Playing the jig game

Wolak’s trailers give looks for different situations

One of the benefits to filming a television show and working with professional fishermen is you get to learn their secrets. Dave Wolak and I started a show called “Carolina’s Perfect Cast” that airs on the Pursuit Channel at 9 a.m. on Saturdays and 7:30 a.m. on Thursdays.

The coolest thing about doing the show is not catching fish and pretending to be Jimmy Houston, but learning. Learning about fishing is what makes the sport so fun.

As a tournament competitor, I can tell you first- hand that many baits and techniques remain anonymous. Some baits and details are so minute that even television and photos do not adequately reveal them.

Dave and I have been friends for years, fishing tournaments against each other and often communicating broadly about patterns during practice

My point is, I’ve been good friends with Dave for some time, and he has shared his jig secrets with me and is willing to share. Our show sponsors, Culprit and Dave’s Tournament Tackle, have worked closely with Dave, producing the lures that he has used and tweaked for years.

Dave’s record in tournaments speaks for itself, and much of his success can be attributed to his system of jig fishing.

In fact, Dave has designed three specific jig trailers for Culprit: the DW1, DW2, and DW3. Each one has a specific purpose and those little details —“idiosyncrasies” — that make them outstanding. I’ve also picked up some new words from my Northern buddy. Idiosyncrasies is one of them, though I must admit I can not spell it without spellcheck.

Dave has also worked with Dave’s Tournament Tackle to reproduce his homemade finesse jig.

In combination, the trailer and jigs have gotten me really interested in jig presentations that are not widely used.

With the DW1, a tiny little trailer that looks like a crappie lure, Dave has had countless successful tournaments and fun days on the lake.

The DW2 is a subtle-action trailer that is deadly on cold water or inactive bass, as well as skipping docks.

The DW3 is a large, double-tail grub that is the most additive of the bunch. Put it on the back of a swim jig and go to town on some big ones. You can cover a ton of water effectively with this lure, and it gets hammered by big fish. I have had so much fun with this bait that my behavior borders on obsessive.  It is often the first lure I pick up.

Thanks Dave, you have gotten me hooked.