Spro Bucktail Jigs: How To Rig Them & Where To Use Them
- By: Tony Acevedo
- on February 18, 2021

Here’s a fun fact: in World War 2, each soldier in the U.S. Navy got a white bucktail jig and a handline.
Bucktail jigs have been around a long time and they’re proven to catch fish.
Everything from redfish, seatrout, snook, flounder, and tarpon will hit them.
And in this video, I’m going to give you a rundown of the Spro bucktail jigs, including:
- Where to use them
- How to rig them
- And a certain feature I especially like about them when using trailers
Check it out below!
Spro Bucktail Jig Review [VIDEO]
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Click here to get Spro bucktail jigs from our shop
I typically use bucktails in deeper water around:
- Docks
- Pilings
- Bridges
- Inlets
That’s not to say I won’t use them on the flats, but I just use them more in deeper water.
And my favorite way to rig them is with a trailer, especially a lure that makes a lot of vibration in the water, like a paddletail.
Which leads us to one of my favorite parts of the Spro bucktail jigs: the keeper.
They have a single wire keeper that does a great job of keeping soft plastics in place, especially Z-Man lures.
Just slide the lure up over the keeper, then pull it back to get it snug on there.
Also, when you rig these jigs with a trailer, that makes the hair flair out even more, which can give it better action under the water.
Conclusion
Bucktail jigs can catch just about every species of fish.
I prefer to use them in deeper water around structure rigged with a paddletail as a trailer.
You can get the Spro bucktail jigs from our shop here:
Have any questions about these jigs?
Have you used them before?
Let me know down in the comments!
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STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
Thanks for the great tip Tony! I bought 4 of these a few weeks back and will be trying your tip with them.
My pleasure Ricardo!
How about some comments on the retrieve. I have a feeling that I am not presenting baits properly even when I have them properly rigged.
Hey Mark!
I plan to have a separate video on the topic coming soon!
There is really 2 main retrieves. You can jig it along the bottom or do a constant steady reel. The speed will vary depending on how active the fish are. If it’s really cold or really hot, slow it down. If temps are comfortable speed it up a bit.
Hi Tony, Thanks again for the great advice and instruction!!
Tight lines,
Bob
You’re welcome Bob!
I loved the video Tony! I do have a question.. How are you working these Spro bucktails? A steady movement of the rod tip upwards, and then let it fall? Straight retrieve once it is just above the bottom/structure? They are generally much heavier than my usual jigheads and I am not sure if I should be popping them or not. Thanks again!
Hey Cody!
I will have a separate video on how to retrieve them, but you are on the right track. You can jig it along the bottom, do a straight steady reel, or do a slow rise and fall. The speed will vary depending on how active the fish are.
Enjoyed your vid Tony. If I could have only one lure it would be a white bucktail. Have fished them for past 40 years here in southeastern NC.
Thank you for the great feedback Jim!
Similar to jig heads, can we get a size/depth chart?
We can definitely put something together! It would be pretty much identical whether it’s a buck tail jig or jig head.
Sure but this would be expanded for higher weights?
Actually “Sailors”, “Soldiers” are Army.
I believe the jigs were Bill “Upperman” jigs we now call Butterbean jigs and included in survival kits for down Aviators, perhaps others.
Really enjoy your stuff!
Bill Scheider
Thank you for the awesome feedback Bill!
I would like to know how to retrieve these jigs as well. Please advise.
Hey John!
I will be making another video on that topic.
There are really 2 main retrieves. You can jig it along the bottom or do a constant steady reel. The speed will vary depending on how active the fish are. If it’s really cold or really hot, slow it down. If temps are comfortable speed it up a bit.
Thanks for another great video. Whenever I want to catch a fish and everything else fails I always have success using this combination hands down my favorite. Also I have to say any color works as long as it is white
You’re welcome Barry!
Can’t go wrong with a white lure!
I’ve said it before.. And I’ll say it again.. You’re the man Tony. thanks for the video!
My pleasure Robert and thank you for the kind words!
I’m quite new to saltwater fishing, and am wondering what type of retrieve with these buck tail jigs you would recommend in shallower grass flats and in 5-10 ft areas.
Hey Darryl! I have another video coming soon showing different ways to retrieve these.
You can either bounce them (jig them) along the bottom, do a straight slow steady retrieve, or do sort of a lift and drop (where you just slowly raise the rod tip and then let the lure fall)
I have the same question.
I have been using Spros for years and NEVER realized that they have a keeper. Thanks
You’re welcome Antonio!
So glad I an a member ! Just had my 1 yr anniversary. You guys are doing great!
Thank you for the support Antonio! Glad to have you on board!
I’ve used them for years and never been disappointed. I would say they are the most universally effective of artificial lures and the spro design as opposed to many others I’ve tried, just seems to attract way more fish. Make sure you use a loop knot for greater action. I’ve even caught Sheepshead with them which normally never go for any artificial bait. Snook and flounder love them. Glad you are encouraging their use.
Thank you for the great feedback Mike!
Good info. Been doing this for years. Works well. I do recommend a weedless bucktail if working the flats. This technique catches a variety of fish and for some reason, I have been able to avoid those pesky catfish which is great.
Good stuff Nick!