Choosing a jig head or sinker for jig fishing
Weight plays an extremely important role in rigging jig baits. Therefore, our task is to choose the optimal load for our silicone bait. After all, the sinker (paired with the wire) is a kind of motor that sets the movement, path and play of the bait. There will be no correct action or the bait will go in the wrong place - the bite will be worse or not at all.
Choosing the optimal weight of a jig head or eared sinker
How to choose the right load itself and, most importantly, its weight?
Theoretically, the weight of the sinker should ensure that the bait is pulled at the desired depth at the desired pace with an attractive game. To be specific, it all depends on the conditions.
If we are fishing with a jig, then the sinker should first provide a classic step-by-step retrieve, that is, the bait should fall to the bottom in 2-3 seconds when paused. If a predator is capricious, it is useful to slow down the fall, for which we select a sinker a little lighter than the “norm”. If the fisherman has a zhor, you can speed up the retrieval, for which we select a heavier sinker. Naturally, everything is within reasonable limits.
Another typical option is to catch pike and perch with a light jig along the grass or in rare algae. The depth in such places is small, so we use a relatively light sinker so that the bait moves evenly or in a “pelagic step” somewhere in the water. The bite is good - we make the bait heavier and speed up the retrieve. The bite is bad - lighten the sinker and slow down the retrieve. There is no bite - we select the easiest bait to play, set the minimum sinker, which still ensures play on the fall, and make the slowest retrieve with the maximum vertical component. Here comes the long-awaited bite!
Almost the initial weight of the sinker is selected empirically for each fishing area. It depends on the depth, current speed, wind strength and is usually in the range of 5-30 g. Therefore, by analogy with the classification of fishing rods, sinkers and jig heads can also be divided into light 3-10 g, medium - 10-20 g and heavy ones - 20-40 g. However, sometimes ultra-light weights of 1-3 g, and especially heavy ones over 40 g are used.
Here are just a few general tips on sinker weight:
The greater the depth and faster the current, the heavier the load or jig head should be. Moreover, fishing from a boat requires a heavier sinker than fishing from the shore. In a strong crosswind, the line can float so much that even the heaviest load cannot be saved, and you have to change place. Therefore, when fishing, it is advisable to have a set of interchangeable weights or jig heads of different weights in order to fish in any conditions.
The weight of the cargo is also selected depending on the activity of the predator (up to ±5g). A heavy load senses the bottom better, casts further and allows for rough tackle, but when stopped it gives a quick fall, which can only tempt a hungry predator. Alas, there are fewer and fewer fish, and active biting is also very rare. Therefore, you basically need to strive for the minimum weight of the load or jig head in specific conditions so that the movement of the bait is as slow as possible, but, of course, you must “feel” this bait normally.
Jig weight selection
Date: February 24, 2015 | 396
While on a pond, a jig fisherman is faced with the question of what weight of sinker to use? An experienced master will determine this by eye, almost instantly. If the place is completely new, one or two changes of the sinker will allow him to pick up the weight of the equipment, also quite quickly. For less experienced spinning players, this point causes difficulties. So, what factors influence the choice of jig weight, what should be taken into account? We will talk purely about choosing the weight of the weight, regardless of the type of installation, be it a jig head, a swivel mount, a Texas rig or something else.
What does the weight of a jig rig affect:
- Casting distance;
- The ability to move the bait along the bottom;
— Sensitivity, ability to control wiring.
In my experience and the opinion of many of my colleagues, in each case you should strive to use the minimum possible weight of the sinker . Light weight allows the bait to sink more slowly during pauses, this makes its play more natural and attractive to fish. In addition, a bait on a light jig weight is much less susceptible to snagging compared to a heavier one.
If the depth at the fishing spot is up to 2m, there is no current, then you can fish with the most elegant microjig spinning rod, using a weight of 1-2g. As the depth increases or the current intensifies, the weight of the load also increases. The overlapping factor of depth and current also increases the weight of the equipment. It is clear that in order to move the bait normally along the bottom, in a place where the depth is, say, 5-6 meters and the current is 2-3 m/s, you need a jig weight of 30g, or maybe 40-45g. In places with a depth of 3-4m and a current of 1.5-2m, the weight can be 12-15g. This is all conditional and should be selected empirically. But that's the trend. The weight of the jig increases with increasing depth and increasing current. We should not forget that the clarity of the sensation of pulling the jig through the rod into the hand is influenced by the tackle itself (the sound of the spinning rod, the use of cord or fishing line, even the type of knots used) and the nature of the bottom. There will be completely different sensations on a hard clay or rocky bottom, on an unsteady sandy bottom and on a heavily silted bottom... And the adjustment of the weight of the weight here can be very significant, several grams, although other characteristics of the place can be identical.
I voiced the rule - the desire for the minimum possible weight of the weight. Now, about exceptions. What would it be like without them? There are cases when a deliberately overestimated weight of the sinker is used. The most obvious case is the need to increase casting distance. And, although the conditions at the desired fishing point allow us to work with less weight, we add grams to reach the desired distance. This is especially often necessary when fishing from the shore. However, from a boat you can approach the desired area of the reservoir and fish with the optimal weight.
The second situation is somewhat unusual. It is used, as a rule, with medium and large slugs, crayfish, twisters and, sometimes, vibrating tails. They deliberately increase the weight of the weight (sometimes by 2-3 times) in order to achieve a certain seismic effect when the weight hits the bottom when moving with a step. Then there is a pause, usually quite long, and again there is a sharp toss, followed by a loud drop of the lead “weight” to the bottom. When struck by a load, a cloud and a wave arise, and the vibration from the impact spreads over a considerable distance. This attracts the attention of fish, even those standing at a considerable distance from the fishing path. Showing curiosity, the fish comes closer and is now interested in the settling cloud of turbidity. And then, silicone crap flies out from there - and the fish attacks. Something like this.
When choosing the weight of the sinker, you should also take into account the weight of the bait. It is clear that the casting range, the feel, and the control of the bait’s movement depends not only on the weight of the sinker itself, but also on the size of the bait, its shape, and its weight. It’s one thing if we fish with some two-inch silicone worm, which itself weighs almost nothing and offers almost no resistance in the water. It’s a different matter if we’re fishing, say, for a large crayfish, or some kind of cuttlefish, when the bait has a fair amount of sail and gives resistance when retrieved in the water. The third case is when the bait is large enough and saturated with salts, which give it considerable weight. Sometimes you catch fish with such naturally weighted baits without a weight at all; their own weight is enough. If you fish with a weight, then when choosing it, take into account the total weight of the installation, and not just the weight. It is clear that simply adding the weight of the bait and the weight does not work. It is also necessary to take into account the windage properties of silicone in water. Let's look at an example. With a small, light and compact bait we fish in a certain place with a weight of 10g. If we put a larger bait, whose own weight is, say, 4 g, this does not mean that we will put a weight weighing 6 g and will be able to work just as well with the tackle. Most likely you will have to use a weight of about 8g. But if the bait has positive buoyancy, then everything is completely different and you have to use even more weight than with a small bait - for example, 12g.
Is there a difference between the weight of a sinker and its type: eared sinker, jig head, bullet? Yes, there is a difference. Here the weight is determined experimentally, because... The windage of a silicone bait is different on a rigid mounting (jig head) and on a hinged one.
All of the above applies to single jig rigs and does not apply to such spaced rigs as a drop-shot, retractable leash, etc. In these types of fishing, sinkers of obviously greater weight are used in order to make longer casts, to clearly tap, “hold” the bottom, to hold the tackle in a strong current.
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Categories: Rigs · Tags: Sinkers, Jig, Microjig
Choosing the optimal shape of jig head or sinker for jig
If we fish with jig heads, the range of which is quite large, choosing the optimal shape of the sinker becomes a difficult task. However, this issue has already been discussed in the article Jig heads for silicone baits, so we will not repeat it.
But there are only two options for eared sinkers - “ball” and “lentil” (a ball flattened from the sides). Which is better?
When fishing with plastic baits, both uniform and stepped retrieves are used. It is believed that when uniform, “lentils” are better, because it flows more smoothly around the water. When a ball weight flows around a ball, a small zone of turbulence is formed behind it, which can affect the play of the bait. This is probably true for rotating spinners with a ball head, where the turbulent wake interferes with the operation of the petal. But with a vibrating tail, the working part is located far behind and is almost not affected by turbulence, except with the largest loads and the smallest “fish”. At least, my practice of uniform wiring did not show a noticeable difference in the bite between ball heads and “lentils”.
But when moving jig baits in stages, the issue of the shape of the sinker is controversial. On the one hand, the ball weight seems to have an advantage over the “lentil”. After all, at the bottom the “lentil” falls on its side, the “fish” too, and the hooks often cling to the bottom. In addition, the consistent play of the bait is disrupted, because with the next pull, the load and the “fish” must “restore” to the working position, which results in the loss of part of the useful path. Therefore, if you decide to settle on one type of weight head, then the “ball” is undoubtedly more versatile.
But on the other hand, we can say that when the “lentil” falls on its side, more bottom turbidity rises and the play of the bait in the horizontal plane is diversified, which in some conditions will be useful. Whether this is true or not depends on the fish and specific conditions, so the question is still open.
Nevertheless, with even wiring, I still recommend “lentils”. There is one little trick here that I have been using for many years. If the front ear of a “lentil” is bent to one side, and the back ear to the other, then such a curved weight will give the entire bait the most natural wave-like action and make it unsurpassed.
Collapsible Cheburashka weights of different weights Reviews
Date: April 30, 2021 | 433
Modern jig fishing is unthinkable without collapsible eared sinkers “Cheburashkas” . And, literally, a few years ago - they were not yet in wide circulation, they only appeared in the arsenals of sports fishermen. But now, amateurs have appreciated the greatness of this invention! We will appreciate it too. We will give reviews on such weights in different weights and talk about their purpose.
A lead ball with a slot into which a loop of stainless wire is inserted - everything is outrageously simple. A single hook, offset hook or double hook is preliminarily attached to the wire squiggle. We insert the wire into the groove of the weight and hook it, tying the resulting installation to the spinning tackle. A silicone bait, edible, is attached to the hook. The Cheburashka weight works like an eccentric, because The groove is slightly offset to one side, this ensures that the bait will not spin. But, at the same time, the hinged coupling of the weight loop and the hook provides wide freedom of movement of the bait, making its game more lively and attractive to the fish than on a simple jig head.
Previously, before the advent of collapsible eared sinkers, it was necessary to attach the hook to the weight through winding rings. Inserting an additional link into the gear was unnecessary and inconvenient. Sometimes they unbent the rings of the hooks and put them on the eye of the weight, then clamped them. Now all this “hemorrhoids” is in the past.
What’s also pleasing is that we managed to create collapsible eared ears, both very weighty and extremely small. The gradation usually starts from 1g. All weights have weight indications on the surface, which is very convenient. Stainless spring wire is used. It does not corrode. It holds tightly in the slot, but with a little effort it can be removed without special tools. You can disassemble the weight, set another hook and immediately continue fishing. This high-speed change of hooks and lures, in collapsible weights, is especially appreciated by athletes.
Cheburashka weighing 1.5 grams
In such delicate fishing as micro-jig, not only grams, but also half-grams play a role. So, this weight has a weight of 1.5g. And such half-weights are extremely in demand for the most delicate micro-jig fishing.
Collapsible eared weight 2 grams
A collapsible eared sinker, or, as it is also called a collapsible “Cheburashka”, weighing 2g is one of the most popular sinkers and weights in sports and amateur micro-jig fishing. This is why fishermen buy two-gram Cheburashkas, literally in kilograms.
This is a very convenient sinker. He pulled out the wire curl, put on the hook with the silicone bait, and put the sinker back together in one movement. Then, we tie the weight to the fishing line directly, or hook it through a clasp. Everything is simple, fast.
The sinker is numbered. The wire used is high-quality, stainless steel with springy properties. The weights are easy to assemble and disassemble simply by hand, but they do not open spontaneously.
Weight weighing 2.5 grams
The 2.5g weight is very popular among micro jiggers. Yes, in such delicate fishing, fractions of a gram matter. So, 2.5g is sometimes used when the weight of 2g seems insufficient for quality control of the bait, and when 3g falls to the bottom too quickly. Or, half a gram more is used when a 2g Cheburashka weight does not reach the target, for example, in the wind.
Cheburashki weighing 3 grams
Collapsible eared sinkers, light-weight Cheburashkas, weighing 3g, are in great demand. When forming microjig rigs, it is this weight -3 grams that is used almost more often than others. In still water, such weights are used to catch fish at depths of 2.5-4m. If there is a current, they fish at shallower depths: 1-2 m, in weak currents - up to 2.5-3 m.
The sinker is of very high quality. The collapsible weight is a lead ball with a slot. The weight is marked and the weight is indicated. The wire bracket is made of stainless steel. This ensures that the wire does not rust or get stuck in the groove. In addition, the wire has a springy effect. Thanks to this, it is fixed securely in the weight and will not pop out spontaneously.
Collapsible weights weighing 5g
A collapsible Cheburashka weighing 5g is the borderline value between a micro-jig and a classic jig. Light baits equipped with such eared weights are extremely popular among fishermen. They are indispensable when fishing at shallow and medium depths with small and not very silicone baits.
Cheburashkas collapsible 10 grams
A Cheburashka weight weighing 10g is intended for medium jig, for fishing at medium depths. This is a very popular weight, extremely popular among anglers.
Weights for spinning 14 grams
Previously, to create jig rigs, hinged, movable rigs, eared sinkers with ears molded in tightly were used. The hook was attached to them through a winding ring, or by unbending the ring of the hook (when this was at all possible), followed by attaching the hook to the eye and clamping the ring back. But all these difficulties are behind us. Collapsible eared Cheburashka sinkers with a shifted center of gravity appeared.
Shifted center of gravity, ensured by shifting the groove for the wire trap away from the center of the lead ball.
The weight is made of lead. There is a groove for wire. The weight is marked and the weight is indicated. The wire used is stainless and springy. Such a weight is reliable and does not fall apart spontaneously. Well, the wire does not corrode or sour in the groove.
An eared sinker weighing 14 grams is used in a medium jig for fishing in very deep places.
Cheburashka for heavy jig 30 grams
A 30g Cheburashka sinker is designed for heavy jigs. With such weights they are caught in solid river holes with a current; as a rule, pike perch are caught there. Pike perch responds well to moving rigs when a narrow-bodied vibrotail or other silicone bait is attached to the hooks.
The weight is made very well. There is a clear weight imprint on the lead surface. The wire bracket is made of stainless wire of significant diameter. She won’t let you down, she won’t jump out on her own. Well, it won’t rust over time. Although, when fishing in treacherous deep snags, the life of the jig is short-lived, immediately purchase a large supply.
Conclusions and reviews
As is clear from the text, for practicing fishermen, such weights are not just a newfangled gadget, but a real technological breakthrough in the formation of microjigs, jigs and other rigs. So the reviews are purely positive. The quality of different craftsmen may, of course, vary, but all this only affects the durability and ease of assembly and disassembly. Just try to buy from different stores to choose the best one. If you don’t see such weights for sale in real retail outlets, then there is no problem ordering such products via the Internet.
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Categories: Tackle · Tags: Sinker, Jig, Microjig, Installation, Tackle, Cheburashki
