Jigs

[thousandcasts]

Does anyone know where, in Grand Rapids, I can get some jigs that DON'T freakin' bend when I'm trying to put it to a hot chrome? Brand names and bait shops would be appreciated as at this point, I have no faith in using jigs anymore--unless there's a style out there that can actually take the way I put the wood to fish. So far, I hate using jigs for that reason!!!

[MPsteelheader]

how about not torquing down on them?:lol:

[scoot]

Al and Bob's has some (jigheads w/o marabou or anything) in little packs of five with an assortment of colors but I can't remember the name of them. Ive had the hook straighten on snags but never on a fish, in fact I dont even recall a fish ever throwing the hook. The hook is a bit large, I usually tip it with two waxies. They look a lot like the "Tippy Dam jigs" if that helps.

[gomer]

I've had good luck with the "neon tiger jigs" from jamminjigs.com. At 50 cents a piece they are hard to beat and I haven't had problems with bending. The hooks aren't that large (size 8) but they hook good. Anyone who has fished with me before knows how I like to really "clamp down" on fish...

[Sam22]

I have had luck with the tiger jigs too. I have had other Jammin Jig break on me, and I have pulled tiger jigs straight on snags (today even). I would love to hear of a jig that wouldn't break.

[Steelheadfred]

I like to land em fast too, and I have the same problem. There was a guy here in TC that made his own, pretty darn good. He moved out west though. But still the hook would break some what often.

I wish I could find some thing. I have gone to making my own using Diriki 135 hooks and fly tying bead heads or cone heads. They dont ride like I wish but they dont straighten either.

[scoot]

I havent been there in awhile but one of the guys at Brenners (Comstock Park) used to make his own for the same reason of hooks not being strong enough. I used a few and they did seem a bit tougher. Im not sure if he still makes them though.

[Steelheadfred]

I havent been there in awhile but one of the guys at Brenners (Comstock Park) used to make his own for the same reason of hooks not being strong enough. I used a few and they did seem a bit tougher. Im not sure if he still makes them though.

When I was in GR, I used some of those, good hook, not a lot of hook gap though. But strong.

Fritz

[Rat Fink]

I like to land em fast too, and I have the same problem. There was a guy here in TC that made his own, pretty darn good. He moved out west though. But still the hook would break some what often.

I wish I could find some thing. I have gone to making my own using Diriki 135 hooks and fly tying bead heads or cone heads. They dont ride like I wish but they dont straighten either.

Dont worry Fred, your jigs will be coming home with me. Expect shipment to arrive Dec 17th. The only catch is you need to pick them up at the local bar and buy me a beer.

My jigs arent anything fancy but they do catch alot of fish. Just the Standard tube style and then painted. Tip it with a ********* and a waxie and your in business. The hooks weren't the highest quality but they worked and were cheap enough that it wasn't a big deal to toss one out. The hooks had a low carbon content so they didnt bend out but they DID break on occasion. Either way they were more consistent than other jigs as I never once broke one or bent one while fighting a fish but I did when taking the hemos to them.

I'll be back in MI for 2 weeks around the holidays and I'll be all around the NW rivers C-pinning my butt off as a warm up to spring steelheading in Idaho and Oregon.

[Hex4steel]

I was using some of the "grand rapids" jigs today shag carrys downtown ......as previously stated, they do have a small hook gap but I have not noticed a difference on hookup ratio [granted using bait too big for the jig]. Caught a real nice 7-8lbr on a jig, put on more bait, hooked another fish several casts later, it straightened out. Fish off. I always check my hooks after landing fish and the hook appeared uneffected but obviously was.

Just an observation....

I would recommend making them if you have the time. You can get very creative, much like fly tying, and kick out some real producers.

Matt

[Steelheadfred]

Rat Fink, your jigs are the best I have ever used, dont straighten - but do break from time to time. But strong for the most part.

I want 24 when you get back, I will buy you a six pack and take you to a grouse honey hole.

Fred

[UBDSLO1]

There was a guy here in TC that made his own, pretty darn good. He moved out west though.
Yeah, I have bought his jigs as well.:D At one time I thought I'd go poor if I didn't limit myself with the quanity of jigs I got from Rat Fink.:D Ok, I didn't get THAT many.

[Steve]

Try our Sponsor Jammin Jigs (http://www.jamminjigs.com/) and tell them we sent ya.

[JoeC]

No matter what jig you use, they will bend. They seem to bend when the fish gets close to you, so I am particularly forgiving on the fish as it gets close...this seems to help. If you are willing to paint your own jigs, the best jig I have used is Gamakatsu tube head 25, 1/16, size 2 hook. The hook is a little larger than other jigs I have used but don't worry, they work just fine. You also can't beat the Gamakatsu hooking ability. These seem to bend much less for me, but they still do bend. I have never broken one. They are expensive, 5 fo $3.50, and difficult to find. You can order them form Bass Pro.

joec

[TheSteelheadBum]

TC Tackle makes jigs that are in my opinion the strongest hooks out there in sizes 6 and 8. He uses Daiichi hooks that to my knowledge are not available to public or at least I can not find them anywhere. Matt Straw the writer for In-Fisherman uses these almost exclusively he says in his last article on Steelhead jigs. I bought some and they are awesome. 40 cents a piece and you can get them in whatever color you can imagine. His number is 406/683-5485 He may be the same guy as Rat-Fink because he is from Montana but not sure...

[stelmon]

No matter what jig you use, they will bend.


You haven't used Rat Finks jigs, then. I have never had a single jig bend and have caught alot of fish on them. Like everyone though, I have broke them when pulling them out of a fish but that's o.k. compared to stregth of the hooks.

Hey Rat,
Looks like you are pretty busy painting jigs. If you have any extra towards the end of your michigan adventure I would be more then willing to take them off your hands:) Need some other type of jigs for then my jigs stop catching fish for me:lol: If you get here earliar then the 17th let me know. I will be up that way from the 15-16th but will probably be gone the 16th unless a bunch of us get togather at lukes cabin for a couple days after finals.

[Rat Fink]

TC Tackle makes jigs that are in my opinion the strongest hooks out there in sizes 6 and 8. He uses Daiichi hooks that to my knowledge are not available to public or at least I can not find them anywhere. Matt Straw the writer for In-Fisherman uses these almost exclusively he says in his last article on Steelhead jigs. I bought some and they are awesome. 40 cents a piece and you can get them in whatever color you can imagine. His number is 406/683-5485 He may be the same guy as Rat-Fink because he is from Montana but not sure...


Ironically I moved to Montana from Traverse City but I don not have a tackle company called TC Tackle and I am not that guy. I do plan on looking him up though as I need to upgrade jigs to fish in Idaho which is only 3 hours away for some real pacific run steel.

[Steelheadfred]

Ironically I moved to Montana from Traverse City but I don not have a tackle company called TC Tackle and I am not that guy. I do plan on looking him up though as I need to upgrade jigs to fish in Idaho which is only 3 hours away for some real pacific run steel.

I just reloaded with Rat Fink' custom jigs, have a couple different blanks on order to build this winter for the old pin, keep the one I like sell the rest.

Rat Fink's jigs are great like have been mentioned, I got 6 different colors and should be good to go for a couple seasons.

Thanks Dusty, enjoy the cheap hotel room, and drive safe back home. Maybe we will see you this spring.

[Matt Schalk]

I saw this quote on some website on and thought I'd pass it along since someone's asking about jigs:

" we are once more offering Glopedo Steelhead Jigs. We still have a limited supply of Ultra Grayling Floats (bobbers) that work excellent with our specialized mini-jigs designed for steelhead fishing - AS SEEN IN THE IN-FISHERMAN VIDEO - Steelhead Strategies. We also carry spawn tying materials and specialized terminal tackle including hooks and sinkers."

here's a link to the site: steelhead jigs (http://hometown.aol.com/slamcoinc/index.html)

[Splitshot]

Steve,

If your looking for steelhead jigs, I'll hook you up with the best. From the same guy who makes Dennis's jigs. Trust me on this one.

[uptracker]

Are you guys using marabou jigs? Any links to the above mentioned makers?

I usually just float on a single hook, but have been interested in jigs too.