Tube Jigs Vs Jig And Pig

[OkobojiEagle]

buckcreekmike... sfttackle.com near bottom of jighead page

oe

[drew03cmc]

My main question is how do you all handle those thick nylon weedguards that are on most bass jigs? I can't see them being conducive to great hooksets, but without them, you are open to all kinds of snags.

[Al Agnew]

It's difficult, but not impossible, to find jigs with wire weedguards. And if I'm buying those with fiber weedguards, I often thin out the fiber to less than half what it was when I bought it. I've also found that weedguards are somewhat important when you're fishing brush, but really don't do all that much when you're fishing slick logs or rocks. Most hangups in rocks come from the jig wedging in cracks, not because the hook is getting snagged. When fishing rocks, I want a football head jig. The ideal jig for me is one with wire weedguards and a football head.

[Gavin]

Wire guards are the best, but open hooks work too...If you are stuck with a fiber (fish guard) jig...you can thin it by pulling strands but do not cut it...makes it stiffer...or pull it completely and at a plastic Y guard...or a V guard...old guitar strings make a nice weedguard.

[joeD]

Are we lake fishing or river fishing? There is a difference. Just like there is a difference between the Great Lakes and Wisconsin or Minnesota waters and our Ozark streams.

So, to answer your question(s) Mitch, I will assume:

1. River fishing

2. Winter fishing

3. Ozark stream fishing in the winter with either a plastic tube jig or some sort of jig (natural or silicone) with a pig (plastic trailer of some sort, or a jarred substance).

4. That people in the north have a quite limited selection of attractive women to choose from. ( Just look at the cheerleaders for the Wisconsin Badgers football teams or the Minnesota Gophers basketball team. Then look at the cheerleaders from Alabama, Florida, or UCLA. Quite a difference).

Anyway. Umm. What was the question?

[joeD]

Oh yeah. Tube or jig and pig. I've had success with both. I've had less than success with both too. Time of year is immaterial. There is no advantage in throwing one over the other.

Not to be deliberately churlish, but, Mitch, I believe your premise is incorrect. I don't think one "needs" to throw some sort of jig in the winter to be successful.

I've had a number of good days on the water using good looking fish (regardless of genus, or color, or upbringing) taken from my daughters' fish tank, threaded with a simple hook and weight, and tossed into the deeper holes. Magic!

Come to think of it, Mizzou is no slouch in the cheerleader department. Those boys absolutely rock their white leggings.

[french]

Its just like the old real estate saying "Location location location". But in the case of fishing it is "Rigging Rigging Rigging". Jigs and Tubes are tools, just like we use in our day jobs (for those of us that are still working and not retired Hopeful Someday!!!!) and are used in different jobs of fishing. Altough jigs and tubes can and are used in the same places. Rigging them is the key to a bite or no bites. I can't remember the times that I have been beat by someone who was using the same bait I was using, but rigged differently. We all have our favorite way of doing things (sometimes not the best). The best bait in the world wont catch fish until its rigged right and you put in front of an active fish!! Jigs do seem to catch bigger fish than tubes, but that could just be that the fish wanted a bigger "crawdad" and not the little version. With jigs alot of times its not the jig, but the action of the trailer that catches or dont catch the fish. With tubes it can be the fall that gets a bite. What i'm saying is alot of times it is more than just a Jig vs Tube question Just my two cents. BTW I usally have both rigged when the bottom bite is on.

[buckcreekmike]

buckcreekmike... sfttackle.com near bottom of jighead page

oe

YEs, exactly what I had in mind. Like someone said, it won't stop you from getting wedged in the rocks, but it is surely better than open hook altogether. I have noticed a higher percentage of thrown hooks if or when the fish jumps with a tube jig. I would consider that a drawback.

[cnr]

I think I tend to fall into habits, and it's a habit that, if the water is a bit murky, I'll use a jig and chunk, if it's clear, a tube. Can't really tell you why. Except occasionally in cold weather, I almost never use both in the same day.

Hmmm...Do you think that maybe the Jig & Chunk works better in murky water because of the larger profile and moves more water (better vibration), and the tube is better in clear water because it is a little more streamlined (less vibration, more of a visual lure). Just wondering.

[Jerry Rapp]

french, you are thinking way to much. Rigging is way over rated, it just sells tackle, maybe you are in the tackle bizz? I used to like tubes, but lost too many fish with the bulky plastic, even when tx posed or skin hooked. I use a jig or creature bait almost all the time now., but preferably a jig as the hook up ratio is still better. But a zoom super hog or centipede can sure catch them.