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Jim Jared's Jig Fishin' Insights
By Jerry Puckett

November/December 1997

Jim Jared of Dolan Springs, AZ has been a consistent moneymaker in Western tournaments since the early 1980's. Jared has concentrated on perfecting a clear water jig technique that he uses for 90% of his angling. Sit back and listen in as I pick his brain and he shares with us some of the secrets that have contributed to his success over a span of nearly two decades. Jared's sponsors are Ranger, Mercury, Uncle Josh, Phenix Rods and ProLine jigs.

This interview was taped on Nov. 1st, three weeks prior to the B.A.S.S. Lake Powell Invitational. The Angler's Choice Pro-Am Classic on Lake Powell had completed their weigh-in when we sat down to visit.

JP: Okay Jim, we just sat here and watched this weigh-in for two days for the Angler's Choice Classic. I was expecting a 3-lb. average to do very well and what we saw was almost a 4-lb. average, which surprised us all. I know you found some pretty good fish and were hoping the 2 and 3 lb. average was going to stand up. It's November, Jim, and you're a top-notch jig fisherman, have you been able to find jig fish out there while pre-fishing?

JJ: Well, I had a 16 lb. Day; I weigh each fish you know. I had 16 lb. and 7 ounces. That was one pass through three canyons. I didn't go back and check them since then, so if you get a 16-lb. day and a 14-lb. day, that's 30 lbs. With B.A.S.S. going three days I have to believe 15 lbs. a day wins it.

(Editor's Note: Good guess, Jim. Bill Siemantel won the Lake Powell B.A.S.S. with just over 44 lbs.)

JP: That's right. Well, Jim, do you still fish the jig that you manufacture or who's jig do you use these days?

JJ: I use a Pro-Line jig. Quite simply, because they made a better jig than I made.

JP: What are the features about the Pro-Line, specifically, that you like? I know that you are very particular about the jig that you use.

JJ: That's right. Well, it's the best stand-up head ever made. The Gamakatsu hook sticks up a ˝ inch to an inch higher than any other jig I've ever used, or made, or seen. That half inch to an inch, that puts the bait just that much closer to being inside that fish's mouth. My jig used to roll over, so I lost a lot of fish. I increased my fish in the boat by 50%. I lose 50% less fish than I used to.

JP: Most of the guys today found some relatively shallow fish, say 15 ft and less. Are you working deeper fish, or is that about the zone that you are in?

JJ: My 16 lbs. were at 24 ft.

JP: Okay, now we are in fairly clear water, Jim, what weight jig would you typically choose to work in 20 ft of water, and what line weight?

JJ: I was using a 3/8-ounce jig but line is a B.F.D. That's a Big Fine Deal. I switched to Fire Line the same month that I switched to Pro-Line jigs. 20 lb. Fire Line. I never use less for jigs. It is cable. You don't try to break it, in these bushes you wrap it four times around your sleeve and pull on it and it will pull the limb up sometimes. It will pull the hook out of the wood, and you get your jig back.

JP: Gary's got a line that is Fluorocarbon, called Sugoi that I use. It is a mono, but its Fluorocarbon instead of nylon, so it has the same stretch characteristics as the Fire Line; its very low stretch. We all had problems with the braided product. It cured a lot of problems; unfortunately, it created a problem for every one it cured. With the Fire Line and Sugoi Line you can use standard knots. Is that your experience?

JJ: I use Palomar knots. A little secret, a little tip; take the pork or scented plastic like with Yamamoto Attractant and slide it right up the line, the pork fat or attractant lubricates the line. That puts a little scent up that line and then you can pull that Palomar knot down a lot easier by lubricating it with the pork fat or the scent.

JP: Good tip, but again, sensitivity is everything when jig fishing.

JJ: Absolutely. A real quick story: I called one of my best friends, John Rode. I said, "John, I'm using Fire Line, its phenomenal." (This is almost two years ago.) He says. "But Jim, it costs $12.95 for 150 yards." I said, "John, you can catch one fish that will make you $200 that you wouldn't have caught." Two weeks later, Rode called me and said "Jim, remember when you said I could make $200? Well, I have a $200 check. I came in 4th in a team tournament. I know I caught two of my fish because of Fire Line."

JP: Great story, fusion or fluorocarbon line for fish catching sensitivity without braided line hassles.

JJ: Absolutely.

JP: Okay, you use Uncle Josh, so if you are throwing a 3/8 oz jig you're probably using the old #11 pork. No doubt dunked in your secret sauce.

JJ: A #11 purple pork with a brown rubber jig. In clear water, generally, you just can't beat it. I dip my jig and trailer at least every four casts, and a lot of times every cast. It is called "The Solution". I don't market it; I sell it only to individuals who want to buy it. It's $10.00 a jar, plus $3.50 for shipping. (See end of article for details)

JP: Okay; now I'll tell you something about your Solution that you probably know. You can put a Yamamoto grub in that Solution and that thing will swell up like a pumpkin.

JJ: That's right, it will go from a pinky size finger to a thumb size; and I don't believe it is within the abilities of a black bass to spit that out. One thing I will tell you, the main ingredient is salt. So whatever you are soaking is soaking in salt. And bass like salt like you and I like steak and lobster.

JP: Absolutely. That is one of their #1 preferred tastes and they will sit there and chew and chew it. What are we trying to think about when we are out there this time of year? Are you thinking shad or are you thinking crawfish?

JJ: Well, obviously, I'm simulating a crawfish. I guess I'm kinda pushing the time envelope up here a little bit because they are still chasing shad. The shad seem to be a little scarcer; I'm not positive of this, but I can't find as many as I did. So, I think the shad are getting out to the deeper water, but yet they come in and the fish are moving in with them. So, it is a hit and miss deal right now. However, I caught all of my fish on pork. So, I'm thinking crawdad, especially next month for B.A.S.S.

JP: I totally agree. I'm of the opinion that you can catch jig fish 12 months a year here at Lake Powell. You might not win a tournament on a jig, but you can always catch jig fish.

JJ: I'm sure you can up here. But how high does this water temperature get? I've come up with a temperature number, mid 70's. When the water warms up to 74 degrees on the desert lakes, you don't throw pork.

JP: Yeah, it doesn't seem to be as productive in warmer water.

JJ: So, on Lake Mead, Mojave and Havasu we have 3.5 or 4 months, when it is too hot for jigs, up here on Powell you probably have just 1 month that I wouldn't fish a jig.

JP: Okay, lets talk about our basic jig fishing tackle now, we're throwing a 3/8 jig on a 20 lb. Fire Line, and we've got a nice #11 pork chunk on there and its soaked up in Solution and we're ready to go fishing. You mentioned the fact that you use Phoenix rods, so which one of those rods have you got in your hands in this situation?

JJ: I've always fished a medium action rod. I never did like a heavy jig rod. I went to a light action right after I went to Fire Line. Now Powell's like Mead, I'm fishing mostly bushes. The light action rod wasn't beefy enough to get those fish out of those bushes, even with Fire Line. So I went back to the medium action rod. You absolutely do not want a heavy action rod with Fire Line.

JP: Is that because you believe that the line is so sensitive that you are more likely to set the hook just a little too early, and you need to have a little softer rod to take a little of that edge off?

JJ: That's a fact, you'll rip it out of the fish's mouth, even with a medium rod. You'll see a fish dive down there and grab your bait and you'll rip it out of their mouth.

JP: Now, Jim when you are in a soft bite condition, and you feel like you may have been picked up, do you allow yourself time to reel down and get yourself in position to make a good hook set or do you make a snap set? Even if you've got the rod tip high, do you set there?

JJ: I yank on it. Even if the rod tip's above my head I just start yanking and reeling. I don't wait. That's large mouth. Now, I'm not so sure about the small mouth, I have yanked on a small mouth up to three times before I caught it. If you will just let it fall back, sometimes it takes 30 seconds but you'll get that fish.

JP: Okay, you told me you won your first boat here and it was a U.S. Bass Tournament in 1986. What did you catch them on in 1986?

JJ: Purple Uncle Josh pork on a brown jig, (laughs) I caught one 3.25 pounder. If you've got a minute I'll tell a story: In the pre-fish I go into one of my favorite spots, and I'm really on, I'm making perfect splash-less entry casts. It's March, and I know there's a big mama up there getting ready to spawn; we have good weather, and I can't get bit. So I pull the boat up there and there goes this 3 – 31/2 lb. fish under the boat. Okay honey, I'll be back day after tomorrow. It was the first pre-fish day. So I do exactly the same thing the first day of the tournament. I threw about five perfect casts. I knew that fish hadn't left. She's a big mama and she's gonna be in this area, so I pull the boat up real slow and there she is. She goes right under the boat again. I pick up a smoke red metal flake Gitzit and throw it as far behind the boat as I can and I caught her.

JP: Well, sometimes you can't help but be right.

JJ: There's more to that story than just that fish. Bobby Garland said one time, "As soon as they pass your motor, they don't even know you're around, because they can't see back there. And so they see what you throw in front of them." He won me that boat indirectly by what he said.

JP: How many times have you taken advantage of the fact that you had a follow up bait rigged and ready?

JJ: Oh, numerous times. The one thing with the follow up…be patient. Don't be shaking it around and moving it too fast, just put it down there and wait for them to eat it.

JP: So when you are going to do that, do you always use a Gitzit for a follow up bait?

JJ: Yes, or a worm, and you tell me the new "Ika" works great. It just sort of depends on what happened the last time I caught a fish.

JP: Would that follow up bait typically be rigged fairly light?

JJ: Yes, like a 1/8 oz. sinker with a worm, on a Texas rig. I prefer a Texas rig to get it on the bottom.

JP: Let's talk about the jig fishing technique a little bit. When you are jig fishing, are you going to lift that jig, bump it two or three times if you feel like the fish are in the bushes as an example?

JJ: Absolutely.

JP: And a lot of contact, you are really a believer in making contact.

JJ: Another thing I have changed, out of necessity, in the last three years, is occasionally just dead-sticking the bait. I've watched fish on Lake Mead, at times, if you lift the head, they'll swim off. If you just shake your line, vibrate it, they'll eat it. I've seen it many times already. So, the deal of hopping a jig works when they're in a very active mode. But at times they're very movement sensitive. The day I caught a 5, 2 and a 4, here at Powell, the 4 chased it to the boat on the retrieve. I had been shaking the jig right in front of her face. Obviously, the shaking had prompted her to chase the bait. She probably was going to bite if I had just left it there a little longer. I use a high-speed retrieve, high speed to save time. I've caught many fish this way. When I won that Angler's Choice Pro-Am Tournament this year, my first two fish were caught reeling in the jig.

JP: That was on which lake?

JJ: Lake Mead.

JP: Let's talk about pre-fishing a little bit. Do you stick fish in the pre-fish? Now we are talking about pre-fishing a couple of days prior to the tournament, the official pre-fish days. Are you a sticker, or not?

JJ: I am a non-sticker. I beat those guys verbally that stick those fish. Now, there are exceptions, you go to a new lake and I might have to stick me a fish or two, especially if the dreaded surface bite is on. I hate surface bites. I am not good at it, but I may have to stick one just to see if he is a 4 pounder or whatever. One or two fish is enough to get a sense of the class of fish you're on.

JP: Lets say you do stick a non spawning fish, with a water temperature of mid to high 60's, with reasonably active fish, how many days do you think that fish will nurse a sore lip before he gets back in business?

JJ: Well, I caught a fish in this U.S. Open, and I think I caught the same fish fifteen minutes later. When I weighed the fish, because I was culling, he had the same hole right in the upper lip. Was it the same fish? I don't know. But you can catch them the next day. Maybe that is 8 out of 10, or only 5 out of 10, but if you have 10 fish out there you can catch some of those fish the next day.

JP: Let's see here, what else does Jim Jared need to tell the world? What is the secret to you being a success over such a long period of time? You are not a spring chicken, so let's talk about how you take care of your body. What do you do to prepare yourself and keep yourself able to fish? Is there a physical component here?

JJ: You've got young kids that may be reading this so: you don't drink and you don't do drugs, and then you eat right. I run up the hill and get my own boat, because I don't jog as a regular habit, so I get my exercise going up and down these ramps a lot, and I do it quickly.

JP: Do you drink water during a day fishing?

JJ: Yes, especially in the summer. A short story there: I was getting sick, I had spent 3 ˝ days working on a roof in the heat prior to the Open, three years ago. We had 90-degree weather in March. For about 6 months I was feeling nauseated and felt bad. I thought, I'm 52 years old, it could be heart problems. So I get out in the boat with a guy named Ralph. He's a dentist. I ask him "do you know CPR?" He says yes. I tell him, after this tournament I'm going to the doctor because for 6 months I've been nauseated. He says, "maybe you are low on electrolytes". I didn't even know what the word meant. He told me to drink some of his Gatorade, because I was just drinking water. I drank his Gatorade and I was well within an hour. I've had that happen to me a couple of times since then, so I drink Gatorade. It is amazing. I was sick for 6 months and it was electrolytes.

JP: Let's talk about the young fishermen, the inexperienced mistakes you see. How about a tip for the beginners.

JJ: I preach that there are no magic baits…do not be a tackle box digger. This is one of my main points when I do a seminar or when I teach an individual to fish. This is a Big Fine Deal, this is a BFD. Okay, David Fritz, tell me?

JP: Crank bait man.

JJ: Ah, Ricky Clunn?

JP: He's a crank bait man and spinnerbaits.

JJ: Denny Brauer?

JP: We know he's a flipper, a jig flipper.

JJ: Need I say more? You are interviewing me because of jigs, those people are super stars, I am a good fisherman, and there is a big difference. Larry Nixon?

JP: He's a worm fisherman.

JJ: Specialize in 1,2, or 3 baits and know how to fish the others, and you will be twice as good, 10 times as good. That is the best lesson I think you could teach a beginner. When we used to compete in B.A.S.S. against those non-boaters, I tried to treat my non-boaters right, but I loved it when I got a guy switching baits every ten minutes. He spent all of his time tying on while I was just catching fish. It was amazing; I call them "tackle box diggers". If you are a tackle box digger, you are a loser.

JP: That's good advice Jim. Our readers really appreciate your time.

JJ: My pleasure, see you on the lake. Who knows, maybe at the Classic?

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