Leadhead Jig Rig Diagram & Gear List

A single heavy leadhead rigged with a large soft plastic swimbait, dropped straight to bottom and worked with a swim-pause-drop retrieve right in rocky structure. Heavier than a dropshot and fished actively rather than held still, built for punching through current to reach lingcod and cabezon holding tight to reef.

Where to use it: boat, kayak, jetty
Difficulty: intermediate

Gear List

main Line50-65 lb braid
leader40-60 lb fluorocarbon
leader Length3-5ft from braid to jig via a leader knot or swivel
hook Range4-8oz leadhead jig with a built-in hook, sized to depth and current
weight TypeJig head itself, no separate sinker
sinker Drop LengthNot applicable, weight is molded into the jig head
swivelBarrel swivel joining braid to fluorocarbon leader

Optional gear

Gear to build this setup

These Amazon.com searches match the guide's starting specifications. Check the size, listing, and availability in your country before ordering.

Heavy leadhead jigs Match head weight to depth and current.Search on Amazon

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How to tie the Leadhead Jig Rig

Join 3-5ft of 40-60 lb fluorocarbon to the braid with an FG knot or a barrel swivel.
Tie a 4-8oz leadhead jig to the leader with a loop knot so it swims freely.
Thread a large soft plastic swimbait straight onto the hook.
Drop to the bottom, then swim, pause, and let it fall back into the rocks.

When and where it works best

Deep reef and rocky structure with current, from boats and kayaks.

Is the Leadhead Jig Rig good for beginners?

It is rated intermediate: easy to tie, but worth a little practice to fish well. Practice the connections in the knot guide, and see the Boat Rod for a matching rod.

What fish is the Leadhead Jig Rig good for?

Lingcod Cabezon Pacific Halibut Cobia Blackfin Tuna Atlantic Cod Pollack Coalfish (Saithe)Common Ling Yellowtail Kingfish Coral Trout Southern Bluefin Tuna Hapuku (Groper)Yellowfin Tuna Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Bigeye Tuna Albacore Skipjack Tuna Mahi-Mahi (Dolphinfish)

Practical starting point only. Adjust line, hook, and sinker sizes for conditions and target fish, and verify current regulations before fishing.

Common Questions

What do I need to tie a Leadhead Jig Rig?

A 50-65 lb braid main line, a 40-60 lb fluorocarbon leader (3-5ft from braid to jig via a leader knot or swivel), a 4-8oz leadhead jig with a built-in hook, sized to depth and current hook, and a Jig head itself, no separate sinker. Full gear list is above.

What is a Leadhead Jig Rig best for?

The Leadhead Jig Rig works best for boat, kayak, jetty fishing, and is a recommended setup for Lingcod, Cabezon, Pacific Halibut, Cobia. Difficulty: intermediate.

Is the Leadhead Jig Rig hard to tie?

It is rated intermediate. The knot guide covers the terminal connections used across RigMyFish rigs, so you can practice each connection separately before building the full setup.