what I always tell everyone, and I didn' tknow that Woo Daves had ever said anything like that. I actually heard it from Denny Brauer. If it just feels different, or even if you aren't sure, set the hook. Hook sets are free, and missed fish cost money.

 

[Ouachita]

I'd guess most of my summer jig bites don't allow feeling anything. It's mostly the absence of contact (no vibration) after feeling bottom or wood with it. When a bass eats a jig, it is mostly inhaled. It doesn't require a bass to chase it or slam it. They just flare the gills and it pops into their mouth. That stops jig movement and there's simply "nothing" happening on the end of the line. It's similar to an inline spinner blades that just stop spinning. It's because either the blades are fouled or the lure is eaten. The solution is the same for weed-fouled blades or a bite. Jerk it free or in the same motion set the hook instantly. If it's a fish I set the hook again, harder.

There are exceptions, of course, sometimes getting a definite thump-thump, tic-tic, or getting the rod yanked heavily, but I don't count on that. The time I stopped going by that is when my jig fishing became a strength instead of a novelty. And that made a huge improvement on worm fishing, too. when I can't feel it hitting or dragging, I set the hook.

Jim

 

[Jared]

I'd guess most of my summer jig bites don't allow feeling anything. It's mostly the absence of contact (no vibration) after feeling bottom or wood with it. When a bass eats a jig, it is mostly inhaled. It doesn't require a bass to chase it or slam it. They just flare the gills and it pops into their mouth.

\

Very true. A good sized bass passes more than a gallon of water passed its gills with a single inhale. Definitely more than enough suction to suck that jig in without so much as a tick.

Like said earlier... setting the hook is free.. set it if you arent sure

 

[grendle]

i agree with most of the above, and their are several types of jig bite (about 7 IMO) but most of the fish i have watched eat a jig attack it violently trying to pin it into the ground then they move off with it. when to set the hook is a better one IMO . Personally i dont set on the first hit or tap , i apply some pressure and you can actually feel the fish bite down even more , then you hit em . you need to set the hook pretty hard but not too hard. you need to get the jig head through his lips and get the hook into the fish , which if it's a good one ( they usually are) can be tough. i also always set the hook either straight up or in the opposit direction the fish is swimming at about 45 deg. just my .02

 

[oldschool]

Lots of info on this topic;
http://www.thebassholes.com/bassin-forums/index.php?topic=1607.0
was posted to help answer this question.
Tom

 

[Basspro18]

ant nothen to it. just pay attention to your line and the way it feels and when u get a hit u will know then rip a lip lol.