Jigs..continued
The simple jig with a lead head and hook begs to be tinkered with and most bass fisherman like to add things to their lures. Jigs come in a wide variety of sizes, head shapes, weights, hook types, styles & sizes, skirt materials, colors, rattles, blades etc., that the options are unlimited. You can purchase jigs out of the box from several quality manufactures or buy supplies to make your own. One of my favorite suppliers of jig making components is Barlows Tackle in Texas, the offer everything from molds, lead melting equipment, hooks, skirt materails, paint etc..You can get as involved with making jigs as you want to or buy them. Russ Bassdozer offers both a quality product and web site with great articles on jig fishing.
My favorite pork trailer is Super Pork, however Robin is selling his business and I can only hope who ever takes it over will continue the same high quality processing. Pork trailers are a key factor when targeting big bass, if the trailer floats high and moves well in cold water. I prefer white pork trailers and trim, dye them as needed for whatever presentation. Bass tend to strike the trailer, so it is very important to have confidence with the one you choose. Vinyl, silicone, live rubber and soft plastic trailers all work well. Silicone offers you the most color combinations.
Everything aside, the most important factors to consider when selecting a jig type are;#1., The hook type, size and manufacturer. It is the hook that puts the bass in the boat! and you need the very best available, like Gamakatsu, Owner, Daiichi or Mustad Ultra. Forged, strong and extremely sharp hooks no matter what wire size the hook is made from or size of the hook. Do not waste your time or money on jigs with cheap hooks! #2 the jig head shape and weight. There are dozens of jig head shapes from the arkie head to the stand up heads, in weight from 1/125 oz to 1 1/2 oz for bass fishing. When fishing heavy cover the arkie head with a fiber weed guard is the most popular, weed cover use the grass bullet head, rocks a foothead is good and open flats with sand or gravel the stand up head is a good choice, jig and worm round or cone dart heads, etc..so many choices. The best all round jig may be the 1/2 oz arkie head w/ 3/0 hook, followed by the 1/2 football head w/3/0 hook, if you are just geeting started. Colors, now that another discussion, the basics are black, brown, green and purple. Jig trailres, that is definitely another topic.
Tom