Rattles: The Tru-Tungsten jig comes with a pre-installed tungsten rattle along the hookshank which does serve to interfere with threading a trailer on the jig depending upon how you typically go about doing this. If you simply stab your trailer similar to using pork, there is no issue. However, if you like to thread your trailer on, then the rattle will get in your way. The good news is this rattle is
removable if this really becomes an issue for you.
Early versions of these jigs were available with an optional red hook. This option appears to be no longer available.
Weedlessness: The Tru-Tungsten jig comes with a typical fiber weed guard that can be spread apart and trimmed as one sees fit. I fished it mostly spread apart and untrimmed and it served its purpose well keeping me out of weeds without interfering with hookups.
These jigs come with a nice, long skirt suitable for trimming should you want a smaller profile.
Application: One area this jig did not perform well for me was in rocky situations. As suspected, the forward placement of the bait's line tie seems better suited for weeds than rocks. I lost several of these jigs fishing the rip rapped shoreline of the California Delta in situations I felt a different head design would have had fewer
hang-ups. This was a disappointment because it's in rocky situations where I wanted to take advantage of the tungsten head knocking against obstructions and providing a different sound to attract hits.
The paint on these jig heads is
surprisingly durable.
Durability: Otherwise, the paint on the head of these jigs held up quite well as did the skirt ties and hooks. I was quite pleased by the longevity of these jigs and their ability to take a beating against docks, rocks, and other hard surfaces.
Another look at the former red hooks.
A close-in look at the tungsten rattle on these jigs held in place by a stout rubber strip.
Effectiveness: As excited as I was to try out these jigs and put them through the paces, unfortunately, I do not feel they're any more or less effective than their lead counterparts by other brands. I'm also not sold on the shape of the head and position of the line tie. I prefer to have the line tie set back a little on the head.
Black and blue is a staple color on the California Delta.
Ratings (We've re-calibrated our ratings standard for 2008 and have included a key at the bottom of the following matrix as a guide):
|
Tru-Tungsten Jason Quinn Jig Ratings (?/10)
|
| Construction/Quality |
Solidly crafted |
7 |
| Performance |
Not as good as I had hoped in the rocks |
7 |
| Price |
As with all tungsten products, quite expensive when compared to lead counterparts,
but
inline
or
cheaper
than
other
tungsten
jigs |
7 |
| Features |
Good, sharp hooks, a tungsten head, and hand tied skirt. |
8 |
| Design (Ergonomics) |
Nothing unique in the overall design, but good nonetheless |
7 |
| Application |
We found it best in weeds with too many
hang-ups in the rocks |
6 |
|
Total Score
|
7.0 |
Ratings Key: Ratings Key: 1 = terrible : 2 = poor : 3 = lacking : 4 = sub par : 5 = mediocre : 6 = fair : 7 = good : 8 = great : 9 = excellent : 10 = unbelievable!
For
More
Details
of
the
updated
rating
system
visit
our
explanation
here |
Pluses and Minuses:
|
Plus Minus
|
| J Tungsten Head |
L Hangs up rather easily in rocks |
| J Quality Hook |
|
| J Hand Tied Skirt |
|
| J Includes a rattle |
|
There's hardly a bait more basic than a jig, but Tru-Tungsten takes a stab at something different with a unique, tungsten head.
Conclusion: As much as I really wanted to get into this product, I just did not feel the benefit while fishing it in the California Delta. While it performed fine as a flipping jig up close and into
tule and weed beds, when tossed up along the rip rap walls, the jig hung up very easily. This was where I was hoping the jig would make a difference - in the rocks where I could hop it up and down and bang it against the bottom to make some noise. More often than not, when in the rocks, I never got to the first hop as the jig would hang right after my pitch. I like the thinking behind this jig, I just cannot get behind the performance.
