Jig Head Sizes Chart

Selecting the correct crappie jig head size chart for soft-bodied lure fishing is among the most vital things to know. Most anglers don’t want to waste time working through trial and error. Thus, you can find a solution using a fishing jig size chart.

When shopping, you’ll find a variety of jig sizes, shapes, and weights; many are used in the different soft-bodied lures. However, it’s vital to know which head size matches which lure to help you catch more fish.

You can find the best jig head size chart in our complete guide. In addition, you can learn the details to pick the right jig head based on your lure size. While it appears straightforward, there are other things to consider, such as the lure and the length of the shank. It would help if you stuck out the hook from the lure, so the wrong size means it won’t likely attract any fish.

jig head sizes, weight and types

By the end, you’ll see on the jig head weight chart what you need, and more. No matter the type of fish, there is information on how to use your rigging and settings to pick the right hook size, for saltwater or inshore fish. (Read Snap Swivel Sizes Chart)

What Size Jig Head Should I Use?

Jig head size will relate to the fish you aim to catch, so knowing a bit about it makes sense.

Are you looking to capture redfish, snook, flounder, trout, or tarpon? Now is the time to figure out the jig head size before your fishing trip.

1. Flounder

Because flounder is primarily a bottom-dwelling fish, jig head sizes must be considered. They lived their entire lives below the water’s 18-inch bottom line.

So, if you want to go flounder fishing, choose a jig head size of 18 inches to reach the flounder easily. This size jig head stays in the fish’s strike zone.

2. Trout

You can catch trout by casting the lure into deeper water. However, nearly all feed in the water column’s middle or upper reaches.

As a result, your jig heads should appear natural and require some movement to entice the speckled trout to eat the lure. If you use the wrong jig head size for the trout, the jig will not look right.

A heavy jig head will soon tumble to the bottom, which is unnatural. As a result, you must select the jig head and shiver it through the water column to entice trout to eat it.

Set your jig head size to 16oz if you wish to fish into the deepest grass flats, such as 6- to 15-feet.

If you want to fish into the deepest grass flat, like 6-feet to 15-feet, set your jig head size to 16oz.

3. Redfish

Redfish have a similar appearance to flounder, and they like to stay closer to the bottom. As a result, redfish spend their lives searching for crabs and fish to eat in the mud, mangroves, and grass.

The strike zone of redfish and flounder is the same. If you want to catch redfish, you must always keep the jig within a few feet of the bottom. A chart such as 1/8 ounce to 14 ounces in less than 6-feet of the bottom can be followed in this scenario. It would help if you used 1/4oz to 1/2 oz for over 6-feet of deeper water. (Find the Best Fish Finder For The Money)

Does Jig Head Size Matter?

The best all-around size for bass jigs is 3/8 to 1/2 ounce. If you’re fishing in deep water or heavy cover, you may go up to 2 oz, and if you’re throwing a finesse jig, you can go down to 3/16 oz.

Bass jigs are designed to be used in various situations, from open water to dense cover and depths ranging from 3 feet to 50 feet. Of course, the best size to utilize depends on the conditions you’ll be fishing in.

The jig weight size table shows the proper weights for the most popular bass jig variants and the best fishing applications.

We’ll look at each jig individually to see what weight you should use for each.

1. Casting Jig:

They are designed as a basic multi-purpose jig for various everyday tasks. The flat bottom jig head is its most distinguishing feature, allowing it to rest on the bottom with the tail protruding upwards.

The sizes vary from 3/8 to 1/2 oz, the optimal size range for most conventional jigging applications.

2. Football Jig:

They are designed for fishing for offshore bass in deeper water between 10 and 50 feet on a rocky bottom. The size range is 1/2 to 1 1/2 ounces.

Choose a weight corresponding to the depth of water you intend to fish in — the heavier the weight, the deeper the water. (Read Anchor Sizing Chart)

3. Flipping Jig:

The flipping jig comes in a 3/8 to 3/4 oz size range and is designed to produce short casts by flipping or pitching near to dense cover.

Choose the weight based on the thickness of the cover you’ll be penetrating and the fall rate you’ll need to achieve.

4. Punch Jig:

They were designed with a large lead or tungsten head to pierce the densest vegetation, such as tangled grass beds and laydowns.

The size ranges from 3/4 to 2 oz, depending on the thickness of the cover that needs to be broken through. It has a strong weed guard, making it ideal for fishing heavy cover. (Read 5 Best Hunting And Fishing Apps)

5. Swim Jig:

Designed to be fished at a higher water than other jigs. It comes in sizes ranging from 3/16 to 3/4 oz, and the size you choose should be based on how high you want to fish it in the water column — the higher you go, the lighter it should be.

6. Finesse Jig:

Designed for light fishing tactics, as the name implies. A terrific choice for fussy fish, and it also works well in cold water when the bass becomes more sluggish.

Sizes range from 3/16 oz. to 1/4 oz, so choose the weight based on the depth of the water and how slow you want to retrieve it.

Best Jig Sizes For Bass

Best Jig Sizes For Bass

3/8 to 1/2 oz. jigs are the greatest all-around jig sizes for bass. These sizes are in the middle of the range and can be used in a variety of situations.

It’s ideal to start here when new to bass fishing or fishing a new lake or river. If you’re not getting many bites, try upsizing or shrinking your jigs based on waters you’re fishing in.

How Heavy Should My Jig Head Be?

There is more to just the weight of your jig head. Here you can see how it affects or is affected by other factors.

Jig Weight and Water Depth

As you might imagine, heavier jigs are better for fishing deep water since they sink faster to the bottom.

A lighter jig is typically a better choice when fishing in shallow water with no cover, as it lets you to slow down the retrieve rate and keep your lure in the strike zone for longer so you get more on your hooks.

Effect of Jig Size On The Fall Rate

Also, evaluate the jig’s fall rate. This is vital since bass normally bite your lure hooks as it is falling, so you want to pick the perfect fall rate for triggering the most bites on your lure hooks.

A slower or faster fall rate may be preferred according to the situation. When bass are feeding aggressively, it’s essential to use the right size, where the heaviest jig possible may be best to cover more water faster.

If the bass are picky, it’s frequently best to slow down, use a lighter jig, or even switch to a finesse jig.

The Right Size Jig In Heavy Cover

Bass fishing areas in the summer can be found amid dense cover such as lily pads, grass beds, or water weeds that extend to the surface, known as “the slop.”

To get your jig through this dense vegetation and into the water between the plants, you need to use larger jig sizes, from 3/4 oz up to 2 oz.

Best Jig Size For Finicky Bass

If the bass bite on lure hooks is slow, or they swipe at the trailer of your jig, switching to a smaller, lighter jig, from 3/16 oz to 1/4 oz can be quite successful.

A smaller jig has a slower retrieve rate and a slower fall rate in the water. With more time to commit, finicky bass takes more bites. If the water drops below 60-65 degrees, the bass becomes sluggish and won’t chase a quick lure.

What Are Jig Sizes?

Your jig head weight size chart is invaluable for any fishing application. Regardless of any fishing application, whether you need the best jig head size for redfish, speckled trout, or flounder on grass flats. Jig sizes are vital to appeal as bait and cater to your hook in many areas.

You’ll need larger jig heads to catch redfish and flounder from deep docks and bridges. The fishing line has friction with the water; therefore, the deeper you go, the more friction.

Adding water current to the equation makes it difficult to get your jig to the bottom unless you increase the weight. You’ll need various jig heads when fishing in various water depths and currents.

Use 1/8 ounce in less than 6 feet of water depth, and on deep docks and bridges use 1/4, 1/2, and even 1 oz jig heads.

Jig Head Sizes

Jig Head Sizes Chart

Jig typeWeightApplication
Casting Jig3/8 to 1/2 ozBasic multi-purpose jig
Football Jig1/2 to 1 1/2 ozFishing rocky bottom in deeper water
Flipping Jig3/8 to 3/4 ozFlipping and pitching close to cover
Punch Jig3/4 to 2 ozFishing in dense cover such as tangled grass
Swim Jig3/16 to 3/4 ozFishing high in the water column
Finesse Jig3/16 to 1/4 ozLightweight tactics for finicky bass and cold water

Trout:

Speckled trout follow the bait. Speckled trout are abundant around deep docks and bridges, and as they swim in the upper water column, the optimal jig head size is 1/8 ounce or 1/4 ounce.

Dock fishing can be tricky as you need to fish a lot of them to catch fish. It could take up to 50 docks to find ones with the most fish.

Drop the anchor, load up your hook, and get fishing when you find your fish. You only need to get the bigger fish to bite. The feeding fish are there for a reason.

Redfish:

To fish deep docks, you’ll need a 1/4 or 1/2 ounce jig head and bounce your jig off the bottom to get a hit.

Pitch your jig, and slow things down to let your jig fall to the bottom where it can work its magic.

Monitor which retrieves speed gets the most bites. When in warm water, start slow and then increase. In cold water, start slowly and then slow down even more.

Cold water fish are lethargic and don’t chase too hard.
1/2 ounce or even 1 ounce of weight will get your jig to the bottom when fishing around bridges. Redfish need to be fished in the bottom 3 feet, so quickly get the jig to this depth.

These present lots of current on bridges, so use it to work the jig back to you. Most fish will face the current. (Read California Lifetime Fishing License Guide)

Flounder:

To keep your jig on the bottom in deep water, go heavy to catch flounder. For example, a 1-ounce jig head works well where you can add a skirt, shrimp, squid, or sizeable plastic lure to the larger jig heads and catch a lot of flounder.

Take plenty of jig heads when fishing areas where flounders are hanging out.

Jig Head Sizes Chart

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