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

[chrisD46]

What is your usual swim jig weight preference : 1/4th oz. or 3/8th oz.
If you use both ,  please give a parentage ratio used between the two and any difference in trailers used ?

[SteveTX]

3/8 oz is usually my preference. I don't think I own a 1/4 oz swim jig. Nope I am sure I don't own a 1/4 oz swim jig. 

[hydrillagorillahunter]

What is your usual swim jig weight preference : 1/4th oz. or 3/8th oz.
If you use both ,  please give a parentage ratio used between the two and any difference in trailers used ?

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

   

[SteveTX]

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 have noticed the weights being oddly deceptive as well. I find this on many lures like they just guess at the finished product weight.

I use the Dave's Tournament jigs some as well. When my body is sore and I want to fish I'll use those puppies they are sharp. I can use a lighter combo and still stick and land the girls as well if they arent to far back into the vegetation.

You got to love those 6th Sense Divine Swimjigs. Some of the most beautiful pieces. I love the paint schemes on their baits overall. It doesn't hurt they are quality built lures also.

My favorites 6th Sense patterns are: Bluegill Magic, Cajun Bluegill, and Black Light.

[chrisD46]

Thanks for the replies - great detail gorilla hunter ! I have enough of both 1/4 oz. and 3/8th oz. swim jigs in Shad (Pearl White) , Bluegill (Green Pumpkin Variation) and Black & Blue which all work well down here  in the South East . I have experimented with all kinds of swim baits used as trailers (you list good ones) and also with craw trailers where I mostly prefer the same Zoom Ultravibe Speed Craw used as a nice compact trailer (good price / good action) but I will try other brands to mix it up when the mood strikes . *Admittedly , I am becoming a bit of a "swim jig junkie" and love the variation in designs , colors etc. as well as how versatile they are !  I have not heard of Dave's Jigs before and they look to be a good design with hook / design  features  I can appreciate for sure - I'll have to give Dave's Swim Jigs a try .

[Donald Garner]

I use the 3/8oz Strike King Greg Hackney Swim Jig.  I like the "woops"y Shad color'd skirt and I've used (3) different types of trailers on them.

Strike King Greg Hackney Swim jig with White Grub Trailer


Strike King Greg Hackney Swim jig with Small Modified Shad Swim Bait


Strike King Greg Hackney Swim jig with a Modified Reaction Renovations Sweet Beaver

[jwkelley51]

Getting a little off topic, what's the deepest to fish a swim jig? The Dave's jigs look good and the price is great so I guess I'm good for some. I think the smaller diameter hooks work better for me. Thanks for the post.

[JHTR20]

Back when Tom Monsoor brought the swim jig to the angling worlds attention I found Brovarney Baits.  A great jig and very high quality made in WI.  I've never even considered trying another.  And is typically my MO I bought enough to last me more than a decade.  I use 1/4 and 3/8.  Which one depends mainly the depth I want to fish it.  Trailers have always been grubs for me but reading responses here I'll have to experiment and give a few others a try. 

[Oldfart9999]

i use Poison Tail jigs, I make my own, I use 1/4, 3/8 and when I go below 5 feet or speed up the retrieve I add 1/2 ounce. Anything from swimbaits, to grubs to craws and worms with a curl or swim tail.
Rodney

[hydrillagorillahunter]

another trailer i'll use is the hogfarmer spunkshad pintail swimbait.  you'll have to work your swimjig some but can be a very subtle presentation.  it's also a killer chatterbait trailer.

https://hogfarmerbaits.com/products/spunk-shad-swimbait

[CraigP83]

1/4oz 99% of the time.  I prefer North Star Custom Lures or Brovarny

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[fishballer06]

I use 3/8oz most of the time. The only time I use a 1/4oz is when the weeds are topped out to the surface and I just need to swim something through the weeds and let it fall a little in the holes.

As for a trailer, I like a Rage Tail Menace Grub (regular or baby depending on the profile I want). I'll also use an Ultravibe Speed Craw or  Keitech (usually a 3.8 with the nose cut off).

As for brand, I build my own and they seem to do an ok job 


This is my favorite mold that I use with a Menace grub.

[LgMouthGambler]

3/8oz is my go to. I do have a few that are 5/16 because they were sold out of the 3/8 that I use.

[fishballer06]

I do have a few that are 5/16 because they were sold out of the 3/8 that I use.

I used to throw those 5/16oz Dirty Jigs swim jigs before I started making my own. They're a good production jig for sure.

[CraigP83]

1/4 with 3.8 keitech

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[FlatsNBay]

Fishballer, where do you buy the jigheads from?

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[Pacific NW Ron]

I mostly fish swallower water and I almost always use a 1/4oz.

[Dink Dawg]

1/4  10%
3/8  50%
1/2  40%

Dirty Jigs No jack and some BOSS heads I match up with some odd color skirts

Menace is good.
Ultra Vibe Speed Craw is very good.
Zoom Super Speed Craw is my favorite.

[bigjim5589]

What is your usual swim jig weight preference : 1/4th oz. or 3/8th oz.
If you use both ,  please give a parentage ratio used between the two and any difference in trailers used ?

3/8 or 1/2 more than 1/4, but I have no idea what percentage of the time. It depends, like most things with fishing.

I make most of what I use, even tie some of them with hair.

These have 5/0 Gamakatsu hooks in them. 

[bro_drey]

Tough call I use more 3/8 than 1/4 but I have some molix nano jigs that I'm in love with


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[Capt. BassinLou]

3/8 or 1/2 more than 1/4, but I have no idea what percentage of the time. It depends, like most things with fishing.

I make most of what I use, even tie some of them with hair.

These have 5/0 Gamakatsu hooks in them.

Bigjim, couple of those jigs look awfully familiar...

[bigjim5589]

Bigjim, couple of those jigs look awfully familiar...

Imagine that! 

[fishballer06]

Fishballer, where do you buy the jigheads from?

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I make my own. Message me, I can make you some.

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[Smallie_Stalker]

I make my own. Message me, I can make you some.

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Seth, your builds look great!

Our lead laws here in MA have really made it hard to find jigs under 1 oz.  of any kind that I like.

Have any of you guys fished the Dobyns D-Swimjig Heads? I have a bunch of those (unfortunately only in 1 oz.) that I haven't been able to fish yet but they look really good. The head shape makes it look like they will land upright no matter what and the nose looks like it will come through cover with no problems.

The other thing is the NuTech jigs function perfectly fine as swim jigs. I don't think you can go wrong with any of their products.

I found a local guy last year who makes lead free jigs of all kinds and I just placed an order two days ago for some swim jigs and some flipping jigheads. He doesn't keep inventory on hand and builds every set of baits as they are ordered so it takes longer from order time to shipping than most places so I'm still waiting on those to ship..

If I ever get out on the water this year I'll post some info on them and the Dobyns heads.



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[fishballer06]

Seth, your builds look great!


Have any of you guys fished the Dobyns D-Swimjig Heads? I have a bunch of those (unfortunately only in 1 oz.) that I haven't been able to fish yet but they look really good. The head shape makes it look like they will land upright no matter what and the nose looks like it will come through cover with no problems.

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.