Over the years of fishing the Vaal river, I can recall some of my better fish fallen to a lure not often used and not often fancied by most bass anglers. Maybe because it should imitate the natural crawfish found in the USA, or maybe because most anglers who have thrown it have ended up losing them in the first couple of casts. There are probably a number of reasons why anglers prefer other baits and techniques to catch bass with.

Personally I have thrown these baits for many years with some excellent results in some of the toughest conditions, and one of my testing grounds has been the Vaal River. The river has given some success fishing jigs, and I can remember winning a few tournaments where the jig has played a major role. The river’s major crustaceans food for the bass is obviously the crab, as you will undoubtedly find small pincers and crab shells at the bottom of your livewell after a days fishing. These crabs line the walls, jetties, tyres and root systems that overflow the banks, and are easy pickings for most hungry bass.

I have always managed a limit of fish pitching and flipping Texas rigged plastics, onto this structure. However if you are looking for that bigger bite, that kicker fish in your bag, it's quite simple, throw a jig. Jigs on the river may not imitate a crab, who cares, all I know is they get big bites. It may be programmed into their prehistoric ancestral genes, but I know they think it is an easy bulky meal.

I have found pitching these baits onto the bank or next to a jetty, letting it settle and SLOWLY drag or hop the bait back to the boat gives me the best results. You will usually get the bite on the drop or after the first movement given to the bait, depending on their mood they might follow the bait and grab it as you reel in.

The first bite you get will tell you how they want it, and then you can duplicate what you have found anywhere else on the river. Find the same depth and structure and present the jig the same and guaranteed you will have yourself a pattern. As the day gets warmer in the summer, the green willows offer ample shade for fish to laze around under. Drop a jig into that willow and watch what happens, again once you get your first bite take note of the depth and how deep the bite came, then start duplicating.

When the fish are on the reeds a jig hopping up and down, with a rattle shaking around is virtually irresistible. When the fish are spawning and are usually found up against the walls nesting, a jig will definitely be seen as a threat and need to be removed.

Picasso spider jig dressed in brown tiger

Over the years there have been a lot of different jigs come onto the market, and I have tried many, but my current favorite jig is the spider jig by Picasso. It has a flat head which allows the jig to stand up and give the living rubber skirt and trailer a chance to FLARE, these make for excellent pitching baits and I use the 1/4oz and 3/8oz sizes.

The other jig they have is a football jig which I use in a heavier 1/2oz and 3/4oz size to fish deeper structure like lay downs and timber from 12 - 20 foot.

My preferred colors on the river would be blue/black, green pumpkin and peanut butter jelly. Fire tiger colored skirts can also be deadly. I normally like to use a Berkley Chigger craw or a Gulp trailer, but you can mix and match. I also dip my trailer in a new product which is unbelievable, called JJ’s magic. It’s the strongest garlic ever made, don’t sniff to closely, you might fall off the boat after the head rush.

TIP: Fish this bait slowly, shake it, pitch it, dead stick it but FISH IT.

If you do this you will also enjoy the thumping bite I have enjoyed over the past couple years on the Vaal river fishing jigs.
 

Vaal Cast For Cash Winner - Shandon Hawman