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Jigheads – The Why, What and When to Use Them

You can have the best soft plastic in the world, but if it’s rigged on the wrong jighead, you’re going to struggle. Over the years, I’ve found a handful of jigheads that just ‘plain’ worked for me, not just because they look good in the packet, but because they work in real lure fishing scenarios around the UK coast.

Don’t get me wrong, I love using hard lures. I’ve got a truckload of them. But as the years have gone by, soft plastics and weedless lures are becoming the ‘go-to’ for most lure fishermen. Don’t believe me? Just go and check on any social media platform like Facebook, and check the group and pages’ posts, and you will see from the pictures of fish with lures hanging out of their mouths.

So without further ado, let’s get cracking with this post.

My Jighead Arsenal – What I Use and Why

There are so many different scenarios and ways to lure fish what whatever type of lure fishing you decide to choose. But fishing with jigheads is not quite plain sailing, you have to know and adjust to what is in front of you in terms of conditions.

Using Jigheads Over High and Low Tides

Bass fishing at high tide at night has probably accounted for a good number of fish for me over the years – in fact, I would go as far as to say the majority.

Using an exposed hook jighead has been devastating on some of those nights fishing missions. One particular night (that was initially slow), I had six fish in consecutive casts using an exposed jighead rig with a Mishna Eel. Amazing fishing. My colleague had a 65cm Bass also on a much bigger exposed jighead.

This particular area had a very small bay-like gap between a long stretch of rocks. I knew exactly where it was because I had checked it out previously. Exposed jigheads would always be my first choice of lure over a sandy bay.

The Seaweed Is a Problem As the Year Goes buy

As the season carries on through June, the tiny weed fragments seem to get worse. This is due to the sun and warmer weather, it just gets worse. This is also a proper pain in the butt for lure fisherman and for exposed jighead. They seem to rake in that weed as soon as you start turning the handle. This does seem to ease off as the tide slackens off but we would have changed tactics by then. This is where a seedless option would be the answer.

Best Weedless Jigheads

Does this solve the seaweed problem? No, not exactly, but it helps. The Xorus Texas Power jigheads are a much better option. Do they solve the problem? Again, not really, but still better than the exposed jigheads. Here’s why. As you can see in the image above, the Texas Power Jighead has a cone-shaped head, and the connector for the lure clip is right on its nose and not on its head. So it’ll hopefully cut through the weed better, but it is not a given.

So Why Not Use Weedless Jigheads All The Time?

The only reason I would opt for the exposed hooks would be if I were pretty sure I wasn’t going to get snagged all the time. For example: You could fish rocky marks (still risky) and shallower water, and if you sped your retrieve right up, you could still be ok. Sometimes, bass will chase after a speeding lure. Unfortunately, nearly all my fishing is in the darkness due to work commitments. Do what works for you – it’s that simple.

Hook up rate is better with an exposed jighead

The other advantage of an exposed jighead is that the hook-up rate is better. Earlier, I mentioned catching six fish on the trot using an exposed jighead on the Mishna Eel. However, I never mentioned that I had lost that lure after the six fish it found as a snag (I’m not complaining).

I switched to a weedless and hooked into a fish straight away, but only this time it slipped the hook. If only the fishing were a good as this all the time. The thing is, there must have been a big shoal swimming through the area I was fishing its just luck.

Fishing Off The Prom At High Tide

One of the venues we fish is off at high tide is off the promenade. This particular venue is very rocky, so using an exposed jighead is ok, although still risky because there is still a chance you could get snagged (this is where you have to use a bit of common sense).

The one thing in our favour is that we are well above sea level, so the lure should stay off the bottom. However, we tend to slow our retrieve down at nighttime, so unless you like tying on a new leader every couple of casts, I would go for weedless jigheads.

The Jigheads I Trust for Bass Fishing: My Go-To Setups

🧱 Decoy VJ-36 Violence Jighead (Weedless)

• My go-to for fishing rougher ground with soft plastics.
• Super sharp hook, great weedless design, holds soft lures tight.
• Best used with paddle tails or slim-bodied lures when I want a natural, snag-free retrieve.
• 💡 Perfect for rock marks, kelpy spots, or slow, bottom-bouncing retrieves.

🔩 Xorus Texas Power Jighead (Weedless)

• Built like a tank. Solid weight options and a robust weed guard.
• I use this when I know I’ll be fishing into snags or tight structure.
• Great with Spindle Worms, Gravity Stick Pintails, and other slim lures.
• 💡 Use this for short lifts and drops in snaggy zones or near structure.

🐍 Xorus Texas Eel Jighead (Weedless)

• Available in both weedless and open hook versions — and I use both.
• The head shape gives the lure a lovely darting action.
• Ideal for long soft lures like sandeels or fluke-style plastics.
• 💡 Weedless version = rough ground / Exposed = sandbanks, estuary mouths.

🪝 Xorus Coyote Jighead (Exposed Hook)

• Deadly when I want maximum hook-up rate.
• Sharp as you like and great for clean-to-mixed ground.
• Works best with paddle tails or small shads.
• 💡 Use in clearer ground or when you want to maximise your strike rate.

🐟 Savage Gear Sandeel V2 Jig Head (Weedless & Exposed)

• Built to pair with the Savage Gear Sandeel V2, which is a top lure in itself.
• The weedless version is ideal for shallow reefs and kelpy channels.
• Exposed version sits better in open water or over sand.
• 💡 Use the weedless head when fishing tight to structure, exposed when fish are mid-water, and you can work it cleanly.

Choosing the Right Jighead for Bass – Based on Conditions

4. Keith’s Top Tips for Jighead Success

• Keep a range of weights in your box – conditions change fast.
• Weedless doesn’t mean 100% snag-proof, but it’s a session-saver.
• Check hook sharpness regularly (especially if bouncing over rocks).
• Match the jighead weight to lure size – too heavy and it kills the action.
• Don’t forget balance – sometimes a longer shank hook helps keep lures upright.

5. FAQ – Jigheads & Rigging

Q: What weight jighead should I use?
A: Depends on the tide and depth. 5–7g for calm or shallow marks, 10–14g for deeper or flowing water.

Q: Can I use weedless jigheads in open ground?
A: Absolutely. They’re just as effective and help avoid snags, especially when fish are close to the bottom.

Q: What size hook for 4″–6″ soft lures?
A: 3/0–5/0 depending on body thickness. Too small and you’ll miss hook-ups, too big and you’ll kill the action.

Q: Do I need different heads for different lures?
A: Ideally, yes. Certain heads pair better with specific lure shapes (e.g., eel-shaped lures like the Gravity Stick Eel work better with streamlined heads).

6. Before You Buy – My Personal Jighead Picks

Use this section for affiliate links or trusted tackle shops:

👉 Buy Decoy VJ-36 Weedless Jigheads
👉 Shop Xorus Texas Power Jigheads
👉 Xorus Texas Eel – Weedless & Exposed Heads
👉 Xorus Coyote Jigheads for Open Hook Rigs
👉 Savage Gear Sandeel V2 Jigheads (Weedless/Exposed)

💡 Tip: If in doubt, start with weedless. You’ll lose fewer lures and gain more confidence around rougher ground.

7. Final Thoughts

Jigheads are often overlooked, but they make or break your presentation. Choosing the right one for your conditions and lure isn’t just about avoiding snags — it’s about triggering bites. These are the jigheads I actually use, and they’ve saved many a blank for me over the years.