Jigs

[fishallday]

I would like to hear what everyone thinks about short shank jigs vs long shank jigs...which do you like more? And why....etc!
thanks

[Fin Addict]

I generally prefer a short shank w/ a wide hook gap like a Fireball. This can vary based upon the size of the bait and whether I add plastic to slow the fall of the jig. The big hook gap is a huge advantage for higher hooking %'s. Like to run the hook in the mouth and out behind the head on fatheads and lose fewer minnows. The short shank w/ big gap on the fireball makes this easy. A tighter gap w/ longer shaft makes this type of hooking tougher if not impossible.

[John in MN]

I use both short shank and long shank jigs. Sometimes it depends on the size of minnow or leech I'm using but other times it depends on how aggressive the bite is. If the 'eyes are biting short and you can't go any lighter in the weight of the jig or don't want to use a stinger, I have better luck with the longer shank jigs because the 'eyes don't need to take in as much of the minnow to get to the hook. I usually run the hook in the mouth, out one of the gills and up through the bottom of the minnow and out the back of the minnow so the hook is well exposed. With a short shank hook, the hook is much closer to the head and you'll miss more strikes. Wide hook gaps are necessary as the size of the minnow increases in order to expose the hook out the back of the minnow.

[Jon'eye']

I use mostly long shank jigs. I find that the long hooks have some flex, this can be an advantage when fishing a snaggy area. Usually the hook will bend and free itself and then just bend it back and keep fishing. But I believe you can get a stronger hook set using a short wide gapped jig like a Fireball, because they don't have any flex to them.

Fish On!

Jon'eye'