Hair Jig vs. Silicone/Rubber

[roadwarrior]

Okay guys, I know where she lives and I'm after a particular fish.

I catch some big largemouth on bulky presentations, but have also

caught a couple of 6+ smallmouth on hair jigs.

Do you have a strong preference and if so, why?

8-)

[Matt 825]

I read a bunch of articles by Stephen Headrick about hair jigs for smallies a few years back and since then I have had it in my head to throw hair jigs for smallies and they have worked well for me, but I also catch a lot of smallies on silicone jigs in the summer.

When the water gets cold though I prefer hair jigs with a small trailer or a spin jig pork trailer. I dont know what it is about hair jigs, but I catch more smallies with them than regular jigs and the size of the fish seems to be the same or slightly larger. Smallies just love them and I think that at least up north not too many guys throw them anymore so fish havent seen them as much as regular jigs.

Good luck with that fish...Hope you catch her.... and hope she is HUGE!!!

[Jig Man]

It is the other way around here.  I have lots of hair jigs and fish them a bunch.  I don't get many smb to take them for me.  I catch a lot more spots and walleye on hair then smb.

[Skunked in DR]

When the weather and water get cold its got to be a hair jig.

Maybe its confidence, maybe its the action, but starting in October (up here) hair jigs just plain outfish plastics for smallies.

[SuskyDude]

Alot of guys prefer hair (specifically hare) jigs in cold water.

I've caught smallies on both in the winter.

The jig I prefer, however, is the tubeJIG.

PS.

I just read your story that's prompting this question. Good luck on your hunt! I hope you get to dance with her again, but for the whole number next time!

[justfishin]

RW, I use a little of both. It really depends on the speed and temp of the water. I tend to use more hair jigs for smallies most of the time. I like black with a 101 pork trailer in blue, white on white and green/white combo. In the cold water most of the time its a black or brown/orange hair. I tie my own on a 3/0 hook/1/8 to 1/4. I use deer hair I dye myself. I think hair is best in moving water, as well as cold water. In the slower pools I will use a plastic jig. Sometimes when the bites on it simply does not matter, right !!! Sorry, not much of a answer. Good luck on the big one my friend. Please try something for me. Give her a Dark Melon/ Purple Flake with a 1/4 jighead with a rattle inside and tell me how it goes.