GettingReel Product Review: Vertical Lures Jig X
It’s not to often that I am able to just enjoy a day on the water without trying to focus on figuring out a pattern for a tournament but that’s exactly what I did this past weekend. I loaded up the Stratos and my wife and I headed out to the Potomac River to enjoy a day on the water. Prior to loading up the boat, I was sorting some tackle to put together for our outing and decided to make things simple. I knew what kind of pattern the bass where in on the river and knew exactly what would make our day a smack fest. I rigged up only one rod for myself and tied on a Jig X that I had received from Vetical Lures to field test.
When I first opened the lure, the first thing I noticed was the unique patented line tie system that the Jig X has become known for. Before tying the jig on, I visited the Vertical Lures website to research the proper way to attach the jig to my line. Once I figured it out, it was a breeze. The other thing I noticed was the Teflon insert inside the jig head to help protect the line from fray. I was planning on putting this lure in some extremely heavy grass. The grass alone can be brutal on your line, so having the Teflon insert helps take car of my line at it’s weakest point being the knot.
The other two reasons I wanted to try out the Jig X in the heavy Potomac River grass was because of it’s hook and double rattle feature. Anytime you are setting the hook in heavy or matted grass, you need to have a big strong hook. The Jig X comes standard with a heavy gauge Mustad Ultra Point hook which is bent specifically for the Jig X to accompany their unique head design and improve hook-up ratio. The double rattle holder feature which I had mentioned was also going to help in the thick vegetation by allowing the bass to key in and find the bait.
One last thing I want to mention is the trailer that I outfitted on the Jig X for my outing. I used the Vertical Lures Chunk X with the Chunk X Sling system. The reason I chose to use this was because of the way that it holds the trailer in palce and keeps it from turning or sliding down the shank of the hook. Something else to note is that the Chunk X with it’s Sling system can be used with just about any jig.
My color of choice was Cayuga Craw tipped with a Bayou Craw trailer. I also chose to use only a single rattle on the jig. The water was pretty flat so I wanted something a little more subtle while maintaining the ability to draw in any nearby bass.
My wife and I hit the water at around 6 am. We were to our first spot by 6:30. To help eliminate alot of details and make a long story short, between the two of us we boated an upward of 15 bass within the first hour of the morning. My biggest 5 alone were around 14 lbs which was anchored by a 5 lb plus kicker. Again, I exclusively threw the Vertical Lures Jig X on a 7′6 heavy/fast action American Eagle XE Rod with 20 lb. Vicious Fluorocarbon line.
We spent a few more hours on the water until around 10 o’clock and the action never slowed. The bass I was hooking were absolutley eating the bait. The Chunk X trailer’s salty soft flavor gave the bass an extra incentive to grab ahold and not let go. The weedless design of the jig head also made it easy to pitch in and out of the cover without snagging a jig full of grass. It definitely helped ease my day of fishing by eliminating any frustrations and made our day that much better. The Jig X has definitely earned a spot in my tackle box. To check out the Vertical Lures Jig X along with their complete line-up baits and accessories, visit www.verticallures.com .
Here are just a few pics from the day on the water:
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POSTED IN: GettingReel Product Review, Miscellaneous
6 opinions for GettingReel Product Review: Vertical Lures Jig X
Val Harrell
Jun 24, 2008 at 8:18 pm
I agree with you… the Vertical Lures products are the “reel” deal!!!
ALDave
Jun 25, 2008 at 7:29 am
Hands down one of the better jigs I have been throwing this year. To help shed any grass that gets snagged on the head i put on a bead on my line. It also produces sound also….. A little added tip
Rich
Jun 25, 2008 at 11:00 am
I am a fan of the SlingX as it works well on most any jig and any chunk trailer
Tim
Jun 25, 2008 at 11:39 pm
ALDave, I don’t exactly posses the “expertise” that most of you guys on here do, so forgive me if this seems a bit amateur … but, how does the bead help shred the grass, and how big of a bead do you typically use?
Don Zaegel
Jun 26, 2008 at 7:22 am
Val,
Thanks again for the baits. If I am able to get to ICAST this year I will definitley give you an ear shot. I have the booth number you sent me.
Rich,
Without a doubt the sling X is pretty universal. If I get a chance i will send you a rigging pic of how to use it on an offset worm hook with any plastic bait. The reel treat hear is to still have the ability to attach a rattle to the sling X.
Don Zaegel
Jun 26, 2008 at 7:31 am
Tim,
I do this with frogs sometimes too in heavy grass, however I do not see the need for one with the Jig X because the knot is in the rear. With most baits your knt is in the front of the bait and when you pull it through the grass, the knot and eye of the hook will collect grass. By adding a bead to your line, it will help shed the grass during the retrieve. As far as size goes, I would use the smallest bead possible but large enough to protect the knot. Aldave may some more to add to this but that is why I use it. Again, the Jig X and it’s patented design has helped eliminate this problem for me.
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