As I sit here at the computer, I have just uploaded the new Mustad Jig Heads to the website and it got me thinking as to when I choose one hook presentation over another.
As most of you will know by now, my go to bottom bait technique/rig is the Texas Rig. I fish this rig 99% of the time with a fine guage EWG (extra wide gap) type hook, specifically the Gurza 310 with the bullet weight free running (unpegged) on the line. I always try to fish as light as conditions will allow. This allows me to ping out of snags easily and it also forces me to concentrate to keep in contact with lure at all times.
It is my go to presentation on new venues where I am unfamiliar with the make up of the bottom, or venues that I know with lots of "crud" on the bottom or deep silt. The reason for this, is that when you allow the weight to fall on a slack line it beats the lure to the bottom allowing for a little seperation of the lure from the weight. This allows the weight to sink into any leaf litter or silt, but not the lure.
If I know the bottom is clear (such as after floods where the weed has been scoured) then I'm opting for a Cheb Rig. This is my rig for when I want to be precise and slow in my fishing, ie. when I want the bait to creep along the bottom and I'm in full control of disances moved. The added advantage is the hinge joint between the hook and the weight allowing for a little more movement which works really effectively with buoyant lures like the FFS and Chubby Grub.
Again I'm using an EWG type hook mostly but will swap to an exposed hook pattern like the Sport MH14 if I'm missing bites and/or the bottom is relatively clear.
A common misconception with a Cheb Rig is that it is simple to change hooks by sliding the weight over the knot (I thought this too) but in reality you do not want the weight to slide over the knot so with fine diameter leaders it is alwars recommended to use a clip of some sort.
And finally this leads onto Jig Heads themselves and as you can see, not my first choice. I suppose this is mainly because I havent stocked them so haven't used them much since FFSLures started. The other reasons are that:
I am a bottom presentation kinda guy (fnar fnar) and opt for weedless presentations for the majority of my fishing
For some crazy reason the tackle trade have fallen into a habit of changing the hook size with the weight, very frustrating if your lure uses a #2 hook but its windy so you need 7g to fish effectively!
So when will I now find a use for jig heads? Jig Heads are great for constant retrieve lures, such as the Finesse Fry or when you are wanting the weight of the Jig Head to impart the action to the lure. I'm actually looking forward to using the Fry (a much neglected lure by me) towards the end of the season and the warmer months. Teamed up with a multicoloured Braid or Fluorocarbon and you can acurately fish at a constant depth by noting which coloured band of line is at the water's surface.
I hope you've enjoyed this week's Blog as much as I enjoyed writing it. If it has helped at all then please give it a like and maybe even a share!
As always, take care, tight lines, ta-ta.
Tom Moir
A great read and good advice for the beginner.