Hair Jig Trailer Options...

[kickerfish1]

For the guys that fish colder and clear waters in the fall and early spring what type of trailers do you prefer for when water temps dip into the high 40s and lower. I got the painfully slow retrieve down though I will admit it isn't something I enjoy but strongly believe in its effectiveness.

I have a few dozen northstar hair jigs between 1/4 and 3/8 oz that I have been using throughout the past few seasons but wanted to gather a few more options from others that may find themselves in similar circumstances.

Thanks guys.

[rockchalk06]

I have 2 that I really like and used almost all the time. The first is the Xcite baits Chunk. I cut the body in half for a smaller profile. The claws don't have a ton of action but they float almost straight up.

 

The other is the Berkley Crazy legs chigger craw in 3". I cut the body in half the same as with the Xcite baits. The claws float very well and it has more action on the fall. I also pull off the tentacles or whatever they are called. The claws are shorter and wider than the regular chigger craw making for a shorter wider profile.

 

I switch out either depending on how much action I want.

 

The 2nd jig from the left is a NS hair jig with the Berkley trimmed to fit.

 

[Fishes in trees]

It has been a while since I fished hair jigs very much.  When I did fish them quite a bit (early to mid 80's) my favorite trailer was an Uncle Josh pork bait, either a split tail eel or a twin tail.  If I were fishing somewhere and hair jigs were the ticket, that is where I'd start as far as trailers go.

[je1946]

Have to agree with Fish in Trees.  My favorite and has accounted for lots of big early season smallies is the Uncle Josh black widow eel. Don't even know if they still make it or for that matter why I ever got away from it.

[Dwight Hottle]

Fish them naked. Tip with a live or dead minnow. Or use a pork or plastic trailer but keep it on the smaller side. Scent might be an option as well or even a gulp product. All options will work.

[Arv]

I use the smallie rodents from strike king. Small size and not a ton of movement. It's worked well before for me.

[papajoe222]

You can't beat a minnow as a trailer and when you don't have that option a white, paddle tail grub is what I've found to be the next best thing.  This year, I've been adding a white PowerBait grub with great success for walley and smallies. Don't see why they wouldn't produce when targeting largemouth.

[Craiger12]

I would go with pork.

[5dollarsplash]

Crappie grubs, either double or single tail. 

+1 to all the guys mentioning scent or flavoring.

[BradGuenette]

Split tail off a gulp minnow works best for me

[J Francho]

I prefer no trailer on a hair jig.  Anything on the hook interferes with the natural breathing action of hair.

[kickerfish1]

Interesting responses. A bit different than I was anticipating. Thanks for the ideas and photos. I will do some playing around with various combinations and even without one.

[mnbassman23]

I use a small chunk trailer most of the time, plastic or pork and thread it up the hook shank. One trick I learned from Chris, with Northstar, is to cut the chunk into a V shape (fatter end towards the claws). The pointer end helps spread out the hair and allows it to breathe better in the water.