Jigs and Jigheads

Jigs and jigheads are essential components in modern lure fishing, offering precision control, realistic bait presentation, and the versatility to target a wide range of freshwater and saltwater species. From perch, pike, and zander to bass and wrasse, jigging setups have become the go-to method for anglers who want to feel every bump, bite, and drop of their lure. Since 1988, we’ve helped UK anglers choose the right jigheads and matching soft baits to suit every venue, water depth, and fishing condition.

🎣 Why Use Jigs and Jigheads?

Jigs combine a weighted hook (the jighead) with a soft plastic lure, enabling you to fish at specific depths and mimic injured or fleeing prey. Whether you’re vertical jigging from a boat, bouncing lures across a canal bed, or working weedless setups in snags, jigs offer unmatched control and strike detection.

With the right pairing of weight, hook size, and soft lure, you can present bait naturally, maintain contact with the bottom, and stay in the strike zone longer — essential for finesse and predator fishing.


🧭 Buying Guide: Choosing the Right Jigs and Jigheads

📏 Hook Size & Weight

  • Lightweight (1–5g): Ideal for shallow canals, finesse perch fishing, or drop shot setups

  • Midweight (5–15g): All-round option for deeper lakes, rivers, or moderate current

  • Heavy (15g+): Used for strong tides, deep water, or fast vertical jigging

Match the hook size to your soft lure — too small and it won’t set properly; too large and it will ruin the lure’s action.

🧱 Head Shape

ShapeBest For
Round HeadVersatile, stable fall; great all-round choice
Football HeadImproved bottom contact, ideal for rocky or uneven terrain
Bullet HeadCuts through weed; good for casting or dragging along the bottom
Stand-Up HeadKeeps lure upright at rest — mimics feeding fish
Swimbait HeadEnhances natural swimming action, often paired with paddle tail lures

⚙️ Rigging Style

  • Standard Jighead: Hook is exposed; best for open water and aggressive fish

  • Weedless Jighead: Features offset hook or brush guard for fishing near cover

  • Articulated (Cheb or Jika rigs): Increased movement, ideal for finesse or pressured fish

🎯 Target Species

  • Perch & Zander: Light jigheads with smaller soft plastics (2–3 inch)

  • Pike: Larger heads (10g+) with 4–6 inch lures or shads

  • Sea Bass & Wrasse: Salt-resistant hooks with strong wire and weedless rigs


🔍 Key Jighead Features

  • Ultra-sharp, high-carbon hooks for clean hooksets

  • Barbed collars to securely hold soft plastics in place

  • Textured or painted heads to match lure colour or mimic prey

  • Wire or screw locks for extra bait grip on aggressive strikes

  • Saltwater-safe coatings to resist corrosion in harsh conditions

  • Glow-in-the-dark or UV accents for low-light fishing


🔧 Matching Jigs with Soft Plastics

Soft Lure TypeIdeal Jighead Style
Paddle TailsRound or swimbait heads
Creature BaitsBullet or stand-up heads
ShadsFootball or articulated heads
Finesse WormsWeedless or Cheb rigs
Grubs/TwintailsStandard round heads

💡 Expert Tips for Jig Fishing

  • Always match jighead weight to depth and current – too heavy and you’ll snag; too light and you’ll lose contact.

  • Use braid mainline with a fluorocarbon leader for maximum bite detection and minimal visibility.

  • Switch colours in low light or coloured water – chartreuse, pink, or glow jigs can trigger more takes.

  • Cast and let the jig fall – most bites come on the drop.

  • Sharpen your hooks regularly – especially after fishing rocky venues or snags.


⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using mismatched hook sizes – a poor fit will ruin the lure’s action or reduce hookups.

  • Fishing too heavy in clear or shallow water – can spook fish or snag easily.

  • Not adjusting weight with conditions – wind and depth changes require quick adjustments.

  • Forgetting about hook gauge – thick hooks need more force to set; lighter hooks set easier with finesse rods.


🏆 Bestselling Jigs and Jigheads in Our Range

  1. Fox Rage Micro Jig Heads – Perfect for perch and finesse lure work

  2. Savage Gear Ball Jig Heads – Ultra-sharp, durable, and versatile for many lure types

  3. VMC Darting Jigheads – Designed for erratic action on twitchy lures

  4. Berkley Fusion19 Weighted Hooks – Weedless and perfect for soft swimbaits

  5. SPRO Freestyle Cheburashka System – Ideal for anglers who want maximum lure movement

  6. Westin Round Up HD Jigheads – Heavy-duty and great for big pike and zander


🙋‍♂️ Jigs and Jigheads – FAQs

1. What is a jighead in fishing?

A jighead is a weighted hook, usually made of lead or tungsten, used to rig soft plastic lures for bottom fishing, jigging, or casting.

2. What size jighead should I use?

It depends on the depth, current, and lure size. Shallow water or light lures: 1–5g. Medium depth: 5–15g. Deep water or strong current: 15g+.

3. Can I use jigheads in saltwater?

Yes, but ensure they have saltwater-safe hooks or corrosion-resistant finishes to avoid rusting.

4. What’s the best jighead for perch fishing?

Light jigheads (2–7g) with small hooks (size 4–2) paired with finesse soft plastics like paddle tails or worms.

5. How do I rig a soft plastic on a jighead?

Push the hook straight into the nose of the lure and out through the back. The lure should sit straight for proper action.

6. What’s the difference between a jighead and a jig?

The jighead is just the weighted hook. A “jig” typically refers to the complete lure — jighead plus soft plastic body.

7. What’s a weedless jighead?

It’s a jighead with a hook design that reduces snagging, often with an offset hook or wire guard to deflect weed or cover.

8. What are Cheburashka jigheads?

Also known as Cheb rigs, these are articulated weights that allow the hook and lure to move freely — excellent for finesse fishing.

9. Do jigheads work with all soft lures?

Most, yes — but some soft baits are designed for specific heads. Always check compatibility based on lure type and intended action.

10. Are jigheads reusable?

Yes. If the hook is still sharp and not rusted or bent, you can reuse jigheads multiple times.

11. Can I make my own jigs?

Yes, many anglers pour their own lead jigheads and customise paint, hooks, and designs — but always use appropriate safety equipment.


🏁 Final Thoughts

Jigs and jigheads are essential for precision lure fishing, giving you full control over your bait’s movement, depth, and presentation. Whether you’re twitching a soft lure for perch or working a swimbait for pike, the right jighead can dramatically increase your hook-up rate and lure effectiveness. With over 35 years of angling expertise, our range includes only field-tested jigheads from trusted brands, so you can fish smarter and hook more.

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