Weighted Hook vs Jighead: When to Use Each One
- By: Pat Ogletree
- on
Belly-weighted rigging hooks like the Hoss Helix and front-weighted jigheads like the Hoss Weedless Football are great ways to present your soft plastic lures to fish. Does it matter which one you choose?
Yes, and when you’re getting started, it can be challenging to know exactly when to use each style. In this video I’ll show you both rigging options and walk you through how to determine the right conditions to use each one.
Weighted Hook vs Jighead
Essential Gear
- Lure: Mulligan Paddletail
- Rigging 2: 1/8 oz 3/0 Hoss Helix
- Rigging 3: 1/4-oz Hoss Weedless Football Jighead
Key Takeaways
Weighted rigging hooks like the Hoss Helix…
- Come in lighter weight options, making them appropriate for shallower fishing.
- Create a gliding action on the fall that is effective for covering shallow water quickly.
- Are best for shallow water and light currents.
Jigheads like the Hoss Weedless Football Jighead…
- Come in heavier weights and can be fished to depths of 100′ or more.
- Drop straight down on the fall and are easier to keep close to structure.
- Are best for deeper water and heavier currents.
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Hey Pat, did you put the link to the jig/hook details? Also, I’ve recently tried the HH weighted hook at a 6-7′ depth bridge fenders and pilings with live shrimp. I used to use a Carolina rig or bullet slip weights. These were better, feel the bite much better and presents live shrimp really well and i literally didn’t loose a hookup. Solid hook and design
I agree, the lighter weight makes the whole rig more sensitive. I did put the link in the description above, it’s under essential gear. But here it is just in case:
https://www.saltstrong.com/shopify-sso/product.php?shopurl=https://fishstrong.com/products/salt-strong-hoss-helix-hooks
Thanks Pat. Good information there. 90 percent of the time I’m using either 3/16 Hoss. Or 1/4 oz zman jig head. When it’s super flat and less than 2 ft do you recommend just a worm hook with no weight or a1/8th hoss? Thanks!
Depends on the sink rate you want and how fast you want to work the lure. If you are in an area where the fish are lethargic and want a slow presentation, weightless is tough to beat. But if you are on the search, it’s a slow way to cover ground. A 1/16 or 1/8 oz is a good compromise
Nice video Pat. I used a 1/8 Hoss Helix with a soft plastic Mirrolure provoker aggressively as a top water lure this weekend and it was quite effective in a couple of feet of water.. I also caught with the same rig jigging slowly on the bottom too.
Unfortunately, I missed getting a couple of larger reds into the boat with the weedless hook and an Alabama leprechaun. I had both hooked up for a minute but lost them. With the weedless hook should I be maybe setting the hook a lot harder or trying to set the hook with a sideways strike to get a better hook set?
I was using a Bulls Bay Sniper medium fast rod which should be man enough, so I am thinking it is operator error.
Anyone have some advice?
Never fun losing a fish is it? I always set the hook hard unless its an exposed hook lure. If you can get away with a jig head like the round eye, your hook up ratio will be better.