Trailer

A bare jig is only half a lure. The trailer completes the profile and decides what the whole thing imitates. A craw or a chunk on a bottom jig reads as a crawfish. A paddle-tail on a swim jig reads as a baitfish.

It also controls fall rate, which is often the more important variable. A bulky trailer with flapping appendages parachutes the jig down slowly, which is what you want in cold water or on pressured fish. A slim, compact trailer drops fast for deep water and windy days.

Match the color to the skirt or contrast it deliberately. A green pumpkin jig with an orange-tipped craw trailer is a classic pre-spawn combination for a reason.

Trim it to fit. Most trailers are longer than they need to be, and cutting an inch off the nose before threading it on keeps the overall profile compact, which usually improves your hookup ratio.