A jig and bait fishing system is provided which includes various fanciful and realistic shapes for attracting and capturing fish. The system includes a body connected to a neck and a bait keeper; the neck being adapted for securing skirt material for avoiding underwater obstructions. The bait keeper secures bait and in particular internally reinforced artificial bait at the reinforced area in combination with the reinforcing material. The system also provides for a fishhook for capturing the fish and hooking the bait. The system includes a latch which prevents the fish from spitting-out the hook after capture. A method of manufacturing fishing jigs includes the steps of dipping rods into liquid plastic material and embedding reinforcing yarn filaments therein.