Creek Chub 1 Posted January 20, 2023 Posted January 20, 2023 I fish in rivers with an average depth of 6’ or so. I started using the missle micro jigs late last summer and did fairly well. I like the missle bait for the most part but am curious what other folks use skirted jig wise in rocky rivers for smallies and what weight you all use? thanks Quote
PaulVE64 Posted January 20, 2023 Posted January 20, 2023 I throw Worm weights and split shot rigs between 1/8 oz - 3/8 oz. in my river. That seems to get it down to the fish well enough. My river is 3' to 8' do and runs at about 1ft/sec most of the year. Your results may vary. Ps - football heads are the first to snag. 2 Quote
aceman387 Posted January 20, 2023 Posted January 20, 2023 I use the 1/16 and 1/8 oz bitsy bug jigs.They can be had for around a $1.70 on sale. At that price losing them isn’t that painful. 6 Quote
Steveo-1969 Posted January 20, 2023 Posted January 20, 2023 My smallmouth fishing is done in a very rocky river in 6 feet or less and the skirted jig is my favorite way to catch them! I fish a 3/16 ounce Strike King Bitsy Bug jig. BPS usually has them on sale during the Spring Classic (I’ve seen them as low as $1.39 - $1.69) and I stock up for the season. There are more expensive jigs with “better” hooks but don’t let anyone poo-poo these jigs until you try one. The 2/0 bronze hook is usually sticky sharp (and easily sharpened with a file) and won’t bend out with the appropriate rod power and line. 3 Quote
Bdnoble84 Posted January 22, 2023 Posted January 22, 2023 I favor poisontail head jigs with a hybrid tie of rabbit zonker, bucktail and crop topped silicone. My weights tend to be 1/8 and 1/4. I also pour them with a modified EC SIckle hook since i like to fish them on my ML ST. Croix and 10/2 braid. When tbe water is cool i’ll switch to a straight bucktail that may or maynot have a weedguard on the same jigs. When i do this ive had alot of success tipping the jig with a live crawler. I’m going to experiment with some diff plastics this year to see if i can replicating results without dealing with live bait. i have used bigger/ full skirted 1/4 and 3/8 oz jigs swimming and hopping them, but these mostly attract Northern Pike. 1 Quote
padon Posted January 22, 2023 Posted January 22, 2023 1/8 3/16 1/4 bitsy bug depending on current and depth. also the kietech football head in 1/4 and greenfish tackle itty bitty in 5/16 1 Quote
drakesndrum Posted January 22, 2023 Posted January 22, 2023 Have had good luck with these, basic black. https://northbranchtackle.com/products/hand-tied-living-rubber-jig?variant=43101572202704 4 Quote
Bdnoble84 Posted January 22, 2023 Posted January 22, 2023 9 hours ago, drakesndrum said: Have had good luck with these, basic black. https://northbranchtackle.com/products/hand-tied-living-rubber-jig?variant=43101572202704 Those actually look really good. 3 Quote
heavyduty Posted January 22, 2023 Posted January 22, 2023 Another vote for North Branch Tackle jigs. You can contact him and he'll make what you want. 2 Quote
drakesndrum Posted January 22, 2023 Posted January 22, 2023 His sleds work very well for dragging soft plastics in rocks and not snagging as well. 3 Quote
Dogface Posted January 22, 2023 Posted January 22, 2023 13 hours ago, drakesndrum said: Have had good luck with these, basic black. https://northbranchtackle.com/products/hand-tied-living-rubber-jig?variant=43101572202704 Thanks for the "heads up". He has some nice tackle and close to my house in NE PA. 1 Quote
Creek Chub 1 Posted January 25, 2023 Author Posted January 25, 2023 On 1/22/2023 at 4:34 AM, drakesndrum said: Have had good luck with these, basic black. https://northbranchtackle.com/products/hand-tied-living-rubber-jig?variant=43101572202704 Those are great looking skirted jigs and I like his plain jig head options 1 Quote
Super User Munkin Posted February 2, 2023 Super User Posted February 2, 2023 BOSS Fine Wire Finesse | FishingSkirts.com Finesse Series | FishingSkirts.com Make your own, get the $5 skirt making tool, some skirt bands and you have everything you need. Allen 1 Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted February 10, 2023 Super User Posted February 10, 2023 North Star Hairy Jig https://www.northstarbaits.com/hairjigs.html 4 1 Quote
VolFan Posted February 10, 2023 Posted February 10, 2023 +1 on @roadwarrior’s suggestion. They are fire ? 2 Quote
newapti5 Posted February 17, 2023 Posted February 17, 2023 On 2/10/2023 at 4:25 PM, roadwarrior said: North Star Hairy Jig https://www.northstarbaits.com/hairjigs.html They're really pretty. Might give them a try this spring. 1 Quote
PaulVE64 Posted February 20, 2023 Posted February 20, 2023 On 2/10/2023 at 4:25 PM, roadwarrior said: North Star Hairy Jig https://www.northstarbaits.com/hairjigs.html I'm a huge fan of a sparsely tied jig with bits of 3 and 4 materials. Usually bucktail, deer body, marabou, round rubber, silicone, dubbing. It's all good if left to sit and work its magic in the cold soft water 1 Quote
Super User Munkin Posted February 20, 2023 Super User Posted February 20, 2023 BOSS 3/16oz finesse heads with finecut silicone. Costs about $2 each for a jig and the only tool you need is $5 (pictured). Allen 2 Quote
bassnleo Posted February 21, 2023 Posted February 21, 2023 The discontinued Booyah Pro Boo Bug in 3/16 was a fish catching machine for me. I now make my own much cheaper than what I paid for them. I order finesse ball style heads from Lure Parts Online, they come already painted and ready to go. I buy skirt material from Drop Zone Fishing and make my own skirts. Put the skirt on the jig and go fishing. I can knock out 25 jigs in less than an hour, and they flat out work. I also make 1/8 and 5/16 sizes. 2 Quote
softwateronly Posted February 21, 2023 Posted February 21, 2023 On 2/10/2023 at 3:25 PM, roadwarrior said: North Star Hairy Jig https://www.northstarbaits.com/hairjigs.html Thanks! You also led me to their flip/swim jig in 1oz. In the summer, I throw a lot of 3/4oz dirty jigs cali swim jig and could use a heavier version for swimming along the bottom in 15' and that faster rof when working shallower. Look forward to using both this year. scott Quote
Siebert Outdoors Posted February 21, 2023 Posted February 21, 2023 Here is a great finesse one. https://siebertoutdoors.com/products/ols/products/mini-jig-mn-jighttps://siebertoutdoors.com/products/ols/products/mini-jig-mn-jig If your wanting Living Rubber. https://siebertoutdoors.com/products/ols/search?keywords=living%20rubber&sortOption=descend_by_match Quote Quote
newapti5 Posted February 21, 2023 Posted February 21, 2023 3 hours ago, Siebert Outdoors said: Here is a great finesse one. https://siebertoutdoors.com/products/ols/products/mini-jig-mn-jighttps://siebertoutdoors.com/products/ols/products/mini-jig-mn-jig If your wanting Living Rubber. https://siebertoutdoors.com/products/ols/search?keywords=living%20rubber&sortOption=descend_by_match Actually I have a question about jigs. For smallies, I am trying to find some finesse football head jigs 1/4~3/8oz, with a 3/0 hook, and living rubber skirt. Could you recommend some on your website? Thanks! Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted February 21, 2023 Super User Posted February 21, 2023 https://siebertoutdoors.com/products/ols/products/living-rubber-jigs/v/LVN-RBB-JGS-GRD-RN10 Quote
Siebert Outdoors Posted February 21, 2023 Posted February 21, 2023 1 hour ago, newapti5 said: Actually I have a question about jigs. For smallies, I am trying to find some finesse football head jigs 1/4~3/8oz, with a 3/0 hook, and living rubber skirt. Could you recommend some on your website? Thanks! I do not have a Football with that small of a hook but check out my Mini Jigs. Its a roundball head and would work great for that. It has a 2/0 hook. 1 1 Quote
newapti5 Posted February 21, 2023 Posted February 21, 2023 1 minute ago, Siebert Outdoors said: I do not have a Football with that small of a hook but check out my Mini Jigs. Its a roundball head and would work great for that. It has a 2/0 hook. I actually did last year. They're great jigs for finesse presentation, but with those rocky bottom of the river and creeks here, it just seems football heads are less prone to snags. Thanks! 1 Quote
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