Jig Trailer Length? When and Where…

[Drawdown]

Is there a general rule for ideal trailer length for jigs at each weight? Is there any reason to opt for one length over another? What weights + trailer pairings lend themselves to a “big” or “small” presentation and when do you go to one combo over another?

Just trying to get a sense for what size of plastics to buy, especially when it comes craws and beaver-styles. But in time I’ll also be looking to add swimming trailers to the lineup.

 

Looking at the Berkley Pit Boss for instance, there’s sizes from 3.5” to 5”. I know I *could* cut off some of the body and turn them into chunks if needed. But that seems somewhat wasteful, considering you get fewer soft plastics per package when you go up in size, but pay the same price.

 

Presently my jig collection is 3/8oz, 1/2oz, and 5/8oz. But I’ll probably add 3/4oz and/or 1oz football and brush/structure heads for when the fish go deeper and I don’t want to have to count a long time to get my lure to them (or the wind makes it hard to keep good “contact” on a lighter jig).

[MN Fisher]

2 minutes ago, Drawdown said:

Presently my jig collection is 3/8oz, 1/2oz, and 5/8oz.

I use the 4" Pit Boss on both 3/8 and 1/2 - would probably work as well on the 5/8

 

3 minutes ago, Drawdown said:

But I’ll probably add 3/4oz and/or 1oz football and brush/structure heads

5" Pit Boss on my 3/4 - probably be fine for the 1oz as well...could also use on the 5/8 to slow the fall on that one and 'bulk it up' a bit.

[A-Jay]

For me, Jig Trailer size & length needs to work in unison with skirt length.

So to start, if I'm using an 'action' type trailer 

(SK Rage Craw & Menace both 4" pictured)

I don't want the skirt to interfere or otherwise catch on the trailer 'legs',

which almost always reduces the trailers ability to move freely. 

With that in mind, I trim most of my jig skirts to a length that extents a 1/2 inch

or so past the jig hook bend.

The trailers are attached ensuring the 'legs' are sufficiently longer than the skirt.

Removing the first 1/2 to 3/4 inch of a trailer or first section of the craw, is usually perfect. 

 

 

A-Jay

 

[TnRiver46]

 Not my photo but I have always done better hooking them like this 

[DitchPanda]

43 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

For me, Jig Trailer size & length needs to work in unison with skirt length.

So to start, if I'm using an 'action' type trailer 

(SK Rage Craw & Menace both 4" pictured)

I don't want the skirt to interfere or otherwise catch on the trailer 'legs',

which almost always reduces the trailers ability to move freely. 

With that in mind, I trim most of my jig skirts to a length that extents a 1/2 inch

or so past the jig hook bend.

The trailers are attached ensuring the 'legs' are sufficiently longer than the skirt.

Removing the first 1/2 to 3/4 inch of a trailer or first section of the craw, is usually perfect. 

 

 

A-Jay

 

Bingo buddy!

[Munkin]

19 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

 Not my photo but I have always done better hooking them like this 

 

I like to thread them on and will compensate.

 

Allen

[TriStateBassin106]

51 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

For me, Jig Trailer size & length needs to work in unison with skirt length.

So to start, if I'm using an 'action' type trailer 

(SK Rage Craw & Menace both 4" pictured)

I don't want the skirt to interfere or otherwise catch on the trailer 'legs',

which almost always reduces the trailers ability to move freely. 

With that in mind, I trim most of my jig skirts to a length that extents a 1/2 inch

or so past the jig hook bend.

The trailers are attached ensuring the 'legs' are sufficiently longer than the skirt.

Removing the first 1/2 to 3/4 inch of a trailer or first section of the craw, is usually perfect. 

 

 

A-Jay

 

A-jay you nailed it right on the head, that's basically my same philosophy about trailer length for all jigs it all goes with how long the skirt is. Trimmed skirt = trimmed trailer etc. ?

[Mbirdsley]

Cooler temps I like things more finessey ( I made that word up ) and compact.  Once it starts getting warmer I let the whole package get bigger.  Untill finally it’s summer time and they don’t care how big it is.  

[Drawdown]

18 hours ago, A-Jay said:

For me, Jig Trailer size & length needs to work in unison with skirt length.

So to start, if I'm using an 'action' type trailer 

(SK Rage Craw & Menace both 4" pictured)

I don't want the skirt to interfere or otherwise catch on the trailer 'legs',

which almost always reduces the trailers ability to move freely. 

With that in mind, I trim most of my jig skirts to a length that extents a 1/2 inch

or so past the jig hook bend.

The trailers are attached ensuring the 'legs' are sufficiently longer than the skirt.

Removing the first 1/2 to 3/4 inch of a trailer or first section of the craw, is usually perfect. 

 

A-Jay

 

Okay, but is there a scenario where you’re running a 5” trailer and you don’t need to trim the skirt because of the sheer size of the trailer? Or is skirt trimming something you do regardless of trailer length?

[5/0]

All my jig skirts are trimmed to approximately the same length, 1/2 inch below hook bend. I adjust trailer length the same way others have mentioned above to allow free movement of the claws/legs.

If using something like a swim bait or fluke trailer on a chatterbait or swim jig I’ll adjust the length of the trailer so that the bend of the tail is at the end of the skirt. Again to allow free movement.

This is probably debatable and I’d welcome any responses as too why.

[WRB]

Hmmm let me think...

My standard jig weighs 7/16 including the 5/0 hook. 

I use this same jig for hair jigs, silicone skirt, vinyl and living rubber jig skirts. 

The hair extends anywhere from 1” to 1 1/2” beyond the hook bend about 3” average over all Jig length.

I tend to trim silicone  skirts 3/4” behind the hook bend,  living rubber and vinyl a little shorter about 1/2”.

Trailers like soft plastic craws and creatures I thread onto the jig hook up against the skirt and they loose about 1” to the back of the hook bend. A 3” craw is about 2” beyond the hook bend, 4” is 3”, 5” is 4” etc. 

Pork rind trailers are node hooked and loose about 1/4 length or extend nearly their total beyond the hook bend.

I use pink trailer that about 3/4” wide from 1 1/2” to 9” long on the same jig. 2” frogs and 4” split tail pork trailers about 90% of the time. Use 4” split tails and 6” to 9” Black Widow eels at night.

For me start 4” long trailers, soft plastic or pork and adjust as needed to get the bass to react...it’s trail and error.

I jig fish anywhere from 1’ to 35’ sometimes deeper using the same 7/16 oz jig. If the bass want a faster falling jig then use 3/4 to 1 oz.

Tom

PS, try actually weighing you 5/8 oz jig.

 

 

[5/0]

So for you Tom there are times when a large part of the body of the trailer, a craw for example, extends past the skirt.

[A-Jay]

30 minutes ago, Drawdown said:

Okay, but is there a scenario where you’re running a 5” trailer and you don’t need to trim the skirt because of the sheer size of the trailer? Or is skirt trimming something you do regardless of trailer length?

My presentations size & profile vs whatever the prominent bait might be, drives jig/trailer choices.

Skirt trimming may or may not be needed unless it's jacking up the trailer action.

Btw, I am usually targeting smallies so a somewhat compact jig seems to increase hook up and landing percentage.

A-Jay

[NavyVet1204]

26 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

My presentations size & profile vs whatever the prominent bait might be, drives jig/trailer choices.

Skirt trimming may or may not be needed unless it's jacking up the trailer action.

Btw, I am usually targeting smallies so a somewhat compact jig seems to increase hook up and landing percentage.

A-Jay

What size jigs are you partial to? 

[A-Jay]

31 minutes ago, NavyVet1204 said:

What size jigs are you partial to? 

I still use 3/8 and 1/2 "sizes" the most with a few lighter/heavier as needed.

While I do use a few with a 5/0 hook, the sweet spot for me is a smaller hook.

Something close to a 4/0 is usually my go to. 

I fish a few baits that are fairly old pours made by folks who have since retired.

Current versions are 

6th Sense Divine Hybrid Jig

Strike King Hack Attack Fluorocarbon Flipping Jig

Evergreen Grass Ripper Swim Jigs

A-Jay

 

 

[WRB]

1 hour ago, 5/0 said:

So for you Tom there are times when a large part of the body of the trailer, a craw for example, extends past the skirt.

Every jig trailer I use extends passed the end of the skirt! Bass are attracted to the trailer, they need to see it.

Smallmouth and Spotted I use shorter trailer then for LMB.

Prefer using Spider jigs ( DT Hula grubs) for both Smallmouth and Spots.

Tom

[Catt]

Rate Of Fall 

 

Terry Oldham's Trailer Hitch Jig 1/4 oz, skirt full length. Gene Larew Salty Hawg Craw 5", cut 1 1/2" off the tail. I'll throw this jig on offshore structure in 15-20' of water.

 

Hack Attack Fluorocarbon Flippin Jig 3/4 oz skirt cut to whatever  the thickness of my fingers are. Rage Lobster the tail cut almost completely off. I throw in matted cover or offshore structure.

[GoneFishingLTN]

13 hours ago, WRB said:

 

I use pink trailer that about 3/4” wide from 1 1/2” to 9” long on the same jig. 2” frogs and 4” split tail pork trailers about 90% of the time. Use 4” split tails and 6” to 9” Black Widow eels at night.

For me start 4” long trailers, soft plastic or pork and adjust as needed to get the bass to react...it’s trail and error.

 

There is no split tail pork trailers being made anymore correct? If you didn't make your own now days what on the market would be the closest thing?

[MN Fisher]

4 hours ago, GoneFishingLTN said:

There is no split tail pork trailers being made anymore correct? If you didn't make your own now days what on the market would be the closest thing?

Au contraire - Uncle Josh got the production up again on the #11 Frog

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Uncle_Josh_Pork_Frog/descpage-UJPF.html

[Glenn]

12 hours ago, Catt said:

Rate Of Fall 

 

 

Nailed it!

https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/falling-bait.html

[WRB]

4 hours ago, GoneFishingLTN said:

There is no split tail pork trailers being made anymore correct? If you didn't make your own now days what on the market would be the closest thing?

Uncle Josh has reintroduced 2 frogs, the #11 and Big Daddy.

The Big Daddy is 1 1/4” wide x 4” long. The BD round head could be trimmed narrower. 

My issue with the new UJ is price, DB cost $12 for 2 each.

Zoom Salty Pro Chunk is 3 1/2” long and nose hooked works OK.

Tom