Hair jigs are dynamite for several enticing species of fish. I use them when targeting walleyes and crappies, but most often when chasing smallmouth bass. While marabou jigs have gained popularity, I have recently come to favor bucktail jigs. Early in the season, when smallmouth hang out in shallow water, I rig up with a 1/8th ounce crawfish pattern Buck-A-Roo® Jig hair jig and cast to rocky targets. As water temps heat up and bass move deeper to feed on pelagic forage, I will incorporate the shiner pattern, and often move up to the ¼ ounce size. Now it’s time to rely on electronics and target deeper rock structures. It’s essential to consider the action that natural bait has and imitate it. When fishing the crawfish-colored Buck-A-Roo® Jig, I like to hop and scoot the jig along. The shiner pattern often works most effectively with a slow and steady retrieve. A medium-light spinning rod with a fast tip is ideal for casting a hair jig. I spool up with 6 lb BIONIC WALLEYE BRAID and attach a leader of 8 lb BIONIC WALLEYE mono-filament.
In 1975, a young Northwoods fishing guide named John Peterson started pouring jigs and tying tackle for his guiding clients in a small remote cabin in northern Minnesota. The lures were innovative, made with high-quality components, and most importantly were catching fish when no other baits were working! The word spread like wildfire, the phone started ringing for Team Northland®… and the Northland Fishing Tackle® brand was in hot demand!
For over 45 years Team Northland® Tackle has been designing, testing, and perfecting an exclusive line of products that catches fish like no other brand on the market today. Manufactured in the heart of Minnesota’s finest fishing waters, Northland® is one of the country’s leading producers of premium quality jigs, live bait rigs, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and spoons for Panfish, Perch, Walleye, Bass, Trout, Northern Pike, and Muskie.
Northland Fishing Tackle® products are designed by fishermen for the quality-conscious anglers of the new millennium. The entire management team are fishermen who surround themselves with experienced Northwoods fishing guides, veteran charter captains, professional tournament anglers, and the famous Team Northland Pro-Staff! These fishing experts provide us with valuable product feedback and innovative fishing ideas that keep us on the “cutting edge” of the fishing tackle industry.
The Northland Fishing Tackle® Team has some of the best promotional fishermen in the industry such as Brian “Bro” Brosdahl, Jeff “Gussy” Gustafson, Jason Mitchell, Brad Hawthorne, Joel Nelson, and Nick Lindner to showcase our innovative shapes, colors, and designs. Our Pro Staff and professionals spend hundreds of days each year on the water and are the backbone of our organization. Our social media channels reach millions of people across Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Our content-rich Northland Fishing Tackle website serves as a home base for new product information and an excellent resource for fishing tips, tricks, and hacks.