Updated Thoughts On Darter Head Fishing ?

[ChrisD46]

Darter Head fishing for bass  is a recent curiosity of mine (never used it - still researching)  - however when searching most darter head entries are 10+ years old ... *Has the darter head application / technique given way to newer techniques such as a small ,  finesse swim bait head (1/8th oz. - 1/4th oz.) used with small 2.8 and 3.3  Keitech Fat Swing Impact paddle tails and similar OR other techniques ? Thanks in advance ...

[Bluebasser86]

I use a darter head exclusively when fishing a grub or small < 3.5" paddletail. 

[Gundog]

Love the Kalin's Darter heads with a Zoom Fat Albert grub. I think many anglers have moved on to the ned head and moon eye jigs but I still carry darters and use them when I can. 

[flatcreek]

I throw a darter head with a Zoom finesse worm a lot on Lanier 

[ChrisD46]

Thanks for the replies , I would think a darter head and a grub would still work well (especially in the winter ?)

[WRB]

Darts work when bass are suspended off the bottom more then a feet, the head design tends to hang up easily if it contacts any cover. Cold water bass tend to hug the bottom structure, not a good presentation for darter jigs.

Prespawn and summer darts are more effective for suspended bass when worked in their face. I use 1/8 oz darts with 4 1/2” to 5 curl tail worms using finesse tackle. Bass strike darts on the fall and swam at the depth they are suspended.

Tom

[Choporoz]

On ‎1‎/‎14‎/‎2019 at 12:38 PM, ChrisD46 said:

*Has the darter head application / technique given way to newer techniques such as a small ,  finesse swim bait head (1/8th oz. - 1/4th oz.)

What's the difference?  I mean...not trying to be antagonistic, but I can't seem to find a commonly accepted definition of a darter head -- other than most seem to assume a small jig head with exposed hook - just curious if shape of head, or size of hook or position of line tie, etc....make a small jig something different or special?

I used Charlie Brewer terminal stuff in the same manner as other small lead/hook things -- but, I'm not sure he calls any of his styles 'darter'....just curious

[Team9nine]

It's a specific technique, not just a jighead. 

 

Kramer On Dartheads

[WRB]

If you plan to make a lot of bottom contact use a ball head, not a dart, as darts pointed shape wedge into small crevices unless you keep them moving.

Tom 

[gobig]

On 1/15/2019 at 12:44 PM, WRB said:

Darts work when bass are suspended off the bottom more then a feet, the head design tends to hang up easily if it contacts any cover. Cold water bass tend to hug the bottom structure, not a good presentation for darter jigs.

Prespawn and summer darts are more effective for suspended bass when worked in their face. I use 1/8 oz darts with 4 1/2” to 5 curl tail worms using finesse tackle. Bass strike darts on the fall and swam at the depth they are suspended.

Tom

I have to completely disagree with you on this one. Working a dart head down a ledge like a jig works wonderfully. I like the Gami dart heads with a robo worm. They have a spiraling action like a tube but with a straight tail worm.  Not saying that they are not great for suspended fish but they work at all depths, all year long.

[ChrisD46]

I take it a darterhead is more of a vertical presentation than a cast and retrieve (horizontal) presentation ?

[flatcreek]

30 minutes ago, ChrisD46 said:

I take it a darterhead is more of a vertical presentation than a cast and retrieve (horizontal) presentation ?

I fish it on rocky points dragging and popping it off the rocks with my rod tip up to keep from getting hung up.spotted bass will crush that thing when they're sitting on rock

[WRB]

You can work a dart on the bottom but they snag easily because of the head shape, a ball head works just as effectively bouncing down a rocky area and doesn't hang up as often, the reason they are more popular.  Have you seen a dart shape shaky head jig? There is a learning curve keeping darts out of rock snags, don't give them any slack line.

Just depends on how many darts you are willing to lose and retie. Much better if you keep them moving above or along the bottom IMO.

The first darts I know of were the darts Dick Trask used in the early 80's that were pearl white with hologram eyes by Phenix and he used Flutter Craft curl tail worms, same worm he split shot with. The worm George Kramer referred to was a 4 1/2" ring worm with curl tail, smoke with silver, gold and copper flakes was a killer color. George referenced a 12 lb leader to reduce abrasion when trying to shake a snagged dart lose, never tried that trick. We just sqweezed a ball head flat on the sides to make a aspirin head jig for working rocky areas.

Tom

PS, today I use Owner 1/8 oz darts with 1/0 hook.

[gobig]

4 hours ago, WRB said:

You can work a dart on the bottom but they snag easily because of the head shape, a ball head works just as effectively bouncing down a rocky area and doesn't hang up as often, the reason they are more popular.  Have you seen a dart shape shaky head jig? There is a learning curve keeping darts out of rock snags, don't give them any slack line.

Just depends on how many darts you are willing to lose and retie. Much better if you keep them moving above or along the bottom IMO.

The first darts I know of were the darts Dick Trask used in the early 80's that were pearl white with hologram eyes by Phenix and he used Flutter Craft curl tail worms, same worm he split shot with. The worm George Kramer referred to was a 4 1/2" ring worm with curl tail, smoke with silver, gold and copper flakes was a killer color. George referenced a 12 lb leader to reduce abrasion when trying to shake a snagged dart lose, never tried that trick. We just sqweezed a ball head flat on the sides to make a aspirin head jig for working rocky areas.

Tom

PS, today I use Owner 1/8 oz darts with 1/0 hook.

Tom, I agree with most of your posts but the action of a dart head is completely different than a shaky head or a ball head. They are not the same. Are you going to loose some? Yup. Is there a learning curve? Yup. Dart heads seem to shine the most on spotted bass lakes where ounces separate the field. Ill deal with going through some baits to gain a different look than the 20 boats that just fished a head of me. 

[WRB]

1 minute ago, gobig said:

Tom, I agree with most of your posts but the action of a dart head is completely different than a shaky head or a ball head. They are not the same. Are you going to loose some? Yup. Is there a learning curve? Yup. Dart heads seem to shine the most on spotted bass lakes where ounces separate the field. Ill deal with going through some baits to gain a different look than the 20 boats that just fished a head of me. 

I will fish darts in some types of rocks, not broken rip rap or broken shale, where the line pulls the dart into crevices. Baseball and larger round rocks are OK if you control the slack line and more vertical presentations, that takes a lot of practice and lots of darts. I agree darts have a special action hat get a lot of strikes.

Tom

[GoneFishingLTN]

Are dart head jigs a good technique for largemouth? Sorry to bump an old thread figured it might have good Info rather than a new ones. 

[TnRiver46]

On 1/19/2019 at 7:41 AM, ChrisD46 said:

I take it a darterhead is more of a vertical presentation than a cast and retrieve (horizontal) presentation ?

I cast them. It works 

1 hour ago, GoneFishingLTN said:

Are dart head jigs a good technique for largemouth? Sorry to bump an old thread figured it might have good Info rather than a new ones. 

Yes, it’s my favorite for the clear water rock quarry near my house that is full of largemouth