jigs

[Fishaholic]

So I am going to tie my own steelhead and salmon jjigs. what size should I get? Should I find the closest size jig to the ones I would buy at the store?

[Button Nubbs]

1/8 oz works great in all conditions

[Fishaholic]

okay now do I just look for 1/8th jigs or do I have to find a 1/8th jig with a thicker hook?

[Button Nubbs]

Preferably a jig with no collar and a thicker hook. Grab a jig off the shelf and compare it to the jig heads hooks

[Fishaholic]

okay. I have seen them just didnt know what they were for and making my own is better then spending 3 or 4 bucks on a jig

[Fishaholic]

something like this?

[Button Nubbs]

bingo

[TheHunt]

I would agree with Nubbs.  The 1/8th oz is the go to for me.  I did start out with 1/4.  I do have some in my box just incase I am in some difficult water.  But my go to's are all 1/8 and some 1/16 oz jigs

[Button Nubbs]

1/16th work exceptionally well in low, clear and cold water conditions, and on pressured fish.

[Fishaholic]

Why so small?

[Button Nubbs]

Why so small?

Extreme cold water tends to make salmon and steelhead very lethargic. It takes too much energy to digest a bigger meal. Cold water often means clear water also, steelhead tend to be spooked of larger baits in clear water. The biggest factor imo is the presentation being natural, lighter leaders and lighter baits tend to move more naturally in the current. When the water is up and off color or steelhead green they tend to be aggressive, sometimes you have to bump them in the face in extremely low visibility water but they can see a long ways in clear conditions so things like leader weights don't matter as much in off color conditions. They have to make a choice, eat now or it will be gone forever but in clear water they have the option to study your bait for a while. If they see anything they don't like they're not gonna take your offering. A very good fisherman once told me, "these fish don't have hands, they only have one way to check things out." make them curious or excited and they will eat.

[Button Nubbs]

Do yourself a favor and get bill herzogs book "color guide to steelhead drift fishing." It is mostly about drift fishing but has information that applies to all steelhead fishing techniques. The best steelhead publication imo

[BigGoonTuna]

pretty rare to see the locals using even 1/8oz jigs in the summer.  most use 1/16, and as it gets lower often i'll drop down to a 1/32oz jig(about the size of a nickel).

[Bullkllr]

Smaller, lighter jigs are generally the ones I prefer, especially in summer. If you need more weight for casting or getting deep just add split shot. Overall much more flexible than depending only on the weight of the jig.

[WSU]

Where do people buy good jig heads in 1/16 and 1/32?