Hair jigs

[Bass2124]

I was reading an article today about spring river smallmouth fishing and that hair jigs are amazing in below 50 degree waters.  Any recommendations on types and brands of hair jigs I should look into?

[kickerfish1]

There are many varieties of hair jigs you have your true finesse hair jigs under 1/4 oz with most around 1/8 oz. Then you have hybrid hair jigs that are bigger like what Northstar sells. Lastly you have ledge jigs which are heavier and longer in length. You are likely wanting the first and there are several guys on here that tie them. Andy's custom hair jigs might be worth checking out.

[Bass2124]

7 hours ago, kickerfish1 said:

There are many varieties of hair jigs you have your true finesse hair jigs under 1/4 oz with most around 1/8 oz. Then you have hybrid hair jigs that are bigger like what Northstar sells. Lastly you have ledge jigs which are heavier and longer in length. You are likely wanting the first and there are several guys on here that tie them. Andy's custom hair jigs might be worth checking out.

Thanks kickerfish, I will check them out.

[smalljaw67]

I've been tying and fishing hair jigs for close to 20 years and most of it is done for river smallmouth. I tie jigs that range from 1/32oz up to 1/4oz but the majority are 1/16oz, 3/32oz and 1/8oz. I use all kinds of materials and if you look my name up on you tube you'll find some videos on how to tie various patterns yourself if you so choose. I use different material depending on the water temperature and time of year, and you are correct, they are really effective in water under 50 degrees. They work in water above 50 also but other presentations are better as the fish get more active. I love buck tail, that is my favorite for both fishing and tying and I like using it when the water temp is in the 30s, from 33 up to 39, the reason is buck tail has very little action, but it does move but ever so slight and that looks really natural to fish in that cold water. The other reason it is effective is that when you put a buck tail jig in the water, the wet material makes a perfect minnow profile, nothing looks as close with such subtle movement. When the water gets into the low 40s I like using marabou, it has a little more action and it is used as a swim jig almost and by the time we hit the mid to upper 40s that is when I use rabbit and craft fur. Those have a lot more movement but it is very fluid and lifelike and all of these can be used with or without a small trailer, it is a trial and error process and you will catch fish but you need to take your time. The biggest mistake anglers make when they first get into the small hair jigs is they move them too fast, and the other mistake is they expect it to catch a ton of fish and that isn't the case. I've had great days with a hair jig but most of the time you are getting 4 or 5 bites when the water is frigid, I'm talking low 30s, the real action begins when the water climbs into upper 30s and low 40s, that is when the addition or subtraction of a trailer can really make for a good day but don't get over confident, the reason they have a following is because you may only get a couple bites but it is usually due to the fact that on really tough, cold days the only thing you will be able to get them to bite is a well placed hair jig but it is simply a tool and not a magic bullet.

[Bass2124]

Great info smalljaw! That is exactly what I was looking for!

[WRB]

Take a look at Billy Westmoreland Punisher hair jig vedio.

It's a big mistake to think hair jigs are only good in cold water, my avatar bass was caught on a 7/16 oz custom hair jig with pork trailer in March pre spawn 60 degree water.

Tom

[smalljaw67]

2 hours ago, WRB said:

Take a look at Billy Westmoreland Punisher hair jig vedio.

It's a big mistake to think hair jigs are only good in cold water, my avatar bass was caught on a 7/16 oz custom hair jig with pork trailer in March pre spawn 60 degree water.

Tom

He is referring to one of the articles he read about fishing river smallmouth in the early spring on hair jigs. Yes, they work in other water temps but if you fish for river smallmouth with a hair jig when the water temp hits 60 degrees, you won't catch but a few fish. Unlike their lake cousins, the river smallmouth will move out of wintering holes and spread out at much cooler temps than their lake cousins. Once the water goes above 50 degrees, covering water will get you more fish, yes, you will catch them with hair but I'll catch 5 or 6 to your 1 with a jerkbait or spinnerbait as I'll be covering more water. A lot of anglers don't understand river smallmouths, they inhabit shallower water and move in much lower water temps, we have witnessed river smallmouths on beds in 57 degree water, you won't see them do that in lakes or reservoirs under 60 degrees when the water is clear. Night and day difference.

[blckshirt98]

Search Facebook for "Supernatural Bass Jigs", he sells small finesse style hair jigs at a good price.  I grabbed a few and they look good quality wise, but haven't gotten around to fishing them.

[Team9nine]

 

1 hour ago, blckshirt98 said:

Search Facebook for "Supernatural Bass Jigs", he sells small finesse style hair jigs at a good price.  I grabbed a few and they look good quality wise, but haven't gotten around to fishing them.

 

17 hours ago, kickerfish1 said:

 Andy's custom hair jigs might be worth checking out.

 

I've bought and used jigs from both these guys, and they both do good work and are legit. Andy's has the better overall selection, but Supernatural is kind of unique in that he combines bucktail, marabou and living rubber into his creations. Kind of expensive to buy custom ties like this, but always fun to play with.

-T9

[Blues19]

I really like the Punisher jigs. They dont have a big weedguard like a regular jig but they work pretty well. I have recently started to customize them with a small living rubber skirt thats pulled tight to flare out.  With a little beaver style trailer trimmed down on the sides, it looks very realistic in the water. love it

[WRB]

Billy Westmoreland may be the most famous Smallmouth bass angler who used hair jigs on Dale Hollow reservoir TN. The float n fly presentation was made popular at Dale Hollow where the world record smallmouth was caught.

I fish hair jigs year around because they work year around.

Tom