Jig size vs trailer size

[zpelletier]

I mostly fish ponds and small lakes for largemouth bass. I’ve never fished a jig before but I recently picked up a couple 3/8oz jigs to try out, and I’ll probably pick up a couple 1/2oz too. How do I know what size trailer? Or how do I know if a trailer is too big? 3”? 4”? 5”? I have some Missile baits d bomb, is that too big for 3/8oz jig?

[Capriceragtop]

Following, as I've always wondered the same, but have just thrown stuff together randomly.

[MN Fisher]

8 minutes ago, zpelletier said:

I mostly fish ponds and small lakes for largemouth bass. I’ve never fished a jig before but I recently picked up a couple 3/8oz jigs to try out, and I’ll probably pick up a couple 1/2oz too. How do I know what size trailer? Or how do I know if a trailer is too big? 3”? 4”? 5”? I have some Missile baits d bomb, is that too big for 3/8oz jig?

It's about the same size as the 4" Berkley Pit Boss that I normally use on 3/8 oz swim jigs - 4" Strike King Rage Claw and 4" Berkley Chigger Claw are alternatives.

 

1/2 oz - I'd probably start with a 6" Zoom Brush Hog, Missile D'Stroyer or Zoom Lizard

[kdubracing]

My favorite size for 3/8-1/2 oz jigs are 3.5-3.75". 4" works well also. If something looks a bit long, just cut some off of the top of the trailer. I will also trim the skirt up near the bottom of the hook sometimes to run a shorter trailer and not interfere with the action. 

[Kenny Yi]

not sure, but a lot of my trailers are 4 inches, then i bite 1/2 an inch off the top

[Swampdonkeyfishing]

I would put a craw trailer about 4in.

[Hook2Jaw]

The hook size of a jig dictates the trailer size for me.  My Z-Man Finesse Jigs get trailers in the 2.5" range, my BOSS Finesse flips rock a 2/0 and get 2.75-3.25" trailers, and my BOSS Flipping Jigs get trailers between 3.5 and 4 inches threaded on their 4/0 hooks.

[Bluebasser86]

You're only really limited to your imagination here. A whole brush hog or 7" stick worm can work great on the back of a jig. Sometimes, they'd rather have a 4" beaver or 3.5" craw. I've done really well with a 5" stick worm with about 3/4" trimmed off the top on the back of a finesse jig. Options are limitless. 

[Catt]

1 hour ago, Bluebasser86 said:

You're only really limited to your imagination here.

 

Exactly ?

 

I throw a Rage Lobster 4.5" or a Gene Larew Hawg Craw 6" on a 3/8 oz jig. Now I do cut an inch of the Lobster & an inch and a half of the Hawg Craw. I want the bulk more than the length.

[Hammer 4]

Most trailers are such that your alter the length. Then it comes down to bulk, and action of the trailer.

[A-Jay]

A SK Rage Craw, A Rage Menace and although not pictured,

A Rage Bug do most all of my heavy lifting.

A-Jay

 

[Bankbeater]

I've used everything from a nose hooked tube to a threaded plastic worm.  It will depend on if the bass are looking for a large or small profile, moving through the water, or on the bottom.

[scaleface]

Ive even used the back half of a plastic lizard with good results .

[Bankc]

I'll usually throw smaller trailers if I'm targeting smaller bass, or the bite is tough.  As for which trailer size, it all depends.  I've used 3" grubs and 6" lizards, both with good success.  I'd go bigger or smaller, but those are about the top and bottom of the range of plastics I normally buy.  

[Munkin]

Mine are 2.5 to 4" on average. 

 

Allen 

[cyclops2]

When they are hungry & a group is looking ?  Anything stopped or moving gets a bite. None stop C & R.   

 

Same in saltwater.  

[Log Catcher]

I use the Zoom Ultra Vibe Speed Craw or Twin Tale Grub most of the time for jigs in that size range.

[zpelletier]

On 12/27/2021 at 11:29 PM, Bluebasser86 said:

You're only really limited to your imagination here….. Options are limitless. 

Thanks! I didn’t know if the size of the jig would limit the size of the trailer, but I guess not. So many options for trailers I’ll have to try a couple and see what works

[Bdnoble84]

On 12/29/2021 at 4:51 AM, zpelletier said:

Thanks! I didn’t know if the size of the jig would limit the size of the trailer, but I guess not. So many options for trailers I’ll have to try a couple and see what works

Its trial and error really. Also, circumstances dictate alot regarding trailer selection. Thats honestly a really fun part of jig fishing, playing with trailer and jig combos.

[rtwvumtneer6]

On 12/27/2021 at 10:54 PM, Hook2Jaw said:

The hook size of a jig dictates the trailer size for me.

Yep... I have 3/8oz jigs with 1/0-4/0 hooks in them.

 

You can easily make a large bait smaller, but making a small bait larger takes a lot more effort.