Jig modifications

[The Rooster]

Do any of you all modify your jigs out of the package such as trimming skirt length or trimming the weed guard before fishing them??  

[Big-O]

I do both Rooster and have ever since I can remember. I trim the weed guard 1/8" longer than the hook point and the skirt just longer than the hook bend. This works for me

Big O

www.ragetail.com  

[The Rooster]

Well I'm wanting to learn to use jigs now and have been buying up a few to get me going.  Mostly 1/2 and 3/8 sizes, some with rattles, some without.  My bro-in-law showed me how to trim the skirts back like you do and also to trim down the weedguard in 3 steps.  The shortest strands being just to the tip of the hook, the longest being right at the barb and the middle in between those.  So far I've been doing all of them that way as I buy them but I have yet to use any of them and just wondered how everyone else does it when they get theirs.  I'm really looking forward to using these, I've heard they are a big bass lure, and they are cheap to buy too.  

[Muddy]

Hey Rooster PM G man he makes excellent jigs. I stopped using weedgurds, I dislike them.

[BassFishingMachine]

I like to trim my weed guards to just about where the hook point starts. If I'm fishing in a weeded area, or many stick piles I'll trim the weed guard barely above the hook point.

[MattStrykul]

I trim the weedguard to the hook point and trim the skirt up. I like to stagger the skirt and make some REALLY short strands, some medium strands and the rest to the bend of the hook. I do this so when it hits the bottom it flares up nice and the bass just can't resist it.

[The Rooster]

I trim the weedguard to the hook point and trim the skirt up. I like to stagger the skirt and make some REALLY short strands, some medium strands and the rest to the bend of the hook. I do this so when it hits the bottom it flares up nice and the bass just can't resist it.

Do you feel this really really helps you get more strikes??  I was actually thinking of buying several jigs just alike but making some of them long stranded skirts and some short.  In other words, more than one of the same kind but all different from each other in the way they are modified.  

And do you use trailers (jig and pig)??  

[The Rooster]

Hey Rooster PM G man he makes excellent jigs. I stopped using weedgurds, I dislike them.

Do you mean you cut the weedguard off completely??  I guess G man makes them without weedguards for you, right??  Ever get any snags that way??

[grimlin]

Depends....not all jigs are created the same.I've been modifying the jigs by how hard and thick the weed guard is.If i feel it's too stiff for my liking i may trim off 3-5 strands to the jig.If i feel it's too long pass the hook i'll spread(or fan out) the weed guards out and trim to about 1/8 or less just above the hook.It also depends on what kind of cover i'm fishing in as well.

As for skirts sometimes i leave them long and bulky,sometimes i cut em to flare out and look a little smaller profile.  

This is why i prefer a 7' heavy action rod with a fast tip with atleast 14# test line or greater.....never had problems setting the hook regardless of those weed guards on any jig.

[Trick Worm]

depends on what you are planning on using a specific jig for. There are many circumstances that call for a jig but they all require a little somethin' different

[Catt]

Before trimming the weed guard or skirt consider the cover you're fishing in matted vegetation I'll trim the guard just beyond the hook point but for brush & timber I leave it alone only flaring it out. In matted vegetation I trim the skirt & use a shorted trailer to give me more compact bait while in brush & timber I leave it alone.

Two things I consider when buying a jig is stiffness of the guard & size of the hook. The weed guard must be some where between extra stiff and medium stiffness; the hook must be heavy gauge wire, round bend, & 4/0-5/0 even on small jigs.  

[roadwarrior]

Do any of you all modify your jigs out of the package such as trimming skirt length or trimming the weed guard before fishing them??

No

8-)

[Bankbeater]

I trim the weed guard to just above the hook point. The only time that I will trim the skirt is if its really really long. I will trim it back to around 1/4 inch past the bend in the hook.

[tyrius.]

Not really.  I don't trim the skirt because I fish jigs for big bites and want a jig that presents the biggest profile possible.  If I'm going for a smaller profile, I'll use a finesse jig (which I haven't done much of).  I'll trim the weedguard sometimes but that just depends upon my mood and if I have the jig tied on the night before or not.  If I'm tieing it on at the lake I don't mess with trimming the weedguard.

[J Francho]

Only when I tie my own replacements, and that's usually similar to the way the came.

[Bassboss]

I won't normally trim the skirt till after I'm on the water. But I will trim it before I go if it's really long.

I've never timed the weed guard though.

[Bassboss]

Do any of you all modify your jigs out of the package such as trimming skirt length or trimming the weed guard before fishing them??

No

8-)

Could you say that again in a simpler form? It's a bit to complex for my young mind!  ;D

[MattStrykul]

I trim the weedguard to the hook point and trim the skirt up. I like to stagger the skirt and make some REALLY short strands, some medium strands and the rest to the bend of the hook. I do this so when it hits the bottom it flares up nice and the bass just can't resist it.

Do you feel this really really helps you get more strikes?? I was actually thinking of buying several jigs just alike but making some of them long stranded skirts and some short. In other words, more than one of the same kind but all different from each other in the way they are modified.

And do you use trailers (jig and pig)??

I don't know for a fact if it helps get more strikes, but I know it gives me confidence and it gives the jig a different look.

Yes, I always use a trailer. I generally throw a GYCB flappin hawg 2 on my jigs, but sometimes I'll go with a reaction innovation sweet beaver. I'm going to start trying real pork this winter though.

Another tip, before you trim the weedguard, flex it out by pushing it up and down 10-20 times. It really loosens them up.

Matt Strykul

[kikstand454]

L - O - V - E  the sweet beaver. just awsome everywhere.

and paca craw or the like near  rocks, docks and bridges.

bascally like craws on my football heads annd sometimes punchin grass.. beaver on everything else.

[adclem]

Good info as I am wanting to try jig fishing this spring as well.

Thanks for the info guys.

Later,