We anglers certainly overthink things at times, and choosing jig heads to match up with swimbaits and paddletails might be an example. After all, we all know that most fishing tackle is designed to catch the fisherman, not the fish. And while in some cases it may not matter one iota, in others, having the right jig head on the end of your line will make a difference.
The next time you go rifling through the tacklebox looking for the jig head that looks best, remember:
- Color contrast between the head and tail is always a good thing.
- Many anglers believe big eyes are also a good thing, as most predators target the baitfish’s head.
- Ned heads are best when you want a tail to stand upright on the bottom.
- Jointed jigheads provide incredible swimming action, especially in a current.
- Shaky head jigs are great for bouncing along the bottom, and overall are among the most versatile types of heads.
Beyond these details, for the most part jig head shape is really more a matter of preference than anything else. But there’s one more thing to remember which is utterly critical: use a jig head that matches the type of plastic you’re casting. Try to thread a tooth-proof plastic over a keeper wire or molded keeper and you’ll drive yourself nuts; using a head with no keeper and adding a drop of Gorilla Glue works a heck of a lot better. Try using that same keeper-less head with standard plastic, however, and you’ll drive yourself nuts trying to push it back into place after every other cast.
The bottom line? You really do need lots and lots of different jig heads to match up with different situations. Choose the best jig head for the job and instead of driving yourself nuts, it will be the fish that are going bonkers.