Use a toothpick as a hook stop
Flipping a jig in cold water comes naturally to Bassmaster Elite Series pro Todd Faircloth, but jig performance takes some concentrated preparation.
Here’s a run down of how he tweaks a jig for optimal wintertime performance.
While some opt to trim weed guards, Faircloth leaves that part of his jigs alone — and actually spreads the guards out like a fan. This serves as a rudder so his jig falls straight with no spinning.
Preferring a Strike King Rodent trailer, Faircloth has developed a method for rigging this plastic as a free-swinging chunk that looks more natural than threading it into his hook.
He starts by trimming the body so there’s about ½ inch left above the tail and the appendages.
Faircloth then trims all four sides of the top edge for a beveled look that minimizes water resistance.
Lastly, the longtime pro inserts a toothpick lengthwise across the top of the trailer to serve as a hook stop.
By running his hook through the Rodent’s remaining body section, he ensures maximum motion with an anchoring device that prevents trailer detachment.
