JIG Size?

[kgr624]

Hey just wanted to get some input about jig sizes. I just returned from BPS and i bought some jig from Strike king. I was really looking at the colors and didn't pay to much attention to the head size and I got a couple of 3/8,1/4,1/2 rattling jigs indorsed by KVD. Now my question is what size do most of you guys use and ofcourse a trailer is added on to these but what weights do most of you fish with? Depth of water would be helpful and colors could also help. May need to make another trip to BPS.

[Cheetam]

I mostly use the three sizes you have listed: 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 oz.  I change jig weights based on the rate of fall I am looking for (slower fall= 1/4, faster fall= 1/2).  I really don't choose a weight based on the depth I am fishing.  Of course, you can vary the rate of fall with your trailer as well (using a big, bulky trailer will slow the fall).  I stick with two colors or variations of colors.  Blue/black for stained and dirty water.  Browns/pumpkin/watermellon for clear or slightly stained water.  I stick with chunk trailers mostly, although I have used beavers, grubs and worms at various times.

[Revtro]

Not being much of a jig fisherman myself, I'm curious why you might prefer a slower or faster fall.  What determines that for you?  What situations might you opt to swim a jig?

[smbassman]

Rate of fall usually comes into play when target fishing.  Like flipping/pitching when you are expecting the bite on the fall when pitched next to a target.  Quicker falls may trigger a reaction bite like burning a spinnerbait.  My preference for this is 1/4 - 3/8oz

Swimming a jig is a different technique that you can adjust the jig weight to get the right depth for the prefered retrieval speed.  I use 3/16 - 1/2oz

Then there is deep water fishing a jig where you are crawling it along the bottom.  For this technique you want a heavy enough jig to stay on bottom, but in natural lakes you cannot go too heavy or you will be plowing through sludge on the bottom.  For hard bottom & rock I use 3/8 - 3/4oz and soft bottom natural lakes I use 1/16 - 1/4oz.

[Cheetam]

Not being much of a jig fisherman myself, I'm curious why you might prefer a slower or faster fall.? What determines that for you?? What situations might you opt to swim a jig?

smbassman nailed it.  A quicker fall for reaction bites (active fish), a slower fall for fish in a neutral or negative mood.  I don't really swim jigs (although that chatterbait and its knockoffs look interesting).  I'll throw a spinnerbait or crankbait in situations that call for a horizontal style of fishing.

[djkimmel]

There are lakes and situations where I particularly like to swim white jigs with white Zoom super chunks - especially in the fall when shad are in. Along laydowns and docks/floating docks. Gives the bass a different look from a spinnerbait.

Sometimes I alternate and concentrate on the lure of the two that seems to be getting the most bites.

I've occasionally used other jigs like crankbaits along weed edges or over weed beds. I use the weight that provides the right speed and depth. I've experimented with some jigs in the past made out alternate plastics to 'float' over shallow weeds. I've even made a 'jig' from a large weedless hook and a skirt for the same purpose.

I have homemade finesse jigs too that are smaller and 1/8 oz.

I get bored easy, so different lures are fun for me. I don't do it enough really. Sometimes a crankbait or spinnerbait is better, but sometimes it's not. The only way to find out is to try.

As far as using heavy jigs for reaction bites, sometimes it works on neutral or inactive bass too if you can 'surprise' them without spooking them. Just keep trying different things up you start getting bass on the hook.