How Much "Flap" Should I Give My Jig

The skirt on a jig has three purposes...action, color and water resistance. A jig falls slower depending upon line diameter, weight and mass. A jig may be slowed down on descent by using thicker skirts and/or wider trailer flappers. Or a jig may be enhanced on descent by "plucking" strands out of the skirt and/or using more stream-line trailers. As far as action is concerned, the "living rubber" skirts with their long heavy strands increase lure action by their uniform flare as to compared to the standard silicone skirts. The purpose of the jig skirt is to attract attention. The color of the skirt depends upon forage, water clarity and time of day. As far as color goes use lighter/natural shades in clear water, and darker shades in stained water. Use darker colors at night, early morning, late evening and on cloudy days. Use lighter colors during the day and on bright sunny weather patterns. So, which is more important, getting the "color" right or the "shade" right? Getting the shade of color right for the forage the fish are feeding on is best. The only time you should need to trim a skirt is when you want to prevent the skirt from covering up the action of the trailer. Raddles should not be use in cold clear water. Only use them in stained water and around heavy cover. And what about weedguards? A weedguard can be clear or colored in stained water or heavy cover. A clear flurocarbon weedguard may have an advantage only in clear water. Now days the weedguards are pretty much the right length out of the package and don't need trimed. Some like to thin the weedguard for better hookset. The weedguard can be "spread" (widen) by bending the fibers sideways to allow better snag protection. As far as trailers, the scented trailers seem to be the best because the fish hold on to them longer. Use the trailer that best matches the mood of the fish. The more fish activity, the more trailer action. How do you adjust your "flap" on your jig?