Hey all, I do a lot of river fishing for smallies each season. Early season I stick to a 2.75 paddletail and progress up to a 4" later in the season.

 

For 1/8 to 1/4 oz I've been using the Keitech Super round ball heads and 3/8 the Santone Lures Zaldain lil swimmer. I've had decent luck with each, but feel there has to be better and potentially more affordable for how many can get beat up and lost while river fishing. I'm curious about what people may use for a round ball jig head that may suit my needs. 

 

I'm also wondering about line choice for this type of river fishing. I prefer braided line... again though just reaching out to see if I can improve my fishing techniques.

Watch for home based sellers on Ebay for jig heads a little better priced than "off the shelf"

 

oe

Are you tied to the ball head?  Have you tried regular swim bait heads?

Tungsten jigheads are really unnecessary imo. You can still get high quality without having to go tungsten. They won't be 'cheap' but definitely cheaper than those keitech jigheads. Take a look at the Gamakatsu ballheads. They have a good, strong hook but they're unpainted. It doesn't bother me 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gamakatsu_Round_Jig_Head_5pk/descpage-GRJH.html. 

 

Another even cheaper option is from Big Bite Baits. I'm not sure about the size of the hook but they fit perfectly on 2.8 keitechs.

 https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Big_Bite_Baits_BBJ_Elite_Jig_Head_6pk/descpage-BBBJ.html

I’ve been using eagle claw ball heads forever 

13 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

I’ve been using eagle claw ball heads forever 

What size hook can you get on them?

29 minutes ago, Jig Man said:

What size hook can you get on them?

I really don’t know what’s on there, I’ve probably got a picture but you know how that goes. It doesn’t say on the box 

2 hours ago, Birdman2136 said:

Hey all, I do a lot of river fishing for smallies each season. Early season I stick to a 2.75 paddletail and progress up to a 4" later in the season.

 

For 1/8 to 1/4 oz I've been using the Keitech Super round ball heads and 3/8 the Santone Lures Zaldain lil swimmer. I've had decent luck with each, but feel there has to be better and potentially more affordable for how many can get beat up and lost while river fishing. I'm curious about what people may use for a round ball jig head that may suit my needs. 

 

I'm also wondering about line choice for this type of river fishing. I prefer braided line... again though just reaching out to see if I can improve my fishing techniques.

 

Fished the raging ottertail river below the dam, from the dam to about a 1/4 mile downstream all from the bank wearing waders.

 

I use Northland ball head jigs and with the water being flushed out do to lots of rain the past month i need to go from 1/4 oz to 1/2oz or heavier for the next trip.

 

I lost 2 jigs yesterday, one a pike came right in front of me and snatched my jig with pink 3.5 inch tube on it, 2nd jig caught in the rocks.

 

I use 832 30 lb braid which is new to me this year as i am a spider wire guy since the 90,s.

I changed this year just to try out the 832 which alot of people say is the greatest.

I stll need more time with the 832 to determine if i stick with it, nothing so far has shown me its better after 3 outings.

I use seaguer Abrasix fluoro leader which i am trying this year as before i used seaguer blue label but blue is very expensive for only 25 yards where abrasix gives you 200 yds and cheaper price.

 

 

8 hours ago, Jig Man said:

Are you tied to the ball head?  Have you tried regular swim bait heads?

I have tried them. I have found that round ball heads come through rock better.

 

7 hours ago, Finessegenics said:

Tungsten jigheads are really unnecessary imo. You can still get high quality without having to go tungsten. They won't be 'cheap' but definitely cheaper than those keitech jigheads. Take a look at the Gamakatsu ballheads. They have a good, strong hook but they're unpainted. It doesn't bother me 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gamakatsu_Round_Jig_Head_5pk/descpage-GRJH.html. 

 

Another even cheaper option is from Big Bite Baits. I'm not sure about the size of the hook but they fit perfectly on 2.8 keitechs.

 https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Big_Bite_Baits_BBJ_Elite_Jig_Head_6pk/descpage-BBBJ.html

Thanks. I’ve had my eye on the Gamakatsu ones as I am a big fan of their products. 

 

5 hours ago, throttleplate said:

 

Fished the raging ottertail river below the dam, from the dam to about a 1/4 mile downstream all from the bank wearing waders.

 

I use Northland ball head jigs and with the water being flushed out do to lots of rain the past month i need to go from 1/4 oz to 1/2oz or heavier for the next trip.

 

I lost 2 jigs yesterday, one a pike came right in front of me and snatched my jig with pink 3.5 inch tube on it, 2nd jig caught in the rocks.

 

I use 832 30 lb braid which is new to me this year as i am a spider wire guy since the 90,s.

I changed this year just to try out the 832 which alot of people say is the greatest.

I stll need more time with the 832 to determine if i stick with it, nothing so far has shown me its better after 3 outings.

I use seaguer Abrasix fluoro leader which i am trying this year as before i used seaguer blue label but blue is very expensive for only 25 yards where abrasix gives you 200 yds and cheaper price.

 

 

How long of a leader line and what # line? 
 

I’ve experimented with leaders with decent results, but I have not noticed needing one I guess. 

I'm a big fan of the Keitech tungsten ballhead jigs.  I love the way the smaller profile jig looks with a 4" Jackall Rhythm Shad.  3/16 and a 3/0 hook is a perfect match.  I agree they are pricey and I have some cheaper jigs I bought on Ebay that I'll use while prefishing or when just messing around.  Someone suggested Gamakatsu lead jigs and I don't like those at all.  Their keeper system tears up the swimbait more than other jigs.  Owner lead head jigs are cheaper than the Keitech and have a good strong hook.  

4 hours ago, Birdman2136 said:

I have tried them. I have found that round ball heads come through rock better.

 

Thanks. I’ve had my eye on the Gamakatsu ones as I am a big fan of their products. 

 

How long of a leader line and what # line? 
 

I’ve experimented with leaders with decent results, but I have not noticed needing one I guess. 

I make my leaders out of 20# Abrasix. For the ballhead jigs i tie the leader direct to the head and are from 10 to 15 inches long.

 

They are snelled jigs meaning each jig i make has a #8 spro swivel tied on so i can easilly snap a new jig onto my mainline braid.

My mainline always has a VMC touch-lok clip tied on so if i lose one or if the jig leader is gettin eaten up by the rocks i can easilly swap it out.

I fish river for smallies and I don't think those recommending Tungsten understand what you are dealing with. There isn't really any head style that you aren't going to wedged in rocks. That said, if you have an area that you can make you own, that will be the best option. Do-it makes a good ball head mold that have 6 cavities, 3 are 1/16oz and 3 are 1/8oz. It is a good mold as this mold is made to use both 2/0 and 3/0 hooks but I've used 1/0 and 4/0 in it as well. I use those heads for throwing 3.8 Keitech swimbaits in the summer months when the water is low. You will lose heads but it will be able to make them for a lot less than buying them. If you are unable to do that, go to Tackle Underground and post what you are looking for in the wire baits section. Someone there will be able to make that type of jig for you with a better price than you can buy them for. 

Good advice as always smalljaw67.

1 hour ago, smalljaw67 said:

I fish river for smallies and I don't think those recommending Tungsten understand what you are dealing with. There isn't really any head style that you aren't going to wedged in rocks. That said, if you have an area that you can make you own, that will be the best option. Do-it makes a good ball head mold that have 6 cavities, 3 are 1/16oz and 3 are 1/8oz. It is a good mold as this mold is made to use both 2/0 and 3/0 hooks but I've used 1/0 and 4/0 in it as well. I use those heads for throwing 3.8 Keitech swimbaits in the summer months when the water is low. You will lose heads but it will be able to make them for a lot less than buying them. If you are unable to do that, go to Tackle Underground and post what you are looking for in the wire baits section. Someone there will be able to make that type of jig for you with a better price than you can buy them for. 

I've considered this in the past. I'll look back into it here as I also have kids fishing with me. ? Also thanks for the suggestion of Tackle Underground.

Personally, im not a big fan of ball head jigs in rivers. I have opted for poisontail and walleye jig styles. I loose alot less jigs. Do you prefer a heavywire or lightwire hooks. For lighter wire options i prefer 2/8 powerpro braid on a mlxf or med/fast rod.. The sensitivity of braid helps me navigate rocks and not get snagged as much as picking up on light bites and bottom structure changes. I stick to braid gor heavier wire. I like 20lb power pro on a medium action baitcasting rod. I make poison tails with both style hooks but i bend out 90degree ec bp500s for my lightwire options.

20 hours ago, Finessegenics said:

Tungsten jigheads are really unnecessary imo. You can still get high quality without having to go tungsten. They won't be 'cheap' but definitely cheaper than those keitech jigheads. Take a look at the Gamakatsu ballheads. They have a good, strong hook but they're unpainted. It doesn't bother me 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gamakatsu_Round_Jig_Head_5pk/descpage-GRJH.html. 

 

Another even cheaper option is from Big Bite Baits. I'm not sure about the size of the hook but they fit perfectly on 2.8 keitechs.

 https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Big_Bite_Baits_BBJ_Elite_Jig_Head_6pk/descpage-BBBJ.html

Big Bite uses Gamakatsu Black Ni  3/0 for 1/16 - 1/4 oz., 3/8 is 4/0.

Jig is only as good as the hook used.

Tom

PS. Op...snell tied jig?, do you mean leader with a loop knot?

9 minutes ago, WRB said:

Big Bite uses Gamakatsu Black Ni  3/0 for 1/16 - 1/4 oz.

Tom

From the big bite baits website: 

 

“1/32oz = #6 hook, 1/16oz = #4 hook, 1/8oz = #2 hook, 1/4oz = 1/0 hook, 3/8oz = 2/0 hook”

 

https://bigbitebaits.com/product/big-bite-jig-elite/

 

19 minutes ago, Finessegenics said:

From the big bite baits website: 

 

“1/32oz = #6 hook, 1/16oz = #4 hook, 1/8oz = #2 hook, 1/4oz = 1/0 hook, 3/8oz = 2/0 hook”

 

https://bigbitebaits.com/product/big-bite-jig-elite/

 

Different jig, that is the Elite not Ball Head!

Tom

12 minutes ago, WRB said:

Different jig, that is the Elite not Ball Head!

Tom

It’s the one linked in my first post?

1 hour ago, Finessegenics said:

It’s the one linked in my first post?

I referenced Big Bite Ball Head w/ Gsmaktsu hook SHU BBBH-G, not the Elite with eyes and sickle hook as referenced. Apologize for the confusion.

Tom

 

On 5/17/2022 at 5:02 PM, Finessegenics said:

Gamakatsu ballheads. They have a good, strong hook but they're unpainted. It doesn't bother me 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gamakatsu_Round_Jig_Head_5pk/descpage-GRJH.html. 

1/8oz 1/0 is my go to for the 2.8 Fat Impact.  

On 5/17/2022 at 5:11 PM, TnRiver46 said:

I’ve been using eagle claw ball heads forever 

yup same here 1/4-1/8