Lets Talk Football Jigs

[okfisherman]

And I have to agree that nothing beats the Jewel FB jig. I have tried them all. Everyone fishes the same and the coating they have on the head lasts a lot longer than painted jigs. I have thought about making my own but I just love the way the Jewel jig fishes. They are a little pricey but as they say "you get what you pay for". I have always been willing to pay a little more for whatever was attached to the business end of my line. Then again my wife claims I have always been willing to pay a little more on ANY of my equipment

[tpierce]

I know lots of guys are throwing FB jigheads bioth skirted and plain with plastic trailers. There seems to be a WIDE range in prices for the skirted and plain jigs. Given the fact that I will lose some number of jigs over the course of the day, I'd like to get a decent jig for a decent price.

I'm been fishing Jewel Finesse Football heads and Right Bite skirted heads. The hooks are a little light in the Jewels.

I'm been using a mish mash of un-skirted jigheads with twin tailed Hula grubs. Both catch fish.

I do vary weights based on depth I'm fishing and the amount of wind on the area I am fishing.

All sorts of greens and browns including PB & J, Green Pumpkin, Mo Craw, and more.

Is there a general water temp where a skirted jig will outfish a jighead with a Hula Grub?

Are there real world advantages to some of these > 4 dollars each FB head jigs?

Are you guys snap setting or sweep setting?

What is too light or too heavy a line for this technique in this clear water?

[tpierce]

I've tried many football jigs and have come to the conclusion the Chompers Football is the best for hook up percentage. You can see this by comparing the hook (both gap and gage) and you will see why. If you're fishing for a check I don't see how anyone could deny using a quality hook.

[Ealy]

As in every other technique take this information and play around with it. Find what works best for you. There are a lot of good brands out there. The favorite around here is obviously Jewel and Chompers.

I was lucky enough in my first Central Pro Am event to draw Buster Loving in the old Titleist tournament around the time that the football jig craze started. With 25k on the line, he wasn't holding anything back. I had been fishing the football jig for about a year before that day dragging it like a carolina rig or strolling. Watching the way he worked the jig really opened my eyes on how to trigger strikes with the heavy jig. His casts were at specific pieces of cover and when he set the hook he meant business. At the time Buster was fishing the Jewel jig. The last I saw at a Bass Pro display, he's now with Chompers promoting their jig.

A couple of years later I bought a boat from Bill Davenport. Bill has won countless tournaments at LOZ fishing a jig over the years. I worked a fishing trip into the deal and Bill took me on a milk run of brushpiles throwing football jigs. Bill's methods were very similar to Buster's when it came to working it in and around cover. Again another memorable experience for me. Bill is sponsored by Chompers and fishes their jigs exclusively. I personally don't believe that if he started fishing Jewel jigs that he would catch any more fish than he does now.

Buy some of both and fish them with confidence. You won't go wrong with either one both are very durable and use quality materials. Both have quality hooks. Thankfully the fish don't take the time to make the same decisions we do.

[techo]

Lots of good info here. Almost should be a sticky?

[Ham]

Someone mentioned Jewel jigs as being wirth their higher cost, but they are moderately priced compared to some of the national brands. I'm throwing the Heavy Cover Finesse, but I'm guessing most are using the Heavy Duty for the stronger hook?

Why does the stinkin fluro have to be SO expensive? I'm got lots of line from 4 lb to 20 lb already so I hate to buy more.

Are the main advantages of the fluro the increased sensitivity and the fact that is sinks so it helps your jig get down and stay down. I was hoping for extra abrasion resistance to the rocks.

I have used P Line CX Premium which is fluro coated, but I'm not sure you get the extra sensitivity or the stay down with it maybe just the abrasion resistance. Hmmm.

[Ealy]

The flouro doesn't have the stretch that mono has. If a fish picks up the jig at the end of your cast with a considerable amount of line out, you have a better chance of nailin' him with the flouro. With the tighter line you get a better feel of the bass trying to steal your bait.

[jash]

I make my own. Its not that expensive after getting your mold and lead pot. And you can mix and match and try new things. Theres nothing better than catching fish on a jig you made.

[gabe]

I really like the Jewel football head jigs. Consistent quality and great colors at a reasonable price. I have also recently tried PJ's Finesse Football Jigs. Great hooks with painted eyes on the head and great looking head colors.

[Gone Fishing]

I also like Champ188 really like the BassX jigs they make and sell at Hook Line & Sinker in Rogers. They have every color imaginable. As for the rods it is hard to go wrong with Falcon. With my smaller jigs up to 1/2 oz I use the Eakin's rods. With my big jigs I use the McClelland rods.