Custom Baits - Forum

Jigs, Spinnerbaits and Sinkers => Bass Jigs => Topic started by: Les Young on 07/09/23 12:29 UTC

Title: Round ball or free style jig head for swimbaits?
Post by: Les Young on 07/09/23 12:29 UTC
 Any suggestions on what will keep baits in place pretty good? I'm talking about 3 to 4 inch baits to fish in  bass feeding on shad down to 25 or so feet in deep open water at night  on straight braid. Baits like kitechs, rippers & slick shiners. I'm thinking 1'8 & 1/4 ounce. Any suggestions & who makes them? Thanks
Title: Re: Round ball or free style jig head for swimbaits?
Post by: ctom on 07/09/23 16:45 UTC
Those weights and either style of head will work ok, but I'd suggest casting them with an over-sized hook, 3/0 or 4/0. The wire keepers work pretty well. I add a drop of super glue to the keeper just before running it into the bait.  Done as such they'll hold the bait for quite a while.
Title: Re: Round ball or free style jig head for swimbaits?
Post by: bigjim5589 on 07/09/23 17:16 UTC
I agree with ctom and I really like the Freestyle because I think the eyes on them add a little to the attractiveness of those swimbaits.

However, I also like the Midwest finesse jigs with a bigger hook, like a 3/0. I pour them with a Gamakatsu 114 light wire hook in 2/0 for Ned jigs, but have also poured them with other hooks. The Mustad 32746 is a good one for example.  I like that the head positions well against most plastics.
Title: Re: Round ball or free style jig head for swimbaits?
Post by: Les Young on 07/09/23 18:11 UTC
Those weights and either style of head will work ok, but I'd suggest casting them with an over-sized hook, 3/0 or 4/0. The wire keepers work pretty well. I add a drop of super glue to the keeper just before running it into the bait.  Done as such they'll hold the bait for quite a while.
Tom you're right i don't want a light wire hook in these heads.
Title: Re: Round ball or free style jig head for swimbaits?
Post by: Les Young on 07/09/23 18:16 UTC
I agree with ctom and I really like the Freestyle because I think the eyes on them add a little to the attractiveness of those swimbaits.

However, I also like the Midwest finesse jigs with a bigger hook, like a 3/0. I pour them with a Gamakatsu 114 light wire hook in 2/0 for Ned jigs, but have also poured them with other hooks. The Mustad 32746 is a good one for example.  I like that the head positions well against most plastics.
Jim do you have any pics of these two heads that you've painted up in shad colors? Thanks
Title: Re: Round ball or free style jig head for swimbaits?
Post by: Les Young on 07/09/23 19:01 UTC
Wouldn't   a round ball head with decently heavy hook &   a screw lock   work great &   hold the bait in place pretty well too?
Title: Re: Round ball or free style jig head for swimbaits?
Post by: ctom on 07/09/23 20:32 UTC
Wouldn't   a round ball head with decently heavy hook &   a screw lock   work great &   hold the bait in place pretty well too?

Sure thing Les. I just don't like a screw lock on baits as thin as the Keitechs, Rippers and Slicks.
Title: Re: Round ball or free style jig head for swimbaits?
Post by: efishnc on 07/09/23 21:32 UTC
I've used a 1/4oz round head (on 10lb mono) with the 3.75 Thump Grub as a swimbait in clear water with great results... considering these were never designed to be used in this fashion, it has a great side to side swimming action and has tricked many a bass for me.  My point is two-fold: first, either head should suffice, especially with a drop of super glue for extra holding power; and second, I don't think the heavy hook will be all that important at 25 feet because I'm not losing any in 6-8 feet using the standard Aberdeen the mold was designed for (although I am using lighter rods and longer casts because of the clear water).
Title: Re: Round ball or free style jig head for swimbaits?
Post by: bigjim5589 on 07/11/23 15:42 UTC
Les, no sir, I don't.

This is a color combination that I like using as a Shad color, but this is the Hybrid head. I use  pearl powder and a silver/chrome type powder for the back & second color.
Title: Re: Round ball or free style jig head for swimbaits?
Post by: Les Young on 07/11/23 19:10 UTC
Jim good looking jig. Thanks