Jigs-Living Rubber Or Silicone?

[Wolfie]

Ok guys Im a jig nut and use exclusively arky style jigs but always use silicone and there are quite a few companies around here that use living rubber what are your thoughts between the two?

[J Francho]

Yes, I use both, sometimes on the same jig. If you let a rubber jig sit, will open, especially if it's properly hand tied with wire. Arkey style heads are a good all purpose and wood jig, but you might want to try s few other designs.

[Wolfie]

Any suggestions?

[Jig Man]

I also use both and like JF I sometimes combine the two.  I like the poison tail jig head.  You might give it a look.

[WRB]

If you look at the Arkie jig it's designed for a fiber style weed guard, the hook utilizes a 60 bend jig hook that puts the hook eye near the nose of head. The skirt collar design is short because the head shape protrudes under the hook point, creating a very compact jig the works good in brush. Getting a good effective hook set using a Arkie style head requires the pulling force to be almost verticle, making the Arkie jig a low percentage strike to hook set jig when fished or cast more horizontal.

The Arkie design dates back into the early 60's and is a stable for flipping or pitching presentations.

The football head also dates back into the 60's, doesn't accommodate fiber weed guards very well, it originally had a wire guard. The head is very short and compact because most of the lead protrudes sideway to create the football shape, the hook is a 90 degree design, the hook point placed further back from the skirt collar and can also include a soft plastic barb to hold trailers. The Football is a good casting jig design, however doesn't go through brush well.

Casting and retrieving in areas with sparse brush or cover, the football is a good choice.

Flipping or pitching into heavy cover, the Arkie is a good choice.

The brush head is a stand up version of the Arkie head and can be used as a casting jig.

There are a few hundred jig head designs to pick from, each designed to perform a specific application.

The skirt adds bulk, color and movement. Silicone offers more color with less movement. Living rubber adds less color, more movement and bulk.

Choices.

Tom

[kickerfish1]

Siebert offers some for a good price. Check out their Dredge series. Should find all silicone jigs, silicone and living rubber jigs, and jigs containing only living rubber. If you don't see what you like Mike could probably build you something.

[Montanaro]

Mix of the two. Creates hell of a bulky profile. Add a large flapping trailer and it will float down slowly (ever drop a crawdad into water?) When resting it puffs out and looks like a hell of a meal.

[smalljaw67]

I use mostly silicone because I live in an area that gets hard water in winter. Rubber skirts can, and will clump and melt together if left in a box with a little moisture for too long but some prefer the action. Silicone works well but it moves slower and isn't as buoyant as rubber so when the jig hits the bottom rubber material separates and lifts up and begins moving, while silicone slowly floats up and separates so it gets the bad rap of not having as much action as rubber. I will agree that rubber moves faster, but silicone has a very fluid motion when it is being moved and it is very different than rubber, so try a jig made with a rubber skirt and see if you do better with it, some claim they do but I never saw any proof that one out produces the other.

[Wolfie]

Siebert offers some for a good price. Check out their Dredge series. Should find all silicone jigs, silicone and living rubber jigs, and jigs containing only living rubber. If you don't see what you like Mike could probably build you something.

Thats currently were i get all my jigs from never saw living rubber on there hows the dredge in weeds?

[Siebert Outdoors]

Thats currently were i get all my jigs from never saw living rubber on there hows the dredge in weeds?

 

 

Hey Wolfie,

The arky or brush will perform the best out of the heads in the Dredge series. 

 

Silicone and rubber act completely different.   Just a different profile and reaction under water.  Both have their place and time.  I do not fish many all rubber jigs but I do fish Mata jigs.  The mix of rubber and silicone give off a nice movement and is bulky.

[kickerfish1]

http://www.siebertoutdoors.com/Dredge-Brush-Rubber-451.htm

http://www.siebertoutdoors.com/Dredge-Brush-Mata-443.htm

The two above links will take you to jigs containing living rubber. One is 100% living rubber and the other is part living rubber and part silicone. I am a big fan of the brush heads for all around use even around light weeds.

[Canyon explorer]

I do mine the same way Francho does. my heads are mostly 3 sizes each of Eakin's style, Football, and brush heads.

[S. Sass]

What skirts come on these? http://www.siebertoutdoors.com/Dredge-Custom-Brush-Jig-403.htm

[Siebert Outdoors]

What skirts come on these? http://www.siebertoutdoors.com/Dredge-Custom-Brush-Jig-403.htm

 

Those are a 55 strand silicone skirt.

[S. Sass]

Thanks it just said, The skirt is made from approximately 55 strands. Didnt say material. I'm gona try some of these and a couple of the others you recommend.

Always preferred silicone they seem to hold up better when not being fished. And I haven't ever noticed one getting a noticeable difference in production. But like all of us I'm game to learn something.

[Wolfie]

http://www.siebertoutdoors.com/Dredge-Brush-Rubber-451.htm

http://www.siebertoutdoors.com/Dredge-Brush-Mata-443.htm

The two above links will take you to jigs containing living rubber. One is 100% living rubber and the other is part living rubber and part silicone. I am a big fan of the brush heads for all around use even around light weeds.

How bought heavy submerged grass?

[WRB]

Bullet shape jig heads go through grass well, Take a look at Siebert's swim jigs.

The ultimate grass rig is a punch rig; rubber bobber stopper, bullet weight, punch shirt and hook.

Tom

[mnbassman23]

I make jigs with both and tend to use all silicone or a mixture of both the most. Rubber adds more flair and movement when resting on the bottom (creating a bigger profile) and also slows down the fall rate, which can be very important at times. I think it is worth having a few jigs with a mixture of both silicone and rubber. 

[iabass8]

Silicone on my pitching/flipping/football jigs

 

round rubber on my swim jigs 

 

mix of both on bladed swim jigs.

[Turtle135]

I fish pretty much exclusively with round rubber skirts on my jigs. If I want less bulk or a faster drop I just tie them much thinner than you will find in a mass produced jig.