First Try!

[Len]

Nice jigs Len.

I've fished 1/8-oz. ball head jigs in rocky, moving water for a while. The key to fishing them is to keep them moving. Though, this isn't conducive to fishing the craw patterns that anglers like to drag or hop along the bottom. Allowing slack line while fishing ball heads frequently results in snagging bottom.

I've found that using large chenille and doubling up on wraps to make the body diameter wider than the jig's head reduces snags. This will function similarly to the football head that JJJ mentioned above. The jig hook will "stand up" while at rest. Its shank no longer parallels the bottom.

Another way to avoid snags, while fishing ball heads in flowing water, is to keep the rod elevated with its tip positioned near 11:30 or 12 o'clock high. Allow the jig to move with the current and keep the line taut. Continue to reel slowly as the jig exits the current.

I could discuss more about this kind of stuff, but I'll save it for another time.

Thanks Pup for the information. I will have to try some smallmouth fishing since I live just a block away from one of the best smallmouth rivers in Indiana. I used to fish the river growing up but when I started fishing lakes I just lost interest in river fishing.

[AtticaFish]

They all look good, you shouldn't have any trouble catching smallies on those!!! I like the hair jigs and tend to use more of them than marabou just because they hold up better.


Pup, sounds like you fish them the same as me. I like to dart minnow patterns through the water pretty fast if the fish are active or pop crawfish patterns off the bottom each time I hit a rock, but pretty much just keep them moving. There's only a few stretches of river I can drag jigs and not loose one every other cast or else go swimming. I use tube inserts inside tubes or paddle grubs if I wanna crawl on the bottom.

[skeetbum]

Nice colors, Should catch fish. I tied one to giveaway in black and chart real similar to the top left. Woman that got it said it wouldn't be long til she'd be showing pics of it and the fish. She's in her 20's, single and has a bass boat and a pickup. High demand!!! The boyfriend is HUGE. She loves to fish as much as we do. Back to the jigs, Good luck with em, and post the catch.

[jkw_fly]

Those are very nice. You might try black chenille with the black and red buck hair / feathers... They have worked well for me. Keep up the good work. I am looking at getting into to doing some tying myself...Hopefully Santa will bring me a nice vise and tools!