Winter Living Rubber Mop Jig Tactics ?

[ChrisD46]

I have real specific questions for those familiar with fishing mop jigs with living rubber skirts during the winter time :

 

* I live in North West Georgia so most lakes lean towards Spotted Bass versus Large Mouth Bass .

* For Winter I believe a slower fall is more in order , so I'm debating between 1/4 oz. and 3/8 oz. for up to 15 ~ 20 feet water depth .

* Color selesction : Here in North Georgia - Green Pumpkin is king and a safe bet would be to add : Black & Blue and PB&J to round out the offering.

* As for Trailers , I understand Winter = slow , little action in the trailer department so : Zoom Super Junk , RI Sweet Beaver , etc. fit the bill.

 

Based on above needs , I have narrowed down my choices to either the Buckeye Lures standard  size Mop Jig OR the Mini - Mop Jig. While the Large Mouth Bass are present , the area is more dominated by Spotted Bass (Allatoona , Lanier , West Point) so the Mini - Mop jig may be better ?

 

A "wild card" consideration would be the compact Bass Patrol Living Rubber Football Jigs ( not quite as nice as Buckeye jigs - but better value) .

 

So , based on above location , similar circumstances , etc. - what are your recomendations ? ...What's worked for you in Winter time - specifically when a living rubber mop jig gets the jig call for chilly days and slow moving , cold water bass ?

 

[roadwarrior]

Siebert Mata Jig  http://www.siebertoutdoors.com/Mata-Jigs_c18.htm

 

Rage Tail DB Craw  http://www.siebertoutdoors.com/Rage-Tail-DB-Craw-013.htm

 

 

 

 

[ClackerBuzz]

wow i never thought about it all that much. if i want a winter time edge i just use pork.  or maybe add scent to any artificial jig?  and if i'm still not catching fish break out the live bait. i feel no shame in using worms or minnows when i can barely feel my hands and have snot frozen on my face (same applies in summer if its my only day off work that week and i want to have fun catching fish).

[Dr. Watson]

Siebert Outdoors on here makes great, high quality, jigs. Just saying you might want to support the locals here on the forums, you'll more than likely get more than you ask for in terms of quality and value.

[Nice_Bass]

I personally use Northstar hippy jigs and swear by them year round.  It is living rubber, and it is hair.  Is there anything more you really want in winter?!?!?!?   In colder water I will only use no trailer or a small chunk trailer.   

Only problem is they open March 1st and I am not selling any of mine.

[ChrisD46]

I wrote to Siebert Outdoors with questions on the Meta Jig series with Living Rubber and Mike Seibert contacted me immediately and answered my questions ...When I look at the options Mike offers I was made to feel like I'm not buying a : "cookie cutter" jig like other folks make - outstanding options offered by Siebert !

 

I have used North Star Swim Jigs before with good success and felt their quality was good , so I will plan to evaluate the Hippy Living Rubber / Hair mop jigs they offer ... Hopefully North Star is accepting on - line orders in spite of their store closing until March 1st.  Thanks also for advising me about that "third option" I was looking into ...I don't need quality issues starting out with this type of jig .

 

I will clarify my area of Georgia is 85% Spotted Bass therefore I look at the living rubber jig skirt and trailer size / length  as separate entities yet they need to work together - I get it .  What works on Clarks Hill for Largemouth will only work on : " Spotzilla" in my location ! I plan to play with the trailer size / length on the Meta jig first and hopeful I don't need to trim any skirt length to make a Meta Jr.

 

Lastly - let's get specific about weight  choice of a winter time living rubber mop jig : At Lanier ,  Allatoona and other highland reservoirs in Georgia there are not a lot of calm days - there always seems to be a breeze of 10MPH + therefore the lightest jig I'm comfortable throwing on a baitcaster is 3/8th oz . Yet , I read a number of winter time mop jig references to using a 1/4 oz. mop jig for that nice,  slow fall . For me to use a 1/4 oz. jig I most likely would have to switch to a spinning outfit and often risk losing contact with the bottom . * Unless I'm totally off base , I am hopeful a 3/8th oz. jig with the right trailer on it (Zoom Super Chunk , flat craw , beaver type trailer) AND the right line / size  would slow the fall enough to be acceptable during winter  in up to 15 ~ 20 feet of water - yet still give me the weight I need to maintain contact with the bottom which you need to have  .  I will add I use 12lb ~ 15lb.  Fluorocarbon (for sensitivity) which may be a secondary factor in jig fall rate ...  Thanks in advance for your replies / experiences on mop jig weight and line tips for winter !

[WRB]

I am not a fan of mop jigs for spots.

Take a look at Skinny Bear Signature Pro series living rubber jigs. You like green pumpkin, use the dark green pumpkin, spots love that color. Fishing 15' to 20' of water, use 12 lb FC with whatever green pumpkin trailer you like. Spots are aggressive feeders, it's always better to know and feel what the jig is doing, don't give up staying in touch for slower fall rate, 12 lb line with 3/8 oz jig & trailer will fall slow enough.

Tom

PS, if Siebert makes a similar jig, go with it.

[ChrisD46]

WRB : Thanks for chiming in - Always good to hear from our Spotted Bass fishing brothers from California !

 

OK back on topic - what you say makes sense , glad I didn't butcher up a perfectly good Seibert Meta Jig by being stupid   .

Jigs can be every bit as interesting to discuss and disect as Flies are to a Fly Fisherman ... Bulldogs 2014 !!

[craww]

I love this style of jigs and my favorite combo is the booyah A-jig (vertical line tie and a head similar to grass stalker) they come through anything and have good hooks. Trailer for these is the larger paca craws as the pinchers flare up and they have a few two tone colors I dig.