Weedless Jigs?

[martintheduck]

So I'm a huge fan of jigs, and fishing some of this heavy hydrilla and duckweed, I find myself flipping jigs into some heavy cover. I'm using a flipping jig. Problem is, the weed guards don't do much in the way of keeping hydrilla from snagging me. Also, I like to drag a football head up the slope of the waterbottom and the hydrilla still gets caught. Anybody make some kind of offset-hook jig so I can texas rig a trailer on to keep weeds off my hook? I've ventured into making my own jigs, and they work, I just want to find a premade setup. Thanks.

[rockchalk06]

I just took a craw, and rigged it like a shakey head. It stayed pretty weedless. Didn't last as long on the jig, but worked pretty good.

[Swamp Johnny]

I am also a Jig fan. I've tried (probably) 15 different head designs and finally found the brands I use regularly-

 

AT Tackle Grass Jig- http://www.***.com/All_Terrain_Tackle_Grassmaster_Jig/descpage-ATTGJ.html

 

 

Hack Attack Jig- http://www.***.com/Strike_King_Greg_Hackney_Hack_Attack_Jig/descpage-GHHAJ.html#product-feedback

 

 

Those are the only Jigs I buy.

 

Some advice? If you really want to be an outstanding jig fisherman, buy the correct rod/reel, line, and Jig to do the job. For thick Hydrilla, (at least) 10/40 Power Pro, (at least) a 7' 6" Flippin stick, (at least) a 6:4:1 ratioed reel, and the Jigs I mentioned above.

 

Hope this helps?

[martintheduck]

I am also a Jig fan. I've tried (probably) 15 different head designs and finally found the brands I use regularly-

 

 

Those are the only Jigs I buy.

 

Some advice? If you really want to be an outstanding jig fisherman, buy the correct rod/reel, line, and Jig to do the job. For thick Hydrilla, (at least) 10/40 Power Pro, (at least) a 7' 6" Flippin stick, (at least) a 6:4:1 ratioed reel, and the Jigs I mentioned above.

 

Hope this helps?

 

 

That's pretty much my setup at the moment. I run a 7' 2" Cumara med/hvy extra fast with a REVO STX 6:4:1. Using 14lb seaguar fluro. I get really sick of flipping in and pulling up a bunch of crap on the hook. 

[Bankbeater]

I have never seen a jig that is 100% weedless.  Usually if you take the slack up in your line and give the jig a quick snap it will shake most of weeds off of it.

[Sam]

Martin, where are the bass?

 

They are in the weeds and slop.

 

Where are you going to throw your jig?

 

In the weeds and slop.

 

Will any bait thrown in the weeds and slop attract weeds and slop?

 

Yep.

 

This is part of fishing weeds and slop.

 

Try the jigs Swamp Johnny suggests and let us know if they perform better in the weeds and slop.

 

Also, what knot are you using? Your knot can also attract weeds and slop.

 

Now go out and catch some big ones and post the pics and let us know if Swamp Johnny's input works to reduce the weeds and slop.

[Sam]

Martin, one more query for you.

 

Do you use a section of a Zoom plastic worm, the color of the jig or pig, on your hook and then do you add the jig?

 

If you do this do you Texas rig the pig with the hook point under the jig's skin?

 

Just curious.

[A-Jay]

On ‎5‎/‎30‎/‎2013 at 6:55 AM, Bankbeater said:

 

 

I have never seen a jig that is 100% weedless.  Usually if you take the slack up in your line and give the jig a quick snap it will shake most of weeds off of it.

 

This is pretty close ~

 

A-Jay

 

 

 

[CPBassFishing]

Bobber stop on your line, half oz tungsten, punch skirt, hook, craw of choice= BOOM! Weedless jig.

[GoneFishi'n]

This is pretty close ~

A-Jay

This. You can use any bait for this application.

[Swamp Johnny]

I stand by my statement.

 

BUT, yes, anything you throw in Hydrilla will come back occasionally with weeds. However, check Tackle Warehouse's reviews on the jigs I've suggested- I'm not the only one that's had good results with AT Tackle and the Hack Attack Jig. 

 

Texas Rigged presentations can work, but for speed and ease, a good Jig beats them all. (When flipping, I can continually cast a jig without interruption,  while a guy with a Texas-rigged worm/creature has to adjust and possibly put another plastic on- which is a time waster. Jigs are also more compact and have a bulky yet shorter profile- which equals a better hook-up percentage. Even in thick weeds you must hesitate 1-2 seconds when using Soft Plastic's- with a Jig/Pig you can swing for the fences immed.)  

 

All Jigs are not created equal.

 

For the ultimate Jigs- there are a variety of guys making handmade Jigs on Ebay and on this website. Those jigs will be (for lack of a better word) perfect. I use those religiously too........  

[martintheduck]

I stand by my statement.

 

BUT, yes, anything you throw in Hydrilla will come back occasionally with weeds. However, check Tackle Warehouse's reviews on the jigs I've suggested- I'm not the only one that's had good results with AT Tackle and the Hack Attack Jig. 

 

Texas Rigged presentations can work, but for speed and ease, a good Jig beats them all. (When flipping, I can continually cast a jig without interruption,  while a guy with a Texas-rigged worm/creature has to adjust and possibly put another plastic on- which is a time waster. Jigs are also more compact and have a bulky yet shorter profile- which equals a better hook-up percentage. Even in thick weeds you must hesitate 1-2 seconds when using Soft Plastic's- with a Jig/Pig you can swing for the fences immed.)  

 

All Jigs are not created equal.

 

For the ultimate Jigs- there are a variety of guys making handmade Jigs on Ebay and on this website. Those jigs will be (for lack of a better word) perfect. I use those religiously too........  

 

In answering your earlier questions, I imagine you were asking (in the latter half) do I t-rig with the hook inside the plastic, and yes I do.

 

 

I did look into the jigs you suggested and have em bookmarked. Just waiting to see if anyone else comes through with something else to add to my order

 

This is pretty close ~

 

A-Jay

 

 

Yep - This is exactly what I've done. I'm just looking for some pre-made type setup.

[A-Jay]

Since a "Punching Rig", instead of a standard jig, is the bait of choice to go through the thickest and nastiest Mats, how does a standard jig fish through heavy hydrilla and duckweed more effectively ?

 

A-Jay

 

 

 

 

 

[martintheduck]

 

Since a "Punching Rig", instead of a standard jig, is the bait of choice to go through the thickest and nastiest Mats, how does a standard jig fish through heavy hydrilla and duckweed more effectively ?

 

A-Jay

 

  X2

 

I really love exposed hooks because I have more confidence in a hookset with them. I prefer to call the setup you described, a weedless jig, rather than a punching setup. I'll only use a punching setup for heavy topwater scum, and for me to call it a punch setup, I need to be using at LEAST a 1oz weight. Maybe we've discovered a new market here? A flipping jig with an offset hook so you can rig trailers weedless!?

[A-Jay]

  X2

 

I really love exposed hooks because I have more confidence in a hookset with them. I prefer to call the setup you described, a weedless jig, rather than a punching setup. I'll only use a punching setup for heavy topwater scum, and for me to call it a punch setup, I need to be using at LEAST a 1oz weight. Maybe we've discovered a new market here? A flipping jig with an offset hook so you can rig trailers weedless!?

 

Though it's not new, it's effective either way.

 

A-Jay

[Fishes in trees]

Flipping jigs with an offset hood for weedless rigging are available.  Not necessarily flipping jigs per se, but heavier jigs that work for flipping/pitching.  Brewer Sliders makes them in half ounce and 3/8 oz sizes.  The hook is a little light, but they work good.  Chompers make a jig with a screw in spring  and a stout 5/0 hood in 3/8 and half ounce sizes.   They could make a heavier one also, I'm not sure.

 

If you look up Fin-tech lures, they make a number of different styles of tx rigged jigs.  There used to be a company in Olathe, Ks called Critterbait that made tx rigged jigs.

I don't know if they went broke or just quit trying to sell their baits.  Trying to market your baits without a decent advertising budget is a challenge.  There are lots of different companies out there that make variations of a tx-rigged jig.  Finding them in heavier sizes, 1/2 oz & up can sometimes by a challenge.  I have some Legacy-loc jigs that are great soft plastic tx rig jig heads.  I remember the name, but I haven't any clue where I got them or what company makes them now.

 

Really, you can make any jig a tx-rig jig by using a hitch hiker spring.  Yank out the fiber weed guard with pliers, then just clip the spring through the hook eye, thread the bait on the spring and then tx rig the bait.  

 

For me, either way is a compromise.  I feel like I land more fish and get better hook ups with open hook jigs, but I feel that I get bit more on tx rigged jigs.   I tend to switch back and forth, fish one way for a while and they the other, but I'm not committed to either.

[jignfule]

This is pretty close ~

 

A-Jay

 

I totally agree. I find myself fishing the punching rig more and more, even in lighter weights instead of a jig. The weedless aspect is a major reason.  I've also found success swimming them with a twin tail trailer. As for the hook-set, I've had very little problem with my MBR844c. I love jigs, but this may take the place of much of my jig fishing. (Heresy)

[Sam Fisher]

I totally agree. I find myself fishing the punching rig more and more, even in lighter weights instead of a jig. The weedless aspect is a major reason.  I've also found success swimming them with a twin tail trailer. As for the hook-set, I've had very little problem with my MBR844c. I love jigs, but this may take the place of much of my jig fishing. (Heresy)

 

Both types of jigs have there place, I tend to use tx -rig jig more in the summer months. I do agree on the hook set and find it a bit less work then a standard jig. BTW A-Jay that plastic is wicked looking...  

[CPBassFishing]

X2

 

I really love exposed hooks because I have more confidence in a hookset with them. I prefer to call the setup you described, a weedless jig, rather than a punching setup. I'll only use a punching setup for heavy topwater scum, and for me to call it a punch setup, I need to be using at LEAST a 1oz weight. Maybe we've discovered a new market here? A flipping jig with an offset hook so you can rig trailers weedless!?

Mac's Tackle RJ Jig. It's got a screwlock and an EWG hook.

[Swamp Johnny]

I notice that a majority of posts in regards to this subject are from Northern or Western States. Hydrilla in Florida/GA is exceptionally thick, (a raccoon can easily walk across them without swimming).

 

Is your "hydrilla" that thick?

 

When I think "hydrilla",  I think that thick. Something a full-sized 'coon can walk across without getting wet. 

 

In many lakes down South,  guys carry a long pole with them to open holes in the weeds as best they can, leave for 30 minutes,  and then come back and fish them.

 

That is where a 1 1/2 OZ Jig/Worm comes in mighty handy. The exposed hook is kinda important sometimes....

 

I live in MN now, (13 years) and I've never come across anything that thick in MN, WI, ILL, MI, Etc. Even the thickest cabbage can't compare. Still, I love the head design on the AT Tackle Grassmaster.....it works.

 

Maybe this topic is subjective as well as regional.....???

 

Well, whatever rig or jig your using- I wish everyone tight lines and fat sacks! 

[Catt]

Keep your presentation as vertical as possible

 

The more horizontal your presentation the greater the odds of hanging in heavy vegetation!

 

Now with that said some grass on your lure is part of fishing heavy vegetation-deal with it

[AirbusAngler]

Fin-tech title shot jig

[primetime]

I fish in the nastiest Hydrilla, Milfoil, and canopies of all kinds in the Florida Swamps and I know what you mean when you say "Nothing is Weedless" and essentially that is true since all the algae, moss, and junk alway's end up on your Jig, Punch Rig, Texas rig etc. etc...

 

However, It is important to realize that If you are flipping a 1 ounce or heavier punch rig or jig into a patch of Hydrilla and it picks up some moss on the way down, I have never noticed the fish shying away. When I flip into a spot my goal is to get it in clean and quiet, and most strikes happen as soon as the Jig breaks through cover or hits bottom. If you give the jig a good lift instead of letting it shake on the bottom first, that should get the junk off the knot area and in the crevice, but like AJ is saying.....I find the Punch Rig to be the most weedless of all, and as long as I rig my bait properly (leaving room for the hook shank to slide during the set and not having the weight get in the way) I would say my hookup percentage is about the same overall because I get more strikes with a punch rig and it also doubles as a swim jig and for some reason it actually works better than a true swim jig for whatever reason, but here are a few tips that were shown to me by guys who live by the heavy broom stick and nothing but jigs and Pork.....

 

1- Scent and Oil added to your bait will help it slide in and out of cover much better, plus it will give you some extra time on a hook set and I like to use Megastrike and I often mix it up with some vegetable oil or straight worm oil, but I am dipping a lot....I also find that adding some glitter can help if they are feeding on shad or other forage...

 

2- For Jigs, the key is picking the right weight. I always used to go 3/8-1/2 and 3/4 was the heaviest I would think of before tungsten, and in the last few years I have finally become comfortable flipping with 1 ounce and up, and in Healthy Hydrilla, the water is usually clear, so a faster falling bait is key, and if moss is an issue, use a slim soft bait like the Zoom Speed worm with paddle tail, Bass Pro Swizzle stick, Culprit Fat Max is a favorite of mine as it is designed for cover, and the Regular Stick worm is not a bad idea either as straight worms with straight offset hooks and a hitchhiker helps (Siebert Jigs has everything you need and his pricing is better than Bass Pro and email the owner and tell him what you are looking to do and he will get you some killer custom jigs and punch rigs that last much longer than standard jigs.

 

3- Don't worry so much about weeds stuck on the top of your jig, the action is coming from the skirt and trailer, I love to bulk up Jigs by using a spider Grub as a trailer, but in situations when I am in the trash, I use a florida screw in weight or pegged sinker, punch skirt optional, make sure you do not have any areas for muck to lock in on, someone mentioned knots earlier and that is important but also how the bait enters the water is most important...Here is a great bait for flipping Hydrilla and then working back to the boat and you can get away with lighter weights as the bait is super weedless and does it all...

 

 

YUM HOUDINI SHAD FLUKE/BUZZ WORM/Senko-4 tail options, just re introduced the bait as New and for $2.99 it is a steal of an all purpose soft bait...The Strike King Caffiene shad is fantastic but the Houdini Shad is a good alternative to the Paddle tails and is more streamlined.Also look at Culprit Incredicraw slim, and D.O.A. CAL paddle tail in gold rush is a fantastic flipping bait that you can also swim which I like in Hyrdilla, fish spook easier and often you need to get back and make long casts and truly work holes, if it is too thick than it is not good and will not hold fish if it is top to bottom choked...Sorry for the ramble, but try the scent, oil, thin worms, and the punch skirt helps and adds extra flare, or flip a spider grub, Houdini shad, fat max, senko, or Fluke...