Depends on what cover I'm fishing. In grass I want it slim and stiff to get thru the grass easier. Out fishing brush piles I will spread it out to keep from getting so many hang ups
I agree here. I spread them out in rocks and wood because I know the jig won't always come through this cover the same way twice. I jig will fall on it's side etc coming through branches and I want the sides to be covered as well. I will trim back the fiber guard just past the hook point as well to increase hookups.
You will also notice a difference in fiber guard thickness on the types of jigs. Usually Football Jigs have lighter fiber guards to allow better hookups with more line out. Flipping and Pitching jigs have thicker fiber guards because you have less line out and more leverage so the stiffness of the fiber guard doesn't affect hookup as much.
Flipping and Pitching jigs I still fan out my fiberguards a little, but I don't worry as much about fanning to the side. I fan them away from the hookpoint. The reason I always fan my fiber guards is to lessen the stiffness. It really is an experience thing because manufacturers use different thicknesses. There are some I don't fan at all, I will use them as is straight out of the package. But generally speaking a Flipping Jig will have pretty stiff fiber guards and IMO they need a bit of fanning to increase hookup ratio.