The Right Hook: Part 3: Jig Heads

Jig Heads are weighted hooks with a lead head, usually resembling a fish head. They can be used for live bait and soft plastic lures though they are most popular with soft plastics. 

There are a variety of styles and colors from plain, a simple weighted head with hook, to skirted, usually with feathers to mimic bait fish. The type of head, style of jig and weight used are determined by where in the water column you are fishing, the type of waters you are fishing in and what you are fishing for. 

Let's start with weight. 

Lighter jig heads float when they land and give your bait a more natural presentation. They are best suited for shallow, calm waters.

Mid weight jig heads are great for moderately deep waters and stronger currents.

Heavier jig heads are good for deep waters, fishing on bottom.

The weight of your jig head gives you the ability to control where in the water column you are fishing (top, middle, bottom), how your bait is swimming and how well it stays in the spot you want it. Too light of a jig head, and the current (or wind) will drag it away from your target spot, to heavy and it will land with a jarring plop (scaring the fish away) or sink unnaturally to the bottom alerting the fish and keeping them from biting. 

The most important key factor in choosing the correct jig head weight, is knowing what species you are chasing and where they like to position themselves in the water column. For example, Trout typically feed in the middle of the water column where Redfish tend to be bottom feeders.

It's best to keep a few different sizes on hand that are suited for the waters you are fishing. For example, if you regularly fish bridges, there is no need for lighter jig heads in the 1/16 oz range so it would be best to stock 1/8 to 1/4 oz. or even up to 3/8 oz. depending on current strength and water depth. 

Below are some general guidelines to help you determine which weight jig heads are best suited for your target areas. 

*Keep in mind, this is focused primarily on the waters in Southwest Florida but can apply to areas with similar terrains. We are working on expanding into other geographic areas over time but are not quite ready to publish that. 

This is a very general guide. You need to consider a lot of other factors before selecting the weight you want to use - hook size, target fish, lure buoyancy, lure swim action, drag, jig head style. General rule of thumb, start off a little lighter than you think you'll need and test from there. If you are fishing the middle of the water column and dragging on the bottom, then go lighter. If you are fishing the bottom and your lure is taking too long to get there (or not staying there), go heavier. If possible, drop your lure close to you so you can watch it sink and swim, if you are not satisfied, change to a different style or weight jig. 

Beyond choosing what weight to use, an equally important thing to consider is what hook to use. Most jig heads are used for soft plastics so it is crucial to choose a hook that will allow your lure to swim freely and naturally. Most soft plastics are hooked one third to approximately half way down the body of the lure. This allows the tail to swim freely, keeps your lure balanced and  as naturally presenting as possible. Being that your lure should be chosen based on the species and size you are targeting, matching the hook size can be relatively easy. Whenever possible, line your jig head of choice up to your lure and see where the end of the hook lands on the body. 

Hook style and hook thickness should all be chosen based on the species you are targeting. 

In addition weight and hook size, you also need to consider the style of jig head and how it effects performance. 

Listed are the most popular styles of jig heads.

• Buck Tail Jig Heads: An incredibly versatile lure, Bucktail hair mimics the movement of baitfish. Great in shallow water or deeper water. Bucktail jig heads are an irresistible target for predatory fish. Choose your color based on water and lighting conditions: light colors for clear water, sunny skies; bright colors for murky water and/or cloudy skies; darker colors for dark water and dark skies. Can be highly effective in fresh or saltwater. Can be fished with or without a soft plastic lure as a trailer. 
• Round or Ball Head: The does everything well jig head. They sink evenly and swim naturally. Popular with both saltwater and freshwater anglers, they perform well over grass flats, along shorelines and in open water. A great overall jig head. 
• Bullet/Cone Jig Heads: Work best when fishing deeper water with strong currents. The bullet or cone shaped head makes them ideal for cutting through water. Choose a heavier weight to stand up to the current and get to your desired depth quickly.
• Swim bait Jig Head: Designed specifically for soft plastic swim baits allowing them to swim smoothly and realistically through the water. Often come with a bait keeper which can come in a variety of styles, to help keep your lure secure and in the correct positioning on the hook. Typically the hook is wider to allow for the thickness of the soft plastic body.
• Shad Jig Heads: Shad jig heads are designed to mimic the natural swim motions of shad. Typically have a wider profile than other jig heads allowing them to create more movement in the water.
• Football Jig Heads: Perfect for fishing rocky bottom areas or near structure. Their football shaped head allows the jig to stand upright when fished on the bottom, allowing it to present a more natural appearance. 
• Stand-up/Flat Bottom Heads: Sometimes called Banana Heads, these are meant to be fished on the bottom. Perfect for potholes, grass flats, shell bars and channel edges. When they hit bottom, the hook rides upwards, reducing snags and keeping the lure visible while giving it a natural presentation. 
  
• Dart/Arrowhead: Great for stronger currents. The head shape allows it to cut through and not get tossed around moving water. They track straight and are best used in inlets and tidal waters. 
• Shakey Head: Meant for bottom fishing, the head design is is usually flattened, contoured or football shaped, keeping the head close to the bottom and body/hook pointed upwards. Fish with a series of twitches giving the lure a realistic, trembling action mimicking a foraging or injured baitfish. Can also be fished by dragging slowly or hopping across the bottom. Commonly used when Bass fishing, can also be highly effective in saltwater when targeting bottom-dwelling species like Redfish, Seatrout or Flounder.
• Weedless: There are varies styles of weedless jig heads available but all feature either a wire guard or a specially located hook to prevent snagging when fishing area with heavy vegetation, oyster beds, mangrove roots or rocks. 
  

In addition to the traditional shaped jig heads, there are a number of specialized jig heads available as well. Some of the more common are:

Swinging Jig Head: The jig head and hook are attached together with a ring allowing the hook to swing freely, rather than be a solid piece like a traditional jig head. This allows the hook to act as a trailer to the jig head giving a soft plastic lure the ability to pivot and swim with more freedom and lifelike action. Typically meant to fish on bottom and target aggressive or reactive strikes. Can come in a variety of head shapes.

Scrounger Jig Head: A jig head designed with a plastic upright bill allowing it to create a side-to-side rocking and vibrating motion as it moves through the water. The upward facing bill pushes through the water making the entire bait roll and wobble side-to-side. Short bills produce fast, tight wobble where long bill generate a wider more aggressive thump. Best when paired with straight tailed soft plastics like a fluke or jerk bait. 

Underspin Jig Head: A jig head with a small spinner blade attached beneath the hook using a swivel. Adding a visual flash and underwater vibration, these are designed to trigger reaction strikes by mimicking injured or fleeing baitfish. Best when paired with a straight tail lure such as a fluke or jerk bait. 

Wacky Jig Head: Designed for center hooking a lure, they usually feature wide-gap, short-shank hooks. A wacky jig head allows the bait to fall faster while maintaining an enticing and erratic falling action. 

As stated earlier, jig heads an be used for live bait but are most popularly used with soft plastics. In the next section The Right Hook: Part 4: The Right Lure, we'll cover hard bodied lures and soft bodied lures to get you through the home stretch of choosing the correct combinations for your target species and conditions.