Help me make sense of what type head you guys like to use for species and situation…tides, current etc. Over the years I have amassed a collection of jig heads and flutter hooks in various sizes, but I am not sure what to use and when.
I always wnt by 1/8 - 1/16 for trout and 1/4 for reds. What is the thought process that goes into choosing to use a jig head one day and a flutter hook the next?
Also, do any of you re-rig a DOA shrimp to be weedless and how do you go about doing it? Thanks for the help.
The weight depends more on the current, lure type, and what will allow the lure to sink to the bottom or whatever depth you are targeting (mostly bottom). I use a 1/4 oz jig with gulp jerk shads, while you will need more weight for the same result with a Z man due to their inherent buoyancy. As with so many things with saltwater fishing there are many variables but that is what makes it fun to me
Funny, I called Raddaddy this AM to ask about flutter hooks for reds for a friend. He said,“Rig a Gulp 3 inch shrimp w/an Owner 3/0 twist lock 1/16th ounce Flutter hook.” This for in the grass and over oysters, rigged weedless.
I throw TroutTricks and Gulp 3 inch shrimp for trout with Gamakatzu & Owner 1/8th ounce ball type jigheads, hook exposed. When I’m scouting and want to cover a lot of water I throw 3/16 ounce jigheads that I order from Owner.
1/4 jig is my default. Casts far and will drop to 8+ feet in a current when needed. I will switch to a 1/8" (typically ball head in that size) if needed for a softer/slower presentation. As for flutter hooks, I use them with Saltwater Assasin soft jerkbait and recently rigged with a Z-man Paddlerz. With the Z-man since it has tail action I just throw it to the bank or in the grass and drag it back with a steady retrieve; it is a great weedless bait that can be worked quickly for locating fish.
Pitcher, I don’t fish for redfish that much, but I had to for the two years after our winter trout kills. I use the flutter hook only when weedless application is needed and Texas rig it. Raddaddy is the expert on these applications.
1/4 jig is my default. Casts far and will drop to 8+ feet in a current when needed. I will switch to a 1/8" (typically ball head in that size) if needed for a softer/slower presentation. As for flutter hooks, I use them with Saltwater Assasin soft jerkbait and recently rigged with a Z-man Paddlerz. With the Z-man since it has tail action I just throw it to the bank or in the grass and drag it back with a steady retrieve; it is a great weedless bait that can be worked quickly for locating fish.
There ya go. As for jig heads, I like the Dons jig heads they have at haddrells. Big fish (esp reds) will bend the cheap flemsy ones so dont skimp. That being said, I would not buy the sebile ones either. get the med priced ones like: Dons, D.O.A., or Bass Assassin or something of that stature. make sure it has some ridges or spikes to hold the bait on. i always keep super glue in my box in case i have to glue a plastic onto the hook. works quite well in many different situations .
this photo should help.i know the bottom one has has little hump on it to hold the bait on but that really does not work.
TOP:GOOD (DONS)</font id=“green”>
BOTTOM: BAD (CHEAPO)</font id=“red”>
</font id=“size4”>
these are good too and they have them all at haddrells i pretty sure.
I would not says that the cheapo jigs with the tinned Eagle Claw hooks are bad. They have a purpose. I use them when trolling for trout in areas that have a lot of shell or snags. Usually I can straighten the hook to free it then just bend back into shape and keep fishing. If I break it off, no big deal. With trout you are not fishing heavy drag so the strength of the hook is not an issue.
caught a lot of fish on those cheap-o jig heads, but that’s probably because I’m still working my way through the giant box of red 1/4 oz I bought years ago not knowing better and refuse to throw away… Never lost a fish to a bent/broken hook, but they are pretty terrible at holding soft baits. I use them a lot with curly-tail lures, and use a style like the “good” pictured above more for fish-like lures. no real basis for that, just what I do 'cause it’s worked.
Some lures definitely swim differently depending on where the line pulls the jig head (ie, right on the nose, or more on top.) Look at the where the eye on the two above is, and you’ll see what I mean. Only thing I can tell you on that is to try different combos and see what gives the best action.
There is something about the cheap jig heads+curly tail grub (especially in clear/sparkle colors) that drives trout crazy. for reds the best artificial for me has always been DOA shrimp tied directly to the line, no float, no weight, fished slow.
I find myself always coming back to a few select lures because I am confident that they will catch fish if fish are there. I think finding the fish is usually the hardest part, most of the time trout and reds aren’t too picky if you find the right place and time. It’s catching them the rest of time that you can spend your lifetime trying to figure out!
I would not says that the cheapo jigs with the tinned Eagle Claw hooks are bad. They have a purpose. I use them when trolling for trout in areas that have a lot of shell or snags. Usually I can straighten the hook to free it then just bend back into shape and keep fishing. If I break it off, no big deal. With trout you are not fishing heavy drag so the strength of the hook is not an issue.
They do serve a purpose. I think the head design is better for trolling as you stated. I use them for in experienced guest on the boat (to keep from loosing the more costly ones), and sometimes for trout. I have caught many 30 inch reds on them too. maybe “bad” was a bad term to use. Should have said lesser quality.
I’d rather be a free man in my grave than living as a puppet or a slave.
I lost a GIANT Flounder using one of the cheap jigheads. I was using it because I was in an area where you’d get hung up a lot on the oysters on the bottom. He didn’t exactly straighten the hook, but got enough flex and bend in it to pull off right at the boat. I use them sparingly now. I am also like wolfie with a bunch of them in my boxes.
Good discussion, y’all. Wolfie, I have a question for you:
When you tie the DOA shrimp directly to your leader, do you use the stock DOA hook that comes pre-rigged inside the shrimp? If not, what do you use.
Another question to whomever will answer:
What knot do you use when attaching jigheads and flutter hooks to your leader? Do you use a different knot for each? I’ve been taught to use a loop-knot w/jigheads and baits, but I’d like to hear what y’all have to say.
I was using it because I was in an area where you’d get hung up a lot on the oysters on the bottom. He didn’t exactly straighten the hook, but got enough flex and bend in it to pull off right at the boat. I use them sparingly now. I am also like wolfie with a bunch of them in my boxes.