I keep a jig tied on @ all times when on the lake, and is normally the bait i start the day with. Best practise for a jig is to fish it fast. If a bass is there, it will hit within the initial drop, or the next lift or 2.
I normally fish a jig like this: Pitch low to water and apply pressure so the bait almost stalls @ the target, and let it drop. Some people feed the jig slack line on the fall, but you miss alot of feel that way. So if im fishing 5 ft or less of water, i let it pendulum toward me. In reality, with the slack line that is created when it hits the water, it only comes back to you roughly 8 inches.... not straight down, but definately not enough to change a bass' mind from biting. if i dont get a hit on the drop or the stand still, i lift the rod tip about a foot, and let it drop again. If i get no hits after that, i will raise, shake while raising, then drop... the pauses should only be about 4-5 seconds before moving it again.
If the bass hits during the initial drop, then you can skip the other steps normally, unless you really feel like there should be a bass there. If it hits on the pause, then downsize your jig, and fish SLLLOOOOOWWWWW. no sudden hops or shakes, just steady lift, fall, pauses. if it hits on the shake, you will have alot more success with something smaller, like a jigworm.
Good luck