Marabou Jigs for Smallies

[NathanDLTH]

This is mostly for guys who are fishing smallmouth, I’m really dialing in chasing smallies and this is one technique I know nothing about. Rods and  baits is where I’m not really sure. Thoughts or suggestions? Does this work on rivers as it does on lakes? Recommendations?

[MIbassyaker]

To be honest, i don't know how you're "supposed" to fish a hair jig, but I sort of treat them the same as a ned rig.

[Jig Man]

When I fish them (1/16 to 1/8) it is sort of a glide and twitch keeping it off the bottom.  Heavier it is hopping along the bottom.

[WRB]

Marabou feather jigs are often called hair jigs by Smallmouth bass anglers. Another name given is fly for Marabou feather jigs. The “hair jig” is usually 1/16 to 1/8 oz black or white fished on 4lb to 7b FC line using long 7’6” to 7’10”ML spinning rods.

The jig is light weight therefor mid water swimming column presentations in lieu of bottom hopping contact jig.

Me, I use bucktail hair jigs 3/16 to 7/16 with standard bass rod and fish them using my Horizontal casting jig presentation. Cast let sink watching the V cut by the line as the jig sinks. Strike detection is the line or jig stops sinking before it hits bottom. After the jig hits bottom I move the jig by turning the reel handle 1 or 2 turns and repeat watching the V in the line for strike detection.

Tom

[Big Hands]

6 minutes ago, WRB said:

fished on 4lb to 7b FC line using long 7’6” ML spinning rods

 

I have a St. Croix Mojo Bass 7'6" ML/XF hair jig spinning rod, but I use it mostly for weightless wacky 5" Senkos. I love catching fish on this rod. Casts weightless Senkos a mile and hooks them well and keeps them pinned as well as any rod I have ever used. I can often feel strikes on a slack line (10# braid to 7 lbs leader). The tip is so light, they'll play with it for a loooong time and never even know you're on the other end, but the XF action loads up nicely when it's go time.

 

I am tempted to add a Daiwa 7'6" M-ML/F in either the Tatula or Tatula Elite AGS version to toss some slightly heavier weightless plastics. . . . or maybe even a hair jig.

[erie-man]

I use bucktail jigs in lake erie in late March to May when the water is pretty cold. I tie them from deer tail in grey with a little brown on the back.  I mainly use 1/4 to 3/8 as I'm fishing 18 to 24 feet. I usually drag and stop very SLOW. Smallmouth really like them in early spring.

[Dye99]

For me Marabou feather jigs are great for smallies.

I throw them out as far as possible and let them sink to the bottom, then slowly retrieve much like a spy bait. I dont jig it or change the retrieve cadence.

Ive had the best luck with that. But everywhere is different.

I use a Megabass Flyssa, Stradic 3000 with 8lb braid to a 30 ft 6lb leader and a 1/8th ounce jig.

[Glenn]

 

[BlakeMolone]

kalins makes a good hair jig for like 5 bucks for a four pack, they catch the crap out of trout and smallies and while i’ve never used a 7+ dollar hair jig I can’t imagine i’m missing out on much.

[JMac603]

14 hours ago, NathanDLTH said:

This is mostly for guys who are fishing smallmouth, I’m really dialing in chasing smallies and this is one technique I know nothing about. Rods and  baits is where I’m not really sure. Thoughts or suggestions? Does this work on rivers as it does on lakes? Recommendations?

I REALLY dove into this early this year and tried numerous rods. My favorite rod for hair jigs up to 1/8oz is a 7'6" St. Croix Avid. I tried the 7'10" LTB, 7'10" Victory, 7'6" TFO Resolve Bass, and the 7'6" TFO Tactical Elite. I use #4 Fireline to a #4 Trilene mono leader. Brian's Custom Tackle makes stellar maribou and hair jigs. I only use black or black AND colors - black AND some purple/blue flashibou. Tried white, green, and brown and black is just what produces best. 

[NathanDLTH]

Is there any reason to use a medium over a medium light? 

[KP Duty]

3 hours ago, NathanDLTH said:

Is there any reason to use a medium over a medium light? 

Ott Defoe uses a 9ft ml carbonlite rod for his 1/16oz  hair jigs (10lb braid/6lb fluoro leader).  He says the 9ft rod (actually a steelhead rod) is key to getting good distance.

[FryDog62]

I'm a big fan of throwing hair jigs with fluorocarbon - I think you get a much better and more uniform sink rate. To minimize line twist I use BFS. Although I use a 7'1" Light baitcasting rod, I am considering a 7'4" option. I really don't like going longer than that - since smallmouth tend to make a run as they get close to the bank/boat and a super long/light rod gets cumbersome at that point.

[NathanDLTH]

48 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

I'm a big fan of throwing hair jigs with fluorocarbon - I think you get a much better and more uniform sink rate. To minimize line twist I use BFS. Although I use a 7'1" Light baitcasting rod, I am considering a 7'4" option. I really don't like going longer than that - since smallmouth tend to make a run as they get close to the bank/boat and a super long rod gets cumbersome at that point.

That is a very good point. Let me know what you find.  

[KP Duty]

52 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

I'm a big fan of throwing hair jigs with fluorocarbon - I think you get a much better and more uniform sink rate. To minimize line twist I use BFS. Although I use a 7'1" Light baitcasting rod, I am considering a 7'4" option. I really don't like going longer than that - since smallmouth tend to make a run as they get close to the bank/boat and a super long rod gets cumbersome at that point.

I will be picking up that 7-4" phenix bfs rod at christmas.  Tackle Tour just reviewed them btw.

[FryDog62]

2 hours ago, NathanDLTH said:

That is a very good point. Let me know what you find.  

The rod I'm looking at is the one that KP Duty referenced. Waypoint Angler Supply in Spring Park, MN carries them and actually has them 30% off right now: https://waypointanglersupply.com

 

As far as BFS reels - I have a Daiwa Air TW and Curado BFS... both would work great. I use 7 lb Sniper, or 6 lb Tatsu...

[papajoe222]

I fish hair jigs from 1/8oz.-3/8oz. I tie them myself using deer tail hair. My favorite rod is a built on a Forcast SP841 blank specifically for this presentation. AS a 3/8oz is a little over the top for that rod, I use a St.Croix PC70MLF. The Forecast is paired to a TD Alphas and the St.Croix to a TD Sol. The heaviest line I use is 8lb. Mono.

[Mr. Aquarium]

I’ve caught more largemouth the smallies on my hair jigs. 

[PaulVE64]

Hair jigs on the river are fantastic. 

I slow reel them just off bottom and normally quarter downstream. It's hard not to twitch and pump them on the retrieve but somehow those big bass find them.

[NathanDLTH]

6 hours ago, PaulVE64 said:

Hair jigs on the river are fantastic. 

I slow reel them just off bottom and normally quarter downstream. It's hard not to twitch and pump them on the retrieve but somehow those big bass find them.

What size ? Medium Light?

[PaulVE64]

I tie my own hair jigs from 3/16 to 1/16 oz.

I use spinning gear with 8# to 12# mono or fluoro on an oversized reel with  7' to 6' mlf to a lf.

I've been tempted to pick up a new 7' Curado light fast.

I prefer shorter rods than most people. I place alot of importance on accuracy.

[Munkin]

Looks like you have a lot of answers to what everyone calls a "Hair Jig".

 

Around here they are the best cold water bait to use. When I say cold water I am talking about sub 40 degree water just to be clear. Bear hair has no equal in this temperature range amd if you have some Uncle Josh 101 pork trailers you are set. We use these in the river for SM In January to the beginning of March when the lakes are frozen solid. Once the water temp hits 40 I will start throwing small tubes maybe some other baits? Otherwise bear hair jigs rule cold water and if anyone knows where I can buy some brown bear hair please let me know.

 

Allen

[Bdnoble84]

I love my 6’10” bassx mlxf for everthing from 1/16 to 1/4. I can fish 3/8 but it does start overloading the rod a bit. I tie my own jigs using bucktail, rabbit, marabou and hackle, craft fur and just about any other material i can get my hands on. Techniques vary depending on what im trying to do/ imulate. One of my favorites is a hybrid jig using rabbit zonkers for claws, bucktail or marabou body material and a finesse cut silicone skirt. I like to hop it mainly but will also drag it. Northern also love rabbit. Caught a sauger and 14” smallie couple days ago on it. On 3/32 versions i have also had success fishing it ned style. Marabou i use a slow consistant retreive. I prefer these in decent water clarity. In fall i do like to use 1/8 and 1/4 oz bucktail jigs tipped with a live craw or when i can access them in early summer, leeches. I typically use a snap jigging method with this lure. Only issue is sheepshead will hammer them and i have also snagged a few carp. 

1 hour ago, Munkin said:

Looks like you have a lot of answers to what everyone calls a "Hair Jig".

 

Around here they are the best cold water bait to use. When I say cold water I am talking about sub 40 degree water just to be clear. Bear hair has no equal in this temperature range amd if you have some Uncle Josh 101 pork trailers you are set. We use these in the river for SM In January to the beginning of March when the lakes are frozen solid. Once the water temp hits 40 I will start throwing small tubes maybe some other baits? Otherwise bear hair jigs rule cold water and if anyone knows where I can buy some brown bear hair please let me know.

 

Allen

I really need to order some more bear hair. Barlows doesnt carry it right now and i havent pulled the trigger on other sites.

[FrnkNsteen]

I've tied Maribou, Squirrel, and Bucktail,..... What is the difference with Bear hair that makes you like it so much?

 

Curious....

[Bdnoble84]

On 9/13/2023 at 12:00 PM, NathanDLTH said:

Is there any reason to use a medium over a medium light? 

A medium action rod will work its just not going to have the same ceel esp on the really light stuff. Casting sistance can be sacrificed as well. For me the bigger thing is the faster action the better coupled with 10lb braid. Especially hopping in and around rocks the feel is so important to be able to hop over rocks and feel light bites.  A medium action rod will work with 1/8oz and up just fine. Lighter than that gets tough to cast and feel but it can be done.