Jig Heads for Bass Lures – It’s about the Allure

Jig Heads

A Jig Heads is a hook with weight at the eye (line tie) of the hook. Some suggest the word “jig” comes from the dance called a jig as the weighted hook enables the lure to “dance” to attract a bite. There isn’t a standard classifications for jig heads but they can be broken into four functional categories based on cover contact:

Grass Contact Jig Heads: Designed to go through grass.
Rock and Wood Contact Jig Heads: Designed to come into contact with rock and wood
Bottom Contact Jig Heads: Designed to contact the bottom, typically with the hook and soft plastic pointing up.

There are also several speciality jig heads designed for specific purposes.

Why Are Jig Heads Important?

Jig Heads are important for:

Creating Initial Action: Selecting the best jig head profile and weight to produce the desired lure action as the lure descends to the bottom either after the initial cast or during a hop retrieve.
Contacting Cover: Selecting the best jig heads that are designed for specific cover to help minimize snags.
Enabling Lures to Look Natural: When high lure visibility, selecting jig heads to provide or enhance the lure action natural look.
Imparting Lure Action: Select jig head to create desired lure action.
Function-Based Line Tie On: Selecting the jig head with the best eye (line tie) location for tying on line depending on lure function.

Jig Head Options

In some cases, the name of the lure type is the same as the name of the jig head, for example a football jig head is part of a football jig lure. The following are common names for jig heads (not lure types) based on cover contact:

Grass Cover Jig Heads: Designed to not get snagged in grass cover.
- Swim Jig Head [Figure 1] Typically, designed to look natural while enabling the soft plastic action.
- Bullet Jig Head: [Figure 2] Streamlined and shaped like a bullet will cut through water quickly.
- Prop Jig Head: [Figure 3] Propeller attached to the jig head to create flash, vibration and lure action.
- Pointed Jig Head: [Figure 4] Pointed head enabling the lure to go through grass cover.
- Darter Jig Head: [Figure 6] Designed to mimic bait fish sometimes described as streamlined and bullet-shaped. Some suggest it is good for current.
Common Lure Examples: Swim Jig, Alabama Rig, Spinnerbait

Rock and Wood Contact Jig Heads: Designed to come into contact with hard cover (and hard bottom).
- Rounded Jig Head and Ball Jig Head: [Figure 7] Common for contact with rock and wood. Quick fall rate with minimum action.
- Football Jig Head: [Figure 8] The jig head resembles a football with the eye in the center with the wide design to help ensure the hook and soft plastic stay up off the bottom.
- Rugby Jig Head: [Figure 5] The jig head is a cross between a ball head jig and a football head jig which is referred to as a rugby jig head – some suggest it is better if targeted grass and rock.
Common Lure Examples: Football Jig,

Bottom Contact Hook Up Jig Heads: Designed to keep the hook and soft plastics pointing up off the hard bottom.
- Flat Jig Head: Common when contacting the bottom as the hook will stay off the bottom when the jig head is on the bottom.
- Stand-up Jig Head & Erie Jig Head: [Figure 9] With a flat bottom they can lie on the bottom stationary and provide the hook a 45 degree angle. The flat bottom will also reduce the fall rate.
- Arkie Jig Head:[Figure 10] The Arkie jig head typically has a round or slightly bulbous head design. This shape enables it to navigate through cover and structure while reducing snagging.
- Mushroom Jig Head: [Figure 11] Rounded head resembling a mushroom.
- Aspirin Jig Head: [Figure 12] Shaped like a pill with flat sides.
- Glider (Slider) Jig Head or Wobble Jig Head: [Figure 12] Flat and curved designed to fished above grass or dragging on soft bottom. They also help adding action to the lure
Common Lure Examples: Shaky Head, Wobble Head

Speciality Jig Heads:

- Swing Head: [Figure 14] More of a description of how the hook is hinged to the jig head allows the hook and soft plastic to move more freely providing more natural lure action. Note: The type of the actual jig head will vary.
- Underspin Jig Head: [Figure 15] Blade attached to the bottom of the jig head. Note: The type of the actual jig head will vary.
- Tube Jig Head: [Figure 16] Feature rounded weight and longer hook designed for tube lures.
- Scrounger Jig Head: [Figure 17] Less common, as its big bill or lip on the jig head creates a wobble swimming lure action.
- Shaky Jig Head: [Figure 18] Feature of wire and spring to hold a soft plastic and is designed to keep the hook and soft plastic trailer off the bottom.
- Floating Jig Head: [Figure 19] Jig heads the float.
- Airplane Jig Head: [Figure 20] Jig head with wing.

Additional Considerations

Eye (line tie) Location: Eye, where you tie the fishing line, is typically described as being at 0 degrees(horizontal), 30 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees
- Horizontal Hook Eye (0 Degrees): Also called straight line, are jig heads with the jig head inline with the hook shank. Some suggest a horizontal jig enables easier ripping off snagged grass.
- 30 Degrees: Eye is towards the front of the jig head some suggest is better for swimming a lure.
- 60 Degree: Eye is towards the front of the jig head some suggest is better for swimming a lure or bouncing off the bottom.
- Vertical Hook Eye: Also called 90 degrees, some suggest vertical presentations. Also, some suggest that 90 degree will help avoid snags when coming into contact with wood and rock. Examples include jighead minnow and some hair jigs.
Weight Material: Common for lead or tungsten.
Fall Rate: Beside the jig head weight the shape will affect the fall rate with thinner jig heads having a faster fall rate.
Eyesballs: Some suggest eyeballs on the jig head when matched with soft plastic and some suggest no eyeballs look more natural.