leading to failures . Tips rolled over . Most were simply incapable of standing up to the rigid demands of tournament fishermen .
“ I don ’ t want to lose any fish ,” Monsoor says . “ They ’ re worth too much money .”
Finally , after a 25-year process , Monsoor settled on his supreme hook . A long , sticky-sharp 5 / 0 masterpiece . The hook catches short-strikers , and it does so without the need for a massive hookset .
Monsoor was quick to point out , however , that his favorite hook is best for his individual style .
“ I use fluorocarbon 99 percent of the time , and it allows me to hook fish at the end of a hundred-foot cast ,” he says .
While many anglers like “ musky hooks ” of supreme size and thickness for use with heavy braided lines , Monsoor ’ s personal hook is capable , but a bit more suited for lighter tackle .
MONSOOR ’ S MODEL ON THE MARKET
Monsoor ’ s jig designs have inspired a number of companies to produce and sell his creation . He himself consulted with several manufacturers through the years , and a few have earned his endorsement .
The Humdinger Tom Monsoor jig matches Monsoor ’ s head design with a collared skirt and heavy hook , capable of fishing braided line or fluorocarbon . It ’ s available in about a dozen colors , and bare heads can be ordered for anglers to make their own custom creations .
The Sump ’ n Sump ’ n jig features a hand-tied skirt and lighter hook , more closely matching the actual jig Monsoor uses in competition . He warns against using too heavy of gear with the lighter-wire hook , but calls the jig the “ MegaBass of swim jigs .”
Both companies ’ products are responsible for thousands of fish catches nationwide , thanks to original insight by the swim jig legend himself .
Shielding the hook from snags is a carefully designed weed guard .
“ I use a really light weed guard ,” he explains . “ If a fish breathes on the jig , he ’ s caught .”
Again , trial and error led to the discovery of the downfalls of accepted designs .
“ I had tournaments where I had 30 ( missed ) bites and didn ’ t know any better ,” he recounts . “ I came back the next week with a shorter weed guard and caught all 30 of those fish .”
Today , all Monsoor ’ s jigs feature a weed guard that culminates in front of the hook point , not at or past it . The rigidity of the guard also matters . “ The fish can feel the weed guard ; it ’ s unbelievable ,” he posits . “ Especially smallmouth – that ’ s something nobody thinks about .”
Over time , Monsoor settled on soft , flexible weed guards made from an undisclosed fiber . Colors match the shades of most jig heads : clear , white , brown and black .
INNOVATION HELPS
Monsoor ’ s jig heads are painted , again , individually . Beginning first with nail polishes and later moving to brushing acrylics by hand , his whole world changed with the invention of powder paints . His sophisticated system now consists of small pots that circulate air through the powder and a specialized oven to bake the paint on each head . It ’ s imperative that each head have a uniform paint job .
“ A drip can throw off the balance of the lure ,” Monsoor explains .
Each finished product is clear-coated , making the head chipproof and shiny and adding more realism to the whole package . Weights range from 1 / 8 ounce to over an ounce apiece .
The most eye-catching aspect of a Tom Monsoor jig is the overall look and color . When asked to narrow down his top four picks , Monsoor exclaims :
“ I can ’ t ! Heck , I ’ ve got four variations of white .”
Monsoor has a jig in every color combination that he thinks will catch a fish .
PHOTO BY JUSTIN ONSLOW
APRIL-MAY 2021 | MAJORLEAGUEFISHING . COM 49