I don't always fish jigs, but when i do, I prefer Aerojigs. You can tip them with shrimp, you can douse them with scent (Mike's shrimp oil or egg nectar are good ones), or just fish them alone. Good color combos and Gamagatsu hooks.

SMJ-2 usually tipped with prawn

I only use tipped jig on Chum's, where I have tested a tipped vs un-tipped jig enough to know it makes a difference.

For Steelhead, not needed. I'm sure it doesn't hurt, but don't think it matters any.

I mostly just use a jig, but will doctor one up with a Trout Power Worm from time to time.

My laziness prevents me from fishing bait with the jig, so I don't.

Exactly!!! If I wanna fish hard and roll bait all day i'll do it but if I wanna just go fish screw bait. It's pretty much one or the other....and there's a lot of situations where I'm way more confident in a jig
JD

Wonder what Mr. Vedder's thoughts are on this matter?

I'd also be interested in Mr. Vedder's opinions on the matter (having just received and read two of his books for my birthday).

I was swimming jigs for coho this fall and I watched 3 adult cohos chase a jig tipped with prawn. One fish grabbed the jig, and I watched the other one grab the prawn after it fell off.

So, I guess it can provide an edge in a few circumstances. I never scent my jigs otherwise. I would say if it is legal, carry a couple of prawns along. It really is not a laziness issue, I mean pop two prawns out of the bag in the freezer in the microwave for 30 on your way out the door. If you run your jigs through a slot and get no love, tip your jig and try it a few more times.

Here is a coho caught while steelhead fishing yesterday.





No bait on this micro jig.

Sure it is.

I mean for God's sake..............freezer/microwave/plastic bag/rebaiting...............jeezus man. Who has time for that kind of effort?

Yeah, he is so zipperlipped that the last time he used a jig tipped with prawn, he had to toss his rod in the river to keep from being discovered.

Hey, I remember the day you came down and we all went side drifting for the day and you picked off a couple extra fish with the bobber and jig rod.. You remember the day we trimmed your shorts up a bit...

I've used that tactic from time to time in those soft spots with and without the jig being tipped with bait and have caught more fish since. Sometimes it takes success to push someone past the laziness thats developed to drive them to do it again... On a few different occassions it's filled the last part of our limits that were tough to scratch up mid day out of the more defined beat up water... Thanks Dan...

I have caught a fish or two on the jig now that I think about it.

What shocks me the most, though, is that Keith seems to have developed a soft spot for the lowly float and jig. Never thought I'd see the day...........

Shoot, if Keith starts slinging jigs AND bait, he'll be downright dangerous to a fish's health.

Where's my lighter and that can of gas?

Hey now... I think there's a picture some where on the home computer. We did such a great job turning those jeans into Daisy Dukes.... To think Dan trusted us....

I miss the good ol' days.... Too funny!

Keith

Please post up a pic of DanS in "daisy dukes"...

They were Dansy Dukes, dammit............and I knew better than to let you f'ers within 10 feet of me.

And yes, Aunty, Keith did toss a rod in on the same weekend. Thing is, it was HIS rod so he can toss the f'er overboard any time he feels like it. The rod I tossed belonged to someone else. Woops.

Oh yeah I did and did it again since then. 0 for 2 finding them.... Fishing sure is an expensive sport!

Keith

you cant say one way works better or not. all runs are different. some rivers i fish ways that i wouldnt fish elsewhere.

what i do instead of scenting a jig (assuming you dont "want" to use bait) is i rub desired scent on my hands when leaving my rig so it can dry on the way to the river, then i handle my gear... fish can smell everything, they will smell that scent and you didnt get oil in the marabou. i also tip with cured shrimp.

essentially a tipped jig is a weighted piece of color with a small chunk of prawn, it works.

I like to use the Smelly Jelly special mix on just about everything. It even makes really great sunscreen.;) Just try a little bit on your nose, like the white stuff.