How to Fish Hair Jigs for Big Smallmouth Bass

Comments · 119

• BR

  @brnowak_fishing · 6 years ago · pinned

  VIDEO NOTES:<br>Hair Jig<br>Where - Shallower water situations, I typically focus 12ft or less. &nbsp;Best around shallow flats with rock where bass are cruising early season prespawn through the postspawn. &nbsp;Look for spawning flats and areas where bass can pull up to feed with sporadic isolated cover<br><br>When - 53-70* late prespawn through postspawn. &nbsp;This is a relatively limited presentation for me. &nbsp;Some people utilize in cold water situations (ice out through spring) but I have other confidence techniques that I prefer. &nbsp;Also a big player for me around the mayfly hatch<br><br>How - 2 approaches<br><br>1. Fan Casting - Cast and very slowly reel this bait with little rod movement or reel twitches. &nbsp;Useful when covering shallow flats or covering water where fish may be spawning or cruising<br>2. Specific target casts and bed fishing - Cast to visual targets or beds. &nbsp;Start by swimming the bait and then slowly drag/fish the bait through the area and pick it apart as needed<br><br>Gear -<br>Rod -<br>7’ - 7’6” ML Rod with Fast or Mod Fast Action<br>You want a rod that will cast the hair jig well and load up, but is not too “whippy.” &nbsp;Also when setting the hook on baits with light hooks and line, softer power and action will let you keep fish pinned and manage the fish to the boat<br><br>Reel -<br>5 or 6 speed gear ratio big 3000 or 4000 size spinning reel with 8-10lb braid to 5-8lb fluoro. &nbsp;Small diameter line casts better and comes off spool better. &nbsp;Run a top shot 30’ leader<br><br>Bait -<br>1/16-1/8oz Hair jig (3/32oz is best).<br>Favorite color is black but I’ll mix in brown during mayfly hatch. &nbsp;I have other colors but those are my favorite. &nbsp;Add a small piece of senko or soft plastic to hook to add weight to the bait for better castability. &nbsp;It doesn’t add action but helps with some bulk for casting

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• DI

  @dixiefishin2956 · 3 years ago

  I love fishing hair jigs,and tying my own. No smallies yet on them, don’t have many places for smallies. But largemouth love them! &nbsp;I’ve done very well with them 1/8 and 1/4 ounce damiki, ball head, and ned head. &nbsp;I’ve caught them when the pond was 90% frozen. The largemouth were chewing a 1/4 ounce green pumpkin ball head with olive green marabou jig, slow reel on bottom over the green weeds. &nbsp;Also fishing it like a jig crawled on bottom works well.

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• JI

  @jimwarden9617 · 6 years ago

  Good stuff. Story time. When I first moved to Mi from Ohio in 1979, I joined the local bass club. Our first tournament was in Indiana. I had a small aluminum home made bass boat. Using a black hair jig, I caught a huge smallie that took big fish and I finished 2nd in the tournament. The power of the bait transcends generations.

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• TH

  @thereelridder · 4 years ago

  Great video man!✊🏼 &nbsp;perfectly explained and &nbsp;sooo deadly on Lake Michigan.

• MI

  @mikek3638 · 5 years ago

  Great video. Very thorough. Hitting a highland reservoir next week in Tennessee and a well known fisherman of the lake recommended the hair jig.

• MA

  @markwoodley658 · 4 years ago

  This is perfect……I fish in Manitoba and really want to learn this technique. Thanks!

• G_

  @G_Marvelous85 · 1 year ago

  You should check out the FWR901-2 Edge Rods by G.Loomis. Designed specifically for this technique.

• BA

  @bassgeek · 6 years ago

  yeah man thoughts and prayers for Michigan. Thanks for the tips.

• LE

  @lennymachowski5660 · 6 years ago

  Ben thank you for the video. I make one change when tying these. take one extra bait keeper, clip off one end like you did at top. tie this to the bottom af shank near hook bend. this is a perfect keeper to prevent small soft plastic from coming off. I noticed on the jig you held up it had a small piece of senko for added weight under the maribou.

• AN

  @andrewmoore5406 · 6 years ago

  That tip at the end 🔥 🔥

• RA

  @raymaylone8563 · 4 years ago

  Hey Ben awesome video. First time viewer. Are you talking deer hair or marabou? Have started tying my own and have done very well with them.

• JO

  @johnmango6056 · 6 years ago

  wow those look amazing

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