I don't trust weed guards

[billmac]

This is going to sound crazy because obviously people catch fish on jigs with weedguards all the time, but I just don't like the idea of them.  I can't believe they don't prevent some hooksets.  I'm not an expert jig fisherman so take that for what it's worth.  I have on occasion rigged a curly tail grub kind of texas rig style if I have problems with weeds.

 

Am I the only crazy one?

[J Francho]

3 minutes ago, billmac said:

Am I the only crazy one?

Maybe, but you're wrong about weedless rigs and jigs with a brush guard.  If you don't want to use them, you will be severely limited to where you can fish.

 

[A-Jay]

1 minute ago, billmac said:

This is going to sound crazy because obviously people catch fish on jigs with weedguards all the time, but I just don't like the idea of them.  I can't believe they don't prevent some hooksets.  I'm not an expert jig fisherman so take that for what it's worth.  I have on occasion rigged a curly tail grub kind of texas rig style if I have problems with weeds.

 

Am I the only crazy one?

 I suppose your perception is your reality ~ 

But it's certainly not mine.

A-Jay

[Choporoz]

If concerned, you can thin out your weedguards.  Cut a few strands out completely,  though.  Don't trim the whole bunch shorter....that will just make it stiffer.

[scaleface]

If you are going to fish in cover then they are a must . If snags are not a problem then dont  use them . 

[thinkingredneck]

Where I fish you got to go weedless.

[kenmitch]

Not really a jig fisherman yet.  

 

I've seen and read that it really depends on the weed guard on the jig. Lot's of pros modify or cut the guards.

 

https://www.bassmaster.com/tips/weedguards-getting-point

 

Quote

Regardless of the situation, Biffle gets his scissors out each time he ties a new jig onto his line. "I cut every one of the brushguards after taking them out of the package," Biffle admits. "If you find that you're getting hung up quite a bit, all you have to do is press the guard forward a little bit, and it will protect the hook enough to keep from getting hung up quite so much." While fanning the weedguard will certainly limit most snags, he urges anglers to avoid doing so unless it's absolutely needed.

 

 

[Hawkeye21]

Make sure to fan out the bristles of the weed guard.

[Dens228]

I think without the weed guard you'll catch even less bass by the fact that you'll be dragging a clump of weeds along.

 

[WRB]

I will be the exception and agree that weed guards reduce strike to hook set ratios to the point I only use fiber weed gaurds when necessary. 

I use a hitchhiker spring screwed onto a 2 1/2" long piece of finesse worm attracted to the jig hook eye and weedless rigged onto the hook point. I split the 2 1/2" piece of worm to have 1" split tail and insert the hook point into the crouch of the tail split.

I have caught all my giant bass using the added piece of worm for a weed gaurd.

Tom

[billmac]

WRB: I can't visualize it. Do you have a photo?  Thanks.

Never mind, I see it now.  Didn't know what a hitchiker spring was.  I've kind of done the same thing by putting a grub on, texas rig style.

[Log Catcher]

If you are going to thin out the weed guard it is better to cut them off at the head instead of cutting them shorter at the top.

[Russ E]

I used to feel the same way.

I would shorten them and thin them out.

Lost a lot of them over time.

Now I just fan the weed guard out and fish.

Don't miss many fish. My hookup ratio on jigs is just as good, if not better, than texas rigs

[OkobojiEagle]

13 hours ago, WRB said:

I will be the exception and agree that weed guards reduce strike to hook set ratios to the point I only use fiber weed gaurds when necessary. 

I use a hitchhiker spring screwed onto a 2 1/2" long piece of finesse worm attracted to the jig hook eye and weedless rigged onto the hook point. I split the 2 1/2" piece of worm to have 1" split tail and insert the hook point into the crouch of the tail split.

I have caught all my giant bass using the added piece of worm for a weed gaurd.

Tom

Tom... I'm assuming your jig of choice doesn't have a "cross eye" or an eye buried into the lead as many of today's skirted jigs do.  Also I would think an eye closer to 90 degrees would work best.  What is your jig of choice to use when modifing a jig in this way.  Is there one jig that has a prettier hook eye than the others that make it easier to have the piece of finesse worm become attracted to it?

 

oe

[WRB]

1 hour ago, OkobojiEagle said:

Tom... I'm assuming your jig of choice doesn't have a "cross eye" or an eye buried into the lead as many of today's skirted jigs do.  Also I would think an eye closer to 90 degrees would work best.  What is your jig of choice to use when modifing a jig in this way.  Is there one jig that has a prettier hook eye than the others that make it easier to have the piece of finesse worm become attracted to it?

 

oe

You are correct. Look at Finesse Jig Tips you will see my photos of jigs with 90 degree standard eye hook the accommodates the hitchhiker spring perfectly. A flat eye or nose hook jig wouldn't work well.

Tom

[TOXIC]

I don't like the term "weed guard" because none of them really prevent you from picking up weeds or if they do, it's not been noticeable to me.  Now possibly they work as a "brush guard" keeping hangups to a minimum in solid cover like wood and reeds.  I have used some on my Ned rigs and it was the single strand wire.  I saw no benefit in the grass I was fishing and after 2 or 3 smallies, the guard was gone most of the time or I had to bend it back into position enough that it broke.  If I want a bait weedless, I will Texas rig it.    

[J Francho]

Brush guard is a better description.  Up here, that single wire guard helps prevent hangups on zebra mussel encrusted rock shoals.  I agree, after a few fish, especially smallies for some reason, they break as Toxic described.

[the reel ess]

I think they prevent some hooksets, but if you use a jig the way I do, you'll need them to not be hung up on every cast. Set that hook like you think that fish defiled your little sister. You really can't set it too hard if your line is good.

[Mobasser]

21 hours ago, J Francho said:

Maybe, but you're wrong about weedless rigs and jigs with a brush guard.  If you don't want to use them, you will be severely limited to where you can fish.

 

Nice fish J Francho

21 hours ago, A-Jay said:

 I suppose your perception is your reality ~ 

But it's certainly not mine.

A-Jay

A Jay, very nice fish! We all have to learn to fish with weedgaurds eh?

[MassYak85]

Sounds like you need a beefier rod if you are concerned you cannot set the hook adequately on a jig with a weedgaurd. 

[scaleface]

Way back when i used a 5'6" mh   rod for jigs with weed guards . I crossed their eyes . If you cant get a good hook set with todays equipment then you are doing it wrong .

[FCPhil]

Jigs work for people all the time all over the country. I understand it seems like you will miss fish, I felt that way too, but they have been proven to work very well. 

[moguy1973]

I was going to say to look up a particular jig but it looks like calling out specific brands that aren't in line with Bass Resource is a no-no.  Sorry, can't help you out then.

[Brad Reid]

7 hours ago, moguy1973 said:

I was going to say to look up a particular jig but it looks like calling out specific brands that aren't in line with Bass Resource is a no-no.  Sorry, can't help you out then.

Well, I think my first post ever here mentioned an "unmentionable" and, being new, it confused me for a minute or two. But, I actually think that the posting policy is quite liberal here as regards all of us sharing equipment and gear ideas.

 

If you ever read an Internet article, then go down to the "Reader's Comments" section, it is rare you won't see posts that have nothing to do with the article . . . but someone claiming "Make $1000 a week from home sitting on your $$$" and then drop a URL to direct you to some shady website. So, I surmise what could happen here, if this is not checked, is some small manufacturers of lures, etc. could use someone else's private platform to bombard viewers with sales promos.

 

It is like someone rushing a lectern and commandeering the microphone. They have to use someone else's platform because they don't have one themselves that people will pay attention to.

 

Anyway, no shortage of good ideas and good products shared here.

 

Brad

[billmac]

Of course there's no way to know if and how many fish are lost because of the weed guards, but I acknowledge that this is my perception.  And I think there are always better ways to do this if we look hard enough.  I took a look at the trashmaster and that looked really good.