Arky jig questions

[21xdc]

A lot of times bigger bass will inhale the entire bait. When that happens and you set the hook, the blade can't collapse because it is propped up by the weed guard. Because the blade can't fully collapse it often forces the mouth of the fish open and you only skin hook the fish and lose or miss it altogether.

 I used a weed guard when I started making bladed jigs and I always seemed to lose good fish. I also would miss what seemed like solid strikes and I could not figure out why. I tried making a few without the weed guard and like magic the missed fish disappeared. Not only missed fish but the ones I lost went down to almost zero.

The only difference to those baits was the omission of the weed guard. I don't have the issue with regular jigs, only bladed ones. For me, I believe it is the weed guard not letting the blade collapse out of the way fully. That is only a guess but what other explanation could it be?

I said the same thing in less words... LOL  I've only been at the tournament and bait making game for almost 40 years... But dont take my word for anything... 

[Agronomist_at_ia]

A lot of times bigger bass will inhale the entire bait. When that happens and you set the hook, the blade can't collapse because it is propped up by the weed guard. Because the blade can't fully collapse it often forces the mouth of the fish open and you only skin hook the fish and lose or miss it altogether.

 I used a weed guard when I started making bladed jigs and I always seemed to lose good fish. I also would miss what seemed like solid strikes and I could not figure out why. I tried making a few without the weed guard and like magic the missed fish disappeared. Not only missed fish but the ones I lost went down to almost zero.

The only difference to those baits was the omission of the weed guard. I don't have the issue with regular jigs, only bladed ones. For me, I believe it is the weed guard not letting the blade collapse out of the way fully. That is only a guess but what other explanation could it be?

I don't really agree with that thought. The line should be pulling the blade forward, and if the fish would bite, the blade would be pulled forward flat. If the Blade was flopped back against the weed guard preventing the hook from working.......you'd have to have slack line......and wouldn't hook the fish anyway. I'm not trying to sway anyone one way of the other, just trying to understand how the weed guard is an issue or how it is preventing a hookup.

[bryanmc57]

When the fish comes from behind the bait, it pushes the bait forward, creating slack and allowing the blade to fold back.   Surely you've heard the expression "He knocked slack in the line".   

[Lamar]

  All I know is if you take a swim jig with a weed guard and a chatter bait with a weed guard you'll miss more fish with the chatter bait. The only difference between the two is the blade. I wish it would work better because I would love to toss it around lay downs but it's a snagging fool with no weed guard.

[Agronomist_at_ia]

Well I guess I learned something. I can’t say I’ve had any problems with hooking fish using a chatter bait with a weed guard. If I start missing them, then I’ll know what to do. Thanks for the info.