Need some advice on Swim Jigs-"Weed Guard thickness"

[primetime]

I was looking to see how everyone feels about weed guards on a Swim Jig. I have noticed that I miss more fish when swimming a "heavy Cover" Swim Jig then I do when I use a typical swim jig with a thinner weed guard. I have started to use the heavier weed guards that are on jigs like the "Dirty Jigs,Nichols Sledge hammer, Hack Attack Swim,gambler swim, instead of the "true" swim jig original design since I am throwing them on heavy braid & thick grass. 

 

I feel as though I am missing more strikes, losing more fish than I typically would, and every time I look at these jigs I feel as though I am essentially swimming a Flipping Jig. I started thinking....what is the difference between a heavy swim jig with vertical line tie, heavy weed guard, then many of the flipping/Grass Jigs other than eyes and colors? I am thinking a "Heavy Cover Swim jig" is just a flipping jig with a beefed up hook and weed guard which then is tougher to get a good hook set on if casting far away, rather than setting the hook in close quarters.

 

I do believe that a jig gets bigger strikes than a texas rig with punch skirt, Freedom style jig without a skirt etc...Curious to hear some advice from guys who swim jigs often. I have a good rod, pretty good with a jig typically (Not an expert by far) but would say competent. I realize the strikes mostly come from ripping off of grass & deflection, so I want to use a Jig, but curious if you think weed guards are too stout for swimming on many of these jigs?

 

Sorry for the ramble, in a rush with Mother's day, and then squeezing in a few hours of fishing after. Any and all advice welcomed. Thanks as always.

[Cgrinder]

Big hook and stiffer weedguard means heavier tackle. I fish a quarter northern style on a different rod and line than a half ounce Coosa. Swimming a flippin jig is a good way to get a couple extra bites after the initial flip.

[OkobojiEagle]

3 hours ago, primetime said:

I do believe that a jig gets bigger strikes than a texas rig with punch skirt...

Why?   I don't.

[Fishing_FF]

Out of curiosity, what rod and line are you using with the heavy cover swim jigs?

 

I've used a number of Dirty Jigs, Gambler, and Nichols swim jigs. Although, I only use the Gambler jigs for the Gambler tournaments any more. When it comes time to pick a swim jig, I match up the weed guard/hook to the rod and line. If the rod is a 7'0" MH with 20lbs fluoro or 30lbs braid, I'll tie on a Dirty Jigs Swim Jig or Nichols Saber. If all I have that is available is a 7'4"-8'0" H with 65-80lbs braid on it, then its getting a Dirty Jig No Jack Swim Jig or Nichols Sledgehammer. The heavy cover swim jigs have big hooks on them like the Dirty Jigs No Jack is an extra heavy Gammy hook (same as what's found on Medlock Flipping Jigs), the Gambler GOAT has a 7/0 saltwater hook, and the Nichols Sledgehammer is a 5/0 flipping hook. Yes, you are swimming a flipping hook. Just like flipping, when they hit and you set the hook, do the Hackney step back and swing. Not enough backbone in the rod or line, and you won't get a good hookset with one of these big flipping hook swim jigs. I can put the traditional swim jigs on the heavy gear, but the risk is opening up a hook if the drag is set too high.

 

I have never trimmed the weed guards on any of by jigs. At most, all they ever get is a fanning out of the weed guard to the right and left for better hook protection. All of my well used jigs seem to have this occur naturally from being compressed during a hookset. 

 

Good luck!

[RoLo]

I agree with what you wrote, no rambling at all.

Trouble is, the better we penetrate the cover, the more fish we may miss, can't have it both ways.

Like you, I also live in Florida, where penetrating heavy cover is the order of the day.

Though I much prefer a medium-heavy blank, a 'heavy' power rod can make a difference.

 

[WRB]

Have Siebert make up a swim jig with the exact weed guard and hook your want.

Tom

[Ogandrews]

For heavy weeds my favorite swim jig is the dirty jigs no jack swim jig. Most people use the California swim jig because that’s the one everyone talks about but the no jack swim jig has the same crazy strong hook and also has a true pointed swim jig head design which comes through grass better than any other head. The head of a swim jig also helps create some more rocking action I believe, it can be subtle but different head designs can make an impact on how a swimbait moves on a plain jig head so it will also make a difference in a swim jig. If the cover isn’t crazy thick you can switch to a regular dirty jigs swim jig which has a much lighter weed guard and still a pretty stout hook.

[papajoe222]

For more consistent hook ups I spread the weed guard apart slightly down the middle giving the hook a clear path. Then I bend it downward so it sits slightly above the hook rather than a 45 degree angle.  You could always clip a couple of the fibers.

[Catt]

On 5/10/2020 at 9:41 AM, primetime said:

instead of the "true" swim jig original design since I am throwing them on heavy braid & thick grass. 

 

 

Uhh! Why ya change? ?