hair vs plastic

[Preston]

Now i know that most of the time a plasic jig will produce bigger bass but in a world of new baits where does the old hair jig come into play in largemouth fishing?

[Muddpuppy]

It's my understanding that hair holds air so it floats better and emits bubbles that attracts fish when fished.

[Will]

I haven't fished hair jigs much, but I heard they are a killer on smallmouth.

[Rattlinrogue]

I've always fished for largemouth.There aren't any smallies where I fish.Plastic jigs are all I've ever known.Except for crappie jigs,they don't even carry hair jigs down here.

[senko_77]

i tye my own jigs, but what i do, is get a rattlin jig-head, and put on a LIVING RUBBER SKIRT, no other skirts acts better, then i tie on either a clump of bear hair or of marabou, to make the jig thicker, and it poofs out the rubber skirt.  i sell these jigs if anyone is interested for 3.50 a piece.  p.m. me for more info.

[Nick]

Preston, if you fish in waters below 50 degrees, I'd recommend a black hair jig esp. maribou.  It's a pretty forgotten presentation that works well for me in winter.  I would put on a small eel behind a 1/4 oz. model and work it slowly on channel banks if you have that type of topography. Fish it pretty slowly right along the bottom with very small lifts. The strike will be quite lights for  a second before you feel the sweet surge of a nice bass.

[earthworm77]

Early spring when the water temps are in the low to mid 50's is typical hair jig time. I do not fish them at any other time of year......I have my own tackle company and don't sell a hair jig after May 1st.

[Oilpig]

What these guys are getting at with hair jigs used when the water is below 50 degrees is that plastic doesn't have much movement in cold water.  It gets a little stiff.  Hair jigs on the otherhand have lots of movement no mater what the temperature.

[cgs2004]

A website I order lots of plastics from is starting to make "hybrid jigs" as I will call them.  They have hair on the inside and a plastic skirt over the hair.  Very interesting.  I'm giving them a try.

[Bass_junky]

I agree with most.  Only in early spring when the water is below 50-55 deg

[Chris]

I use a hair jig in cold water and in current.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

you're all right, but to add a sidenote, many people fish it when the cold hits because you say the rubber loses action but I believe this was learned as a by product of downsizing in cold water. The hair jig provides a lower profile bait while still retaining that deadly look. Personally I think hair jigs look better than rubber in the water but then again,...I'm not a bass!

Also, the jigs RYan (senko77) ties have both hair and rubber too.

[SENKOSAM]

I tie my own and use either all bucktail hair, all Krystal Flash (artificial irridescent fiber) or a combo of both.

The flash jigs work all year for panfish, pickerel and bass. The hair jigs seem to work better in spring and fall, either with no trailer or dressed with a small plastic trailer, 4" Uncle Josh eel or or #101 pork frog. This is a prime smallie bait regardless of seaon.

Hair or fiber produce the ultimate finesse action and rod tip action imparts hundreds of unique motions even if held perfectly still. A very old but very effective way to fish hair or fiber jigs is with a float. Wave action produces all the action necesary and it's a must not to set the hook with too much force or too fast. This was once dubbed the float and fly presentation. A pork eel and hair jig went by the name of jig and fly. I have no idea why!

Here are the jigs I tie and use on a regular basis.

http://www.xsorbit6.com/users/senkosam/index.cgi?board=&action=usersrecentposts&username=SenkoSam

[Nick]

Senko,

You remember when they were called Fly and Rind and simply doll flies? Think the Tennessee fellers get credit for these names!

By the way, I look for no current in streams when I catch my big ole winter time smallies.  I'm fishing water that sometimes has a skim of ice in the backwaters though.  We're talking mid fofties water temps most of the time. Black hair jigs rule!

[SENKOSAM]

Nick, I stand corrected   ! For the life of me I couldn't remember fly & rind and my mind made up jig & fly. I remember Doll flies - an artificial fiber jig with a smooth painted head. They used to sell out every fall, locally.

Brrrrr! Hope you got some good thermals on! I stop fishing until I can stand on the ice, not in it!  ;D  

A few years ago I slipped on a rock in 40 degree water. I fished with frozen feet and wet undies for 4 hours before reason prevailed.  Good thing I have insulated waders or they would have found the body in spring. It only took three hours to get feeling back in my toes.

The black hair jig and 4" pork eel is a classic that never fails. My largest crappie ever (14"), hit the combo on the bottom four times. Thought it was a bass until I got it to the boat!