Casting Jigs and Do I Need Them...???

[ITO_ZILLION]

I don't really like being a tackle *****/hoarder but mostly its because I am cheap. Therefore...I don't like the thought of having to spend money on multiple styles of jigs when 1 can suffice. This means I like having 1 style of jig for any and all situations that might call for a jig. To that extent...when ever I am faced with a open water bottom contact situation that calls for a jig...its always going to be a football head jig regardless of bottom composition, structure and water depth. So...

 

Do I need to buy/fish a casting jig if a football jig can suffice my needs 90% of the time for any open water bottom contact situation...?

 

Whats the biggest difference between a football jig and a casting jig anyways besides the obvious physical difference between the lead head shape/form...?

 

Are there any noticeable advantages to a casting jig over a football head jig and in what conditions/situations and/or bottom composition would this be true...?  

 

 

[TnRiver46]

If theres a lot of logs on the bottom the football head will get stuck quite a bit 

[Catt]

I don't give my tackle names, that way if I flip or pitch with a casting jig it doesn't get confused!

 

When I'm approaching cover I start at casting distance, then move up to pitching distance, & then flipping distance.

 

At least until I figure out a pattern ?

[Jigfishn10]

For me, I tend to look at jigs from not only it’s shape but line tie. 

 

Look at a football jig:

  • Line tie is at approx 90*

  • Shaped like a football turned 90*

   Result: will have a more stand-up quality to it, so maybe a crawfish pattern would be good here. Doesn’t look like it will come through grass well.

 

Casting jig:

  • line tie is straight to approx 30*

  • head is bullet shaped 

Result: will stay more horizontal so maybe a baitfish pattern. Looks like it will come thru grass better

 

That’s the feedback I get from those jigs. 

 

Is it better to only have 1? 

 

It’s better to have and not need then need and not have.

 

[A-Jay]

 

Check out the 6th Sense Divine Hybrid Jig.

 

It was designed to be a universal casting jig with a head shape that is a hybrid cross between a structure jig, grass jig, and football jig that provides the ability to use it in multiple locations throughout the day. The Divine Hybrid Jig functions as a multi-tasking bait for casting to shallow structure, docks, rocks, brush, and grass or for dragging out deep like a football jig.

6th Sense hybrid jigs are offered with either a standard or finesse skirt style and include a premium weed guard and 5/0 black nickel hook.

 

https://6thsensefishing.com/collections/3-8-oz-divine-hybrid-jigs

 

A-Jay

[Todd2]

I do pretty much everything with an Arky, great for wood and rock.

[Jigfishn10]

That devine hybrid jig looks really good! Kind of reminds me of the Denny Brauer Pro Jig. I can see why it's versatile. I wish it came unleaded tho...Oh well, thanks for posting

[A-Jay]

6 minutes ago, Jigfishn10 said:

That devine hybrid jig looks really good! Kind of reminds me of the Denny Brauer Pro Jig. I can see why it's versatile. I wish it came unleaded tho...Oh well, thanks for posting

It is an effective weapon.

A-Jay

[Harold Scoggins]

5 hours ago, ITO_ZILLION said:

Do I need to buy/fish a casting jig if a football jig can suffice my needs 90% of the time for any open water bottom contact situation...?

No, but you do need @Siebert Outdoors Dredge Brush Jigs made using the Owner Deep Throat Hook.

[primetime]

If you don't have weeds you can cast and swim a football jig, Just pay attention to how stiff the weedguards are as I find if swimming a jig I like a thinner weed guard. 

 

If not a football jig, an Arkie Jig is a good change of pace for what it sounds like you fish. 

 

 Siebert Jigs are worth the money if on a budget like myself. You get what you pay for in terms of Jig quality.

 

You can load up for for $50, Overall Value will save you money due to the quality. The hooks are money, Plus I trust they are balanced right, as I am not a jig expert so I like to buy them from someone who is. I also like my weedguards the way I like them and he sends them long for you to adjust.

 

If in a pinch, and need a good all around jig that is decent quality and can be fished in any way...The Terminator Jigs at Dicks for $4...They are actually decent for casting, swimming, etc...VMC hooks are decent.

 

Not trying to Sell Siebert, I am sure other guys make good jigs as well, but I would rather have half dozen quality jigs, then a dozen decent jigs. I have ordered swim jigs online from known brands that are really just flipping jigs with a swim jig line tie and name...

 

 

 

 

[Team9nine]

Once upon a time, when the terminology was first used (by Stanley Jigs if I’m not mistaken), there was a difference. Casting jigs had longer shanks, lighter wire and       O’Shaunessy style bends. Flipping jigs we’re the other form and they had round bends, shorter shanks and heavier wire. It made a difference with the gear of the day and whether you were pitching 20’ away or casting 80’.

 

Now days you have enough variation and options in baits and tackle (and line) that you could argue you don’t need many specific styles to be effective. Like you, I’ve started using football jigs as more of an all-around type bait that works well on my waters. But I definitely agree with TnRiver46 that they do hang more in wood cover and are somewhat less efficient in those situations.

[fishwizzard]

I have settled on Brush heads for 1/2oz and up and Arky heads for lighter jigs.  I fish far far more wood or soft bottoms rather then rock so I never feel like I am at a disadvantage.  

 

I find that I don’t loose many jigs in general to sangs, it’s almost always due to setting it into a piece of cover and no head style will help with that. 

 

Whomever said “hooksets are free” was not a jig fisherman, sometimes my hooksets cost me five bucks each. 

[Munkin]

I cast all of my jigs so names mean nothing to me. Certain head styles work better in different types of cover but do not get hung up on it.

 

Allen

[MIbassyaker]

29 minutes ago, Munkin said:

I cast all of my jigs so names mean nothing to me. Certain head styles work better in different types of cover but do not get hung up on it.

 

Allen

 

Same here.  I've never been totally sure what "casting jig" is supposed to be -- I cast, flip, drag, and swim them all.

[Obi_Wan]

What is the difference in a casting jig vs a swim jig?

[Munkin]

Having fished jigs for over 30 years and making 1000's of them I honestly cannot answer that question.

 

Allen