LURE 101
04 Lures / Soft Plastics & Rigs / Jig Head + Soft Plastic
15 · Jighead Rig

Jig Head + Soft Plastic

ジグヘッドリグ · Also called Jig head

A single hook with a lead head molded near the eye; add a paddle tail, curly tail or other soft plastic and it swims. The simplest and most versatile soft-plastic rig, suited to almost every depth and season.

Typical depth
0–5+m
Typical weight
Jig head 1–14 g
Beginner-friendly
●●●●●
Snag resistance
●●●●●
Depth zone
Mid · Bottom
AMotion

Action Demo

FIG.1Jig Head + Soft Plastic · Steady RetrieveCrank · crank · crank · crank (constant speed)
SIDE VIEW
The dashed line traces the lure's last 4 seconds; top left shows the rod tip movement and line slack.
BHow it works

How It Works

  • The jig head provides weight and sink rate, and the soft plastic's tail (a paddle tail's “paddle”, a curly tail's curl) swings in the current to create action.
  • The lighter the head, the slower and more natural the fall, but the harder it is to feel the bottom; heavier heads are the opposite.
  • The exposed hook point gives a high hookup rate, but snags easily in cover.

Main Types

TypeNotes
Paddle tailA paddle-shaped tail that kicks side to side on a steady retrieve, imitating a baitfish.
Curly tail / grubA curled, hook-shaped tail that spins and swims even at low speed and has action on the fall too.
Craw / creatureMany appendages, imitating a crawfish; good for hopping.
CRetrieve

Techniques

  1. Steady retrieve: the standard way to fish paddle tails and curly tails, mid-depth or just off the bottom.
  2. Lift & fall / hopping: with a craw or curly tail, to work the bottom.
  3. Slow roll along the bottom: in cold water, roll a lighter jig head slowly along the bottom.
Related techniquesSteady RetrieveLift & FallHoppingSlow Roll
DWhen & Where

When & Where

● Good for

  • Almost any season and depth
  • Open areas or areas with little cover
  • When mandarin fish and bass are holding on the bottom

○ Not ideal for

  • Heavy cover (switch to a Texas rig)
ETackle

Recommended Tackle

Rod
ML–M, fast, 6'6"–7'0"
Reel
Spinning 2000–2500
Line
PE #0.6–1.0 + fluoro leader 6–12 lb

For rod power and action see 01 Rods; for line size conversion see 03 Line.

FTarget & Tips

Target Species & Tips

Largemouth BassMandarin FishTopmouth CulterSpotted Sea BassAmur Catfish
  • Rig the soft plastic straight, or it will spin in the water and twist your line.
  • Match the hook shank length to the plastic; use a longer shank when fish are short-striking.