With some recent success with a jig and the fact that it is one of my favorite baits, I thought I would pass on a few adjustments that I like to make when fishing a jig during the cold days and cold water-temperatures of winter. The first thing I like to do is show a smaller profile on a jig; meaning that big and bulky is not my choice when the water is cold. I do some things to the jig to help reduce the bulkiness if the jig.
The most important adjustment I make is going to a smaller profile trailer; as everyone knows I use the Missile Bait D-Bomb just about exclusively as the trailer so in the winter I downsize and go to the Baby D-Bomb (pictured above). Its not as bulky, it’s a little smaller in length and appears a bit subtler with its movement in the water. I believe the smaller profile just catches more fish, it drops a little quicker with less bulk, the Baby D-Bomb feet wiggle a little less and just present a less active crawfish look in the cold.
Another way to change the profile is to reduce the length of the skirt so it does not protrude past the bend of the hook. Reducing the length again makes the bait look like a lethargic crawfish, which is much more appealing to a lethargic winter bass. The skirt above the collar should also be trimmed to around a ½ inch this reduces the skirt from flowing up away from the hook on the drop and substantially reduces the bulkiness when the jig is on the fall.
Lastly thin the weed guard, weed guards are tough and bulky by thinning it, meaning reducing the number of strands just down-sizes the profile. Most companies put about 21 strands in the weed guard if you thin out 7 of them the profile drops by a third and ultimately catches more fish in the winter.
Couples with these adjustments not all jigs are created equal; Tight-Line jigs (footballs pictured to the right) are my preference for several reasons; they require less adjusting than any jig I have used as they are ready to go right out of the package. Outside of my few winter changes Tight-Line jigs are tough, strong and long lasting!
Fish Lake Guntersville Guide Service
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Capt. Mike Gerry