Trimming the weed guard on a jig

[Redtail]

I have read that you should trim the weed guard on a jig so it is even with the hook point and also spread the brissels out.

A also read that you shouldn't trim it down, but you should thin out the brissels.  Trimming the guard makes it to rigid.

Any opinions?

[moby bass]

First of all, I don't fish a jig that much, not a confidence bait for me, so I don't know whether trimming helps or hurts.  I did trim some of the brush guards even with the hook point and I thought they were way too stiff so I thinned them out as well.  I have thinned out some as well, and, left them long. It seems to me that quite a forceful hookset is necessary to pull all that fiber out of the way and get the hook in the mouth. Maybe that's why I don't have much confidence in it.  I recently took one of my jigs and cut the brush guard off altogether, figuring if I'm not in weeds, does it really need to be there?  I fished with it a few times but so far haven't caught anything. I was using a Space Monkey that had lost it's "arms" for a trailer.  

[Uncle Leo]

Sometimes, it depends on the guard. I have also thinned them. When I do trim I will depress the gaurd to the hook and trim 1/4 inch above the point and thin from there.

[roadwarrior]

I think a lot of guys trim the guard, but I don't. The weed guard sure

helps to reduce hang-ups, but it doesn't seem to interfere with hook-ups.

Some guys trim the skirts, too, but I don't.

8-)

[The Outdoorsman]

I trim mine down so when it lays down, it barely touches the hook point and i also thin them out from the inside out.  

[Joe. S]

Here is a little article I put together on trimming them.

I do trim all my weedguards.

http://www.americananglersfishing.com/index.php?page=8

[roadwarrior]

Here is a little article I put together on trimming them.

I do trim all my weedguards.

http://www.americananglersfishing.com/index.php?page=8

Hmm...

I might have to change my thinking, I would have sworn both you

and GMAN advised me NOT to trim my jig skirts or weedguard a few

years ago. Must be that Alzheimers kicking in.

[Joe. S]

I actually remember you asking about how I do it  ;D

[Redtail]

Thanks Joe!

Those pice are great and a big help!

[CWB]

Do this test. Push the weedguard down so it goes past the hook a few times. If you feel any of the fibers stick on the hook, this means it could happen on the hookset and cost you fish. What I then do is trim the guard so when I push it down it will be just short enough to not touch the hookpoint. Jig will still be plenty snag-free but no worries about missing hookups. Each jig is different so I do this with all. If guard goes past the hook a few times without catching, I just leave it alone. Always spread it apart also.

[Catt]

Matted vegetation I don't trim

Buck brush I don't trim

Lots of downed trees I don't trim

So I pretty much don't trim

[fishfordollars]

I trim and thin. Just my preference.

[Siebert Outdoors]

Here is a little article I put together on trimming them.

I do trim all my weedguards.

http://www.americananglersfishing.com/index.php?page=8

Hmm...

I might have to change my thinking, I would have sworn both you

and GMAN advised me NOT to trim my jig skirts or weedguard a few

years ago. Must be that Alzheimers kicking in.

LOL,  Joe likes short weedguards and I like short skirts.

I dont mess with my weedguards.  I fishem like they are.  Skirts I do trim about 1/4-1/2" past the hook.

[Dan:]

I just really started to fish jigs in the past year but I have been having a lot of success without trimming the weedguards. I don't know if it actually helps but sometimes I bend flex the weedguard down to make it a little less stiff. It could be completely in my mind but I think that makes it a little less rigid.

[Jig Man]

On guard like the fg12 I don't do anything.  On the fg30 and 40 I flare them.  Makes them better in the bushes and get solid hookups.