The proper color, size, and profile of your jig trailer can sometimes be the "make or break" to getting a bass to bite.
Take these tips with you to the water to ensure you're putting the right jig trailer in front of the fish!
Jig Trailer Color
Your lure color will depend mostly on the body of water you are fishing and what the type of bait is offered. Typically, it's best to match the color of your trailer with the color of a piece of your jig, whether that be the jig head or the jig skirt (if using one).
When fishing an area with relatively clear water opt for something in a natural color. Natural colors are browns, greens and greys. For bait selection that can be translated to watermelon, green pumpkin, and pearl.
Note: A special emphasis should be placed on green pumpkin. This lure color is the most dominate in the sport of fishing and is a primary color for the large majority of anglers.
If the water is a bit on the murky side with low visibility start with jig trailers that are either black or a vibrant color. Black especially, is a great color choice in murky waters because of the contrast it provides for the fish.
Once you've fished your own body of water enough, you'll find out that there is one color that will always perform better than others so don't be afraid to experiment and really get a good understanding on what it is that the fish want.
Let's use Lake Okeechobee in Florida as an example - just about all year-round anglers will throw baits in the "black and blue" pattern. It doesn't completely make sense but the bass love it! You may find out with enough time on the water that your fishery is similar and has that one color that will always put fish in the boat.
Tip: If you're ever in the mood to switch things up and try something new get yourself some scented chartreuse dye (https://amzn.to/3PpErqv). On your next fishing trip grab some of this stuff, dip just the tail or claws of your soft plastic lure into the dye for about 5-10 seconds and let the results speak for themselves.
So read with caution and be sure to understand your body of water and find out what works best for you!
Jig Trailer Size
The rule of thumb on trailer sizes is to start small and work your way up in size.
A small trailer makes for a much less intimidating bait to a largemouth.
Consider a jig like the Booyah 1/2 oz (https://amzn.to/3yFTo1D)
These jigs are great for fishing with trailers ranging anywhere from 2" - 5" which covers just about all soft plastic jig trailers. They include your standard weed guard as well as a rattle (which can be removed).
Shoot for starting out with something like a 2"- 3" crawfish or minnow imitation and size up from there. That smaller profile trailer may be all it takes to get the fish to start biting.
If you notice that you're catching nothing but small fish that you can't take with you to the scales, then start doing some trial and error with those larger/longer trailers and work up from there.
Jig Trailer Profile
When we're talking about trailer profiles we're talking about the type of soft plastic bait you're using. For example, the Berkley PowerBait Chigger Craw (https://amzn.to/3LxAME9) is one trailer profile and the Zoom 3" Fat Albert (https://amzn.to/3yGoRB2) is another trailer profile.
A few factors can have an impact on the jig trailer profile you choose to use. The most important of these is water temperature which is what we will focus on here.
Warm Water Temps
In the warmer months bass tend to remain more active and will feed more often which allows an angler to throw baits with more action. This is a time to consider a bait profile with lots of action like the Berkley PowerBait Chigger Craw (https://amzn.to/3LxAME9).
The Chigger Craw includes very thin claws that provide a lot of action in the water which in turn produces a lot of vibration. Even if the bass don't see it, they will feel the lure on your retrieve. Berkley also does a great job infusing scent into their soft plastics which is one more reason to equip your jigs with these baits.
The same can be said about the Strike King Rage Tail Craw (https://amzn.to/3sDEIfV). Both trailers are great for warm water conditions and provide a lot of vibration when fishing bodies of water where crawfish are a main food source.
If minnows are your fisheries primary food source for bass opt for something along the lines of the Fat Albert (https://amzn.to/3yGoRB2) or a paddle tail swim jig lure such as the Zoom Swimming Fluke (https://amzn.to/3FPWiCx).
Cold Water Temps
The mood of a bass will change drastically once water temperatures start dropping into the late fall and winter seasons. During colder water temperature months bass will slow down their feeds and their overall movement.
This is the time of the year really slow down you're fishing and present a lure that doesn't spook the fish with a whole lot of action but instead piques their curiosity.
This can be accomplished by choosing jig trailer profiles that have subtle movement to them.
Consider equipping your jig with a YUM Wooly Bug (https://amzn.to/3FNkINb) trailer. Unlike the Chigger Craw, a Wooly Bug soft plastic has very subtle movements when retrieved yet presents the fish with an all-round great creature bait profile.
If you need a minnow imitation for the colder months consider a worm-based trailer profile. No, it's not technically a minnow but a bait like the Roboworm (https://amzn.to/3wfgLgZ) when used on a jig can really give the impression of a dying bait fish.
The great thing about the Roboworm is that it floats. That works in your favor when fishing colder months when bait fish become more lethargic and even begin dying off. The floating worm gives the impression of a bait fishes body going belly-up.
The important thing to remember about this time of year is to keep your retrieve slow. However, when you get a bite hang on cause there's a good chance it could be a big one!
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