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Yesterday I was thick in the crappie caught about 60-70 but that came with a cost. I lost about 15 jigs on branches. are their any jig heads that help reduce the amount of snags or is just the nature of the beast? I ordered some weedless bps jig heads hoping that would help. any advice?
Get yourself some leader wire and drill a small hole below the eyelet of the hook and glue a small piece of the leader wire in, the stuff is really flexable. A buddy sent me a hand drill like an exacto knife handle, but it takes a really small bit. A dremel would probably work better but I don't have one to try it. Always wear eye protection when drilling the holes.
This is the type of leader wire and it comes in different colors
American Fishing Wire Coated Leader Wire, 30 foot
This is what they look like when done and yes I powder paint them first.
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...s/100_4404.jpg
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...s/100_4360.jpg
This is the glue I use but any super glue should work
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...f/100_5792.jpg
If you are fishing vertical, a knocker can help. Otherwise I would buy jigheads in bulk to help keep the cost down to about .25 each. You can also use thinwire jigs and strong braid so you can straighten the hook on a snag then bend it back into shape.
Do a search on here for light wire jigs. That may help you some.
Do a search for Timmy Tom jig heads, think he is a member on cdc, he makes some awesome weedless jig heads.
If I can catch 60-70 crappie and only lose 15 jigs .....I sure wouldn't complain.Quote:
Originally Posted by That'sABingo
Litewirehooker on here. Send him a PM and get some of his jig's. Those lite wire hooks will straighten then you just bend em back and keep fishing.
Ain't that the truth. You sure don't want to take up crankbait trolling.Quote:
Originally Posted by "G"
that's a good point. I wasnt complaining just trying to improve a problem. I will try the light wire jig heads for sure.Quote:
Originally Posted by "G"
ha ha ha.....that's still not a problem.....truth is if your not loseing jigs then your fishing in the wrong places
Now you tell me.Quote:
Originally Posted by mrdux
That is the reason for Litewirehooks. PM sent.
I use Curtis' (litewirehooker) jig heads with the litewire hook and they work very well. The last few years I have got most of my hung jigs back because the hook bends. You just bend it back and you are back fishing. I haven't lost any fish either using them and I have caught a lot of pretty Oconee crappie. Good luck, Wes
:hesaidQuote:
Originally Posted by cray
I have some from Curtis (Lite Wire Hooker) as well. If you hang up, usually a slow steady pull will straighten out the hook and it will come loose. And no, it will not straighten out if you hook a big fish. I caught a 5# Striper on one. Just Pm Litewirehooker and he can send you info.
Tom, for a man of your resources, a couple hundred bandits lost per summer shouldn't be an issue. Just don't tell Miss Brenda.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cane Pole
X2 they work(bend) goodQuote:
Originally Posted by cray
light handed jigging in the brush will save you lots of hangups. you need to really concentrate and feel whats going on down there. also, if you dont set the hook, most times the jig can be shaken free. getting hung is just part of it. its no secret crappie fishermen are known to be hung. :biggrin
Light handed jigging is certainly a good idea, as is using weedless jigheads.
I use two versions of weedless heads ... the Y guard style & the fiber brush style :
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y42...y/jigheads.jpg
One thing that can help decrease the number of hangups, when using the fiber brush style head (top jig in picture) ... is to flare some of the fibers out to the sides. That and the light handed touch when pulling the jig over branches will cut down on the number of hangups.
The Y-guard style head (bottom jig in picture) is already "flared" enough so that it will usually ride right over a branch without hanging.
Even so ... many times even a weedless jig will get snagged. But, most of the time that's due to the line being hung and/or the jighead itself being wedged, and not actually having the hook point stuck into anything.
I have my weedless jigheads custom made by Grousefly ... in 1/32 & 1/16oz with #2 Aberdeen hooks (on both sizes).
... cp :kewl
The Y guard style works real well. You might want to bend a new hook a couple of times to weaken it if you're worried about breaking off. This should allow it to straighten a little easier if you get hung.
Be careful about drilling a hole in lead to put in a weedguard. I thought about doing it myself but read this increases the risk of inhaling fine particles of lead, very dangerous. If you do decide to try it, wear a face mask.
Make your own plug knocker by putting a weight on a swivel and letting it slide down the line. If it doesn't knock it off the first time, (many times it doesn't), give it some slack and raise your rod again. It usually comes free after a few shakes.