How is this different?

[Guest avid]

How is a plain jig different from a pegged T-rig?

both have a weight fixed just above the bait.

both use plastic trailers.

The hook can be exposed or buried on either.

I suppose some purists would disagree, but in practical terms, I see no difference.

Do you?  

[cullin8s]

Doesn't matter what difference you see its what the fish see different that matters. There are definately times when fish prefer a jig over a Texas rigged item, and thats good enough for me to have both in the boat.

[Sam]

Avid, you may have a point.

I don't T-Rig jigs and I am wondering if the skirt would be any different with a jig than a Texas Rigged setup.

Good question.

Let's see what the guys have to offer.

[.ghoti.]

I've often wondered this myself. Particularly since I can catch fish on a T-rigged craw, but can't with a jig over 3/16oz. What the heck is the difference? It has to be more than the skirt. I've added skirts to T-rigged plastics, both worms and craws, and had good results.

I can fish both, in the same area, and in the same way, and the T-rig will outfish the jig hands down.

In fact, with the exceptions of the 1/8oz Bitsy bug and the 3/16oz Evolution jig, I can't catch a bass on a jig. As soon as I go to 1/4oz or bigger, the game is over for me.

Somebody please explain the difference.

Cheers,

GK

[Jake.]

Ive noticed that some fish will hit a jig but not a t-rig and vise versa. I think it has something to do with the bait's profile. When I am sight fishing and get looks but no hits on a t-rig, I will often switch to a jig n' pig and get bit immedietly. Sometimes it is the other way around.

Long story short, sometimes the fish prefer the long, skinny proflie, and other times the short, bulky one.  

[islandbass]

Gosh, I am glad I am not the only one who thinks about such things!  

Anyway, I believe and agree that in essence they are the same or at least similar.

It is kind of like when I first started fishing, I wasn't able to toss Rapala Floating minnows very far so I grabbed a 3-way swivel to which the main line, leader to lure and  1/4 oz weight was attached.  It is fundamentally a Carolina Rig (weight in front of the bait, but I didn't know that for the longest time until I got more into bass fishing.

I think where I would notice differences are in what you might want out of the presentation. These are my observations not fact.  For example:

1) The Lure's Fall Rate: A T-Rigged Worm with at 1/4 oz weight will drop like a rock compared to a jig and pig of the same weight.  Want a faster fall? Use T-Rig. The lack of a skirt will enable it to fall faster. Slower fall, jig n pig.

2) Flexibility:  The pegged T-rigged will offer some flexibility if the angler determines that a moving weight would be more beneficial.  The varied movement of an unpegged weight will give the lure a slightly different action and motion as opposed to when it is fixed.

3) Presentation: They might be the same in principal but at any given time, the bass might find one more appealing than the other.  Therefore the need to have both possibilities at an angler's disposal is important.

These are a several of my thoughts. I believe I think too much sometimes. :

[Randall]

Here is the difference. Most Jigs have an angled line tie and a Texas rig doesn't. The short version is each moves differently and has a different action. Now for the long version and I am sure I will leave something out. A jig or jighead like a Spotsticker , Shakey Head, etc. moves the bait in a more natural manner with the bait swimming more horizonal to the bottom like most things do in nature due to the angle of the line tie. A Texas rig moves up off the bottom with its nose in the air and then falls back with its nose down more often. I hardly ever fish Texas rigs for this reason and almost always use a jighead or jig. Of course there are jigs and jigheads that don't have the angle in the hook and in most cases they are no different than a Texas rig pegged. Also the angled line ties make the bait move through cover and across the bottom differently. On a jig or jighead the hook is almost always facing up and the angle can also keep the line protected more at times. A jig or jighead will also hook more fish in the roof of the mouth for this reason. A jig or jighead also catches on cover differently  giving it a different action when pulled across logs, rocks, etc. There are some jigheads that are standup jigheads that stand the bait up off the bottom where Texas rigs can't but that is of the least important difference to me since most fall over if you give them any slack line and I believe that has very little to do with why a bass strikes a jig and has much more to do with marketing a jig toward what fishermen already believe.

[Catt]

Now y'all starting to think; my secret big bass baits is a Texas Rigged Jig, I've thrown it for years.

Back in the early 70's we would force a bullet weight into a skirt which aint easy, in the early 80's Big Red's Enterprises of Bossier City, LA invented the Big Red's Flying Jigs. This is simply a spinner bait head with out the wire or hook; you slide your line through it like a bullet weight, tied your hook on, your favorite plastic and fished it like a Texas rig.

The idea behind it was the skirt added bulk which slowed the fall rate and gave your plastic an overall larger profile; as stated above it's a different action than a jig.

I still throw this rig today with a craw worm during late fall and winter with outstanding result on quality bass.

[Stringjam]

   

   

Similar - yes..........but the same?  

[Tin]

Most Jigs have an angled line tie and a Texas rig doesn't.  The short version is each moves differently and has a different action... --- Randall hit it right on head.

[.ghoti.]

Thanks Randall, that makes sense. Not that I'm gonna be any better with a jig, but at least I have a better idea.

Catt, that rig looks like the real deal. Where do you get "em? I've been using skirts cut from torn up Fat Ikas and hula grubs.

islandbass, good thoughts, no such thing as thinking too much.

Now you guys got me thinking about altering fall rates, glueing skirts on weights, maybe trying worms and craws T-rigged, but on a hook intended to be poured into a jig, etc.

I always learn something here.

Cheers,

GK

[Guest avid]

Stringjam.................I like the way you think.

Randall,,  I see the difference.  It  is subtle but real.  

What started me thinking is that down here in Florida with our shallow weedy lakes, jigs are not nearly as popular as screw in weights on a EWG gap hook.  I guess that's why they call it the florida rig.

To me the weedguard on a jig is so named due to propaganda.   It is a weed catcher down here.  Now it may work fine as a brush guard when fishing blowdowns but for weeds................fuggedaboudit.

Thanks Randall,,  I really like throwing jigs.  Always have, always will.  At least now I feel like there is some reason to do so.