Casting Jigs

[spencer12]

Hello everyone, I need someone to offer me some advice on which jig (or jig head style) I need for what I intend to do with it.  This year I've really upped my game on fishing with jigs.  I no longer just flip and pitch them.  I've been using them in the place of my texas rigged plastic worms. 

 

This is my problem.  I need a jig I can cast 20-40 yards and fish similar to a texas rig.  I need a jig that I can fish through wood and heavy cover as well.  This is what gives me the most problems.  Casting a jig 20-40 yds into heavy wood or cover and trying to finesse it out.  I can not for the life of my find a jig that is intended to do this.  

 

I prefer to keep the jig 3/8 oz or lighter.  I've been using the Booyah Baby Boo round head jig and it works ok.  It's a 5/16 oz which is what I prefer. 

 

What type of jig do I need to fish this way?  I will fish it just like a tr worm.  Dragging it into or through cover.  I know a football head is more of a ledge dragger so I haven't tried it in the wood and cover. 

 

Do I need a specific style head to accomplish this?  What about angle of line tie?  I know these factors will all impact how the jig reacts to wood and cover.

 

Opinions?

[A-Jay]

Simply modify your Texas rig to include a shirt and you'll have what you're looking for

A-Jay

[WRB]

Finding the ideal jig head design for what you are intending to use is a lot easier today with lots of good choices. Ideally the hook eye needs to be at the nose of the head, the head shaped to allow going through cover without rolling over and be able to stand up resting on the bottom. The more compact the jig is, meaning the shorter the hook shank is the better it goes through wood like brush but it's a lower % hook set when you cast over 30 yards.

One of the ideal jig designs is Iovino's new jig with dual weed guards and Tokar hook, see TW.

Tom

[scaleface]

26 minutes ago, spencer12 said:

Casting a jig 20-40 yds into heavy wood or cover and trying to finesse it out.  I can not for the life of my find a jig that is intended to do this.  

 

 

I cant  bring them through with the ease of a T-rig either . I use the rig that A-Jay uses only with 1/4 ounce lead weights that I found on-line .  I have not been able to find that  web address since .

[spencer12]

2 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Simply modify your Texas rig to include a shirt and you'll have what you're looking for

A-Jay

Actually a great idea. I never thought of that thanks for this info. I will have to give this a try.

 

I guess what I really want is a jig that I can fish in and around wood, logs, trees etc.

[Jig Man]

What ever the head, what works best for me is to down size the hook and use a leader with braid.  When rigged that way I can lift the jig up to a limb and actually feel the braid on the limb.  When it gets to the leader I can no longer feel it and know that I'll be needing to gently get it over the limb next time I feel something (unless that something is a strike).

[spencer12]

2 hours ago, WRB said:

Finding the ideal jig head design for what you are intending to use is a lot easier today with lots of good choices. Ideally the hook eye needs to be at the nose of the head, the head shaped to allow going through cover without rolling over and be able to stand up resting on the bottom. The more compact the jig is, meaning the shorter the hook shank is the better it goes through wood like brush but it's a lower % hook set when you cast over 30 yards.

One of the ideal jig designs is Iovino's new jig with dual weed guards and Tokar hook, see TW.

Tom

What head shape would be best for this? An arkie, round, football? 

[WRB]

2 hours ago, spencer12 said:

What head shape would be best for this? An arkie, round, football? 

Of those choices an Arkie head. Take a look at Zorro Booza jig head for light cover and N*-Tech Elite pro series heavy cover. I like the jig Catt (?) uses for head design, just don't like the compact hook design for casting over 30 yards.

Tom

[Catt]

This new deal for inserting pictures is stupid!

 

When it comed to jigs everyone has their own personal repertoire of confusion!

 

What I look for in a "wood" jig is a smooth transition from the line to the eye & around the belly, which requires the eye to be slightly rolled forward.

 

Shorter more compact jigs are in my opinion the worse choice because your "weed/brush" guard does not have the proper distance to collapse meaning it has be to soft.

 

Collapse the "weed/brush" guard with your finger, look at the distance from the eye to the hook point, that's the gap you have to penetrate the fish's mouth.

 

Probably the most effective "wood" jig ever designed is Lunker Lures Original Rattleback which is why it is still in most Pros jig box.

 

Siebert Outdoors Grid Iron Brush Jig is an excellent jig for fishing brush or laydowns. 

[Falkus]

6 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Simply modify your Texas rig to include a shirt and you'll have what you're looking for

A-Jay

 

How did you figure out my secret ?

 

that's what I do on my texas rig set up. It's a bass slay machine for me. 

[Falkus]

@A-Jay This little piece is still stuck in my head for the last few hours since I saw this. 

 

I am currently using the same set up but not that part. 

 

It surely got my attention. Could you tell me more about this.

where can I locate that if I want to test it out.  

 

Thanks 

 

 

[A-Jay]

1 hour ago, Burke said:

@A-Jay This little piece is still stuck in my head for the last few hours since I saw this. 

 

I am currently using the same set up but not that part. 

 

It surely got my attention. Could you tell me more about this.

where can I locate that if I want to test it out.  

 

Thanks 

 

 

Not to hi-jack the thread but Sure ~ it's called a Parasite Clip.

They are a stainless steel clip designed to secure any soft plastic bait in position on an offset hook; in any "weightless" fishing application and Carolina rigging. It prevents your soft plastic baits like worms, senkos, frogs, flukes etc. from sliding down the hook and balling-up on the hook point which seriously interferes  with a solid hookset.  

Available here ~ http://parasiteweights.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=30&osCsid=400590ebe537f640ed062b917e0328c7

and at TW.

Been using them for years and rarely fish a tex-posed plastic without one - btw here's a video of the idea I stole from you  

A-Jay

[spencer12]

Very informative guys. AJ also feel free to share all you want about that rig you use I like it. 

[A-Jay]

26 minutes ago, spencer12 said:

Very informative guys. AJ also feel free to share all you want about that rig you use I like it. 

Here's the rig, from the main line to the hook:

-A sinker stopper or stopped knot (I use a double uni-knot made from left over braided line)

- A small bead to keep the knot from slipping through the weight if the hole through the weight is larger than the stopper.

- A Bullet weight - I like Tungsten

- a Boss Punch Hub - this is placed inside the skirt collar

- The skirt of your choice

- A parasite clip (optional, but does help prevent the plastic from sliding down the hook)

- A 5/0 Owner wide gap plus EWG hook (#5139 - very stout, I love this hook)

- Your favorite soft plastic - pictured is a Power Bait Beast

The Boss Punch Hub is avalable at TW

Hope this helps

A-Jay