Small jighooks for stickbaits?

[panger]

I've heard from here and there that some guys are using small hook size jigs (like size 4) for their stickbaits to get a better action out of them. I personally have been using larger hooks in size 1 or 1/0.

Does anyone here use small jigs for their sticks? What is the difference in the action and does it affect your hookup rate?

[captn' squinty]

yea i do,

size 2 & 4. does nt seem to affect it too much. but then again i could give u a better gauge when i try using more size 1 jigs. somedays the fish are hooked up solid, others they just miss the hook all the time. tell me ur results when u trial the smaller hooks:)

[Bear]

I personally don't use anything bigger than a size 2 and really prefer the size 4 that Matty produces.

With both flatties and bream it doesn't seem to have made a big difference to hook-up rates.

[captn' squinty]

bear,

what do u mean by "the size 4 that Matty produces." ???
does he make his own? im curious cos i make my own too, but not from molds. i use split shots and aberdeen hooks. just wanted to see if there were other anal types like myself out there!!! :D
SQUINTY

On a recent trip down south I tested this exact idea.
I was using Size2 and Size 4 JiggyJigs.
The Size 4's had a LOT more action than the Size 2's. The hook up rate didnt seem to change at all. For even more action I changed to the Size 4 1/32 JiggyJigs and noticed a big increase in the amount of hits.
Definately worth doing IMO. The action really does get better with the smaller hooks and jig.

HTH

Dave

[panger]

Kingpin,
thanks for the feedback, I'll definitely give that a go. That actually makes me think about just 'nose hookin' the stickbait with a suicide hook like those yanks do.

Squinty,
I also have started making jigheads with splitshots to save some money (and I like some tinkering around). However I now buy jighooks instead of fiddling around with bending an ordinary straight aberdeen. Saves a fair bit of hassle.

[captn' squinty]

hey panger,

im a tinkerer too! im sure i couldnt have bought all me nice gear without making my own jigs, seeing as im out fishing atleast 2-3 days a week if the weather permits. so i go through alot of gear. the beauty with my own jigs is they dont break the weaker SPs as easily. i make wire barbs, unlike most jigs with lead collars. another thing is i can make the jig as light as i want. and as king pin has suggested with the stick baits sometimes it makes all the difference.

maybe with these baits the subtlety is key, so less weight (hook or lead) makes them flutter more enticingly on the drop. inducing those aggressive strikes these lures are known for.

so maybe your lead in following the YANKS aint a bad idea. might try it myself. no jig head, just a hook, maybe peg a weight someways up the leader so the SP has a more natural presentation.

SQUINTY

[corey]

I use a 2 or 4 Gama Round I found the shorter shank has also increased my stickbait hook ups.
I started using the longest hooks I could find (like those "skip in the shade" jigs") and missed so many hits, the bream seem to "head shot" theese plackys and cause they are so soft they fold away exposing the hook right near the head

[panger]

Squinty,
I'm right there with you about using light jigs. I've only caught one fish with a stickbait on a heavier than 1/32th jig. That doesn't help me much when I want to fish deeper with a stick. I've just bought some 2g darter heads which hopefully will change things.

Panger