Finesse Jiggin

[Siebert Outdoors]

I'm thinking about making some real small bass jigs say 3/0 hook with 5/16 throwing them on 8-10lb line. For this winter fishing or cold front conditions.

Question, see any reason this wouldnt work, any body throw jigs on 8lb line and have line breaking problems.

Heres a pic of what they will look like

I'm mainly worried about the 8lb line.  But I think I will need the 5/16 for weight to get it to the bottom and thats the smallest I can make.  Reason for the smaller hook is to make the overall profile smaller.

[roadwarrior]

I fish #4 & #6 Yo-Zuri on spinning tackle without any strength issues, but I fish structure not cover.

[basspro48]

Finesse jigging is by far my most productive tactic in the cold. I have actually used line as light as 4lb. when using finesse jigs so you don't need to worry about breakoffs but I need to caution you that you will have a hard time feeling bites, most of them you can't even feel your line just starts moving. I would reccomend you use flourocarbon line and a 6'9" or 7' spinning rod with a medium light action. Hooksets are also different when using small jigs, you don't jerk the rod when you feel a fish instead you wait a second reel up the slack, load up the rod and give a strong upward pull.

You might also want to try hair jigs, they have more action in frigid waters and are really fun to tie.

[basspro48]

This article has some great tips on jig building.

http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.CFPage?mode=article&objectID=28394  

[Keepin_It_Reel]

I would go down to 4 pound test. I use light line while jigging all sizes of jigs. The main thing is you cant be afriad to throw your lures in the nastyest places and if you worry about the line breakin chances are IT WILL

[mcipinkie]

There are a lot of us here in MO that throw those little light jigs. Of course the Eakins boys are famous for their jigs and their prowess with them. I prefer to throw on a baitcaster. I'm just a little more accurate that with a spinning road. I use a Shimano Crucial rod in a medium light action. It's an old Crucial, not sure if the new ones come that light or not. I spool up with 10 lb. yellow power pro. If the water's clear which it usually is, I use a 6' leader of green 10 lb. Big Game. If I go to Table Rock or Bull Shoals, I'll generally use a 10' leader of 8 lb. fluorocarbon.

Mike McCelland just won the BASS Open Championship on the Alabama river on just such a jig.

I'll also throw the hair jigs when the water gets really cold. I like a fox hair jig from Cabela's (couldn't find the name) with 101 spin frog. Punisher in TN is also making very nice hair jig.

There are times when the fish won't hit the skirted jig, but will just eat up the hair jigs.

[Siebert Outdoors]

Thanks guys.  Few more ?'s.   You guys dont have a problem setting the hook and getting the hook past the weed guard on 4lb.  The place I fish has some weeds this time of year most have died off.  I think I might have problems with breakoffs on 4lb.  I will be using flourocarbon for sure.

I know nothing about hair jigs never used them besides little ones for crappie or whites.  Do you have any pics and tips.

Thanks

[GobbleDog]

4 lb test? Jeesh. That's just asking for trouble, in my opinion. Unless you're talking about Power Pro type line.

I admit, I don't use jigs much (well ever), but it seems that jig fishing by nature would require bigger line than normal.  :-?

[roadwarrior]

GobbleDog,

You have to get the bite before you can worry about landing the fish. It's not just about visibility, line size has a huge effect on lure action. Although I don't think largemouth are line shy, smallmouth are, especially in clear water. Spining tackle is always my choice with light line, the drag system on a quality spinning reel allows you to another site. All of my finesse fishing is done on spinning tackle and #4 or #6 Yo-Zuri line.

[GobbleDog]

I don't know a dang thing about catching smallmouth bass, so I guess you're right. I still think 4 lb mono seems awfully fragile. I wouldn't use it. For largemouth jiggin, I know guys who use 15 lb mono and higher. Personally, I quit buying mono a few years ago. Power Pro is all I use, for fresh and salt water. Thin as thread and strong as steal.

[Peter E.]

Most of my jigs are 1/4 oz and smaller. I love it when I can make one or buy one with a good profile that makes it look bigger than it really is. I think that that slow fall of a light jig is a real killer. Most guys shy away from jiggs that are less than 3/8oz but i find that I am able to go behind them and clean house. Terminator finesse jigs are bar none my favorite, unless I end up making my own with weedless jig heads and replacement skirts. When i do this i trim the skirts down to give them a better flare and to make it easier to set the hook cause it reduces short strikes. The best trailors are still uncle josh pork rinds for my jigs, they just work better for me. Of course I am a huge fan of the Paca Craw, and I stress if you don't have them where you fish protest till you do.

Peter

[basspro48]

I really don't think you'll have problems with 4lb. but if you must go up to 6lb.

here's a link to punisher hair jigs, they are handmade by a guy who fishes Dale Hollow lake, I think his name is Stephen Headrick. They are by far the best hairjigs I have ever used.

http://www.punisherjigs.com/  

Some tips for fishing hair jigs:  

trailers- I usually use a natural pork trailer because they are smaller and have more action in cold waters.

technique- I usually work them with either quick hops or slow crawls, depends on the water temp.

tackle- 6'9" or 7' spinning rod in a medium light action, if yer using 10lb. line or heavier go with a medium action

line- flourocarbon is a must, let the water clarity and cover dictate your line size.  

Hope this helped you out a little bit.

[Keepin_It_Reel]

4# wont give you problems just be easy with it. Roadwarrior is a very smart man ;D (like i didnt know that) got to have a good drag sytem. When you get the fish on dont give it a "Pro Hook Set" (Really Hard) ease in to it. Trust me Gobbledog i use 15 or 17# when flippin around docks and such but this time of year lighter is better. Basspro48 those are great hairjigs i will be orderin some

[mcipinkie]

Here goes my probably not so humble opinion: Like most guys my age (59), I have tried making jigs, pouring worms, building rods, and darn near everything else at least once. MY TAKE: Unless you are really bored, or have a major case of cabin fever, it just doesn't pay off. Buy what you need and go fishing. Nothing is more important than time on the water.

If I were going to throw a jig like in your picture, and I do, I would buy the Eakins jigs and go fishing. Look at www.jewelbait.com. What you need is there, tournament proven, readily available and pretty inexpensive.

Like I said earlier, I throw the fox hair jigs from Cabelas, but the Punishers are probably the best hair jigs made. I just bought a lot of Cabela's jigs year before last, and haven't used them up yet.

[Guest avid]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but a 3/0 hook on a 5/16th oz jig does not sound like a finesse jig to me.  I don't even consider 1/4 oz as a finesse jig.  I think 4# test on a 5/16 oz. jig is asking for trouble.  Down here in Florida even in the winter that would be a tough way to go.  Too many hangups.  You would be changing line every other cast.  Why not use a heavier flurocarbon line and a loop knot? This will give you both near line invisibilty and excellent lure action.  I always use a loop knot when jig fishing.  I have experimented with both palomer and loop knots and IMO the strike percentage is definitly higher with the loop.  If tied properly the rapala knot is very secure.  Give it a try.  I'll bet you you'll never go back to 4# test for that rig again.

[Siebert Outdoors]

Ahhh, I see how you guys get away with 4-6lb line from the hair jigs.  There little guys that dont take much hook setting power. Looks like I will be making some or buying some.  There closer to my crappie jigs then my bass jigs.

MY TAKE:  Unless you are really bored, or have a major case of cabin fever, it just doesn't pay off.  Buy what you need and go fishing. Nothing is more important than time on the water.

If I were going to throw a jig like in your picture, and I do, I would buy the Eakins jigs and go fishing.  Look at www.jewelbait.com.  What you need is there, tournament proven, readily available and pretty inexpensive.  

This is how I got started making my own jigs.  A jewel (awsome jigs one of the best) is 5 bucks for 3  I can make the same identical jig for about  2 bucks for 3-4.  Plus  I can make any color i would like saves alot of $ on the amount of jigs I use.  I didnt notice what state you were in but right now we have thin Ice on the lakes.  So for me I cant really fish.  Would like too.  The  main reason I have to keep sane in this insane world of Ice on the water.  We usually dont get cold enough to be able to walk on it either to ice fish.  But in one setting I can make enough jigs for my buddies and myself to last all year. I think its fun to pass the time and rewarding if I catch fish off something I made.  Keeps me out of the Casino and bars too.