Football Jig Weight

[dwiebenga]

Hey all,

I am coming down in late October and I am hoping there is still a jig bite. I have the opportunity to pick up some custom FB jigs. They come in 3/8, 1/2, and 3/4 oz. What size is the most universal for TR?

Dave

[techo]

I think it is personal preference. I would lean more toward the 1/2 ounce and 3/8 myself. I use a lot of 5/16 and 7/16 in the Jewels. I use a larger tail to slow the fall or a bit smaller tail to speed up the descent. It seems like they hit it more often on the fall anyway. If not, I let it sit for a few seconds and they hit it on the first move. I think they sit down there and watch it.

I have some 5/8 for deeper and faster times. If I fish the Pro/AM I always take the heavier ones in case the boat is moving faster than I am used to.

I still think the size depends a lot on what you like and the way you fish.

I hope you get a good answer from one of these smarter folks though.....or you might need a net!

[focused fishing]

Dave,

Traditionally the heavier the better in fall, I use a 1 ounce Jewel in fall for ripping of the bottom from 25' - 40' deep. This year who knows, I had a trip this morning and caught keeper smallmouth in 1' of water on the main lake near the dam on a 3/16 oz. Jewel Pro Spider Jig. If the water ever stabilizes a heavy jig is your best option, right now a 1/2 oz. is tuff to beat when the fish are 10'-15' deep. I would get a few 1/2 and a few 3/4, fish the 1/2 to about 20' deep and the 3/4 deeper. Hope this helps.

EP

[techo]

I guess that is why Eric dresses like a Pro Fisherman and makes his living with this stuff and I dress like a red neck and work a job! Thanks for the info. Another reason to purchase more jigs.

[focused fishing]

Yea Techo, but the chicks really dig that redneck look......

[Stragler]

Techo I like your style even if you arn't a pro. I sometime have to go to the heavier jigs because like they say hands of steel and I loose feel of the 5/16 & 3/8 oz.

[techo]

Thanks Stragler. I am probably going to stay with the jigs I like. I think I fish a bit slower than some. I heard Eric say on his radio show one time that Eakins was one of the slowest fisherman he knew. He also mentioned he was one of the best jig fisherman. (Please don't tell him I listen to his rantin and raving on the show). I do appreciate his input though.

This site sure does save me a ton of time and money on trial and error with lures, water and techniques. Sometimes I wish we got into more in depth discussions on that line of topics. There are so many different ways to fish and use the tackle that it is amazing. Most guys seem to have one or two main ways they like to fish at a certain time of the year. I would like to have a bigger arsenal. I haven't even begun to experiment with flukes and spoons much.

[rps]

I fish lighter jigs than most as well. I don't tournament fish and don't need for the bait to get to the bottom in a hurry. I use 1/4, 5/16, and 1/2. I am a slow dragger with some very small hops. Most of the time, the bottom rocks and sticks will give you all the jerky motion you need. Of course, I will admit there are hundreds of better fishermen than I with differing opinions.

Techo - do you suppose we could start a Eakins and Chompers buyers cooperative and work out discounts? Instead of those embroidered shirts with cool patches, we could have some second rate silkscreen done on Fruit of the Loom wife beaters that says "Ask me about my cheap bass."

[techo]

I always like to read your posts rps. I think you are an outside the box thinker. I am in on the cooperative! I might have to work out before I don the wife beater though. Shave my back, trim arm pit hair and that sort of thing.

I do spend a ton of money on Jewel jigs and have thought about either asking them to sponsor me, (SHAMELESS PLUG COMING-i have one coffee sponsor now Kuhlman's Koffee) or make my own with the Do-It jig molds. I have purchased other types of similar jigs, but they really don't seem to work as well. I am not sure if the home made ones would work as well as theirs either. If they did work, we could sell them on Ebay with our cooperative shirts.

I love Chompers for the drop shot, but I use Yamamoto and Kinami for the twin tailed grubs. They are softer and don't last as near as long, but have great action. Sometimes I almost want to taste one myself.

I am in on the cooperative. Seriously.....I wonder what type of quantity we would have to buy for a discount? I hear they are coming out with a new color.

[focused fishing]

Ranting & Raving? You should hear what happens during commercial breaks...... Techo your right Troy is one of the slowest and most deliberate fisherman in the world and that is one of many key's to his success. I use a wide variety of jigs anything from 3/16 to 1 oz. depending on the situation, it's like the Jewel tag line says "specific tools for specific fishing situations". I choose different weights, line size and trailers depending on depth, fall rate needed and forage base. It can be a little confusing at times which jig / line / trailer combo to use if you get too caught up in it. I think that's why the Eakins keep it simple; brown jig, 5/16, 3/8 or 7/16, 10# or 12# line, regardless of the situation. Someday this winter I will try to jot do some of my thoughts or reasons for the different jigs, lines and trailers.

The best advice would be to keep it simple and use what you have confidence in.

Don't know about the co-op idea, but the wife beater is always a good look........