Jig Head Weight Calculator
Get your soft plastic down and keep it there. Enter depth, current, and line to get a jig-head weight rounded to a size that's actually in your tackle tray.
Bottom contact without deadening the bite
A jig head has two jobs: carry the bait down to the fish and keep it ticking bottom so you feel every tap. Get it right and the soft plastic falls naturally and telegraphs the lightest pickup; get it wrong and you either lose contact or anchor the lure so hard it looks fake.
Choosing the soft plastic and overall lure weight? Start with the Lure Weight Selector, then pick a colour for the conditions with the Lure Color Selector.
Frequently Asked Questions
How heavy a jig head do I need?
The working rule of thumb is roughly 1/8 oz of jig head for every 10 feet of depth in calm water, using the lightest head that still lets you feel it tick bottom. Current adds weight so the jig isn't swept off the spot. This calculator combines depth and current, adjusts a little for your line, and rounds to the nearest standard jig-head size.
Why does my line change the recommendation?
Line diameter and stretch affect how a jig sinks and how well you stay in contact. Thin, slick, near-zero-stretch braid cuts through the water and telegraphs the lightest tap, so you can fish a shade lighter. Thicker, stretchier monofilament creates more drag and mutes feel, so a touch more head weight helps you keep bottom contact. Fluorocarbon sits in between.
What if I can't feel the bottom — or the jig drags?
If you can't feel the head tap down or your line keeps bowing, you're too light; step up a size. If the jig sweeps downstream or hangs up constantly, that's too heavy for the current, or you need a more compact tungsten head that holds better for its weight. The goal is the lightest head that keeps you pinned to the bottom with a natural fall.
Are these figures exact?
No — treat them as a sensible starting point. The real number also depends on your soft-plastic's bulk and buoyancy, the bottom type, wind, and how much line you have out. Use the recommendation to pick a head, then adjust by feel on the water.
A practical estimate for jig-head weight, not an exact figure. Bait bulk, bottom type, and line out all affect how a head fishes.