Jay Yelas proudly displaying his 2002 victory earned with the Berkley PowerBait Rattle Classic Jig

The simple-looking lead head jig has probably accounted for more bragging-size bass than any other artificial lure around.  Although, most jigs look alike in appearance, you wouldn't judge a book by its cover, so don't judge a jig by its appearance. 

Take for instance, the Eakins Jig manufactured by Jewel Bait Company.  At first glance, it looks like a typical round-ball-head jig adorned with a nice looking skirt.  Don't be fooled by its unassuming appearance.  Veteran angler, Jim Eakins, designed this little wonder of a jig.

Throughout the last decade and a half Eakins has been consistently winning tournaments and money by fishing this little jig.  Since 1990 he has been tinkering, modifying, and perfecting various jigs until he devised the current model sold by Jewel Bait.

Those are just some of the cosmetic features of the Eakins jig.  What really sets this little finesse-type jig apart are features that often get overlooked.  The actual lead weight of this particular jig design extends past the head, down onto the hook shank. Jim Eakins found this design allowed for a more natural, level fall, which appears more natural and lifelike.

This long-time tournament favorite features an ultra-tough powder coat finish.

To be honest, the jig is part of a balanced system devised by Jim Eakins.  Since he reasoned the smaller jig would catch more fish, it was critical to fish it on lighter than usual line.  Heavy line didn't allow the proper natural fall, so Jim settled on ten-to twelve-pound line.  Research and field-testing proved that fluorocarbon line had less stretch and better knot strength than comparable monofilament lines.  After much testing Eakins settled on Seaguar's Carbon Pro Fluorocarbon line, which had low stretch and greater knot strength than mono.  Since the Eakins jig is often fished in deep water, these two characteristics of the low stretch and knot strength are critical to the success of the jig.

Typically, Jim casts the jig more often than flipping it.  It has proven effective in both shallow, dirty water as well as the deep clear depths.  When fishing the jig, Eakins visualizes a crawfish.  "Crawfish don't usually move real fast," he explained. "I try to mimic a crawfish with a slow, erratic but realistic retrieve."  Normally, keeping the jig in contact with the bottom maximizes the effectiveness, although at times bass want the jig hopped.

Amazingly, the jig was devised while fishing the rocky banks in Ozark lakes, but has proven itself effective in heavy cover and has also built a solid reputation when fished in or near vegetation. Prior tournaments on the Potomac River have resulted in top finishes, and the little Eakins Jig has excelled at catching pressured bass from heavily fished waters. It has become a "go to" type of confidence bait for hundreds of hardcore tournament anglers.

Match the Eakins jig with a small craw worm such as the Eakins Pro Model Craw and it's easy to see the resemblance to a crawfish.  The duo is the virtual mirror image of the real thing, and that realism is what makes the Eakins jig so effective. For best results stick with the natural colors whenever possible and don't ruin the action with heavy line.

Sometime a bigger, heavier jig is required to bust through vegetation or thick cover. A great example of this is the somewhat larger jig used by Jay Yelas to win the 2002 Bass Masters Classic.  Yelas cast a large 5/8-ounce Berkley PowerBait Rattle Classic Jig during the "Classic" and won the event by a large margin.  Much like the Eakins jig, the Yelas model is similar to its competition only through appearance.  Four years of trial and error development went into the Berkley jig design.  Yelas continued to make refinements to the design right up until he left for the Classic.

The hook eye was one of the keys to his success with the Berkley jig.  Jay's version features a thirty-degree bend instead of the typical 60-degree bend on competing jigs.  "The 30 degree bend allows for better hook sets and thus a better landing ratio," quips Yelas.  Likewise, the head was designed to cause the jig to stand up when at rest much like a crawfish does when alarmed enticing strikes from inquisitive bass. Berkley incorporated a strong Mustad hook to ensure that big fish didn't get away. A rattle was designed to fit under the skirt collar allowing for a streamlined appearance and to add sound which will attract nearby bass in heavy cover. 

Jay demanded a stiffer than normal weed guard.  "I felt like the stiffer weed guard is needed in heavy cover and it can always be trimmed down when not desired," explained the Classic Champ.  High quality paint was devised to prevent chipping of the head when fished near rocks and docks.  Yet what may be the most unique ingredient of the jig is the skirt.  Berkley researchers used their proven PowerBait formula to develop a skirt created from the Power Bait ingredients. For years anglers have relied on PowerBait worms and other lures, so it was only natural to incorporate this technology into a jig skirt. Yelas has noticed the difference in having Power Bait injected into the material, stating that bass hold onto the jig longer allowing him more time to set the hook properly.

Yelas cast a large 5/8-ounce Berkley PowerBait Rattle Classic Jig during the "Classic" and won the event by a large margin.

When fishing, its not uncommon for Yelas to have out two or three Team Daiwa rods each rigged with a different size jig.  "I have to experiment with the different weights in order to determine what the bass like best," states Yelas.  Obviously the heavier jig falls to the bottom faster, which may trigger a reaction strike by aggressive bass.  Other times the fish may bite a slower falling (lighter) jig better, thus the different sizes. Using a process of elimination, Jay will fish one jig for a while switching to a heavier or different color and taking note of the results.

On the back of the jig, Jay normally adds a Berkley PowerBait Frog trailer, which is a plastic chunk that adds extra action to the jig.  Yelas matches the trailer color to that of the skirt and usually opts for the 2-inch trailer.  "Dirty water or bigger fish will cause me to switch to the 3-inch trailer," adds the Texan.

Unlike Eakins, Yelas rarely spools up with light line when jig fishing.  The '02 Classic Champ's line of choice is Trilene XT in twenty-five pound, clear version.  Yelas also uses a heavy action Team Daiwa Flipping rod and Team Daiwa baitcast reel to cast or pitch the jig into heavy cover.  The stout line, heavy-duty rod, and strong hook allow him to horse bass from the brush and heavy cover they like to bury into.  Using the Berkley jig and mentioned heavy tackle gave him confidence to fish for the big bass that he needed to win the Bass Master's Classic.

It's no fluke that jigs catch lots of fish and lots of big fish.  Jigs simulate realistic, bulky baits and big bass prefer a meal not a morsel.  Don't forget though, not all jigs are created equal.  Look beyond the fancy skirts and attractive packaging.  Pay close attention to the hook, the head design, and all of the components used to make the jig.  It's likely you will find the perfect jig when you tie on the little Eakins jig or the larger Berkley model.