If you’re looking to get into jig fishing or just want to get a sense of the different styles of jig trailers on the market today you could easily be overwhelmed by the shear number of styles and brands available. To matters worse, the companies aren’t lifting a finger to help you decide. You’re in luck, I’m going help you narrow it down. I created this easy to follow guide for the best jig trailer available in each category.
Finding The Best Bass Fishing Jig Trailer For The Money
In the early days there were only the Uncle Josh Pork Trailer and that is what we were forced to use.
But as bass fishing has been steadily gaining popularity for the last 15 years, more and more people are becoming interested in bass fishing. This increased fishing pressure has forced companies to make different styles of jig trailers to trick the fish into biting…
Soon the market was flooded with hundreds, if not thousands of choices…
This put the anglers at a disadvantage. Some were fooled into believing that all jigs trailers are created the same. But that couldn’t be farther from the truth…
While there some companies only sell jig trailers to make a quick buck, however other companies put their hearts into it and produce a quality trailer they are proud to sell and flat out catch fish. And this report will show you those companies who take pride in their product and sell only quality jig trailers.
WARNING: There’s a lot of information about this subject you’ll probably want to come back to. No one expects you to remember all these tips. We know your time is precious, so we really tried to over-deliver in value for you. Additionally, we frequently update reports like this, so you’ll want to stay up to date with any changes or additional tips we include for you.
We found that the easiest way to save and bookmark this report so you can come back to it later is to share it on your favorite social media platform, especially if you use your phone to get important tips like the ones in this report here…
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At A Glance...
And the Winner is...
Strike King Rage Tail Craw
Strike King spared no expense when designing the the Rage Tail Craw.
It is rumored they had over 70 prototypes to make this bait work. And frankly Strike King hit it out the park when they settled on the final product. The jig absolutely comes to life with with smallest of currents.
The Strike King Rage Tail Craw blends technology and functionality into one seamless product…
In A Hurry?
If you don’t have much time to read the detailed reviews, simply use the links below to quickly find the best jig trailers for the money on Amazon. You can be assured we only choose the best products…
Best Overall Features – Strike King Rage Tail Craw
Editor’s Choice – Googan Baits Krackin Craw
Best Swimbait Trailer – Keitech Fat Swing Impact
The Comparison Chart
#ad / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Why You Should Trust Us
We used our experiences with the products and looked over hundreds of customer reviews, watched tons of video reviews, and analyzed what the professionals and experts had to say from popular sources like BassMaster Magazine.
We scrutinized the data from the product catalog pages of nearly a dozen manufacturers, and we even tried to interview some of the company representatives to talk shop and get their take.
Why Use A Jig Trailer For Bass Fishing?
A trailer is not a necessity when fishing a jig, but as professional outdoorsman, Bill Dance, puts it:
It would be hard to believe that a jig trailer actually hurts your chances of landing more or larger bass as the common arguments for using a trailer are heavily weighted to the “pro” column.
In addition to adding bulk and visual appeal to your skirted bass jig, a trailer adds buoyancy to your bait in order to help manage the rate of fall desired during the retrieve.
Bass tend to take action when your jig is falling through the water column, so slowing the fall rate keeps your bait in the strike zone longer.
“A bass jig’s ultimate wingman has to be a trailer. It not only has the jig covered, but it also helps get the job done.”
Another strong argument for using a jig trailer is that it can provide additional action for your bait which can really be broken down into two advantages.
Ribbed jig trailers can push and disrupt more water as they are worked during the retrieve, thus making it easier for fish to locate your bait in murky water.
A second advantage of jig trailer action is that beyond just the pulsating rhythm of the skirt, the trailer’s action can trigger a bass to strike as the movement can mimic a frantic creature trying to flee the scene.
Lastly, a jig trailer gives you additional color options. Mixing and matching jig skirt and trailer colors can give your bait a two-tone presentation offering twice the opportunity for selecting a color that arouses a big bass’s stomach.
Jig trailers are a bit of a trendy topic as everyone has their own theory and opinion on what works best for them, but the indisputable truth is that odds are undoubtedly in your favor when fishing a jig with a properly selected trailer.
As the options grow more and more overwhelming by the day, I’m going to provide you with details for the best jig trailers on the market that I recommend you have in your arsenal so you can start catching fish the minute you drop the trolling motor in the lake.
Best All Around Jig Trailer - Strike King Strike King Rage Tail Craw
But, why is the Strike King Rage Tail Craw the best all around bass jig trailer?
Strike King has been in the business for many years, and the classic rage tail line of baits gives a premium fishing experience with an unmatched following of endorsements.
If you follow anything to do with fishing, you will undoubtedly hear both professional and amateur anglers talk about a rage tail bait from time to time.
This company did not reinvent the wheel on jig trailers, but they have managed to take a highly successful soft plastic action and apply it to many different types of plastic bass baits.
This jig trailer can do nearly everything!
The Strike King Rage Tail Craw is one of those baits and is what I would consider “Best in Class” when it comes to looking for a jig trailer.
The realistic crawfish action followed by a simplistic slender body that’s designed to provide additional turbulence makes this soft plastic lure one of the best options on the market for use as a jig trailer.
Perfect sizing and available in every color imaginable, the Rage Tail Craw is sure to become one of your favorite selections when choosing a jig trailer.
""...faced with [tough] conditions. The first is a Strike King Rage Tail Craw... If there’s a clump or a group of stickups — like a treetop — make sure you cover every target from every angle. Sometimes a worm with a ribbon type tail will catch them, but I always start with a Rage Craw. I want as much movement as I can get."
Pros:
- Classic and effective crawfish action
- Multiple color options
- Durable soft plastic bait
- Other available rigging options (Texas or Carolina Rigged)
Hang up but not a deal breaker:
- Pricier than many other soft plastics
Recommended Colors: Green Pumpkin, Watermelon Red Flake, Black and Blue Flake, Falcon Lake Craw, California Craw
Tech Specs:
- Length - 4-inches
- Quantity - 7
- Scented - Yes, coffee
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Limited Time Promotion – Act Now!
Best Runner Up - Zoom Super Speed Craw
About Zoom Super Speed Craws...
With a history in the industry spanning over 30 years, Zoom Bait company is one of the major players in the soft plastic world.
The Zoom Super Speed Craw is an excellent option for budget minded fisherman as these baits produce great action at an exceptional value.
The large claws push a lot of water for added vibration during retrieves while the segmented body and additional tentacles provide a more life-like presentation.
In addition to the working characteristics of these baits when used as a jig trailer, they also hold an upright defensive posture to help draw strikes while the bait is at rest.
Pros:
- Oversized claws
- Excellent Value
- Large color selection
Hang up but not deal breaker:
- Durability after strikes
Recommended Colors: Green Pumpkin Purple, Green Pumpkin, Okeechobee, Blueberry
Tech Specs:
- Length - 3.75-inches
- Quantity - 8
- Scented - Yes
Editor's Choice: Googan Baits Krackin' Craw
Why is did Googan Baits win the Editor's Choice Award?...
Coming in at 4-inches and 10 amazing color choices, the Googan Baits is sure to be a great option when paired up with your favorite jig.
This plastic bait, from one of the most up and coming bait manufacturers in the business. The Krackin’ Craw has a minimalist body profile to prevent snagging.
The slim and body helps to get your bait into some of the deepest cover possible. However, its high-action craw flappers create a large amount of action under the water.
Overall, the Krackin’ Craw is the best option for nearly any jig, because even when rigged alone as a creature bait, it’s body is profiled to give a great weedless presentation.
Pros:
- Slender body and minimal snag potential
- Multiple sizes and colors
- Weedless body highlights
- Designed for punching scenarios
Hang up but not a deal breaker:
- Softness leads to durability issues
Recommended Colors: Natural (Green & Silver), Black Blue Flake, Green Pumpkin, Watermelon Red Flake
Tech Specs:
- Length -3.5” & 4”-inches
- Quantity - 3.5" (10 count) or 4" (8 count)
- Scented - Yes
Best Jig Trailer For Flipping Summer Bass– Berkley PowerBait Pit Boss
About Berkley PowerBait Pit Boss...
With a legendary name like Skeet Reese behind the bait’s design aspects, there’s no wonder it’s known for catching bass.
The Berkley PowerBait Pit Boss is the best jig trailer on the market for flipping. It’s got a sleek and slender design, but packs a huge punch when it comes to action.
The Pit Boss is designed to mimic not only the action of a crawfish, but also baitfish. Just choose the color you desire to make your jig trailer give the most realistic presentation possible.
This bait’s shape will allow your jig to work through many different types of obstacles and cover without getting hung up and without ripping off appendages.
Berkley’s “baked in” flavor adds additional bait holding power to give you more time to feel and react to bites.
Pros:
- Professional design
- Recreates both crawfish and baitfish actions
- Cooked in flavor attractants
- Comes in 3 different sizes
Hang up but not a deal breaker:
- Limited color options for baitfish profiles
Recommended Colors: Skeets Hot Craw, Bama Bug, Watermelon, California, June Bug
Tech Specs:
- Length - 3, 4, 5-inches
- Quantity - 3" (10 count), 4" (8 count), 5" (5 count)
- Scented - Yes
Best Football Jig Trailer - Gary Yamamoto Cowboy
About Gary Yamamoto Cowboy...
The Gary Yamamoto Cowboy is an extension of creature baits from the maker of the well-known Senko worm, Yamamoto Custom Baits. These baits can be fished alone, but really shine when coupled with a football jig and used as a trailer.
Double action twirl tail legs ensure the trailer will have plenty of bass triggering action as it falls in any water condition.
The Gary Yamamoto Cowboy provides enough bulk to help slow the fall rate of your jig when fishing deep water, but it’s still slim enough to work through heavy cover without getting snagged.
This bait works great as a football jig trailer as it can attract fish from extended ranges in clear rocky reservoirs, but upon closer look, the additional appendages appeal to a natural crawfish profile that won’t turn away finicky fish.
Pros:
- Larger dual action legs
- Natural crawfish profile
- Professional design
- Natural color options
Hang up but not a deal breaker:
Pricey for no added durability
Recommended Colors: Black Blue Flake, Green Pumpkin Red Flake, Okeechobee Craw, Watermelon Black Red Flake
Tech Specs:
- Length - 4-inches
- Quantity - 7
- Scented - Yes
Best Skipping Jig Trailer – Missile Baits D-Bomb
About Missile Baits D-Bomb...
If you’re looking for a soft plastic jig trailer to top off your bass jig, Missile Baits plastics can get the job done while offering an extensive line of actions and colors.
Bassmaster Elite Series professional, John Crews had extensive input into the design of this bait to make it a proven success. Needless to say each bait is uniquely designed and thoroughly tested to ensure it is just right.
In particular, the Missile Baits D-Bomb is the best option for a skipping technique because of its flat profile.
These specially formulated soft plastic baits bring a boat load of fish enticing action, but in a compact package that will enable you to skip your jig into those places where many anglers would just keep trolling.
Minimalistic design in the claws makes this a perfect bait for use as a jig trailer when skipping as it doesn’t have lots of arms hanging off of it, but it can move enough water with it’s classic crawfish action to draw strikes from even the most finicky bass.
You’ll find the ribbed body displaces a ton of water resulting in easier skips.
The final cool feature is the tail comes connected and can bed fished as either a beaver style bait or craw bait.
Pros:
- Larger profile with flat body design for ease of skipping
- Multiple colors available
- Tail appendage can be separated or kept together
- Improved durability
Hang up but a not deal breaker:
- The packaging is been said to be flimsy and has been known to leak then the coloring on the outside.
- No smaller options
Recommended Colors: Green Pumpkin, Bruiser, Super Bug, Watermelon Red, Black
Tech Specs:
- Length - 4.5-inches
- Quantity - 6
- Scented - Yes
Best Bladed Jig Trailer – Gary Yamamoto Zako Swimbait
About the Gary Yamamoto Zako Swimbait...
When it comes to needing to pairing your bladed jig with a swimbait the Zako will get your lure noticed.
BASS Elite Series professional Brett Hite worked diligently with legendary bait maker Gary Yamamoto to design the Zako Swimbait.
The Zako (or “little fish” in Japanese) fills the gap where other swimbaits fall flat – hands down.
The Zako swims back and forth quickly to replicate a frantic baitfish as soon as you start your retrieve.
The head design and hook slot in the belly allows the bait to deflect easily off of cover making it possible to be skipped into tight places like under docks and tree limbs.
Why I like this bait so much is the design does not pull the bait up into the water column like other swimbait or craw trailers will do. The Zako keeps your bladed jig in the strike zone the entire time.
Pros:
- Frantic swimming action
- Weedless design
- Deep belly for a larger profile
- Increased durability
- No cutting or trimming necessary – ready to be fished right out of the package
Hang up but not a deal breaker:
- Pricey
- Hard to find
Recommended Colors: Grn Pumpk/Blk/White, Pumpkin/Black Flake, Cream White, Sight Flash
Tech Specs:
- Length - 4-inches
- Quantity - 6
- Scented - Yes
Best Paddle Tail Swim Jig Trailer – Keitech Fat Swing Impact
About Keitech Fat Swing Impact...
Accurately named, this swimbait from Keitech Fat Swing Impact has an unbelievably realistic shad profile that’s sure to pique the interest of most any lurking lunker.
Designed to catch bigger fish, but with several size options, there’s sure to be a match for whatever size swim jig you may be running.
The Keitech Fat Swing Impact makes a great jig trailer by giving an unmatched baitfish action when retrieved slowly.
Its paddle-tail design also pushes a large amount of water and creates a wide range of disturbance that can attract fish from further distances.
Pros:
- Ultra-realistic colors and finishes
- Multiple size options to fit your jig
- Unmatched swimming action
- Extremely durable
Hang up but not a deal breaker:
- Expensive
Recommended Colors: Sexy Shad, AYU, Green Pumpkin Pepper, Silver Flash, Smallmouth Magic
Tech Specs:
- Length - 3.5”, 4.5”, 5.5”-inches
- Quantity - 3.5” (6 count), 4.5” (6 count), & 5.5” (5 count)
- Scented - Yes
Best Minnow-Style Swim Jig Trailer - Z-MAN Razor ShadZ Jerkbait
About Z-MAN Razor ShadZ Jerkbait...
Designed by tournament pros, this bait was invented to give the most realistic swimming action possible in a minnow style plastic bait.
The Z-MAN Razor ShadZ 4.5 Inch Soft Plastic Jerkbait beat out the Zoom Super Fluke because of its insane tight swimming minnow action. The small segments that are built in gives it the real-to-life movement that is perfect for pairing with your favorite swim jig.
Any type of retrieve you decide to go with, this bait will perform flawlessly under any condition.
The vast variety of colors are also sure to coordinate with any jig skirt you have in your tackle box.
Pros:
- Segmented swim design
- Belly hook slot
- Realistic swimming action
- Large variety of colors
Hang up but not a deal breaker:
- Only available in one size
Recommended Colors: The Deal, Smoky Shad, Green Pumpkin, Bad Shad
Tech Specs:
- Length - 6-inches
- Quantity - 8
- Scented - Yes
Best Finesse Jig – Zoom Salty Pro Chunk
About Zoom Salty Pro Chunk...
Zoom plastics are known for their fish producing ability, but these salt-impregnated jig trailers not only attract fish, but they also make the fish hang on after the strike.
When it comes to a finesse jig, slim and simple is the key. These traditional-styled chunk baits fit that bill with a slightly longer profile, but their slender tails recreate crawfish profiles easily.
Offered in the most popular fish producing colors, these Zoom Salty Pro Chunk baits are a great addition to any small finesse jig.
Pros:
- Simplistic design
- Slim and slender profille
- Salt impregnated
- Excellent value
Hang up but not a deal breaker:
- Very limited color selection
Recommended Colors: Black, Saffire Blue, Black/Blue, Green Pumpkin
Tech Specs:
- Length - 3.5-inches
- Quantity - 5
- Scented - Yes
Best Trailer For Cold Water / Winter Time – NetBait Paca Slim Craw
About NetBait Paca Slim Craw...
Cold weather fishing can be difficult, but pairing the Paca Slim Craw with a small to mid-size jig can unlock the secret of sticking large bass in cold weather.
A slender body and smaller claws than most creature baits, this new option from NetBait is perfect for winter time bass fishing.
Realistic, natural action, without being flashy or bulky, give the Paca Slim Craw a subtle presentation that drives curiosity from sluggish bass.
As with all of NetBait’s Paca Craw series baits, the claws on this one have enough buoyancy to stand up in a defensive posture when the bait is at rest which provides yet another realistic dynamic when using this bait as a jig trailer
Pros:
- Slender design
- Realistic crawfish presentation
- Every color imaginable
Hang up but not a deal breaker:
- Solid-body can cause hook-up issues if not rigged correctly
Recommended Colors: Green Pumpkin, Black Blue Tips, Sun Perch, Green Pumpkin Orange Tips
Tech Specs:
- Length - 3.5-inches
- Quantity - 9
- Scented - Yes
———HUGE FISHING BLUEPRINT NATIONAL PROMOTION!———
Limited Time Promotion – Act Now!
DIY - BUILD YOUR OWN BAITS
If you don’t want to buy a premium trailers, but rather think it’s the best idea to pour your own, then check out this YouTube video.
How to Pour Your Own Baits
I can tell you it’s SUPER FUN to pour your own baits. One of the best and most obvious benefits is that I’ve come up with (more like stumbled upon) some great colors that I don’t see anyone else pouring. Best of all, some of the colors work great for the lakes around me!
Here is what you need to get started:
Soft Bait Plastisol – click here to learn more
Pyrex Cup Set – click here to learn more
Injector – click here to learn more
Soft Plastic Worm Coloring – click here to learn more
Craw Mold – click here to learn more
Swimbait Mold – click here to learn more
-- Featured Article Of The Month --
Other Jig Related Articles Listed Below!
- Jig Fishing 101 [A Complete Beginners Guide]
- How to Fish a Bass Jig [Top 12 Retrieval Tips That WORK]
- 15 Tips On How To Choose The Best Trailer For Your Jig
- How to Fish a Football Jig with Confidence (10 Tips That May Surprise You)
- Top 10 Best Spring Jig Fishing Tips For Bass
- 27 Best Bass Jig Modifications Made Easy (With Pictures)
- Best Jig Rod for Bass Fishing [Review Guide For Buyers]
- Top 10 Best Jigs For Bass Fishing [Insiders Only]
- 12 Jig Trailers You Don’t Know About (But Should)
- 17 Secret Bluegill Colored Jigs That Catch Bass Like CRAZY!
FAQ
What is the best way to set the hook with a jig?
A hard upward hookset. You need to set the hook hard with jigs because the weedguard can present an obstacle for driving the hook into the fish’s mouth.
Depending on how heavily weeded the area is, you should fine-tune the weed guard to increase your hook-up chances.
You can do this by cutting or spreading out the bristles, and/or trimming them down a little shorter.
If you’re new to jig fishing, I strongly recommend you read the article Beginners Blueprint To Jig Fishing, where I give you 50 different tips that actually work! Click here to find out what skills you are missing.
Read More: What is Jig Fishing For Bass? [A Complete Beginners Guide]
How do you skip a jig?
Skipping a dock is the art of casting a lure (preferably flat) across the water (normally underhand/sidearm) that it skips and bounces off the surface, preferably many times! Think about skipping a rock.
Anglers like to skip lures under docks and other structures because often larger bass will set up deep in the shadows to ambush prey.
To get the secrets on how to skip a jig in less time than it would take you to eat your lunch then click here.
Read more: How To Skip A Bass Jig – Tips for Skipping Docks And Other Structures
What type of line is best for jig fishing?
Jigs can be fished with braided, monofilament, or fluorocarbon line. However, it’s recommended to use a fluorocarbon line in clear water and braided line in murky water. Fortunately, I wrote a thorough article that goes into much more detail of what are the best lines for bass fishing and more importantly what lines to avoid!
Read more: 21 Tips To Choose The Best Bass Fishing Line
Can I swim a football jig?
Yes, you can. It’s really all about presentation. If you’re in a pinch and don’t have a dedicated swim jig available any type of jig can be retrieved on a “swim” action.
Read more: How to Fish a Football Jig with Confidence
Should I use lead or tungsten weight jigs?
This is really a personal preference, but Tungsten jigs haven their advantages. Tungsten is heavier, so it can provide you with more weight in a smaller profile bait. Since the density is higher, it also provides better sensitivity to bottom composition. The tradeoff is that Tungsten is significantly more expensive than lead.
Can I fish a jig year round?
Yes, jig fishing is extremely effective any time of year. Keep in mind that the size and action of your jig should vary depending on water temp, season, and the stage of spawning the fish may be in.
Can I use these jigs for saltwater fishing?
Yes, just made sure you rinse off all your fishing gear with fresh water and wipe after use.
When I order a pack of trailers how big is the shipping package?
Your pack of trailers will be most likely shipped in a small box or a bag.
Warranty? What happens if I brake my jig after a few trips to the lake?
I strongly recommend contacting the manufacturer as soon as possible. They are normally pretty good with warranties.
Explain to them what happened, provide pictures of the jig, purchase information and any other documentation they ask about. I cannot speak for them, but typically they replace the jig at a massive discount, but be aware you may have to pay a small shipping fee.
Title picture credit:
George Servinson
My name is George and I'm been fishing my entire life and love all things outdoors. My passion is helping anyone catch more fish. The newest things I've been doing lately is learning how to break down and clean all my reels, teaching my boy how to kayak fish, and bushcraft wilderness survival.
