Are you in the minority of fisherman who have never caught a fish on a jig spin? That needs to change! This little write up gives a quick run down on the how's and why's of jig spins, and in particular the Tokoloshi T spin.
What are Jig Spins?
Jig spins are an attachment designed to attach to jig heads, essentially turning a soft plastic into a spinnerbait. The way it achieves this is by clipping a specially designed wire to the tow point, which extends above the plastic and continues to a spinner blade, this shifts the tow point to in between the blade and the Jig. Over the years the uses for jig spins has grown and they are being attached to a range of different lures instead of just the traditional jig head. The range of species being caught on jig spins is also growing every day!
How to Use Jig Spins
The true power of a jig spin is that you can attach it to anything that sinks, typically this is a Jig head in whatever weight suits your local area or species. To attach a T spin simply remove the barrel clip and thread the wire onto the tow point then reclose the clip (make sure its pointing the correct direction). If chasing particularly large fish I recommend using pliers to bend out the tag end of the wire to keep the clip completely locked, this is a feature exclusive to Tokoloshi T spins. When using jig spins to catch fish such as Australian bass, Yellas and Redfin, it's important to cast your lure near structure such as rocks, fallen trees, or weed beds where bass like to hide. Let the jig spin sink to the desired depth, then reel in slowly the spinning blade and flash it creates mimics the movement of a wounded baitfish to draw fish in closer.
Tips for Success
To increase your chances of success when using jig spins, try varying your retrieval speed and adding pauses to make the lure appear more natural and retreat back into the bite zone. Experiment with different colors and sizes of jig heads to see what depth or mood the fish are in on that day.
Another technique that has been quietly utilized in the bass tournament scene over the years is attaching a jig spin to a Lipless Crankbait, going by many names but most commonly the rocking horse rig. This combination creates a vibration and flash second to none
And most importantly, don't be afraid to take risks and try new techniques, we have already seen bonito, tailor, cuttlefish, bream and a range of other unlikely species caught with T spins! Some of those reports even came back saying its the new secret technique.
So grab your gear, head out to your favorite fishing spot, and challenge yourself to master the art of using jig spins. It may take some practice, but the thrill of landing that big fish will make it all worth it. Good luck and tight lines!