posted this somewhere else, but figured was better here.
A couple weeks ago i was on a finicky gill bite. They would nibble and spit .
when you encounter this again, try this.
as soon as you notice any change on your rod tip indicating some sort of a hit, dip the rod tip 1/2", pay attention real close to the line when you do this, if it goes slack, the fish has the jig in its mouth and you need to SET!!! This all takes about 1/4 of a second. try it
I discovered this little tidbit when watching gills on the aqua vu nibbling and spitting my jig. when you drop the rod tip, they suck the jig all the way in and you have to set before they can spit it all the way back out.