What jig heads do you use?

I don't want to derail another thread, so I'll just ask here.

I bought a bunch of Crappie Magnet bodies, but their jig heads have hooks that are too big (IMHO) for bluegills. I'm also not much on paying premiums for jig heads.

What I want is something with a long shank hook but probably a size 6 or 8 hook gap. I like the shad dart style jig head idea, but not the shape. I'm almost thinking I just need to buy some split shots and some jig hooks (no heads) and kluge something together. Ignoring the poor drawing (and hook style isn't important), here's what I'd like.

The weight is forward on the jig head so that when you add a body, the jig isn't butt-heavy. Slap a metal bait keeper on it and I'm thrilled. Weight would be 1/32 and 1/16 with hook gaps that easily fit into a bluegill's mouth.

I’m currently using 1/64 oz trout magnet heads and 1/32 oz heads from Cabelas.

1/64 Trout magnet heads in nickle black or gold . 1/32 road runners .Got a guy that sells 1/100 jigs as well . P.m. for number .

You should probably contact one of the members who pour jigheads to see about custom making some.

I cast my own jigs and use

#8 hooks on the 1/64th shad-dart jigs
#6 hooks on the 1/32nd oz shad-dart & round headed jigs
#4 hooks on the 1/16th oz round head
#1 hooks on the 1/8th oz round head jigs

I pour the majority of what I use, fresh or salt. stated weights on molds are mostly wrong so I weigh my own. I use a lot of what’s supposed to be a 1/32 ball head that actually weighs 1/43. Those have a #8 mostly but some #6. 1/32 in plastics with a #6 or #4. Trolling I use 1/32 and 1/16 with #2, all these are sickle hooks. Rarely I use a 1/8 with a #2 or #1. I mostly use small heads so I’m usually between 1/43 and 1/80, anything under 1/32 usually it’s a #8 in everything I use.

Unpainted ball head jigs from Ebay. Best source for weight and hook size range plus the cheapest.
Crappie Magnet lures do fine with 1/32, 1/24, 1/16 oz jigs along with a #6 hook - never 8, never 4. Hook size is more about length of the shaft and where the hooks comes through the lure. Too long and the action is compromised. Too short and more hook sets are missed.

1/16 oz with a #6 hook
https://i.imgur.com/8y4zySK.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/hGBdgrH.jpg

1/32 with a #6 hook
https://i.imgur.com/PR3AVTs.jpg

1/24 with a #6 hook
https://i.imgur.com/by3YsjG.jpg

Jig head shape is not what catches fish - lure size, shape and and action do.
Line type and test/diameter also matter when using light lures. (My preference is 8# test braid.)

If you use a soft plastic lure with longer body, by all means use a #4 hook with any of the jig weights mentioned.
1/24 oz with #4 hook
https://i.imgur.com/jOS0jLd.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/SpNtmPn.jpg

we like 1/64 th ballheads with a number 8 regular style hook .
not many of them fish that like to peck get by a number 8 you know .
if I think the sunnies are running large I use a 1/32 number 6 ….
past that size up you are going to miss lots of sunfish for sure

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if I think the sunnies are running large I use a 1/32 number 6 ….
past that size up you are going to miss lots of sunfish for sure

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...lose very few using a #6 hook and 1/24 or 1/16 oz ball head especially post spawn. Even miniature fish get hooked:
https://i.imgur.com/N6qoaQQ.jpg

10 or 8 for bream ketchn is the ticket ….trust me :highfive

1/64oz trout magnet hook #8 but it is .07gram (1/40) where as 1/64oz trout slayer is .05 grams #6 hook which should fit crappie magnet body better (trimmed body)

With the trout magnets I've been buying the 1/64th gold dart heads that they also sell. With any other 1 inch plastic body I have an assortment of generic painted and unpainted ball jig heads in 1/64th and 1/32nd oz which usually have size 8 or 6 hooks in them.

What Ketchn said. 8 or 10 hooks.

I fish ball head 1/24oz, 1/32oz jig with either a #8 sickle, or a #6 sickle hook.
Depending on the soft plastic I’m using.
Typically if I’m targeting just bluegill. It is the #8. If I have other fish in the area I want to target also while I am wanting to target bluegill and I am changing plastics often. To catch anything there. Like crappie, green sunfish, rock bass, I will have on the #6 hook as a do all size.



Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com

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Originally Posted by Schmoopie

I don't want to derail another thread, so I'll just ask here.

I bought a bunch of Crappie Magnet bodies, but their jig heads have hooks that are too big (IMHO) for bluegills. I'm also not much on paying premiums for jig heads.

What I want is something with a long shank hook but probably a size 6 or 8 hook gap. I like the shad dart style jig head idea, but not the shape. I'm almost thinking I just need to buy some split shots and some jig hooks (no heads) and kluge something together. Ignoring the poor drawing (and hook style isn't important), here's what I'd like.

The weight is forward on the jig head so that when you add a body, the jig isn't butt-heavy. Slap a metal bait keeper on it and I'm thrilled. Weight would be 1/32 and 1/16 with hook gaps that easily fit into a bluegill's mouth.

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I just found these jigs and have some on order, the trout magnet heads are too pointy where I fish, and catching too many weeds.
Mule Jig (1/64oz)
– Mule Fishing Supply Co

Just passing on what I’ve found helpful. Since I started targeting big gills specifically I’ve been searching for a goos gill hook to pour on..

WholesaleFlyCompany


this hook is really nice for the price 6’s & 8’s poured on 1/32 heads have been stellar.

Danny any pic of the finished product? Hard to tell a lot from that picture...

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Originally Posted by VaCrappieMan

Danny any pic of the finished product? Hard to tell a lot from that picture...

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Attachment 382227

For size reference. The 1” slider

Good looking hook... thanks for posting the finished product... that’ll stick some gills

Attachment 382233

1” slider grub for size reference that’s the #6

I like the Shimano Soare Skiphead, the Diawa Daiwa Gekkabijin Salt Water light hook jigs, both at 1 gram. Lately I've been using the Eurotackle Micro Finesse Soft-Lock Tungsten Jig Heads. Also use the TM short shank and long shank jigs and tons of other 1/32 and 1/64 oz ball head jigs (Mr. Crappie, Arkie, etc). I catch fish with all of them, so unless I did some side-by-side comparisons, I couldn't say it makes much difference. The biggest differences in the jig heads is in the bait/lure keeper or the lack thereof. Some absolutely suck and I usually cut them off. Some work pretty well. But a lot depends on the plastic being put on the jig too.

I use ball heads 1/32, 1/48, 1/64 both plain and with reverse tang, plain for solid plastic bodies, tanged for hollow ones, although the Bobby garland 1/64 tanged work quite well with the tiny solid tails. Hook size 6 and 8 for 1/32 and 8 for the smaller sizes. I like the black nickel steelhead weight hooks for the plain ball 1/32 jig heads which I use mostly for crappie but occasionally tie into a larger game fish. I get unpainted jig heads and powderpaint my own all black with no eyes. That is the only color I have found that I need for the jig head. I put my variety into the plastic tail, when I need to make a change in action, color, or silhouette.

a number 10 on a 1/64 will ketch bluegill about on every peck no matter what size the bluegill are in my experience
just saying :cheers2

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ketchn

a number 10 on a 1/64 will ketch bluegill about on every peck no matter what size the bluegill are in my experience
just saying :cheers2

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Truth that. It will also take young of the year baby bass down to a couple of inches long, too. We seem to have had a very good spawn this year, they are everywhere, and they are taking the tiny panfish plastics just as well as the bluegills are. Crappies take the tinies, too, but the little hooks don't always catch in the bigger crappie mouths. Size 8 is a good compromise. Last evening that took crappies up to 10" and a 2-3 pound largemouth that also joined the party, as well as sunnies from 3-6". I have been using the Bobby Garland crappie jig heads with the reverse tang and they hold the tails real nice. I got some 1.25 tails from Brothers Baits and they work together real well on fine lines.

Very good quality jig pours. Better yet, no grub keeper barb !
Sometimes wish I had the patience and equipment.