Short Question and Answer Session
Q. Mumpy, I could use some help in the area of Jig fishing. I’ve only gotten into jig fishing the last couple of years but I really want to get better. So, here’s the questions; What’s your most productive color? Any additional color strands like I’ve seen black and blue with some purple in it. What about trailers? Thanks for your help.
A. Good Question, Black and Blue combination is by far the most popular combination among Bass Fishermen. It’s popular for a reason, it flat out catches Bass. If I could give you any advice, it would be to stick with that simple color and vary the Jig design to meet your fishing environment. For example, if you’re fishing a hard / rock bottom, use the Football head. If you are fishing brush and structure, use the Brush Buster style I make. Grass? Use the Swimming Jig. Then obviously there is the weight issue which is as simple as the deeper you’re fishing, the heavier the Jig. There are many variables that must be considered. Remember the Conditions + Clarity equals color rule.
Ask yourself this as well, What are you trying to imitate? Shad? Bream? Crawdads? This will probably throw you for a loop… According to wikipedia, In North America The greatest diversity of crayfish species is found in south-eastern North America, with over 330 species in nine genera. That is a lot of different colors depending on what time of year we are fishing.
I got this information from a Pro Guide, Rich Thiel , and I will pass it on to you; When the water temperature is 65 and the water is slightly stained, Brown and Purple works good or Brown on Brown. As the spawn finishes up the water temperature starts rising which forces the crawdads to bury themselves and turn back to the Black/Orange/Red color. What he does is follow a rule of thumb, Cloudy skies equals Black and Blue, Sunny days equals Black and Red and mix the trailers up. Also, after the spawn, downsize the appearance of the jig. Keep the weight, but cut the skirt back a bit. During the summer months he never fishes a jig that is longer than 4″ and in the Winter he uses a 5″ to a 5 1/2″ Jig. Just something to think about.
Speaking of Black and Blue, it seems to really be paying off for my Dad up in Chattanooga, he’s been absolutely KILLING The Largemouth on the Tennessee River as of lately on my Pro Football Head, Black and Blue Jig as you can tell from the pictures.
Some fairly good news was received this weekend. I contacted a local Professional Fisherman this weekend he is currently fishing the FLW Tour. He has agreed to give Mumpys Jigs a try and if everything goes well, it looks like I will be sponsoring him. This is a win win situation for everyone. I am positive he will enjoy the Jigs I make for him and at the same time, he will be letting me know what has been working so I can post here any of his success stories. I am also looking forward to any ideas he may have on colors or head designs. Let’s cross our fingers. I will be sending him a shipment of Jigs the beginning of next week. I’ll keep everyone updated on the situation.
Mumpy


