Swing jig heads

[NHBull]

Howdy Folks,

 

I am looking for input on swinging jig heads.

The primary use would be for 3-3.5" crawls.

I have been using regular jigs and bullet weights, but was wondering if I should be considering the Swing weights.

Thanks for any input

Al

[BassThumb]

Bass Patrol Deflection Jigs from TW. 2-pack for $4. It has a recessed line-tie, and it's a good value. VMC hooks. I tend to leave quite a few of these in the Mississippi River rocks, so I appreciate the price.

 

Biffle Hardheads are a good choice if you're not digging them into sharp rocks. It doesn't have a recessed line-tie. 2-pack for $5. They have Owner hooks and chip-resistant paint, not that the paint matters much. 

[Brad in Texas]

I really like the Owner Pivot Head in 1/8th oz. size. It comes in both an EWG and a straight shank. I prefer the latter.

 

No, though it is advertised as a superior swim jig creating extra wiggle and action, I like to fish it on the bottom with a worm that has a floating tail. I hop it around like a T-Rigged worm.

 

I can't say why but if feels totally different to me than a true T-Rigged worm with a nose weight. Softer, I guess. It also seems not to hang up as much.

 

Brad

Edited August 21, 2018 by Brad in Texas
ture = true

[Beetlebz]

I'm in the fence, personally. I've used them, I've caught fish on them. But I also feel that I could have caught the same fish swimming a jig on the bottom. It's worth a shot honestly, they're pretty inexpensive as a trial run. Can't hurt.

[MNGeorge]

9 hours ago, BassThumb said:

Bass Control Deflection Jigs from TW. 2-pack for $4. It has a recessed line-tie, and it's a good value. VMC hooks. I tend to leave quite a few of these in the Mississippi River rocks, so I appreciate the price.

 

Biffle Hardheads are a good choice if you're not digging them into sharp rocks. It doesn't have a recessed line-tie. 2-pack for $5. They have Owner hooks and chip-resistant paint, not that the paint matters much. 

It's Bass Patrol, not Bass Control...beyond that, I concur totally. Rigged with a Rage craw is one of our favorite presentations. Don't be afraid to experiment with retrieve speed...sometimes faster is more effective than crawling...just remember to use a heavy enough weight to maintain bottom contact.

[Log Catcher]

I'm not sure who makes them but there are some on the market where you can change out the hook if you need a bigger or smaller hook depending on what you want to use.

[lo n slo]

15 minutes ago, Log Catcher said:

I'm not sure who makes them but there are some on the market where you can change out the hook if you need a bigger or smaller hook depending on what you want to use.

the Punisher - Hail Mary is one that comes to mind

[Jig Man]

I have molds for them and have made all sizes from 1/8 oz to 1 oz.  With hooks from 1/0 to 5/0.  I have not found them to be any great addition to my arsenal.  I have been thinking about selling my molds as I just don't use the swing jig very often because where I fish Ned, shaky, and Trigs will out produce them.

[Mobasser]

I have tried a biffle hardhead, with mixed results. I'll probably stick with other things. It's a great concept, just doesn't really work for me

[Bluebasser86]

Swinging football heads are one of my favorite ways to present a plastic bait. I make them from 1/8oz with a 2/0 EWG short shank up to a 7/0 monster worm hook. I've even made them with a straight shank hook and flipped with them. Dragging a beaver or brush hog on a 1/4oz head accounts for large number of fish for me each season. 

[Brett's_daddy]

Try these...https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Dirty_Jigs_Pivot_Point_Football_Jig_2pk/descpage-DRTYPVT.html. 

[bagofdonuts]

I really like them. Don't limit yourself to just craw/beaver baits. Clint Davis just won the forest wood cup dragging one rigged with a big worm through brush piles. 

[Choporoz]

I like Larew's best -- they come through laydowns better than any others I've tried.

[fishwizzard]

I like swingheads and catch on them, but they seem to hang up way way more often then a jig or t-rig.  Cover and bottom compasition does not seem to matter.  I wish I had access to an underwater camera so I can see whats going on, I cant figure it out.  

[MNGeorge]

On 8/21/2018 at 6:02 PM, Log Catcher said:

I'm not sure who makes them but there are some on the market where you can change out the hook if you need a bigger or smaller hook depending on what you want to use.

Freedom Tackle

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Freedom_Tackle_Hybrid_Football_Jig_Heads_2pk/descpage-FREER.html

[ChrisD46]

I credit a member here (smalljaw67) for teaching me everything I have learned about fishing  swing jig heads  :

 

*Think of as a  crank bait substitute crashing into bottom structure with a hard , abrupt deflection.

*Need a heavy action , extra fast tip bait cast rod to get that hard , rapid jig deflection without the rod loading up .

*Bait Cast reel of 6:3:1 is fine.

*A low stretch ,  abrasion resistant co-poly or FC line is best (I use Spider Wire #14 lb. Ultimate Mono)

*Jig head weights of 1/4th oz. ~ 3/8th oz. get used the most .

*You want enough weight for bottom contact with structure but not so much that it digs too deeply into the bottom.

*For trailers use Craws , Beavers , Creature and even worms in Green Pumpkin , Watermelon Red , Junebug and Black & Blue colors work well.

 

There may be other ways to use a swing jig head ,  however above is how I use it effectively ... Google : "Tommy Biffle - Biffle Bugging and Hard Head System" for more details ... *Smalljaw67 probably taught Tommy Biffle all he knows about the swing jig headfor bass  as well (lol) !

[Munkin]

I want to try some myself I just need to find someone that can pour them. Gama 744 2/0 hook on a 3/16 and 1/4oz heads.

 

Allen

[bagofdonuts]

Get the mustad fastach heads and put whatever hook you want on it. 

[A-Jay]

I fell in love last fall with the Freedom Tackle Stealth Swim Jig head.  

Hung a 4/0 Gamakatsu EWG and a Rage Bug on it - and it was doing work on the fat fall smallies here.

Picked up this season right where it left off - in fact I caught some fish on it today.

 

A-Jay

 

 

[Catt]

Strike King Swinging Swim Jig with Trokar EWG 

 

I'll cast it, swim it, flip it, & pitch it!

 

 

[Bluebasser86]

21 hours ago, bagofdonuts said:

I really like them. Don't limit yourself to just craw/beaver baits. Clint Davis just won the forest wood cup dragging one rigged with a big worm through brush piles. 

I pour some specifically for fishing big straight tail worms. I'm normally using them in shallower water and lots of rocks so I pour an 1/8oz head with a 7/0 Gama Monster Worm hook. The weight and worms glides over rocks without getting snagged and that big hook fishes those 8-11 inch worms without any problems. 

[B_Rose12]

I use Strike King Jointed Structure Heads, Eco-Pro Tungsten Free Football Jig, and Owner Pivot Heads. The Eco Pros are tungsten and I prefer them for that and you can swap hooks, the Owners I like because they’re just on a swinging head with the hook linked on a split ring, so I replace my hooks, I like the Strike King for heavier cover!

[FishDewd]

I never tried them, but have wanted to. Just afraid they'll get caught up too much and will be harder to detect a bite on.

[Bluebasser86]

On 9/7/2018 at 12:10 AM, FishDewd said:

I never tried them, but have wanted to. Just afraid they'll get caught up too much and will be harder to detect a bite on.

It's the opposite actually. The head gets snagged less in rocks and it's easier to detect bites because the weight is directly connected to the hook. 

[JustJames]

On 8/21/2018 at 6:02 PM, Log Catcher said:

I'm not sure who makes them but there are some on the market where you can change out the hook if you need a bigger or smaller hook depending on what you want to use.

I use this Strike king football swing head.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Strike_King_Tour_Grade_Tungsten_Swing_Football_Head/descpage-SKTGTSH.html