Gear

Comb’s diverse jig arsenal

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Texas stick Keith Combs puts such great faith in jigs he feels confident fishing one of these techniques anywhere in the country.
Texas stick Keith Combs puts such great faith in jigs he feels confident fishing one of these techniques anywhere in the country.
Kind of a throwback to the days when jig options were but a fraction of today’s selection, he says the traditional flipping jig is his go-to.
Kind of a throwback to the days when jig options were but a fraction of today’s selection, he says the traditional flipping jig is his go-to.
Combs’ jig lineup comprises Strike King’s Hack Attack Heavy Cover Flipping Jig, Denny Brauer Structure Jig, Tour Grade Football Jig, Tour Grade Heavy Cover Swim Jig and Pure Poison bladed jig.
Combs’ jig lineup comprises Strike King’s Hack Attack Heavy Cover Flipping Jig, Denny Brauer Structure Jig, Tour Grade Football Jig, Tour Grade Heavy Cover Swim Jig and Pure Poison bladed jig.
When he wants a subtle trailer for colder water or otherwise inactive fish, he uses a Strike King Menace. For active presentations in warmer water, the Strike King Rage Craw is his choice.
When he wants a subtle trailer for colder water or otherwise inactive fish, he uses a Strike King Menace. For active presentations in warmer water, the Strike King Rage Craw is his choice.
Swim jigs are versatile tools that can navigate just about any type of cover. Combs likes the Strike King Rage Craw for a bold kicking display, while the Strike King Rage Swimmer works best for a traditional baitfish profile.
Swim jigs are versatile tools that can navigate just about any type of cover. Combs likes the Strike King Rage Craw for a bold kicking display, while the Strike King Rage Swimmer works best for a traditional baitfish profile.
Although he maintains a diverse jig arsenal, he said he gets the most mileage out of the Strike King Tour Grade Flipping Jig with a Rage Craw trailer.
Although he maintains a diverse jig arsenal, he said he gets the most mileage out of the Strike King Tour Grade Flipping Jig with a Rage Craw trailer.
Pitching jigs to hard targets like dock pilings has put a lot of fish in his boat.
Pitching jigs to hard targets like dock pilings has put a lot of fish in his boat.
A wide variety of trailer colors ensures him the ability to match forage, water color and sky conditions.
A wide variety of trailer colors ensures him the ability to match forage, water color and sky conditions.
Combs searches through his jig tray for the right model for a particular situation.
Combs searches through his jig tray for the right model for a particular situation.
Taking time to analyze a scenario and select the right jig and trailer often yields big-time results.
Taking time to analyze a scenario and select the right jig and trailer often yields big-time results.
He says he appreciates a jig’s versatility. From casting…
He says he appreciates a jig’s versatility. From casting…
…to pitching, this is one of his most important tools for big bass enticement.
…to pitching, this is one of his most important tools for big bass enticement.
He sends a jig into action.
He sends a jig into action.
Largemouth bass are suckers for a well-place jig.
Largemouth bass are suckers for a well-place jig.
He likes a high speed reel for his jig work because the extra speed allows him to catch up to a bite on swimming presentations or quickly reel up for a timely presentation.
He likes a high speed reel for his jig work because the extra speed allows him to catch up to a bite on swimming presentations or quickly reel up for a timely presentation.
Running a bladed jig through boat stalls is often the recipe for an aggressive bite.
Running a bladed jig through boat stalls is often the recipe for an aggressive bite.
The bladed jig is a solid choice for active fish, particularly in the prespawn.
The bladed jig is a solid choice for active fish, particularly in the prespawn.
Strong knots are essential to the high-impact technique of jig fishing. Combs makes sure his connections are clean and he checks his knot after catching a few fish.
Strong knots are essential to the high-impact technique of jig fishing. Combs makes sure his connections are clean and he checks his knot after catching a few fish.
Structures like this drainpipe offer sweet targets for pitching a jig.
Structures like this drainpipe offer sweet targets for pitching a jig.
Green pumpkin and black/blue combinations make for attractive jig presentations.
Green pumpkin and black/blue combinations make for attractive jig presentations.
Combs rarely uses a full-size trailer; instead, he opts for shortening the plastic body.
Combs rarely uses a full-size trailer; instead, he opts for shortening the plastic body.
Usually, removing the first segment of a Rage Craw yields the right fit that he wants for his jig profile.
Usually, removing the first segment of a Rage Craw yields the right fit that he wants for his jig profile.
A key element of jig appearance is a properly positioned trailer, so he meticulously threads his onto the jig hook so there’s no bending or bunching.
A key element of jig appearance is a properly positioned trailer, so he meticulously threads his onto the jig hook so there’s no bending or bunching.
For rumbling across rock, shell or gravel bottom, nothing beats a football jig.
For rumbling across rock, shell or gravel bottom, nothing beats a football jig.
Combs turns to a Denny Brauer Structure Jig when he’s working areas cluttered with wood, brush, etc.
Combs turns to a Denny Brauer Structure Jig when he’s working areas cluttered with wood, brush, etc.
Across the board, he relies on the Rage Craw profile for the majority of his jig work.
Across the board, he relies on the Rage Craw profile for the majority of his jig work.
When he thinks the fish need a little visual nudging, he will dye the tips of his trailer chartreuse. Dye pens, he said, are quicker and neater than dipping dyes.
When he thinks the fish need a little visual nudging, he will dye the tips of his trailer chartreuse. Dye pens, he said, are quicker and neater than dipping dyes.
He likes his jig skirts to extend no more than a half inch below the hook bend. To neatly trim the skirt, he gathers all the fibers and pinches them against the hook.
He likes his jig skirts to extend no more than a half inch below the hook bend. To neatly trim the skirt, he gathers all the fibers and pinches them against the hook.
Careful scissor work ensures an evenly trimmed skirt.
Careful scissor work ensures an evenly trimmed skirt.
He also trims his weed guard so the fibers stop within a quarter inch of the hook point.
He also trims his weed guard so the fibers stop within a quarter inch of the hook point.
For clean bottom with minimal snagging risk, he removes the weed guard for maximum hook-up efficiency.
For clean bottom with minimal snagging risk, he removes the weed guard for maximum hook-up efficiency.
The perfect profile in the optimum color means nothing if you miss an opportunity due to a dull hook. That’s why Combs regularly checks his jigs and hits the point with a file if it feels the least bit dull.
The perfect profile in the optimum color means nothing if you miss an opportunity due to a dull hook. That’s why Combs regularly checks his jigs and hits the point with a file if it feels the least bit dull.
Combs unhooks another spunky bass that took a liking to his jig.
Combs unhooks another spunky bass that took a liking to his jig.

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