While fishing with co-anglers and charter clients, I have noticed that most anglers don't carry jigging spoons in their boxes. Many have never used them. Well, let me tell you that a jigging spoon is a highly productive lure you need to learn if you plan to do a variety of bass fishing.
There are many different brands of jigging spoons on the market today, and most of them work as well as the next one. But there is always an exception to the rule, right? While recently on a fishing business trip in California, a fellow introduced me to some jigging spoons I had never seen before. And let me tell you, you won't find any better than these! They have such a unique design with ultra-sharp hooks, plus the different color combinations are fantastic.
When I got back home to Lake Champlain and Lake George, NY, I headed straight for the water to give them a try. I caught a limit in the first two hours using these jigging spoons, with one of them a solid 6-pound smallmouth. Since then, I always have one rigged up on one of my rods.
You can use several different tricks when fishing a jigging spoon while fishing suspended fish, bottom fish, structure fish, and in and around vegetation.
Suspended Bass
Suspended bass are probably the most challenging bass you'll ever fish. Many anglers use several different methods and lures to fish suspended bass. But a jigging spoon can prove to be deadly in this situation. Here is how I use a jigging spoon with suspended fish, but keep in mind that every angler seems to develop their little touch, flare, or specific technique that suits them with any bait used.
When I fish suspended bass, whether over treetops, along bluffs or cliffs, or any structure where suspended bass hang out, I vertically drop the jigging spoon straight down below the suspended bass and let it pause for a moment. Then, using my rod to do the work, I'll lift the rod tip about two feet and drop it about a foot; lift it another two feet and drop it about a foot. I'll repeat this technique until the rod tip is usually up to a 10 o'clock position. Then, while keeping the slack out of the line, I will slowly drop the tip back close to the water surface and start again. Sometimes you will feel a little pressure instead of solid hits, but as the ole' saying goes, "When in doubt, set the hook!"
I strongly feel that if you give this a try, not just for 5 minutes, but if you give this pattern an honest try, I'm sure that you won't be disappointed at all!
Bottom Bass
Bottom bass fishing with a jigging spoon can be a highly productive technique. Before you fish for bottom bass, check to see what's on the bottom for vegetation and structure. You probably won't use an open, exposed treble hook if there is lots of stuff to get snagged on. If there are any obstructions to get hung up on, switch to a weedless jigging spoon instead of the open, exposed treble hook.
There are several different techniques to use when fishing bottom bass with a jigging spoon, and I will share a couple to get you started. The first one would be to drop the jigging spoon and hit bottom vertically. Lightly twitch the rod tip, making the jigging spoon dance around the bottom, then let it lay still for a moment, and repeat the technique. I have caught small and large largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass using this technique. One was a 7.8oz largemouth.
The second technique would be to make long casts and slowly retrieve the jigging spoon back to the boat. I'm sure that you won't go home empty-handed if you use this technique.
Fishing Vegetation
There are two techniques I will use when fishing in and around scattered or thick vegetation. The first one I will use will be primarily for thicker vegetation areas. I will tie on a weedless jigging spoon and even apply a trailer such as a plastic grub, half of a plastic worm, plastic craw, or just about anything used for a trailer. Make a cast, letting the jigging spoon fall on top of the thick vegetation. After letting it sit still for a moment, I'll start to drag it slowly back towards the boat with a stop-and-go retrieve. All I can say is hold on! I can't tell you how many times I've had big bass come up and grab the lure.
The second technique I'd use around vegetation would be using the same bait, but now instead of dragging the bait on top, let it fall in the open pockets of the vegetation. Once again, hold on!
I can't tell you how great a jigging spoon can be for bass fishing in so many words. But I can promise that if you gave jigging spoons an honest try, you'd indeed find these to be one of the best baits you will ever use for not only quality but quantity as well.
