Wanting to learn more about jigs this year,so what’s the difference between horizontal and vertical line ties?

90 degrees

I currently use a horizontal line tie, and I have also used vertical. The horizontal tie jig that I use comes through cover better than any jig I have used. Vertical probably isn’t that big of a difference. To me head shape and weedguard size and placement are far more important.

Now that is funny right there!

Good observation.

Flat-eye hooks (the horizontal ones you referred to) tend to cause less line damage in the rocks and other obstructions. I use them on all of the jigs I manufacture.

There are good conversations here: http://www.tackleunderground.com/community/topic/23750-flat-eye-jig-hooks-pros-and-cons/ & http://www.bbcboards.net/showthread.php?t=815296

Of the jigs I throw, the ones I have the most confidence in are horizontal line ties

Vertical Line Tie




Horizontal Line Tie

Most of the time you will find the horizontal line tie jigs come thru brush better. They both get bit the same.

Most of the ones I use have a horizontal line tie also but like Ken said, they both get bit equally as well. My favorites are the Dirty jigs flipping jig, Santone flipping jig (these two are very similar to each other) I also use the V&M Cliff Pace flipping jig and the Cliff Pace swim jig. I use the swim jig for skipping in flooded willows and other brush. That head design just goes through and over cover very well without getting hung up. Another one that I use is the Viper XP jig even though it has a vertical line tie, it works very well. I like the weed guard to stop at the end of the barb on the hook, but thats just me. Some are too long and are too soft and if they are too short you will get hung up more, at least that has been my experience with them. For punching grass with a 1oz jig I like the Nichols and the 6th Sense ones.

Colors to start with would be black/blue and green pumpkin variations like green pumpkin/brown like the one in the picture and I also like green pumpkin/blue and green pumpkin/orange.

Thank you for you info

I am not sure I have ever paid attention to them.

Gotta be careful how you ask things with this crowd.

Another key thing you need to watch for is the hook on the jig. If it is a tuna hook like the Hack Attack or Oldham jigs don't make long bombing casts with it. If you get bit on it at the end of a long cast it is hard to get the fish pinned good unless you have a broom stick rod and braid. Don't ask me how I know. Ugh....

Thats why most of the football jigs have lighter wire hooks than the flipping jigs. Heavy hooks for up close combat and lighter wire hooks for long casts into relatively open water. There is not really a bad jig made these days.

Choose the right tool for the job.

GREAT advice !

I've often wondered why people are so very concerned with the ability of a rod to toss a bait into the wild blue yonder when in reality they have very little chance of setting a hook at that distance. Factor in line stretch, rod flex, and multiplied reaction time (due to the distance) and it's usually a bad outcome. A very, very sharp hook is a MUST. And baits like football jigs, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, and a few others that ride with the hook upright are usually being driven into the upper lip of the fish where the penetration is most difficult. Unwise ........

Ken what football jigs do you like? ( brand, size and color)

Thanks