Eyes on Jigs Question?

[George Cawthorn]

Hi to all Prostaffers!!

I’ve only had four years fishing experience and very limited experience with jigs.

Having read and heard several times that jigs for the most part are an imitation crawdad presentation I’m a little curious as to why I see so many different types of jigs with eyes on the lead heads of the jig.

With a twin tail trailer or clawed trailer on the front, this would put the eyes on the jighead at the tail end of the crawdad as a presentation.

Besides the swimming jigs, why for example on some of the flipping jigs and spider jigs like the Eakins jig, which I thought was a craw impersonator, would you want eye spots on the jighead?

I’m clueless on that one.

Good fishing to you guys, later.............. geobass

[brendanc]

Geo,

Great question. I'd like to start with an observation.

I live on Long Island and although we have ponds with crayfish, there is a heavy sunfish population (Blue Gill, Pumpkinseed, etc.).


(Bluegill)

(Pumpkinseed)
The color jigs I almost always use more closely mimic a pumpkinseed. Black/blue/purple Jig with a black/blue trailer, or a green pumpkin/melon pepper trailer.

When using a big profile jig and swimming it, I truly believe that bass mistake the jig for a pumpkinseed. If you have the right trailer (pork trailers really mimic a pumpkinseed tail well) and swim it, you will see what I mean.

So back to your main question about eyes on jigs. Once a jig is being presented in a horizontal manor, eyes can only add to the illusion that the jig is a "fish" more so than a crayfish. I had read a study a while ago that discussed the importance that eyes play in predator prey encounters. (I wish I could remember the reference material) The main observation was that predators almost always go for the head of their prey when attacking. It was observed that a bass would make eye contact with their prey to identify the head before striking. The study went on to discuss how adding eyes onto any fish imitation lure could increase your chances for success.

It is the same principal as putting red lines near the gill area on baits, it give the bass something to key in on when striking.

You also asked about flipping jigs and why would you want eyes on a jig that is not going to be used to swim through the water. Well, take a look at this photo:



Ever sit and watch sunfish for a while? When they root around looking for something to eat, they are vulnerable. The photo above is of swimbaits that were designed to mimic bluegill/pumpkinseed that are feeding on bass eggs during the spawn. The idea is to throw one of those suckers into a spawning bed and hold on for your life! You can get the same effect by using a jig that has eyes on the head (which would be the tail if you were trying to imitate a crayfish). Bass usually will not take to much time to insect a lure when they are in an aggressive mood. They see the shape, color and key in on that eye and then they strike.

Bottom line, it can only help, not hurt. However, I truly believe and have heard many other anglers and biologist who have discussed the importance of eyes on lures... they all prefer eyes over no eyes and my success during certain times of year has increased when I began using various lures including jigs that have eyes on them.

One final tip... when using a jig with eyes, try to imitate a sunfish more than a crayfish and you should increase your success.

Again, great question!

Brendan

[George Cawthorn]

Thanks for the great explaination of that point Brendan.

So now as I understand it as a sum up.... the jig is like a double barreled shotgun!!
(my favorite kind is the sawed off....LOL)

Hey! Ya know what? I didn't believe a grown man could get so excited to see a bag of Zoom Green Pumkin twin tail grubs arrive in the mail. Yep, I've been doing my homework and paying attention to all the great info given on my last two questions about jigs.

I am well armed and ready to go fishing this Saturday at Castaic..... I'm just getting into this jig fishing style but I can tell ya with all the help and tips you guys have been giving me, my confidence level is way up.

Thanks for all the help guys, I really appreciate it.

BTW I've learned more from the Prostaffers of BassinUSA about bass fishing in a month than I have at some other fishing websites I go to in a year. This website is great!!!

I will definitely let ya know with a report if I score well at Castaic this weekend!

[brendanc]

Hey, thanks for the compliment and we're looking forward to your post...

[johnnie crain outdoors]

Geobass, Brendan has nailed this one right on the head. The bass do look for the eyes. I like for any lure I'm using except plastic worms to have eyes, if they don't I paint them on. On the jig, the eyes would help the bass key on the head of the bait so that the bass doesn't simply tear off the trailer or bite it and let go. Keep up the great posts. Johnnie