Hair jigs

[Shark_B8]

Hello all. I'm planning on doing some winter smallmouth trips around the FLW area in the next few months when my work settles down. I have a few ideas floating around in my head for some hair jigs both bottom style and float/fly style. I whipped one up on an 1/8 oz stand up head, with a Zonker tail and a fox fur body. Just looking for any critiques or advice. Thanks. 

[Old plug]

Lots of good smallmouth fishermen on here. Many make their own baits and Mitch designs things for others. you should receive plenty of good advise.

 

[Al Agnew]

That looks like it should work well, though I'm not a big fan of white tails on a dark jig for cold water fishing.  I'm more likely to use all light or all darker because I don't want a lot of contrast in the typically clear water...light for a float and fly type, darker for bottom fishing (and I don't really do much float and fly type fishing even though I'm sure it is effective).

[Mitch f]

I love the fact that you used the guard hairs on the fox hair part, as well as the undef fur. Almost like 2 different hairs. But if it were me I would attach the zonker a little closer to the hook bend. Is that hook through the hide of the zonker?

[Seth]

Should work fine. I tie zonker hair jigs on 1/8oz stand up heads in black, olive, and brown colors. They caught plenty of fish for me last year. For the tails, I used rabbit last year and plan to try pine squirrel this year. I've ran the hook through the hide of my tails like you have in this picture, but I pull the tail farther up the hook and tie it in so it's not sliding down to the bend like in this picture.

[Old plug]

They make nice mini crappie jigs as well. Tougher than marabou. I am using  1/64 currently.

 

[Gavin]

Old post, but it should give you some ideas.

 

 

[Shark_B8]

I appreciate you guys taking time to throw out some pointers, tips, and pictures. This was just a prototype so I will definitely use earth tone zonkers for the tail next time. 

[Mitch f]

I would also avoid adding any jigging/popping motions with your rod tip during the retrieve, especially on a minnow imitation jig. The extra action might work well for trout, but I've caught more nice size bass just slowly reeling those minnow imitations back, like a Ned rig. The hair imparts all the action you'll need. The bigger bass usually slowly swim up behind the jig at a slightly faster speed, and simply open their mouths and over take it. This is why you sometimes never feel the tap. The rod just loads up.

[Ham]

For folks not wanting to tie, a Zig Jig is an awesome option for cool/cold water smallmouth. I have finally gotten my hads on the HD version and while I did just fine with the original model, the HD hook is not gonna give any quarter to ANY fish that swims in our waters.