Jig trailer discussion?

[StrikePrince]

I've started using jigs extensively for the first time this summer and am trying to learn more about trailers and how they can effect your presentation. It seems like there are a few major variables when it comes to trailers- amount of action, and rate of fall. These are the trailers I've used and how I'd classify them by their action and fall rate as well as a few personal notes. I'm hoping for some wisdom from the jig sages on how different trailers can be used to maximize versatility and effectiveness for a jig fisherman. 

 

Rage tail rage craw- high action, medium/slow fall. This is probably my favorite trailer so far; I like the slow fall, durability, and the fact that it doubles up as a swim jig trailer when you want to swim it.

 

Sweet beaver- low action, medium fall. This is an effective trailer but I've not yet run into a situation when I would use this over a rage craw. Are there situations when fish just prefer less action? 

 

Zoom super chunk- low action, fast fall. Haven't used these too much but it may come in handy when looking for a faster fall rate. Thoughts? 

 

Keitech crazy flapper- super high acyion, slow fall. Slow fall on this creature bait makes using it as a trailer almost senko like. I've also gotten some retrieving it so might be able to swim it too. It's similar to a rage craw in that respect but a bit bulkier. 

 

Keitech paddle tails- I've had good success in clear water swimming these on an arky head. 

 

Those are the baits be used as trailers the most. 

 

Any types of trailer you can recommend to round out my arsenal? What are some situations you've run into where the choice in jig trailer mad a big difference? Thanks for your insight. 

 

Ps I have been using all of these trailers on a 3/8 oz arky head. 

[Bluebasser86]

Lots of discussion on jig styles and trailers can be found here;

 

[CroakHunter]

4 hours ago, StrikePrince said:

I've started using jigs extensively for the first time this summer and am trying to learn more about trailers and how they can effect your presentation. It seems like there are a few major variables when it comes to trailers- amount of action, and rate of fall. These are the trailers I've used and how I'd classify them by their action and fall rate as well as a few personal notes. I'm hoping for some wisdom from the jig sages on how different trailers can be used to maximize versatility and effectiveness for a jig fisherman. 

 

Rage tail rage craw- high action, medium/slow fall. This is probably my favorite trailer so far; I like the slow fall, durability, and the fact that it doubles up as a swim jig trailer when you want to swim it.

 

Sweet beaver- low action, medium fall. This is an effective trailer but I've not yet run into a situation when I would use this over a rage craw. Are there situations when fish just prefer less action? 

 

Zoom super chunk- low action, fast fall. Haven't used these too much but it may come in handy when looking for a faster fall rate. Thoughts? 

 

Keitech crazy flapper- super high acyion, slow fall. Slow fall on this creature bait makes using it as a trailer almost senko like. I've also gotten some retrieving it so might be able to swim it too. It's similar to a rage craw in that respect but a bit bulkier. 

 

Keitech paddle tails- I've had good success in clear water swimming these on an arky head. 

 

Those are the baits be used as trailers the most. 

 

Any types of trailer you can recommend to round out my arsenal? What are some situations you've run into where the choice in jig trailer mad a big difference? Thanks for your insight. 

 

Ps I have been using all of these trailers on a 3/8 oz arky head. 

A wacky rigged senko. 6-7 inch

[Catt]

 

7 hours ago, StrikePrince said:

I've started using jigs extensively for the first time this summer and am trying to learn more about trailers and how they can effect your presentation

Dang! That's pretty good ole son  ?

 

My suggestion fish em through fall, winter, spring, & back to summer.

 

Next drop down to 1/4 oz & go up to 1/2 oz.

 

How ya rigging the Super Chunk?

If ya threading it on like the Rage Craw or Sweet Beaver, try rigging it like a pork chunk. Give Zoom's Swimmin Chunk a look!

[deep]

Try GYCB DT grubs, Berkley Chigger craws and Zoom baby brush hogs too (in addition to the rage craws).

 

I have had very little luck with beavers and smallie beavers. (supposed to be good in winter, just hasn't worked out for me). Even less luck with Rage Lobsters lol. Rage craws are my standard for average fish, DT grubs for (hopefully) bigger fish. There seems to be a preference factor, and I'm not just talking about the rate of fall (which obviously is important).

 

Also learnt something from Matt Allen about zoom chunks a few years back, and I quote; "Rig it upside down (fat side up)* and push the hook all the way through from Front to Back and it should begin to kick." Caught a bunch of fish doing that, although in general I'm not a big fan of chunks. I do fish them though.

 

* (P.S.) Pork trailers have a skin side and a fat side. The "correct" way to rig it is the skin side up. I have a nice sketch/ guide on trimming real pork trailers that Tom (WRB) shared somewhere. I can find and post that if there's any interest.

[StrikePrince]

7 hours ago, CroakHunter said:

A wacky rigged senko. 6-7 inch

Thanks for the help I'll try that

[smalljaw67]

You are learning the right way, and I like how you are understanding what affect each trailer has. I think one aspect that gets overlooked is something I key on in my waters, and that is the profile the trailer gives my jig. Catt gave you a great suggestion, fish them through the different seasons and see how each will work, where I live the water is cold in early spring and mid to late fall and it makes my trailer change for a lot of reasons. In the Summer if I'm throwing a 3/8oz arky jig I'll look at a Rage craw first but will go to a sweet beaver for less action with a bigger profile. If I need to downsize I'll go to a regular size Zoom Salty chunk, it still gives me bulk but not as much as a beaver, if I need some action in that same size I'll use a Paca chunk, similar profile but more action. In cold water it is mostly down sized baits with small trailers with little action, a jig like a Bitsy Bug works well with a tiny paca chunk but if there is too much movement a Zoom tiny chunk is the way to go.

[WRB]

There are hundreds of jig head designs and each one of those designs came about by anglers trying to solve a problem and increase their catch rate. Now add all the different types of trailers available and it soon becomes clear the options are nearly limitless.

Bass jigs are built around the hook, the key to every designs success or failure.

My goal when I fish jigs is to catch big bass, for me it's not a numbers lure. My jigs need to be able to go through the structure or structure and cover without hanging up a high percentage if the time. Yes I lose jigs but try to keep the loses at a minimum, this is where the jig head design is critical to reduce snagging cover or wedging under rocks.

I refuse to use a jig with dull or weak hooks, they must be sharp and strong enough to hook and land the biggest bass in the lake.

The jig trailer should compliment the skirt material and go through cover while looking like a live critter a bass would not hesitate to strike.

Keep in mind the more appendages a soft plastic trailer has the more it will snag vegetation going through it. You want streamline trailers to fall through cover. Fast moving flapping trailer appendages slow the jig fall creating water resistance to get a basses attention. The more natural a trailer swims appeals to bigger bass and no soft plastic can duplicate a high floatation soft pork rind trailer....unfortunitly no long commercially availble. 

Tom

[MassYak85]

Lol I use all of the exact same trailers. Only two I would add would be some sort of double tail grub and a "realistic" trailer. Something like a Yum Craw Bug or Big Bite Baits Craw Worm (for these I bite off the "worm" section"). If I am working a jig really slow on hard bottom I like to use these. Not much action but on the right jig you can get the claws to stick into the air and just let it sit their in a defensive position. 

[papajoe222]

I fish an arkie head jig a majority of the time and the trailers I use the most are the ones that affect the fall rate. I use chunk style ones mainly for cold water presentations when I trim the skirt for a small profile. This is also a great finesse bait option.  As the water warms, I'll go to something with more action like a Kalin's grub that won't affect the fall rate much. Once the spawn is over, it's a RageTail or PacaCraw when I want a slower fall or a beaver style for a faster one.  Now swim jigs are a whole different animal.

[Comfortably Numb]

The Zoom Z craw is getting alot of attention lately. Similar to a Rage

[ClackerBuzz]

imo you're giving fish too much credit. buy some indestructible Z Man ElaZtech and fish for days/weeks with one bag. 

[Munkin]

For flipping/pitching jigs I use 3 basic types.

 

Super Chunk = Cooler water or when they want less action. 

 

Chigger craw = Warmer water 

 

Double tail grubs = Football jigs in deep water.

 

I try to keep it simple and 90 percent of my trailers are GP or black in color. 

 

Allen