Weedless swimbait jigheads or alternatives?

[snake95]

Having some success lately swimming paddle tail swimbaits on swimbait jigheads.  Mostly fishing from shore, among brush and other cover, so snags are a problem.

The most obvious alternatives to the jigheads that I'm aware of are:

1.  Use a weighted swimbait hook and rig weedless.

2.  Use as a trailer on a swim jig with weedguard (haven't tried that yet).

Does anyone use a plain weedless jighead for this application (i.e. no skirt ?)

Maybe there is a good reason why weighted swimbait hooks are preferable to jig heads with weedguards?  If so, what are they?

Any recommendations for plain jigheads with weedguards?

Thanks.

[A-Jay]

Take a look at the heads offered by Freedom Tackle - The Stealth Head may be exactly what you're looking for. 

It dramatically improved my ability to present a bait in cover.

With & without a shirt that rig is pretty Killer.

btw - when using a skirt the VMC X Long Wide Gap Hooks is a functional option.

A-Jay

http://freedomlures.com/stealth.html

 

[Ktho]

I'll texas rig a Keitech with bullet weight and all when fishing thick grass that's standing tall, works pretty well. It becomes more of a fall bait than a swimbait but that's okay, it still gets bit really well.

[snake95]

5 minutes ago, Ktho said:

I'll texas rig a Keitech with bullet weight and all when fishing thick grass that's standing tall, works pretty well. It becomes more of a fall bait than a swimbait but that's okay,

That makes sense.  I'm sure the jigs A-Jay referenced would be excellent.  Looking at the way the jigs are set up, it seems to me you would have a decent substitute in a pinch by pegging a bullet weight close to the eye of the extra-long wide gap that A-Jay mentioned.  Some good starting points for further experiments...

[BassB8Caster]

I have had some success over the last few days with berkley havoc grass pig swimbaits. I have been rigging them on a 4/0 ewg hook with center pin screw lock. I have been running them weightless Texas rigged and bring them through grass, around trees, and over grass / pads etc. I will have to try it with a weight to get down at depths. One issue I have at times is the bait will spin/spiral. I'm thinking this happens due to the rigging being a little off angle

[Big Swimbait]

Buckeye makes a weedless swimbait head.

[Catt]

[evilcatfish]

I'm a fan of the Spot Stalkers from Kalins. They are a little small for the bigger baits but an awesome product.

 

Buckeyes are nice too.

[addicted2fishing]

I like the Blade Runner Tackle weedless swimbait head. It has a beefy 5/0 hook even on the 3/8 oz size, which is great when throwing swimbaits (bigger than 5 inches). It also has a pretty effective bait keeper so you don't have to rely on super glue. I use this on the CA Delta around logs, tules, hydrilla, etc. 

http://www.***.com/Blade-Runner_Weedless_Swim_Bait_Head_2pk/descpage-BRWSH.html

 

[J Francho]

I like the Owner Beast weighted hooks. They tend balance the bait nicely and seem to add a bit of wobble.