Weedguards On Jigs

[Penguino]

This is my first time using Jigs, and I have noticed the Jig I bought has a built-in weed guard. Will it negatively affect hook-up rates as it looks as if it blocks the hooks point? Also, are weed guards necessary when fishing lighter cover?

[SpencerLittle]

The weed guard is definitely a need. If you were to take it off it would snag just about any cover. If you are fiahing real heavy cover you can cut a few pieces of the weed guard off which will make it a little more limber. I don't ever have a probably with them impeding my hook up ratio though.

[Lip 'em!]

Yes, there will be a few fish that you will miss due to the weed guard, but a stout hookset and the right equipment will help overcome this. If you aren't fishing around heavy cover try clipping a few strands of the weed guard off and fanning it out. If I am fishing rock I really like using the 2 prong wire weed guards as I seem to get even better hook ups with those. Good luck with the jig! Don't get frustrated. It takes patience to learn to fish it correctly and be successful. It's become my one bait that I can always rely on for a fish or 2, no matter what the conditions.

[HoosierHawgs]

This is really a question of personal preference. Some people like to trim their weedgaurds, others like no weedguards. What I will tip you off to is to try the M-Pack Lures jigs and spoons with their patented weedgaurd. Its an interesting concept.

 

 

http://mpacklures.com/

[Dyerbassman]

Try flexing the weed guard a bit back and forth and even spreading it out a little. Helps to loosen it up yet still protect the hook.

[Bruce424]

3/8 1/2oz jigs using a medium heavy fast action baitcasting rod with around 15 lb mono, copolymer, or fluorocarbon will help make sinking that thick hook into that fishes mouth. Jigs with weedguards were almost meant to be thrown into cover. Just set the hook a little harder than usual.then the weed guard won't play that much factor.

[deep]

No weedguard is best- if the cover allows it. Followed by a finesse worm weedguard.

 

That M-Pack jig seems to be rather expensive, and still doesn't seem to solve the real problem- the jig rolling over when the bass crunches down on it.

 

Twin weedguard jigs have worked pretty well for me, but they seem to run on the expensive side too. At least the Nu-tech ones that I like.

 

Good luck.

[Angry John]

I would be very careful on trimming any weed guard. If you have to cut a few 2-3 from the back of the guard right at the base. If you make it shorter it becomes more stiff.

[Bankbeater]

I trim the weed guard down so that it sticks up just over the top of the hook.  After I do that I work the weed guard back and forth to limber it up.  I don't know if that actually helps or not, but it doesn't seem to hurt my hookups.

[scaleface]

If its a monofilament weed guard , you may want to split it in half with your thumb creating a V . I also like to bend them back and forth , to make them less stiff. The solid plastic weed guards I put a knife blade under it and press with thumb on top , pull the weed guard through several times . That will weaken it and bend it down some .