Floating jig rigging - HELP!!!

[PTocko]

I have some questions about rigging a floating jig. I intend to rig them similar to a Lindy - main line to a swival / weight with a vanish leader (3'-4') to the floating jig. My question is the eye of the jig seems to be upside down. In other words - if the jig is floating and the weight is "pulling" it down the eye and the hook will be facing downward correct??? Wouldn't this be the opposite of what I want?? Should I even care about this?? I'm assuming this is more of a finesse presentation (less than 1 mph) but would like some help on that as well. Thanks for the assistance - look forward to seeing some answers. Paul

[RiverFish]

There are some soft floating jigs on the market that do have the hook "flipped" upward. That might be something you would want to consider if you are worried about the hook presentation.

[PTocko]

Riverfish - thanks, when I buy new ones I will look into those with the "flipped" hook. Not really concerned about hook presentation unless I should be. Your response does seem to verify that the hook will be "upside down" - pointing down. Having not used floating jigs a ton - I guess I'm asking is the hook being upside down (from what I'm used to) a problem?? Thanks for your help. Paul

[Jackpine Rob]

I pondered this years ago, and switched to the Phelps floaters. Maybe its my imagination, but I'm thinking my bite/hookup ratio improved.

[walleyemaniac]

Shouldn't really be a problem anyway. On a lindy the hook isn't always pointed up the bait is kind of twisting them thru the water. My floaters have the eye right on the front of the head, not on the top like your talking. Don't know the brand off the top of my head but keep an eye out for those.

[JohnMickish]

Here's what you do. I learned this trick from Pete Harsh, who has won just about every walleye tournamane out there. Take your floating jig and set one in the livewell, lake, sink or whatever to see if the hook floats pointed up or down. If the hook points down, and here is the trick, make sure you hook your bait upside down as well. If your hook is on the bottom side and you hook a minnow thru the bottom lip first, when the jig is in the water your minnow will be upside down! This is a very easy mistake to do because nobody thinks about it.

[Ed Carlson]

Another perspective is the revered hook confederation is designed to function in relation to the intended hook set.

If you set with a reversed hook, the line is first ran through the weight, so the initial hook set is in a downward angle when pressure is applied...most of the time...in theory anyway.

That is the point really, and the primary function of the reverse hook float configuration, to maximize the hook set on a walking weight rig.

A pill style float on a in line rig from a bottom bouncer or a 3-way will basically be a straight on pull, and not as predictable to what angle it may be pointing.

Also as was mentioned, the way you rig the live bait is a big determining factor on if the float will ride up, or hook down. Floats with offset eyelets that appose the hook position tend to keep the hook in an upward predictable position.

[PTocko]

Ed - you make sense, on the hook-set the initial "pull" will be down towards the weight, hense the hook should also be facing down.

MNFishenguy - good tip on making sure your bait is right side up. Habit would be to go through the bottom lip (of a minnow) and it would be backwards.

Thanks for the help guys - now I'm going to hit the water.

Paul

[JohnMickish]

Yep, you don't see many minnows or leeches running around upside down in the lake, well not the live ones anyways.

[timjones]

I have been using the soft bodied floater that is the third from the left in Ed Calrson's picture. I use it on a 5 foot leader off of a slip sinker. As pointed out, because of the weight the initial movement on the hook set will be downward. I have been using leeches and have had good luck. Just remember when you rig the leech to put the hook on the soft body down through the head end, and the second hook down through the body of the leech so the sucker is trailing off the back. That way your bait will be presented in the upright position.