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The Versatile, Tabu Open Water Series Jig

April 1, 2008

The Open Water Series is only one of the jigs that will be made by Tabu Tackle, but we all felt that it was the most versatile, which is why we introduced the OW Series first. The other two series to come out in the near future are the Heavy Cover and the Super Finesse, my baby.Although the Open Water Series is ideal for all open water situations, it can also be very effective when fished in and around certain types of cover. This jig offers a fine, needle sharp hook, a slightly less stiff fiber guard, and a tied skirt…all key to open water success, but having used this model for several years I’ve learned to milk it for all it’s worth. Here are a few of the other situations in which I would pull out an Open Water Series Jig.

Generally speaking, I go to the OW Series when I am faced with a situation where a “perfect” hook set is not going to be likely.

When I’m fishing for bass around and under docks I will often use this jig, mainly when I’m swimming it for suspended fish, but also sometimes when the fish aren’t biting very good, and just nibbling on stuff. I can skip it way back under the platforms and into tiny cracks and simply slowly reel it back in. The bites won’t normally be a solid “tick” like most jig bites, but more like a swimbait kind of bite. Sometimes the bait will just get heavy, either way, all you have to do is ease back on your rod and start cranking a little faster and the fish is hooked. The hook on this jig is unrivaled; it is considered light wire, but it is much stronger than other hooks the same diameter.

For dock skipping and swimming I prefer the 7/16 oz primarily, but in extremely calm conditions the compact 5/16oz works great. My favorite colors and trailer combinations around docks are: Albino Flash with a chartreuse or smoke Yamamoto 4? twin tail grub, Blue Crab with a Green Pumpkin, or Watermelon twin tail grub, and Chameleon with a Green Pumpkin or Rootbeer twin tail grub.

The Open Water Series jigs are also perfect for swimming around grass. Kissimmee grass, Milfoil, Lily Pads, Reeds, and practically any type of grass you can find. I like to make shorter, pinpoint casts to channels and edges within the grass when the fish are up in it, and I like to make longer casts tight to the outside or inside grass lines when the fish are not in it. When fishing a visible edge like say, the Kissimmee grass in Florida, I like to put the boat right up against the grass and parallel the edge just like when fishing a bluff, or rip rap line. I use a long rod so I can maneuver the jig around little dips and points along the edge with little effort.

For grass swimming I prefer the 5/16 oz primarily, but in windy conditions, or deeper grass I like the 7/16 oz better. My favorite colors and trailer combinations in the grass are: Green Pumpkin Green with a chartreuse or Green Pumpkin Yamamoto 5? twin tail grub, Black and Blue with a a Junebug or Blue twin tail grub, Watermelon Red with a Green Pumpkin, or Watermelon Red twin tail grub, and Soft Shell with a Pumpkin twin tail grub. I’ll also use a single tail grub sometimes or a Speed Craw.

For both techniques, I like a longer, more moderate action rod that’s not all tip. I basically want it to work somewhat like a crankbait, or swimbait rod, so that when the fish strikes, the rod allows the jig to be taken deeper into the fish’s mouth, thus helping with hookup percentages. It’s very important not to point the rod at the bait, like I see many doing. You want to have a near 90 degree angle between line and rod to get the advantages of the rod to work for you.

My exact rod is a 7? 6? Setyr Rod, model number ECR or CLS 190 MH. The only difference between the ECR and the CLS is that the CLS features Titanium Recoil guides. I use Gamma Edge Fluorocarbon, I’d say mostly 12lb test, but will go as low as 8lb test, and up to 14lb on occasion due to the cover conditions, target fish size, and abrasion possibilities. My reel is a Revo Premier with a 6.4:1 gear ratio. These reels are only 6.3 ounces and have without a doubt enhanced the qualities of my rods even…it’s like night and day!

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