When fishing soft plastics, what size head are you using? Do you vary for trout, or reds? What else impacts size?
95% of the time for reds and trout I have a 1/4oz tied on.
Pete
24 Regulator
18 Seacraft
16 Whaler
I like to split the difference and go with 3/16 oz.
Thanks.
I typically throw a 1/4. Didn’t know if y’all thought colder water temps and at some point less agrresive fish would make a difference.
quote:
Originally posted by 61_Whaler95% of the time for reds and trout I have a 1/4oz tied on.
Pete
24 Regulator
18 Seacraft
16 Whaler
same with me, but I will go to an 1/8 oz on slack low tide in a hole using a dead shrimp tail instead of artificial on the jig head.
My 2 cents worth: The correct weight is mostly a factor of current and depth, I generally like to use the lightest weight that gets the jig down appropriately for the given conditions. I carry 1/8 through 3/8 oz jig heads along with some bullet style slip sinkers for deeper water and strong currents.
It’s all about hang time.
Less weight means more time in the water column, more weight means fast drop and more ground contact.
Sometimes trout want it to hang/suspend or fall slowly. In this case 1/8oz.
Sometimes reds want that mud line created by the bait hitting the bottom. In that case 1/4 or 3/16.
Depends on a few things; more current = more weight. Less current = less weight. I try to use as little weight as possible, I feel that you can ‘feel’ more with a lighter lure than a heavier lure. A lighter lure would have a slightly smaller presentation and you could be more stealthy with it when you’re stalking fish
Anything that pulls drag, right?
I don’t get to fish the coastal waters enough, but like others use the general rule of the lightest jig that will get the job done. Usually that would be 1/8, 3/16 or 1/4 oz. I’ve used lighter than 1/8 oz too, but not a lot since casting distance becomes an issue. (If I need to do that, then I’d rather be using fly tackle) Also like others I always have a range of weights on hand, hopefully enough to deal with whatever conditions exist.
Very much agree that current needs to be taken into consideration, as does wind.
I pour jigs, and have several styles available. A good range of weights from 1/8 oz to 1/2 oz should cover most shallow water, and possibly some heavier for deeper water or surf, up to an 1 oz should be all you need unless you go offshore. This being for plastics. With baits, the same generally, but that too will be determined by currents & wind conditions. I like a good quality black nickel hook too, but still use some of the older style, tin plated, heavier wire hooks. Either way, they need to be sticky sharp. 
I let the conditions and presentation dictate the size/weight of the jig head. I’ve made the switch and exclusively use Eye Strike jig heads and when inshore fishing for reds, trout and flounder, I have a wide assortment of 1/8, 3/16, 1/4 and 3/8 (in every color) in the boat at all times. When freshwater bass/striper fishing or when I’m fishing deeper saltwater for larger fish, I’ll add 3/8, 1/2 and 1oz jig heads.
“You don’t always know where you stand till you know that you won’t run away.” ~Slipknot
Thanks for the info.
Our best selling jig by far = 3/16 TroutEye
1966 13’ Boston Whaler “Flatty”
2018 Sportsman Masters 207
www.eyestrikefishing.com #predatorsstriketheeye
quote:
Originally posted by friogattoIt’s all about hang time.
Less weight means more time in the water column, more weight means fast drop and more ground contact.Sometimes trout want it to hang/suspend or fall slowly. In this case 1/8oz.
Sometimes reds want that mud line created by the bait hitting the bottom. In that case 1/4 or 3/16.
This is gold
quote:
Originally posted by PeaPodquote:
Originally posted by friogattoIt’s all about hang time.
Less weight means more time in the water column, more weight means fast drop and more ground contact.Sometimes trout want it to hang/suspend or fall slowly. In this case 1/8oz.
Sometimes reds want that mud line created by the bait hitting the bottom. In that case 1/4 or 3/16.
This is gold
As is this. Friogatto, you need to make this your signature…
“I’m not a hundred percent in love with your tone right now…”