Jig vs Texas Rig

Let’s discuss Texas rigs vs. jigs and when I choose each one. They are both very effective, but they definitely have their time and place. One of my all-time favorite ways to catch a bass is with a flipping jig. I grew up in middle Tennessee where we have a lot of highland reservoirs. One of the best ways to catch bass there is to flip jigs down the bluff walls. That’s how I grew up fishing. But if you turn on Bassmaster Live or something like that, you’ll see a lot more people throwing a Texas rig creature than you will a flipping jig. One of the reasons for that is a lot of our tournaments are geared around the spawn. So, let’s talk about when I choose a jig or a Texas rig creature bait.

First and foremost, water temperature is a big dictator for me. If it’s the cold weather months or pre-spawn, about 100% of the time it’s going to be the jig for me. I want that beefier profile. I want it to show up well in the water. I feel like a jig really mimics the slow movements of a crawfish in cold water. Now, once you get into the spawn and post-spawn, that’s when the Texas rig creature really starts to shine. You can vary the size and profile more than you can with a jig.

Cover is also a big determining factor. If I’m fishing really heavy cover and I’m having trouble getting that jig through it, the Texas rig creature will slither through that cover a lot better. It just comes through the cover a whole lot cleaner. But there again, in the cold weather months, I’d rather take my chances with that big jig because I feel like I’m going to get a bigger bite that way.

Forage is another important thing to consider. A lot of times fish want that bigger jig because they’re feeding on crawdads early in the year. As it gets later and warmer in the year, they start feeding on more bluegill and things like that. That’s when you start to go with the Texas rig creature.

Several years ago, I had a really good finish at Lake Guntersville in the Bassmaster Classic. That was a pre-spawn event, and I caught some of my key fish off boat docks with a big jig. There have been several times in my career where a big flipping jig pulled me out of a hole, and I really leaned on it. But when you get into those spawn or post-spawn months, the warmer weather months, I find myself going with the Texas rig creature more often.

That’s how I choose between a jig and a Texas rig creature. I hope that helps you out and good luck on the water.