You can do a soft or hard lift, but always follow the jig back down...don't drop the rod tip and let your line go slack - you'll miss fish, especially when jigging deep. If you see a twitch/hesitation in the line on the drop, set the hook. If nothing is there, you'll be in place for the drop. Braid is wonderful for jigging. Some Smelly Jelly won't hurt. I also replace the treble hook with a 6/0 siwash on a barrel swivel on the split ring. Fish can't get leverage as well when rolling/twisting that might pull the hook out.