Quote Originally Posted by Pup View Post
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.