Jig Trailer: Choosing the Right One for Any Situation

There are a lot of ways to go about catching fish. Different fish respond well to different techniques like fly fishing, trolling, and drift fishing. However, in recent years, one fishing technique has gained traction as a low-cost, high-level technique that works on both freshwater and saltwater. 

Jigging is a technique that revolves around using a very specific, soft-plastic lure called a jig.

The jig closely resembles small prey found in the water and comes in many different shapes and colors. The technique also entails moving the lure in a jerky, vertical motion to mimic an injured fish. Its versatility is popular with many anglers as a variety of fish, both freshwater and saltwater, are highly receptive to the technique. Unlike other techniques, jigging can be used in a range of depths from 30 to 250 meters and can be done on a boat, onshore, and even from a low-hanging cliff. 

Despite its versatility, its effectiveness may come at a cost (literally). Jigging poles can go from about $200 to around the $800 mark depending on what you get. It’s good to do research into what equipment you need in order to not overspend and get the most use out of what you bought. Lures, in general, are cheaper but will have different uses. In order to choose the right one it’s best to know what you need for every occasion. When talking about jigs, jig trailers are also equally important. Trailers are attachable bait imitations that can even mimic bait movement. They are also good at hiding the hook. Though not explicitly needed, they are still heavily recommended by many anglers. 

Here are Some of the Popular Jig Trailers 

Chunk Trailers

When fishing in cold water, these types of trailers are best used since the whole point of jigging is to mimic prey. The chunk trailers’ minimal movements are much more suited to the cold temperature than the warm temperatures of water. Chunk trailers are used when sluggish, less-active bass are looking for easy prey. These trailers are small; measuring about 3 inches and resembling the pork rinds that were commonly used by fishermen decades ago. In the type of season where chunk trailers are mainly used, fast-moving lures look unnatural to predators. However, there are also two types of chunk trailers to choose from. Curly-tailed chunks are mainly used by those fishing in water temperatures of 60F to 70F while those in colder conditions should opt to use a straight-tailed chunk. 

Craw Trailers

These next trailers are probably the most common out in the market. Craw trailers, as its name suggests, are modeled after crawfish. These are helpful for anglers trying to catch bottom-dwelling fish, as crawfish are the prey they generally hunt, making them popular for anglers to use. Most craw trailers are at an average of 2 inches in size. They’re made out of soft, rubbery plastic and come in a variety of different colors. These jigs tend to have a lot of action when moving vertical, either when sinking or when being reeled in. It’s also good to mix trailers and jigs with the same colors in order to blend in the hook. When doing that, it’s easier to conceal the hook connected to the jig.

Swim Jig Trailer

There are a few things to consider when choosing a good swim jig trailer. There are many types of swim jigs in different shapes and sizes, all mimicking different bait fish. It’s best to match the type of prey commonly found in the area you’re fishing in. Both the singletail and paddle tail swim jigs emulate the shad well. Trailers that provide more action are mainly good for fishing in warmer waters. It is also good to match the color of the prey you’re looking to emulate, as it helps entice the fish you’re trying to lure, even better. Dirty water should have anglers using contrasting colors - either super deep or bright colors like purple or chartreuse. It’s also good to note that compared to traditional jigs, the swim jig works best when swimming horizontally.

Grub Trailer

These next trailers come in two variations, the single and double-tailed grub. Looks-wise, the single tail resembles a ribbon tail worm albeit just a bit shorter. Like the chunk trailer, these ones offer minimal movements making it a viable option for fall and winter fishing. However, unlike chunk trailers, these ones still have a soft flapping action during movement. So although leading more into cold temperature fishing, it is still versatile enough to be used in slightly warmer conditions. It’s good to use a grub trailer with neutral-colored jigs like white, silver, and gray, in order to make it look similar to most bait jigs. 

Creature Trails

They are named for their lack of resemblance to any animal. Creature trails come in an assortment of styles and gimmicks. They have claws, tentacles, antennae, fins, and many more protruding parts. They sometimes look like a mix of crawfish and squid. They are also made to not give any motion when sinking, making them appealing for slow-moving bass mostly seen in fall or winter. Most creature trails use the beaver trail as its basis, which for its time was very innovative. They have a soft gliding action when being reeled in. Because of its many protruding parts in some variations, anglers try to customize their trails for what fits best by cutting certain parts.

Pick and Choose the Right Jig for You

It may seem daunting to pick from a wide selection of both jigs and their trailers. But their versatility cannot be questioned and in fact, lets you choose from any jig and trailer combination without sacrificing too much efficiency. Anglers, be warned, however, that jigging is considered a more advanced technique. Other anglers recommend consulting a guide, teacher, or anyone well-exposed to jigging as it may be tough to do for the first few times. In the end, using specific equipment does not guarantee a bite each time. Though it may help your chances, the real thrill of fishing is a combination of experience, skill, and know-how in relation to the unpredictability of fish.