Unless they're REALLY munching, you're right ... they won't hold the jig in their mouths for more than a split second. That's why it's imperative that you set the hook "fast", not necessarily "hard". They "can" inhale & then exhale a jig a lot faster than you can react, if it's not to their liking.
The moment they go "thump", you go "jerk"
(you also might consider trading out the 1:1 el cheapo for a small spinning reel)