Arky Jigs What are they?

[cheezledzul]

Came into a lot of old unused tackle and lures. Still in the original packaging from the 80s I think.

 

V&V Pro-line Jigs with Owner hooks tournament series. The "arky" box is checked off not football. I have 6 1/2oz and 6 3/8oz.

 

Couldnt find much info on these. What are they used for and how do I fish them?

[Team9nine]

"Arky" is now the name used for a style of jig head that was made famous by one of the first manufacturers of living rubber bass jigs, Arkie Jigs (~very early 1980s or slightly before). It is a great all-around head still to this day, and is usually very similar in style to this picture; kind of rounded but squashed flat a little so that it tends to sit upright and comes through a variety of cover types well. Largely fish it like you would any rubber jig, though it's not necessarily designed for flipping or punching very heavy cover.

 

[papajoe222]

Think of an Arkie style jig as an all around jig (similar to a MH rod being an all purpose rod).

[flyingmonkie]

☝️

[thedilettantedad]

Found this article helpful. They refer to Arkie as a casting/structure jig. There's looks a bit different, but I think the general build is the same. I also think of Arkie as the jigs that can be had for  < $2 at Wally World.

 

https://www.flwfishing.com/tips/2015-09-29-bass-fishing-101-choose-the-right-jig

[Todd2]

26 minutes ago, thedilettantedad said:

Found this article helpful. They refer to Arkie as a casting/structure jig. There's looks a bit different, but I think the general build is the same. I also think of Arkie as the jigs that can be had for  < $2 at Wally World.

 

https://www.flwfishing.com/tips/2015-09-29-bass-fishing-101-choose-the-right-jig

Yup...milk, eggs, and Bluegill Arkies are often on my list....lol

 

It's really the only jig I throw outside of Ned type heads or tube jigs.....and Crappie 

[Jigfishn10]

Great jig around laydowns/timber.

[GReb]

I prefer to fish them on open banks with sparse cover. And around docks 

[snake95]

14 hours ago, Team9nine said:

Arkie Jigs

 

3 hours ago, thedilettantedad said:

There's looks a bit different, but I think the general build is the same. I also think of Arkie as the jigs that can be had for  < $2 at Wally World

Assume that these are one and the same?  Sounds like the original company kept making them and remains a staple of economical jigs at Walmart?

I'm sure like anything you can get a JDM version cast from Palladium or Kryptonite but is there anything to detract from the modern versions of Arkie's Arky jigs?

[Team9nine]

Personal preference IMO. Some guys like specific skirt colors or hook brands or head paint schemes with their jigs, so buy what you like. Outside of the head not being ideal for certain heavy cover applications, a regular Arkie works just as well now as any other jig. Just not as fancy. But most every company has copied their head style and offers a version these days.

[J Francho]

3 hours ago, snake95 said:

 

Assume that these are one and the same?  Sounds like the original company kept making them and remains a staple of economical jigs at Walmart?

I'm sure like anything you can get a JDM version cast from Palladium or Kryptonite but is there anything to detract from the modern versions of Arkie's Arky jigs?

Arkie brand "arky" style jigs are $3.49.  For $4.00 you can get a hand made, wire tied jig from Siebert Outdoors, run by member and sponsor Mike Siebert.  Other than a few jigs, I get all mine from him.  Before anyone asks...yes, I pay retail.

[thedilettantedad]

19 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Arkie brand "arky" style jigs are $3.49.  For $4.00 you can get a hand made, wire tied jig from Siebert Outdoors, run by member and sponsor Mike Siebert.  Other than a few jigs, I get all mine from him.  Before anyone asks...yes, I pay retail.

Arkie Rattle Bands are $1.59 here, but don't tell our bass.

 

EDIT: But, I do enjoy a Flukemaster Jig, Trust Me.

[J Francho]

Their pro jigs are $3.49.  I wouldn't consider those Rattle Bands.  Thin skirts, rubber band, poor hooks....  Also, the site lists them at $2.15. Jigs are still fairly inexpensive, and I rarely lose them.

 

Here's the difference:

 

[thedilettantedad]

I think Wal-Mart might get them wholesale and sell them at $1.59 but move lots of them to profit. Arkie is like the Kirkland's of jigs there. I don't see much of a difference. Looks like neither one caught a bass.

 

[J Francho]

The bottom has caught many.

[bagofdonuts]

Arkie jigs was a brand. But now Arkie jig generally refers to the style of jig head. An all purpose jig head, good for flipping or casting. Particularly good around wood.

Many brands make arkie style jigs, including high end, hand tied to the very cheaply made. I'm not familiar with v & v brand of jigs. Are you sure its not V & M. With owner hooks, if there not rusted, i'd use them. You can always replace the skirts.

[primetime]

I love a Brown one....Its a jig that you can pitch, flip, swim, hop....Just like any jig, just adjust the weedguard to how you like it and make sure it has a good hook.

 

Brown Arkie Jig 1/2 oz is one of my go to jigs.

[snake95]

6 hours ago, J Francho said:

Their pro jigs are $3.49.  I wouldn't consider those Rattle Bands.  Thin skirts, rubber band, poor hooks....  Also, the site lists them at $2.15. Jigs are still fairly inexpensive, and I rarely lose them.

Great shots, very effective illustration of the difference @J Francho Thank you for posting them.

 

Always interesting to learn about the history of bass lure development and what has happened to companies that were pioneers and as they would say these days "influencers" of their craft.

 

[thedilettantedad]

21 hours ago, J Francho said:

The bottom has caught many.

Well, I went to Wally World to pick up my Arkie's and was pleasantly surprised when I found Strike King Premier Pro Model Jigs on sale for SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS! 3/8 and 1/2 oz. Black and Blues. 

 

When I gain more confidence I'll get some nicer jigs, but I know this gumby is basically throwing $1.56, $0.75 at a time into the Please Don't Snag wishing well. 

[evilcatfish]

With a few exceptions, arky style jigs are pretty much my go to jig. Maybe not perfect for every situation, but pretty good in all of them 

[cheezledzul]

On 3/7/2019 at 5:17 PM, bagofdonuts said:

Arkie jigs was a brand. But now Arkie jig generally refers to the style of jig head. An all purpose jig head, good for flipping or casting. Particularly good around wood.

Many brands make arkie style jigs, including high end, hand tied to the very cheaply made. I'm not familiar with v & v brand of jigs. Are you sure its not V & M. With owner hooks, if there not rusted, i'd use them. You can always replace the skirts.

Yep positive. they're all in pristine condition in their original packaging. A few I've opened have the skirts sticking together a little but I've been pulling them apart and seems fine. I'll check them after another day or two. 

Theres 2 types, V&V and VV pro-line with owner hooks. The hooks have a different shape and look. Didnt look very closely but seems legit, they're all 3/8 or 1/2oz. Pretty happy about this info. I'm making huge orders for my first season really fishing. Can pretty much cut a lot of jigs out of the order. Maybe some small finesse and heavier pitching/punching jigs and I guess a couple swim jigs for thick grass. But for the most part I dont need to order much to start. Basically just gradually getting 2 of every major lure over the next couple weeks. But first a lot of plastics and jigs so I can focus on that off the bat. 

April 1st starts kayak season!

 

Tight lines everyone!