Fishing a soft plastic-tipped jig head is one of the simplest and most effective saltwater presentations in the whole sport of angling, and this is true in both fresh and saltwater.
Now, while jig heads intended for saltwater use don’t necessarily exhibit the same variety of shapes and intended uses as their freshwater cousins, there is still quite a bit of nuance to parse.
This short post will break down some of the details.
Color
Color is straightforward enough. While some anglers opt for a naked lead jighead, others prefer to match the color of the jighead to the color of the soft plastic being used to tip it, or as a trailer.
The only advice we can offer is to experiment. Sometimes matching color may get you more strikes and other times it may not. Since painted jigheads cost more, the only way to vet value is to try a few different things.
Eye Spots
There have been studies that suggest predatory fish recognize their prey by the presence of eyes, or by eye spots, which is why so many high-quality jigheads either feature contrasted eyespots painted on, or even holographic eyes.
They’re not 100% necessary to have, but they do increase the realism of the presentation which can make the difference when fish are skittish or pressured.
Weight
The weight of the jighead you choose is, all else being equal, more important than color or the presence of eye spots.
Jigheads are available in a variety of weights, from a small fraction of an ounce for ultralight presentations, to several ounces for deepwater presentations.
Consider also that a heavier jighead may be necessary not just in deeper water, but in water with a faster or stronger current, in order to keep the presentation natural.
Jig Head Shape
The shape of the jighead is another factor that impacts the practicality of the presentation, and potentially your hookup ratio.
Round jigheads are the standard, but they’re not specialized in any way. The only real advantage round jigheads have is that they don’t have sharp corners and are unlikely to hold up on snags.
There are also bullet-shaped jigheads that sink faster than round jigheads, and which punch through weeds more effectively.
Others are flattened, so as to stand upright on the bottom. This can be highly effective when fishing for wary species, especially around structure, as the shape makes it possible to pause the plastic on the bottom with the tail sticking up, enticing any fish in the area.
Dressed or Undressed
Saltwater jigheads, like freshwater jig heads, can be either dressed or undressed. The majority of saltwater jigheads that are dressed are dressed with deer hair and for this reason are called bucktails.
The action of the hair can be so appealing to a fish that there are occasions in which you can catch fish on a dressed jig that isn’t even tipped with a plastic. They do however cost considerably more than naked jigheads.
Retainer Features
Lastly, there are some jig heads that are equipped with features that are designed to retain the soft plastic, to prevent it from fouling around, or slipping off, the jighead.
Basic features include barbs on the shank, at the base of the head, they help secure the soft plastic, but some high quality models have screw-like extensions that can be threaded through the plastic, not only preventing it from slipping off the shank, but preventing it from twisting or getting fouled.
Explore Jig Heads and Soft Plastics at Johnny Jigs
Want to see what some of these features look like? Visit Johnny Jigs. In addition to the industry’s widest assortment of slow pitch jigs, they also carry a large selection of soft plastics and the jig heads commonly used to fish them. Check out their online catalog and get in touch with them directly if you have any questions.
