JoJoPro
New member
Another alternative to traditional lead head jigs are 'bead and pin' jigs.
Bead and pin jigs are created by inserting a pin or very small nail through a solid metal bead,
and then tying the pin to the jig hook.
I first heard of bead and pin jigs being used as steelhead jigs by Canadian float-fishermen. While float fishing with jigs for steelhead, you allready have weight in the form of split shots on your leader, and you are dead-drifting your presentation with the current (not actually jigging), so a heavy lead-headed jig is unnecessary. Actually a light-weight jig is preferable for float-fishing, as the lighter jig will flutter and move about more in the current.
I began tying up bead and pin jigs because I was unhappy with the pre-poured lead head jigs I was finding. I find that most pre-poured lead head jigs are generally too heavy if they have a size 8 or larger hook, have too small of hooks if they are lighter than 1/64 oz, and pretty much all have weak and dull lite wire hooks. Since steelhead have rather boney mouths and are hard fighting fish, I prefer a strong and super sharp hook for my jigs.
I now tie most of my steelhead jigs on #4 or #6 Daiichi jig hooks or the higher end Mustads in size 8. I generally use 1/2" pins and solid hemmatite beads that I find at my local crafts store. The hemmatite beads are very light weight and inexpensive. I sometimes use solid brass beads which provide more weight but are also more expensive. Using the bead and pin method I can create a jig weighing less than 1/80 oz yet tied on a sharp and strong #4 hook...perfect jig for my float fishing applications.
John
