Swim Jigs : 1/4th oz. or 3/8th oz ?

[Smallie_Stalker]

The Dobyns swim jig heads (non-weedguard) are the best jig head I've found for keeping Keitechs in place. Last year in Canada, I caught 9 fish on one bait (4 walleye, 4 pike, 1 smallmouth) and the bait never moved or needed adjusted. I was totally amazed.

My other favorite jighead is the Dirty Jigs Matt Allen signature head. I prefer the keeper on these one's over their regular jig heads because those one's tear a soft bait like a Keitech up too quickly. They have an awesome Gamakatsu hook on them though.

Thanks. That's good to know. I like the look of the 4 point keeper on the Dobyns heads so it makes sense that it would hold the bait like that. That was Gary's goal when he designed them based out of his own frustrations with other heads.

I'm gonna primarily be throwing the bigger Lockett Lures Psycho Shads and the X-Zone Swammers so it's good to know I won't be tearing them up every so many casts/fish.

[hydrillagorillahunter]

My swimjig game is getting out of hand...

[chrisD46]

I throw both and wind or water clarity will dictate which is used on occasion.  If the water is ultra clear, no wind, super quiet and calm i'll throw a 3/8oz for the extra casting distance to keep my distance.  Likewise, if it's windy the 3/8oz helps with casting.  Aside from this I'll go 1/4oz if I want to run it super shallow over hydrilla mats.  As it gets cooler or during fall and winter I'll run a 3/8oz in 6-8' of water and will slow roll bottom.

I used to prefer 1/4oz only but have turned to 3/8oz more lately when I want to run deeper.  Also, you'll notice some variation in perceived weight with certain jig makers.  Some will list as 3/8oz but it'll feel like 1/4oz and vice versa as it apparently comes down to how the lure balances.  An example of this is dave's tournament tackle jigs...3/8oz feels like 1/4oz. 

When it comes to different brands a lot have gone to 5/0 hooks, but like the ultrasharp lighter gauge hooks on dave's tournament jigs.  It allows me to run a lighter rod with less backbone.  I'm just as successful using a 6'11" medium power rod with fast tip versus a 7'2" heavy power with moderate-fast tip. 

I keep it simple for trailers as I'll run either a swimbait or craw.  In my experience, trailers make the biggest difference it seems.  So many to choose from when it comes to trailers.  In the spring I'll run a bluegill craw imitation (see pic below).  Xzone Swammer swimbait trailers do a good job of rocking your swimjig from side to side.  If you want less rocking action go to a keitech.  I typically stick to 3.5-3.8" trailers; prefer my swimjigs to be compact.

Below are a few samples of what I'll throw...

Dave's Tournament Tackle Swimjig 3/8oz Potomac Blue
Zoom Ultravibe Speedcraw Trailer Moccasin Blue



6th Sense Divine Swimjig 1/4oz "woops"ified Shad
6th Sense Divine Swimbait Trailer 3.8" Pro Shad



V&M Cliff Pace The Pulse Pacemaker Swimjig 1/4oz Magic Craw
Xzone Swammer Trailer 4" Color 309


6th Sense Divine Swimjig 1/4oz Grass Mutant
Xzone Swammer Trailer 3.5" Color 309

   

*Good stuff !!

[hydrillagorillahunter]

the quest continues...

[Oldfart9999]

Doesn't NuTech make a swim jig? Bo evens offers us discount. The only reason I use what I do, is I make my own jigs and I have hundreds of pounds of lead to use up, if I were buying mine it would be NuTech.
Rodney

[ajschn06]

Doesn't NuTech make a swim jig? Bo evens offers us discount. The only reason I use what I do, is I make my own jigs and I have hundreds of pounds of lead to use up, if I were buying mine it would be NuTech.
Rodney

I had quite a bit of success on the Nutech's.... moved away from them because they were kind of bland and didn't have the baitfish shaped head with eyes- picky I know, but the dirty jigs and 6th sense have been just as productive if not more.  More color options as well.

Swim jigs are my favorite lure, so I have quite a few of them.  I carry 1/4, 5/16, and 3/8 and go between them based on depth, speed I want to fish them at, and profile I want to present.  The heavier ones usually get beefier trailers so the profile ends up quite a bit bigger...