Jika Rig - When To Use? 2025
Arv reply :
So I've been reading up on this, and I know there's been a lot written and several posts on here about it. But I was wondering why you would use the Jika rig over a shakey head or a T rig? Other than the situations where you're just not getting bit on those particular rigs and want to give the fish a different look. Thanks.
cueball reply :
I haven't used it yet, because I have not had to drag baits to get bit yet. But, I plan to use it around zebra mussels. I think sinker will get my knot a little higher off the bottom and save line abrasion. Also, I think the sinker will slide through crud on the bottom and keep the lure clean. There is alot of moss type stuff on the bottom in some areas I fish. I am thinking of the Jika rig as a drop shot rig with a really short dropper length.
Arv reply :
On 6/5/2013 at 10:36 PM, cueball said:I haven't used it yet, because I have not had to drag baits to get bit yet. But, I plan to use it around zebra mussels. I think sinker will get my knot a little higher off the bottom and save line abrasion. Also, I think the sinker will slide through crud on the bottom and keep the lure clean. There is alot of moss type stuff on the bottom in some areas I fish. I am thinking of the Jika rig as a drop shot rig with a really short dropper length.
That makes sense. I don't have to deal with zebra mussels anywhere I fish but that sounds like a logical application. I will definitely try this out in some areas with the moss you're talking about though. I hate pulling it off my lure every time I reel in.
moguy1973 reply :
Scroll to about the 2:18 mark of this video and you'll see the difference in the action between the jika rig and the texas rig.
J Francho reply :
The Jika rig was developed for vertically penetrating weeds. The slender weight leads the bait straight down. In most situations facing moderate weed cover, I use it over a traditional Texas rig.
Arv reply :
Thanks guys.
catchnm reply :
It'll get ya bit for sure.....but watch your knot closely. Sometimes the rig will roll and the line gets caught up in the split ring. I've broke a few off.
Arv reply :
On 6/6/2013 at 8:26 PM, catchnm said:It'll get ya bit for sure.....but watch your knot closely. Sometimes the rig will roll and the line gets caught up in the split ring. I've broke a few off.
Good tip. Thanks.
MarkH024 reply :
On 6/6/2013 at 1:27 AM, J Francho said:The Jika rig was developed for vertically penetrating weeds. The slender weight leads the bait straight down. In most situations facing moderate weed cover, I use it over a traditional Texas rig.
Do you make your own or do you buy? Preference on manufacturer?
Grizzn N Bassin reply :
That video was great... awesome.action!! Can't wait to try that
MarkH024 reply :
Off topic...isn't it pronounced "Zeeka" not Jika (jeeka)? or am I an idiot? Doesn't matter really but I guess if I'd been calling it zeeka people might look at me weird.
Tim Cianciola reply :
i make my own jika rigs, they work well . i use them more in weeds and such. but it keeps the lure vertical and about a in. of the bottom to give it a more natural look. i mainly use it with craws or the space monkey
Grizzn N Bassin reply :
Just picked some rigs up can't wait!! Also anyone know what type of o rings I need to make my own
stk reply :
I've used number thee (I think) split rings and I used the old lead bell weights I had laying around. Works pretty well and way cheaper than buying pre-rigged.
Grizzn N Bassin reply :
Ohk cool thanks. I wouldn't normally by per rigged stuff but I get 30 percent discount at dicks so it was only a few bucks
martintheduck reply :
Wow...this looks awesome. Will be trying this soon.
Gatorbassman reply :
I've been fishing one for most of this year and I feel like I've figured out a lot about this cool little rig.
When you are fishing it like a Texas Rig it is better to use a bell type sinker over a long skinny sinker. The bait stays up off the bottom better and can wiggle it more.
The bite feels different. Almost like a dropshot or a tube bait. The fish just loads up on it.
You don't feel the bottom as well as rigs that are tied directly to the weight, but that is to be expected.
It is very difficult to get the Jika Rig hung up. It comes through just about everything.
It works with any soft plastic. It is awesome drug along to bottom with a fluke on the hook.
A 30 degree jig hook is the best hook I've found for it. I just need to find them in light wire.
MSAJAA reply :
Are you making your own or buying them?
martintheduck reply :
Thank you. You size weights are you using on rocky bottoms and brush? Throwing lead or what?
Eddie-NoVA reply :
I'm running number 2 or 3 depending on hooksize and weight. My goto weight so far is 1/4oz bell. F2f
CPBassFishing reply :
I love this rig. Its so much more weedless than a jig or texas rig. I make my own in 1/0, 3/0, and 5/0 size. The 1/0 is used on spinning gear, hence the lighter hook. I use superline hooks on the 3/0 and 5/0 sizes for baitcasting because I have lost good fish because regular gammy's straightened out (I love braid). The action is deadly with a floating bait. I use powerteam lures tubes and craws on them. Don't ask about the weight, it's from a damiki mausrin jig lol I never used em. I would prefer tungsten DS weights.
Avalonjohn44 reply :
Can't wait to make about eight of these to try out.
slonezp reply :
On 6/7/2013 at 3:03 AM, MarkH024 said:Do you make your own or do you buy? Preference on manufacturer?
Mark, You can get the weights in the bulk bin at Cabelas, They have the split rings too, I've been using 4/0 EWG hooks. We've been killing them on the Chain with Pit Boss' and Rage Craws
Grizzn N Bassin reply :
Whats hold the spilt ring with weight to the hook?On 6/11/2013 at 6:06 AM, CPBassFishing said:I love this rig. Its so much more weedless than a jig or texas rig. I make my own in 1/0, 3/0, and 5/0 size. The 1/0 is used on spinning gear, hence the lighter hook. I use superline hooks on the 3/0 and 5/0 sizes for baitcasting because I have lost good fish because regular gammy's straightened out (I love braid). The action is deadly with a floating bait. I use powerteam lures tubes and craws on them. Don't ask about the weight, it's from a damiki mausrin jig lol I never used em. I would prefer tungsten DS weights.
2013-06-10 17.59.13.jpgMarkH024 reply :
What size split ring do you use? I tried to make a few with what I have and my rings were too big to pass freely in th he eyelet of the hook.On 6/11/2013 at 10:48 AM, slonezp said:Mark, You can get the weights in the bulk bin at Cabelas, They have the split rings too, I've been using 4/0 EWG hooks. We've been killing them on the Chain with Pit Boss' and Rage Craws
CPBassFishing reply :
another split ring.On 6/11/2013 at 11:26 AM, Grizzn N Bassin said:Whats hold the spilt ring with weight to the hook?
Grizzn N Bassin reply :
Yeah thats what doing.. nice!
slonezp reply :
On 6/11/2013 at 7:27 PM, MarkH024 said:What size split ring do you use? I tried to make a few with what I have and my rings were too big to pass freely in th he eyelet of the hook.
I had the same problem when I made my first ones. I switched to a #2 ring and use 4/0 EWG Gammys
ec1 reply :
On 6/11/2013 at 6:06 AM, CPBassFishing said:I love this rig. Its so much more weedless than a jig or texas rig. I make my own in 1/0, 3/0, and 5/0 size. The 1/0 is used on spinning gear, hence the lighter hook. I use superline hooks on the 3/0 and 5/0 sizes for baitcasting because I have lost good fish because regular gammy's straightened out (I love braid). The action is deadly with a floating bait. I use powerteam lures tubes and craws on them. Don't ask about the weight, it's from a damiki mausrin jig lol I never used em. I would prefer tungsten DS weights.
Just wondering, which split ring are you tying to?
I've been making my own with the Picasso dropshot weights in 3/8oz and a 4/0 owner EWG. Have yet to hit the water with them yet, but bass opens up in my neck of the woods this weekend.
CPBassFishing reply :
The one attached to the hook eye. Here's a close-up pic.On 6/11/2013 at 11:03 PM, ec1 said:Just wondering, which split ring are you tying to?
I've been making my own with the Picasso dropshot weights in 3/8oz and a 4/0 owner EWG. Have yet to hit the water with them yet, but bass opens up in my neck of the woods this weekend.
Grizzn N Bassin reply :
On 6/11/2013 at 11:14 PM, CPBassFishing said:The one attached to the hook eye. Here's a close-up pic.
So you tie the split ring that goes thru the eyelet... was rigin mine up and it seemed that then line would eventually get wrapped around the weight.
slonezp reply :
On 6/12/2013 at 11:39 AM, Grizzn N Bassin said:On 6/11/2013 at 11:14 PM, CPBassFishing said:The one attached to the hook eye. Here's a close-up pic.
So you tie the split ring that goes thru the eyelet... was rigin mine up and it seemed that then line would eventually get wrapped around the weight.
I only use a single split ring and aside from the occasional line tangling around the weight, it has been worry free
catchnm reply :
Here's some that I made. I got all my components off of Ebay. #2 split ring to the hook, #1 to the weight. I tie to the #2 ring. An option would be to attach a snap swivel to the #2 or to add an additional split ring to tie to. I opened to eyelets of the DS weights a bit to better allow to get the ring on and it allows the weight to swing on the ring as well. The hooks are Eagle Claw Lazer Sharps which in my opinion, are not too heavy or too light for this application. I have them in weights from 1/2 to 1/8 oz. A pair of split ring pliers would be a good investment if you're going to make your own. These rigs really turn the fish on with a Rage Craw attached and slowly drug around and over the cover.
J Francho reply :
Those look good. I'd prefer using a hook with a welded ring, though. I like a Rage Craw on this rig, too. The skinny weight really drives the bait through cover.
Comfortably Numb reply :
Is there really a need for the second split ring?
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
Using both split rings lets the bait move more freely
martintheduck reply :
On 6/13/2013 at 12:59 AM, Comfortably Numb said:Is there really a need for the second split ring?
Yes. I made one with one ring and when testing it in a bucket, the hook/bait doesn't move very well. Adding the second ring REALLY increases the movement. I just fished it for the first time a couple days ago and HOT DANG - this rig is SUPER weedless. I was pulling it through thick slop and coming out clean. I really like this rig and can't wait to get back on the water with it.
Bluebasser86 reply :
Are you guys finding you get bit more on the fall or after the bait is already on the bottom and you're shaking the bait? I like the idea of this rig for deep structure fishing during the summertime, it would really help feel the bait on the bottom in 30 or 40 feet of water. Normally I'd use a heavy shakyhead but I'd think the bait would have better action with this rig than on a heavy shakyhead. Something I'm going to have to give a try I guess.
J Francho reply :
Mostly on the fall.
Diggy reply :
I used it with a craw that I never caught anything on with numerous attempts and I caught a fish on it. I only made one and lost it somewhere, hopefully not in anyone's foot.
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