Modifying Jigs

[Bassfishing375]

I getting into jig fishing and I recently purchased some jigs from NorthStar Custom Baits and i noticed that the skirts were really long and really thick and the weed gaurd is long as well. Is there any thing that you do to your jigs to either catch more fish or to get better action from your trailers or for some other reason. Thanks

[ww2farmer]

All my jigs..........no matter what brand.......get the skirt trimmed almost even with the bottom of the hook bend, and I thin the skirts out a little as well. Depends on the weedguard, but if they are really long and/or stiff I trim and thin them too. I trim them so they are just cover the hook point, and I don't go hog wild thinning them out, a couple bristles at best. I also fan out the weedguard a little too, even if they do not need trimming/thinning. I almost always thread my trailer on to the hook, as opposed to just spearing on in the center of the trailer. HTH

[CPBassFishing]

Northstar leaves the weedguards long so you can trim them to your liking. Push them down so they are on plane with the hook point and trim them where the back of the barb is. As for the skirts, trim them slightly beyond the bend of the hook and you should be good to go.

[Christian M]

I ALWAYS use a trailer, but it depends on what type of jig and where im fishing. Sometimes its a twister grub, a craw, a straight tail worm, a fluke, or the end of a swimbait.

I like to trim the weed guard at a 90º angle and thin it out by a few strands if its stiff, then push it back to fan it out.

With spider jigs, I'll trim down the strands of the skirt if I want a faster or different action to the fall.

[rockchalk06]

Were they the Black Series Jigs with the living rubber?

[Bankbeater]

I trim the guard back just enough so that it clears the hook.  Then I spread out the weed guard.  The only time I thin it out is when some of the pieces get damaged or bent funny.  I like to even up the skirt, but I usually don't shorten it unless it is very long.

[River Rat316]

I never trim the guard, unless I want it stiffer, I also don't generally trim the skirt. but sometimes I will shorten it up depending on trailer

[Bassfishing375]

Were they the Black Series Jigs with the living rubber?

Yes and the flip and swims

[rockchalk06]

Yes and the flip and swims

The skirts on the black series are supposed to be really thick. They are 66 stands. The rubber is where the action comes from.

[Nice_Bass]

I don't modify any.  I want a bulky jig that I don't want hanging up easy even in open water.  If I don't want those qualities then I throw a different presentation/bait.

[Siebert Outdoors]

I trim my skirts 1/2-3/4 past the hook bend.  As far as weedgaurds I do not modify or trim them.  I have not found any real benefit for my style of fishing.

[Bassfishing375]

The skirts on the black series are supposed to be really thick. They are 66 stands. The rubber is where the action comes from.

With the black series should I cut the skirt a little so it is not as long or should I leave it as is?

[rockchalk06]

With the black series should I cut the skirt a little so it is not as long or should I leave it as is?

Me personally on the blacks, I leave them be. If I want a thinner profile I go with the knock out series which are 33 strands I believe. I never trim my skirts. I like a bigger profile with movement in the water. That's just my 10mm worth. Hope this helps.

[HeavyDluxe]

As someone new to jig fishing, it'd be great if a couple of you would post before/after pics to show us your mods.  I think I am following the whats and why-fors, but I'm probably wrong.

[martintheduck]

I ALWAYS use a trailer, but it depends on what type of jig and where im fishing. Sometimes its a twister grub, a craw, a straight tail worm, a fluke, or the end of a swimbait.

I like to trim the weed guard at a 90º angle and thin it out by a few strands if its stiff, then push it back to fan it out.

With spider jigs, I'll trim down the strands of the skirt if I want a faster or different action to the fall.

 

 

 

WAIT WAIT WAIT - HOLD EVERYTHING!!!! A fluke as a trailer!?!?!?! What is this sorcery!?

[CPBassFishing]

WAIT WAIT WAIT - HOLD EVERYTHING!!!! A fluke as a trailer!?!?!?! What is this sorcery!?

SHHHH!!!! Killer for ripping through hydrilla.

[mnbassman23]

I use to trim a lot of my weed gaurds and skirts, but after thinking about it I haven't done much modifying in the past year or two. If you are using the Black Series and Flip and Swim i personally think the weedgaurd is good as is. If you think the skirt is to long trim it a bit as others have said, but personally I do not do much to them out of the package. 

[hookset on 3]

Here is my favorite jig trimming video. It's by some fella that's been known to throw a jig once in awhile...Greg Hackney.

http://www.bassmaster.com/video/greg-hackney-trimming-jig

[Bassfishing375]

Thanks everyone for all the tips.