Ask me how to hit a golf ball far, and I,ll tell you to use a onewood driver and your best swing. Golfer friends, however, tell me different ball designs perform a certain way once they're hit into the air. Some balls go longer, higher, lower, stop quicker, roll farther, or decrease slice. Some fly throught wind better. But golf fundamentals must be mastered before ball design can improve your game.

Similarly, jig fishing fundamentals must be mastered before different jighead designs can increase your sucess when used in the right conditions.

Jigs are a universal fishing component that can be used in many different water conditions. Successful jig fishing starts with selecting the right jig to match conditions. And many varied fishing conditions are found in rivers--heavy current, slack water breaks, riprap, weedbeds, stumps, brush, and deep holes.

Jighead designs can help you fine-tune your presentation in these varied conditions. Different designs help detect changes in the bottom. They work through or stumps, and they help detect subtle strikes. If you can't tell what's going on with your jig in relation to conditions, you're probably using the wrong jig for that situation.

Round heads--These jigs excel for vertical jigging, cutting current, and retreving through snags. In most waters, round heads are as good as any other jig design. For vertically jigging in current, use a jig heavy enough to cut thought the water. But they're a poor choice in weedy areas because the line tie placement and head design easily snag.

Bait rigs' odd' ball jig has a unique head design that can be rigged weedless, cuts thought water, and has standup properties. The fundamentally redesigned round jighead, which excels for vertical jigging, also stands up to minimize snagging.

Modified jigs--The head design and position of the line tie help these jigs stay down in current. They excel for vertically fishing and for casting into shore and swimming back to the boat. Most designs, however, tip over when rested on the bottom, increasing their chances for snagging.

The flat-sided design of Jack's Vertical River jig cuts current and can be kept close to the bottom. It's a design for vertical fishing and for heavier current conditions. The flat-side profile provides visibility, making it good for fishing dirty ofr deep water. Red Neck Tech's hydro-shaped tapered head keeps the jig from rising in heavy current and helps determine bottom makeup.

Jeff Simpson