Help Selecting Jigs...

[CC268]

Intro:

I am thinking about ordering some jigs from Northstar or Siebert (although I would hate to wait 2 weeks for the Northstar jigs) and I am trying to figure out which jig type and weight would be best for me. Also some good trailers would be good. I think I have a general idea of good colors that will work.

 

Fishing Coverage/Bottom Types/Colors:

I do fish smaller lakes and reservoirs/ponds on my Pond Prowler, but I LOVE fishing the Verde River on my Pond Prowler and that is where I mostly fish. The river is usually no more than 4-6 feet deep and has a variety of both rocks, mud, and occasionally some grass/weeds on the bottom (mostly rocks and sand/mud). There is of course some current, more in some areas than others. The bass were annihilating my Green Pumpkin and Crawfish color Rage Tail Craws - Texas Rigged.

 

My thoughts:

I was thinking either 3/8 ounce or 1/2 ounce would work well? Jig head type I am not sure of?

 

Your thoughts:

 

1. What type of jig?

2. What weight?

3. Any recommendations for Northstar or Siebert?

4. Trailer recommendations?

5. Do you modify the Northstar or Siebert jigs? (Skirt length, Weed guard, etc)

 

If you could answer all these questions, it would be GREATLY appreciated!

 

[Brian Needham]

1. football head since you have rock mainly

2. no more than 1/2 since you are shallow and even though you have current

3.use any brand you want as long as you like it. all board sponsors make EXCELLENT jigs

4. I like rage craws but will also use zoom chunks for less action

5. no, I use them as they sit

 

6. use the search function and read articles on the front page, a simple "Jig" search will pull up at least 20+ pages of threads, many multiple pages. Read, read, and read some more and all your questions will be answered in detail, many times over.

[rockchalk06]

This was my response to another similar thread.

Me personally, I only fish North Star jigs. Chris has always treated me well and answered any question I've had. He's even made some custom jigs for me on some specific waters. 1-2 weeks isn't that long of a wait, especially if you want quality. Just my opinion. I can't comment on Seiberts jigs as I've never had them, but I've never heard a bad thing about them here.

These are my basic color patterns, sizes and trailers.

1. Black Series brown craw 1/2oz w/ strike king rage craw in falcon lake craw if I want more action in the trailer. If I want less, I use a Bass Assiassian Pure craw in crawfish. Claws have less action and float. This is basically a brown and orange jig.

2. Black series Insanity 1/2 oz w/ a Strike king rage craw in hard candy. This is basically a green and brown jig.

3. Black series Frogger 1/2oz w/ strike king rage craw in watermelon red flake. If I want less action I use a 4" Berkley critter craw in green pumpkin. This is basically a green jig with red flake in it.

4. Black series Alimony 1/2oz. w/ strike king rage craw in black n blue. If I want less action I use an Xcite baits chunk in midnight. This is your basic black n blue jig with some green/yellow mixed in. I will dip the claws in JJ's chartruse to really make it shine.

All of these jigs are my main colors I use for stained to clear water. I run 1/2oz unless I need a finesse approach then I use the same jig in 1/4-3/8 oz with the same trailers cut down. These jigs have a flipping head made for brush, which is what I fish 99% of the time. If you need a football head for rocks etc, the same jigs above come in football heads too.

I also use swim jigs and hair jigs for certain times of the year. If your interested, I can list those too.

The only modification I do to my jigs is fan out the weedguard some. I figure they make them a certain way for a reason.

[CC268]

Sounds great guys, I think I may order some of the Black Series jigs in 3/8 and 1/2 ounce. I didn't know that the Rage Craw makes a good trailer! I figured they were too big for that, but I will give them a shot!

 

I am going to do a bit more research and wait for some more feedback...maybe I will get a few football Black series, normal Black series, and maybe some flip & swim...or maybe I will just buy them all and spend money I don't have!!! Just kidding...

[rockchalk06]

The Rage Craw makes a prefect trailer for a jig. You can upsize to a Lobster if you want a bigger profile and down size to a baby rage craw if you want finesse. I bite off 1/2" of the tail when I use the rage craw. Makes for a little bit more compact overall look.

The flip n swims are awesome. Kinda the best of both worlds. The Salsa is my #1 producer of swim jigs. That hook is a beast. I've yet to bend it even with 65 pound braid.

[CC268]

The Rage Craw makes a prefect trailer for a jig. You can upsize to a Lobster if you want a bigger profile and down size to a baby rage craw if you want finesse. I bite off 1/2" of the tail when I use the rage craw. Makes for a little bit more compact overall look.

The flip n swims are awesome. Kinda the best of both worlds. The Salsa is my #1 producer of swim jigs. That hook is a beast. I've yet to bend it even with 65 pound braid.

 

Alright so far I am thinking Black Series Football, Original Black Series, and Flip & Swim....I am thinking some in 1/2 ounce and 3/8 ounce (although it would be nicer on my wallet to stick with ONE size)?? That good for my type of fishing?

 

There are a TON of reeds to pitch into along the river as well...will any of these three jigs work good for this?

[rockchalk06]

I think the football will be the best for the rocks and sand. I don't have that much around here so I run the brush heads.

How strong is the current? If it's a strong one, you could jump to 3/4 even 1oz. I think they are the same price if I'm not mistaken. I run 1/2 for everything and down to 3/8 for a finesse presentation.

Cold weather is coming up too. Hair jigs work well too. They only come from NS in football head so you should be set. I'll link a video to two of NS's pro staff guys fishing hairs in a river and tearing the smallies up.

I think the flip n swims will work great for weeds. I like to rip them through grass and weeds as well. It triggers some serious strikes.

[rockchalk06]

[CC268]

I think the football will be the best for the rocks and sand. I don't have that much around here so I run the brush heads.

How strong is the current? If it's a strong one, you could jump to 3/4 even 1oz. I think they are the same price if I'm not mistaken. I run 1/2 for everything and down to 3/8 for a finesse presentation.

Cold weather is coming up too. Hair jigs work well too. They only come from NS in football head so you should be set. I'll link a video to two of NS's pro staff guys fishing hairs in a river and tearing the smallies up.

I think the flip n swims will work great for weeds. I like to rip them through grass and weeds as well. It triggers some serious strikes.

 

Alright...well I don't want to get too carried away. I forgot to mention there is a good amount of wood cover...let's just say there is a little of everything on this river! I think a few of the Black Series and Black Series Football, and Flip & Swim would be good. Maybe 1 or 2 of the Hair jigs. Picking one weight would save me some cash and allow me to get more colors, etc...but do you think it would be better to get both 3/8 and 1/2 ounce or just one or the other??

 

I don't fish the really strong current areas.

 

Thanks for all your help so far!

 

Keep in mind these will all be fished with a baitcaster on a 7' MH St. Croix Triumph Rod and 12lb mono.

[rockchalk06]

The 1/2oz jig is the lead weight only. You have to factor in the hook, skirt and trailer. That puts it right around 3/4oz total weight. Same with 3/8oz brings it to around 1/2oz. Depending on your rods max weight, see where the overall weight fits in. If it's 1oz, the 1/2oz jigs will be the perfect happy medium.

If it were me, I'd get both weights to start off. That's what I did. I ended up prefering 1/2oz over anything else. I hear you on not getting carried away. Every time I fill my cart, I look and see I'm over 100 bucks lol and have to tone it down. Start off with 1-3 of each you want or heck even 1 of each. You will find out really fast what works the best.

That rod should be perfect for your conditions provided your not in some seriously nasty cover. If your in some really nasty stuff, a heavy would be better but what you have will work great.

[CC268]

The 1/2oz jig is the lead weight only. You have to factor in the hook, skirt and trailer. That puts it right around 3/4oz total weight. Same with 3/8oz brings it to around 1/2oz. Depending on your rods max weight, see where the overall weight fits in. If it's 1oz, the 1/2oz jigs will be the perfect happy medium.

If it were me, I'd get both weights to start off. That's what I did. I ended up prefering 1/2oz over anything else. I hear you on not getting carried away. Every time I fill my cart, I look and see I'm over 100 bucks lol and have to tone it down. Start off with 1-3 of each you want or heck even 1 of each. You will find out really fast what works the best.

That rod should be perfect for your conditions provided your not in some seriously nasty cover. If your in some really nasty stuff, a heavy would be better but what you have will work great.

Nothing too thick!

 

Alright well I will get some 3/8 and 1/2 ounce in the Black Series Football, Black Series, Flip & Swim, and 1 or 2 Hair Jigs!

[rockchalk06]

Sounds good. Jigs are addicting lol

[michang5]

I'm in the same place as the OP. So many choices and not sure what to get. It's all a bit overwhelming.

Finally decided to jump in with both feet and just get something to start with. I ordered three arky jigs, three swim jigs, and three chatterbaits from Siebert Oudoors. All 1/4oz, expecting the trailer to add to the weight. Variety of colors, based on suggestions and research. Spent just under $50, expecting to spend a bit more on trailers.

Already thinking I should have ordered some brush jigs -- seem to be lots of people's favorites. But gotta start somewhere. And after seeing that my jigs shipped 4 days after ordering, I can always get more fairly quickly!

[mnbassman23]

Keep in mind these will all be fished with a baitcaster on a 7' MH St. Croix Triumph Rod and 12lb mono.

 

That was the first rod I ever bought for bass fishing. I used it for pitching jigs and plastics from 1/4-3/4oz. It will  handle 3/8-1/2oz jigs with ease.

 

Now get some jigs and get after them!

[CC268]

I am really thinking about just going with the arky head over the football head...I don't think I am fishing rocky enough bottom to justify getting both arky and football....but if the arky is not good in rocks at all then maybe I should get both...just trying to limit the cost I guess.

[CTGalloway21]

Sounds great guys, I think I may order some of the Black Series jigs in 3/8 and 1/2 ounce. I didn't know that the Rage Craw makes a good trailer! I figured they were too big for that, but I will give them a shot!

 

I am going to do a bit more research and wait for some more feedback...maybe I will get a few football Black series, normal Black series, and maybe some flip & swim...or maybe I will just buy them all and spend money I don't have!!! Just kidding...

 

just a heads up that Rage lures break really easily.  I avoid them now.  A Big Bite Baites Real Deal Craw or Missile D Bomb work better and last all day.  

[CC268]

As of now I have the Black Series Football AND Original in 3/8 and 1/2 in Frogger and Brown Craw. Total of 8 jigs. Still deciding if I want to add another color or a different style of jig...

[rockchalk06]

The only other I'd add right now would be a black or a Black n blue. My dark jigs I use the Alimony color.

Your greens work year round but work better for me in the fall to winter. Browns work better for me spring to the first 50 degree day.

I've been fishing jigs for over 30 years and I've never used or owned an arky head. They are good for skipping and an all around jig head, but I run the brush head on 99% of my jigs. The only reason I use football heads is because Chris doesn't offer the hair jigs in a brush head. All I ever used before brush heads were footballs for everything.

[Brian Needham]

yall get too hung up on head style.

 

football, arky, brush, ect........ yall forget you are beginning jig fishermen, KEEP IT SIMPLE. Pick 1 head style and fish it, and be happy.

 

I am not a beginning jig fisherman and I throw a football 100% of the time , unless I am throwing a swim jig. as do other accomplished fishermen I know.  

 

laydowns, pitching cypress trees, stumps, rocks, pea gravel, whatever, all get the football.

Keep it simple and enjoy catching jig fish.... THEN expand if warranted.

[CC268]

yall get too hung up on head style.

 

football, arky, brush, ect........ yall forget you are beginning jig fishermen, KEEP IT SIMPLE. Pick 1 head style and fish it, and be happy.

 

I am not a beginning jig fisherman and I throw a football 100% of the time , unless I am throwing a swim jig. as do other accomplished fishermen I know.  

 

laydowns, pitching cypress trees, stumps, rocks, pea gravel, whatever, all get the football.

Keep it simple and enjoy catching jig fish.... THEN expand if warranted.

 

I think I will do this..I will get the football head in 3/8 and 1/2 ounce in a 3 or 4 colors and then maybe a pitch and swim jig.

[CC268]

The only other I'd add right now would be a black or a Black n blue. My dark jigs I use the Alimony color.

Your greens work year round but work better for me in the fall to winter. Browns work better for me spring to the first 50 degree day.

I've been fishing jigs for over 30 years and I've never used or owned an arky head. They are good for skipping and an all around jig head, but I run the brush head on 99% of my jigs. The only reason I use football heads is because Chris doesn't offer the hair jigs in a brush head. All I ever used before brush heads were footballs for everything.

 

I am worried black and blue would be an odd color for the Verde River...maybe I am wrong as I have never thrown anything of that color, I just have always had luck on the more natural colors.

[Brian Needham]

green pumpkin w orange

PBJ

Black and Blue

 

 

those 3 will get you through anything.... and are the only 3 colors I carry

[CC268]

Alright I will get a black and blue with a blue rage craw trailer! Hope it works!!

[mnbassman23]

If your going to get all football head jigs then why not get all brush/alien head jig heads? It will walk through laydowns better, skip better, it will stand the plastic upright like a football, and football heads suck in any kind of weeds. Unless your primary cover will be bigger chunk rock/rip rap (Like what your standing on in your profile picture CC268) a football jig would not be my first choice. I guess what I'm saying is an Alien head is more versatile IMO than a football head.

 

If you do go with all football jigs make sure you grab a few swim jigs or flip and swims for the weeds.

 

I do like Brain's suggestion of keeping it simple with 3 colors. One of those colors will get you bite day in and day out.

[CC268]

If your going to get all football head jigs then why not get all brush/alien head jig heads? It will walk through laydowns better, skip better, it will stand the plastic upright like a football, and football heads suck in any kind of weeds. Unless your primary cover will be bigger chunk rock/rip rap (Like what your standing on in your profile picture CC268) a football jig would not be my first choice. I guess what I'm saying is an Alien head is more versatile IMO than a football head.

 

If you do go with all football jigs make sure you grab a few swim jigs or flip and swims for the weeds.

 

I do like Brain's suggestion of keeping it simple with 3 colors. One of those colors will get you bite day in and day out.

 

I chose 3 colors (what was mentioned above) in the Football Black Series and 2 or 3 colors in the Flip & Swim. So far the river doesn't seem to be too rocky where I have been fishing, so maybe the Original Black Series and Flip & Swim (or the Hair Jigs) would be a better combo??? I do A LOT of skipping under trees, so maybe you are right, maybe I should switch the football heads out for the original Black Series...

 

Do you think it is worth getting both 3/8 ounce and 1/2 ounce in each of these colors or just like 3/8 ounce??