This Lure WILL Dominate This Year!

[@itllkeal]

Steve Roger's outdoors had a retrieval video today, where he demonstrated 2 different tips, and I'll say that the 2nd retrieve he demonstrated is one of my go-to with a hairjig. Holding that finger out and catching the line on your spinning reel will make that tail whip up and down. Give it a try if you've never seen it. It saved many a day for me last year during the spawn. Works good on a fluke, too. Thanks, Matt. I love your content. Keep it up

[@MattStefanFishing]

I’ll have to try that!

[@WorldsOkayestBusDriver]

I will try that! Never thought to use it with hair jigs

[@ESOX2]

One of those guys who fished hair jigs 50 to 60 years ago. I would tie a bunch with yellow saddle hackle for our annual trip to Canada. They were killers since a large portion of the forage were perch. Thanks for stirring old memories.

[@MattStefanFishing]

You bet!

[@itllkeal]

Yellow with a white head, white with a red head, black with either white or red heads, is my old time go to. I've caught everything from 5-inch bluegill to 30lb flatheads with them. Hard times I'll drag them on the bottom like a modern jig.

[@tommytrout]

As an avid fly fisher and fly tyer i can tell you natural materials are a killer on fish. Good show Matt. I make all my flies and i would recommend folks looking at tying your own, makes it easy to mix and match colors and material. Good fishing to you all this season.

[@MattStefanFishing]

I agree!

[@mattfleming86]

I'm dying to try some gunnar brammer big fly style tying methods on some big jigs! On gizzard lakes a bulkier 5-8" jig with good movement and a little translucency and shimmer should absolutely slay.

[@caseysaunders2137]

great for big striper in open water in the few lakes that have em.

[@MattStefanFishing]

You got that right!

[@michaelgraham7316]

Please do a video showing how to fish a hair jig. Thanks for all you videos. I check out every one.

[@MattStefanFishing]

You must have missed this one on how to fish a hairjig kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5DXq6V-h7Ngrposi=3tChFCL9jS4c6_1R

[@MrGsxr10001]

Throw it in open water or you'll lose it every time.

[@Miketown-s1z]

I'm 67 and embarrassed to admit I haven't thrown a hair jig in about 40 years. As usual, the content in this vid is interesting and intriguing. I'm looking forward to targeting smallies with a hair jig this spring. Thanks for another excellent video

[@MattStefanFishing]

It’s never too late to try something new!

[@Triple87]

I’m in the middle of two small mouth factories. Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario. Hair jigs are a must around here. 😂

[@MattStefanFishing]

FACTS!

[@davidlannom4355]

We made our own Bucktail jigs in the 1970s till today. We bought our supplies from herters in the 70s-80s. It was our go to bait on lake Texoma along with little Susie’s in cold water. I’m tying some right now. You do hang up quite of bit. Never liked a weedgard on them.

[@MattStefanFishing]

agreed

[@bobmatch5429]

Hey Matt, Great video. Jigs have always been a fantastic multi species bait, sometimes adorned with a tasty morsel, sometimes plain. If you throw a plastic worm, you're probably going to catch a bass. If you throw a jig, you never know what you'll catch--but it generates a lot of bites.

[@MattStefanFishing]

I couldn’t agree more!

[@NelsonBurtonIV]

Perfect timing for this video! Lol I bought a cool little hair jig a few weeks ago that has living rubber in it as well, and it’s weedless! I’m so pumped to throw it all over this year. If the hair jig does well this tournament season, maybe y’all can come up with a Core tackle version!🙌🏽

[@MattStefanFishing]

I like that idea!

[@joeyhelton7114]

Interesting. I have only used these in saltwater here in NC. Great for flounder and sheep’s head on sea walls. Definitely will try this. Thanks Matt.

[@MattStefanFishing]

they are great in freshwater

[@Fishboy68]

Just tied up some homemade ones out of bucktail in 1/4 oz size.With deer hair being hollow that probally helps to suspend the bait. Thanks for sharing Matt.

[@MattStefanFishing]

yes it does!

[@vincentcannici4465]

What’s your thoughts on scoping with a VMC Moontail jig? Going to give it a shot this winter/prespawn.

[@MattStefanFishing]

I’m not a fan of it

[@rickyreynolds9056]

Hey Matt you told me one time what blank I needed to get to build my first rod from mudhole. I’m looking for a 7’3” med hvy fast. Thanks in advance

[@MattStefanFishing]

mhx nmb-874 or 873

[@rickyreynolds9056]

Thank you!!

[@josephpatten8087]

I am about to pour about 300 jigs and tie about 300 just for myself. They are a staple in my tackle box.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Sounds like a fun winter project!

[@quinmatthew1]

One of my favorite lakes has a big swimming dock over 8-12 ft and there's always something hiding there sometimes it's a big bass sometimes it's a really good pickerel but bouncing a hair jig along the dock edges never fails

[@MattStefanFishing]

they catch everything

[@broderickalmy3658]

Been using the XPS and then the SPRO for years daily! love'em. Confident in this lure!

[@MattStefanFishing]

awesome!

[@brianlangford7278]

Used them for years for everything, awesome to bounce down points,I also possess some secret bucktail short arm spinners,that helicopter just beautiful when you kill it

[@MattStefanFishing]

they can be great!

[@robertferguson3517]

That's a nice looking jig ,how ever to closely mimic a gizzard or threadfin shad it needs way more flashbou mylar . A tinsel tail jig has the correct amount of tinsel for flash ! That's very important, with the natural deer hair fish never get turned off from this lure .!

[@MattStefanFishing]

they are very realistic

[@kevinbeaudean704]

Thanx Matt i've caught plenty of Strippers on bucktails but never a largemouth (tidal water). First time I seen a pro throwing one for bass I thought he was messing around with some Hybrids.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Heck no they are really good for bass

[@BenHolliday1]

I just got a couple of the Cloud-9 Hair Jigs from BassDope. I haven’t used them yet but looking forward to use them. I saw someone show underwater footage of it and it was impressive.

[@MattStefanFishing]

That’s awesome! Let me know how it goes!

[@Markisuncfan]

I have been making these "preacher" jig aka buck tail jigs for several years. I see some people wow at why these are expensive. There is ALOT of material in it, finding longer feathers is expensive to buy, and the time it takes to make these is enormous. I have better luck with 1/2 oz here in NC around 10-25 ft of water. 3/8 to 1 0z is the most asked for. Great lure to use and easy to use.

[@MattStefanFishing]

yep they are a pain in the rear to tie and some cost up to $40 now

[@MichaelSwirzewski]

Yeah, if I'm tyin bass jigs, I start w the best brand heads, the piles of fur& feather are usually compliments of my local flyshops' bargain bin. to make em nice, i can only do a few an hour if I'm tyin multiple materials in different steps.

[@Markisuncfan]

@@MattStefanFishing crazy ain't it? I use Gammy hooks normally and 5 to 7inch hackle feathers, along with quite a bit of bucktail and flashaboo. I use different type feathers too if I am trying to go for that niche bite. Alot depends on the water color. Alot of stained water by me.

[@robertcox9226]

Idiots pay 40 for a preacher jig. I can tie awesome jigs to sell and a store can make a nice profit at 15. Best finish and best hook i can buy.

[@GopherHayes]

I threw a northland Minnesota Mullet and outcast chicken jig. They have alot more hair than the jig you were showing but they are great up north

[@MattStefanFishing]

Those guys are making a new one you better stay tuned!

[@seancline8130]

deer hair is hollow, thus the added buoyancy. you ever fish a rabbit fur leech jig? those are very productive as well.

[@MattStefanFishing]

yes they are good

[@brianlangford7278]

Absolutely and shhhhh lol

[@jimmybrown9563]

How about a core tackle hover hair jig?

[@MattStefanFishing]

Not sure we are a set up for that

[@bryanventura157]

Hi Matt, I"LL try this one more time. Question on a rod bait caster 7 foot + tip of the rod and four guides back 50lb braid ben the rod and the line goes under the blank between the guides the first 3. Will the braid cut the rod. I have broken two rods. Thank you I love hair jigs.

[@MattStefanFishing]

braid should not damage the rod IMO

[@craig5927]

Great video Matt!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for watching!

[@joshgrimes9554]

I've fished right after ice out before with a homemade jig tied with white tail hair from deer I found on side of the road. And caught big bass. Another trick I used was to put a piece of raw bacon on it as a trailer! It's worked very well for me and didn't cost hardly anything. I've even used JJ's magic chartreuse dye and touched it up with a spot using a q-tip.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Bacon!!! 🥓

[@nextlevelangling]

Seeing how deadly hair jigs were was the reason I got into jig and fly tying last year. I’m shocked that we don’t see them more in pro bass fishing, especially rabbit zonker jigs. Rabbit zonker patterns catch smallies like you wouldn’t believe.

[@MattStefanFishing]

rabbit is a great material

[@karolbeachy5277]

Jensens jigs in Wisconsin are pretty good too

[@MattStefanFishing]

I’ll check them out

[@edwardwicht5271]

Thanks for this, Matt. I don’t think that I knew Picasso made one. What do you think about the need/utility of using a loop knot for this and minnow presentations? Thank you for all that you do.

[@MattStefanFishing]

my personal opinion is loop knots are overrated

[@edwardwicht5271]

Thanks,@@MattStefanFishing.

[@donkimmel9375]

Thanks Matt

[@MattStefanFishing]

You bet!

[@yoursoulmatters9600]

I picked up some Mepps Jigs, they look like they need a trim but I will give them a go. I picked them up for steelhead fishing but bass & walleye did cross my mind (I'm to far from the steelhead anyways). I have a few others also. My only problem with this bait is I am unsure of what a good one is suppose to look like. They really don't come to life until you put them in the water. Thanks For the Tip Matt, I will fish them with anticipation.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Mepps are great!

[@SpinnerbaitSteve]

I just ordered a couple more from Picasso, they make the best. I fished that same lure all summer up here, finally messed it up some trying to get it back from a rather nasty snakehead. so I needed to restock for Lake Fork this march

[@MattStefanFishing]

Snakehead will do that

[@chriswilson7110]

Been using them on Center Hill and Dale Hollow for 40 years

[@MattStefanFishing]

They work!

[@matthewsriver5886]

Slowly trolling doll flies a foot under a bobber is deadly to spring crappie up north. or it was 40 years ago.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing

[@crowe1974]

I would love just to be able to go fishing!! The past couple of years in New jersey, Winter has been mild the water didn't freeze at all. This year, Mother Nature is like not this time. Ugh...

[@MattStefanFishing]

I’m sick of winter

[@bassslacker]

Fish it under a slip float at times?

[@MattStefanFishing]

yep!

[@johndynneson662]

My. Dad had some custom jig molds made. Like a darted head. Ordered polar bear hair. Died black yellow white pink. He’d try tie them himself Dip the heads in paints. Like pink orange. I’ve still got some he made in the late fifties. Sixty’s.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Polar bear hair?!?!

[@johndynneson662]

@ Yup. Way back in the day. It was legal.

[@williamkrejca4641]

@@MattStefanFishing Ya, it has a neat sheen to it. Not legal today un less you are a eskimo.

[@johndynneson662]

@@williamkrejca4641 hair is hollow. So had a little float too it.

[@AaronS-ml1bh]

Find one with an eight and quarter Oz head watch the magic

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for sharing!

[@donkimmel9375]

Are Trailers used on a bait of this size?

[@MattStefanFishing]

they can be but are generally knot

[@seanmctarsney1420]

Bucktail Jigs was in the kit that WW2 polit had if they were shot down 🎣

[@MattStefanFishing]

awesome!

[@johncoopes1056]

KVD has kept a hair jig a secret for years --until cameras became common during tournaments 😊

[@MattStefanFishing]

yep!

[@joeenglish7403]

The secret is out. My Grandfather used to make these and get me to use them in Presque Isle Bay in Erie in the 1950s. I think he had me use these because I'd Catcha a lot of fish and use one jig all day and more. Cheaper that way ya know, and he was an expert at frugal. Smallmouth, largemouth, big sunfish, even a pike now and then. We would even troll them. I still use them today, even in saltwater.

[@MattStefanFishing]

They work!

[@pdbandit1]

Presque Isle Bay a great place to fish, we had a self imposed 3 fish limit on our club bass tournaments there, and it always took 10+ lbs to win.

[@joshguthrie8142]

Have you ever tried the sixth Sense flock, hair jig? If so, what is your opinion of it sir?

[@MattStefanFishing]

i havent but will check it out

[@justcallmedyno8938]

Hair jigs are fish catchers for sure. The one downside, if you wanna call it one, is that theyll catch a lot of predatory fish. So if you're in a body of water with multiple predatory species, you've got a chance catching them all. Not the best for tournament fishermen but great for the recreational guys (me lol)

[@MattStefanFishing]

Haha I’m ok with catching anything

[@MarcusSpjut]

Have one a fly-tier made for me and used it yesterday becuse the action is so smoth. But only finisher was effective yestetday. But as long as something work im fine. xD As you also have propper winter, would love to hear you thoughts how you go about fishing rivers when you have parts of the water frozen and part open. :)

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good suggestion but a lot of the fish are inaccessible with ice coverage

[@FishingNerd78]

Have you tried the picasso hair bladed jig?

[@MattStefanFishing]

Yep i like it

[@badwand]

What do you think of Nate’s custom baits “hybrid vibe “. I have had great success with them.

[@MattStefanFishing]

havent tried it. ill check it out

[@brandonsmith606]

I've bought some and haven't use them lol

[@MattStefanFishing]

Give them a try

[@jessiepayne737]

SHHhhhh, that thing catches fish. I made a few of these different sizes. Work on Crappie too, small ones.

[@MattStefanFishing]

yes they do

[@paulb7943]

It's funny how everything goes in cycles. another 3 years and everybody will be back to using bucktails, slug-gos, jitterbugs and rooster tails for everything.

[@MattStefanFishing]

they never left

[@topraider5284]

Jack crawford

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for watching

[@wtfmomentinURBED1]

live bait dominates

[@MattStefanFishing]

Not always

[@williamknight5142]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for watching

[@FishHuntFreedom]

Hear me out… a hair jig that is a chatterbait 🤔

[@MattStefanFishing]

you need to check this out then! www.tacklewarehouse.com/Picasso_FX_Shock_Blade_Vibrating_Jig/descpage-PCFX.html?from=MSFG

[@FishHuntFreedom]

@ ouch 😆

[@scottriiska2062]

$15 for a jig seems nuts.

[@MattStefanFishing]

not for a hand tied hair jig...they go up to $40 each

[@scottriiska2062]

@@MattStefanFishing That's even more nuts. I get it, but I tend to look at gear from the perspective of "how pissed am I going to be if it breaks off?", and in that sense I can't justify it.

[@mdbassin6267]

I can make one for less than a buck - insane what some are charging

[@heinrichkellogg7563]

🍺👍🤠.

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for watching

[@MrGsxr10001]

If you got to use a sonar to catch a fish? Well there's that. pick the one the sonar can see and yeah it will catch. People been throwing those buck tails in salt water for decades ain't nothing new.

[@MattStefanFishing]

never said it was new

[@StevenEdwards-oz3zw]

Last couple years I’ve killed them on it pre spawn

[@MattStefanFishing]

Awesome

[@TheFishingCoach]

Telling ya that dude is bad to the bone! For 2024 it was a top 3 bait of the year for me. I will say I still rather fish it without watching it on FFS. Like If I know where they are, I will throw it.. let it get to them. Then go with the retrieve and not watch it. Watching it messes with me....

[@MattStefanFishing]

It’s so underrated

[@KeithBlain]

That's pretty bad that you promote a hair jig that was originally made by the preacher, and that type of jig is known as a "Preacher Jig" and was known to be made by custom fly tyers. Because of its composition of buck tail, and 7" hackle, with some flashabou and ocassional grizzly hackle accent, it was mass produced by other lure makers and changed the name to suit their needs. Give credit where it is due.

[@MattStefanFishing]

hair jigs have been around for 100 years and the preacher jig was absolutely not the first one on the market.

[@nicholasyackley3178]

Check out beast coast hair jigs they are pretty good

[@MattStefanFishing]

nice!

[@darkskywest1598]

⚠ The porn bots like the hair jig apparently...

[@MattStefanFishing]

haha i deleted them

[@MichaelSwirzewski]

Two words guys: striper jigs. shhhh, I been usin em for smallies a long time. Some companies got good ones, and picasso knows their stuff!

[@MattStefanFishing]

yes they do!