The Hex Head Jig Catches Everything - A Guide to Florida's Best Kept Secret Fishing Lure

Hex Head Jig : A What-Head-Jig?

 

The history of the Hex Head Jig & how it came to be is somewhat of a mystery. Before fishing on the Panhandle of Florida 10 years ago, I had never seen or heard of it. It is definitely something you won't see in any Bass Fishing circuits across the US (for some reason), and yet it is one of the most popular jigs within the Gulf of Mexico region for catching just about anything in any application. Aptly named, it's make-up is fairly odd yet simple, but extremely effective when thrown. An angle cut, six-sided, hexagonal shaped jig head with a variation of hand-tied (usually) synthetic tail material with a jig hook.

 

Also sometimes referred to as "Darter Jigs", They come in all sorts of colors, tail shapes, and sizes. It is a jig that has repeatedly gotten the job done for many anglers, and one that anglers have learned to lean on even in the toughest of days, when you just want to get the "skunk" out of your system.  Undoubtedly, because it is usually the most effective for catching whatever might be in the water at the time.

Instead of jumping down a rabbit hole about its origins and risking not giving proper credit where due, lets dive into the "how's & whys " in regard to why this jig is as popular as it is, and why you should have a setup with one of our Hexy Minnows tied on at all times, regardless of the situation.

 

What Makes A Hexy Minnow aka Hex Head Jig So Great?

 

The angled head and hydrodynamic shape of the Hex Head Jig gives it a very unique darting, side-to-side or "zigzag" action when retrieved, making it a great presentation for predators that give chase to fast bait that is fleeing or has strayed from the school. This action can be further enhanced and exaggerated by manipulating the rod with short, sharp twitches or jerky sweeps, giving the lures action an even more erratic, unpredictable style that mimics injured baitfish.

 

Hex Head Jigs Are Truly Versatile

 

These jigs are super durable and offer much more bang for your buck than many soft plastic lures. They can withstand battles with aggressive and toothy fish, such as Bluefish, Spanish Mackerel, Pike, Stripers, and Speckled Trout, and remain mostly intact. At some point or after a few battles, you'll definitely run into a real fighter that may eventually rip out some of the tail of the jig. But even if completely gone, you are left with a jig head that still performs as it should, allowing for a re-tie or as use for soft plastics.

 

How Do I Fish A Hexy Minnow Jig?

 

Fishing a Hex Head Jig can either be relatively straightforward, or as complicated as you'd like it to be. A simple moderate to slow retrieve with no rod action will see the lure slightly sway from side to side, as the angled hydrodynamic design naturally forces the action. While this basic approach often can and does get bites, achieving great success with a Hex Head Jig does require the more complex option involving a rhythmic cadence of reeling and rod manipulation. This looks like the following:

 

• Cast the Hex Head Jig and let it sink, lowering your rod tip and letting out slack line
  
  
• Reel in the slack to tension while almost simultaneously sharply lifting the rod tip, lifting the lure and forcing it to dart to one side.
  
  
• Quickly repeat this combination of lowering tip, reel in slack, lifting tip. You should see the lure almost dancing in a zigzag pattern back towards you as you continue the retrieve

 

This action absolutely drives fish crazy. To add even more variance, you can add pauses during the retrieve to make fish notice before moving on to the quicker cadence. Sometimes these slight variations are enough to trigger strikes from reluctant fish.

Adjust the depth of the jig by varying your cadence & retrieval speed. For targets in the upper water column or among the surface, a faster reel will make the jig skip on the surface. To reach deeper fish, allow the jig to sink before starting the cadence.

 

Summarizing the Hexy Minnow Hex Head Jig

 

Hex Head Jigs are definitely considered to be one of the best lures ever made along anglers in Florida, and it should make its name known as a classic in all of the angling world.  It's versatility, action, and sheer effectiveness across multiple species makes it a must have jig for any and every tacklebox.