Strike King Tour Grade Football Black Blue Jig Review

One Week with the Strike King Tour Grade Football Black Blue Jig

The Strike King Tour Grade Football Black Blue Jig is a dedicated piece of angling tackle, designed with a singular focus on deepwater bass fishing. This jig boasts a distinctive football-shaped head, engineered for superior bottom feel and an upright presentation. It’s this characteristic that immediately caught my eye, as I was seeking a jig that would offer more tactile feedback and a more natural presentation on the lakebed.

My own tackle box had been feeling a bit stale, and my usual go-to jigs just weren’t cutting it in some of the deeper, more structure-laden areas I’d been exploring. I needed something that could better navigate those complex underwater terrains and signal bites more effectively. While I considered a few other jig brands known for their football heads, the reputation of Strike King’s “Tour Grade” line, combined with the classic black and blue color scheme, nudged me towards this particular model. My initial impression upon unboxing was one of solid craftsmanship; the paint was robust, the hook felt sharp, and the skirt looked surprisingly lifelike. It was a feeling of quiet satisfaction, a subtle anticipation of what it might unlock on the water.

Real-World Testing: Putting Strike King Tour Grade Football Black Blue Jig to the Test

I took these jigs out to a local reservoir known for its deep drop-offs and submerged timber, conditions where a football jig truly shines. My testing ground was primarily around submerged humps and the edges of creek channels, areas often holding bass in cooler water temperatures. I employed a standard casting and slow-rolling retrieve, punctuated by occasional hops to mimic a fleeing baitfish or crawfish.

The performance in these challenging conditions was remarkably consistent. The Strike King Tour Grade Football Black Blue Jig maintained its upright position admirably, even when dragged over coarse gravel and along the rough bark of submerged trees. I tested it through light rain and moderate wind, and while the line management was mostly unaffected, the superior feel of that football head was a constant advantage, allowing me to discern bottom composition changes with ease. This jig required minimal adjustment time; it was intuitive from the first cast.

After several weeks of consistent use, often several times a week, this particular jig has held up exceptionally well. I’ve subjected it to countless encounters with abrasive structure – rocks, wood, and even the occasional oyster bed in brackish estuary explorations. Despite this rough treatment, there are only minor scuffs on the paint, and the hook remains sharp and true. Maintenance is straightforward; a quick rinse after each outing, followed by drying and storage in a jig box, is all that’s needed. Compared to some of the cheaper alternatives I’ve used in the past, which quickly developed stiffness in the skirt or dulled hooks, this model is proving its mettle.

First Use Experience

The first time I tied on the Strike King Tour Grade Football Black Blue Jig, I was fishing a deep, rocky point where I knew big bass liked to hunker down. I cast it out and felt that familiar, reassuring thud as it hit the bottom. The football head immediately settled the jig into a perfect, nose-up posture, allowing me to feel the subtle nuances of the rocky substrate beneath.

I focused on a slow, deliberate retrieve, and within minutes, I felt a solid, decisive thump. The hookset was clean, and after a brief but spirited fight, I boated a healthy 5-pound largemouth. This initial success was a direct result of the jig’s presentation and how well I could feel the bottom through that football head.

Extended Use & Reliability

Over the following weeks, this jig became a staple in my deep-water arsenal. I found myself reaching for it instinctively when probing depths of 15 feet or more. It navigated thick brush piles with surprising effectiveness, thanks to its color-coordinated weedguard, which deflected snags without compromising the hookset.

The durability of the powder-coated paint is noteworthy; despite numerous brushes with underwater structure and the occasional accidental drop onto the boat deck, the finish remains largely intact. The skirt material has also held its vibrant color and supple action, a testament to its premium quality. I haven’t experienced any issues with the hook point dulling prematurely, even after repeated encounters with bass mouths.

Breaking Down the Features of Strike King Tour Grade Football Black Blue Jig

Specifications

The Strike King Tour Grade Football Black Blue Jig features a substantial, wide football-shaped head. This design is paramount as it provides exceptional sentinel-like feel on the bottom, allowing anglers to discern subtle changes in substrate. It also ensures the jig stands proudly and tantalizingly on the lakebed, a crucial element for attracting wary bass.

The jig utilizes a flat eye line tie, which is a seemingly small detail but profoundly impacts its performance. This feature ensures the line and knot remain in their optimal position, contributing to a more natural lure presentation and a higher hook-up ratio. Furthermore, it’s armed with an extra-sharp Gamakatsu 60-degree round bend hook. This is a premium component renowned for its penetrating power and holding strength, minimizing the chance of fish throwing the hook.

The paint jobs are durable powder-coated, designed to withstand the rigors of heavy use and contact with abrasive underwater environments. Each jig comes with color-coordinated weedguards, meticulously matched to the skirt and paint scheme for a cohesive, lifelike appearance. Lastly, the jig is finished with premium skirts that are designed to flow and pulse in the water, mimicking the natural movement of forage. The specific model reviewed here is in the Black Blue color.

Performance & Functionality

The primary function of the Strike King Tour Grade Football Black Blue Jig is to be a reliable, effective deep-water bait, and it excels in this role. Its football head is the star of the show, providing an almost unparalleled sense of what’s happening beneath the water’s surface. This translates directly into detecting subtle bites that might otherwise go unnoticed, especially in murky conditions or when fishing at depth.

The jig’s ability to stand up on the bottom is a significant advantage. This upright posture makes it appear more natural to bass, as if it were a crawfish or other bottom-dwelling prey actively foraging. The combination of the Gamakatsu hook and the flat eye line tie contributes to a remarkably high hook-up ratio; strikes are often converted into landed fish with satisfying regularity.

While its performance in deep water is exceptional, it can also be surprisingly effective in moderately shallow areas with cover. The weedguard works efficiently to prevent snags on vegetation and submerged wood, allowing anglers to probe areas that might otherwise be too difficult to fish with a standard jig. The only minor drawback is that its specialized design for deep water might make it slightly less versatile for very shallow, open-water presentations compared to a lighter, more compact jig.

Design & Ergonomics

The design of the Strike King Tour Grade Football Black Blue Jig is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The wide football head is not just about feel; it also contributes to the jig’s stability and its ability to maintain that crucial upright orientation. The flat eye line tie is a testament to thoughtful engineering, ensuring the jig tracks true and presents consistently.

Build quality is excellent. The jig feels robust and well-constructed, from the solid lead head to the securely attached hook and skirt. The durable powder-coated paint is applied evenly and shows impressive resilience to chipping and abrasion, which is a common issue with lesser jigs. The skirt is densely packed and flares attractively in the water, adding to its lifelike appeal.

Ergonomically, it’s designed for the angler to hold and feel. The weight distribution of the football head provides a comfortable balance when casting and retrieving. While there’s no “grip” surface in the traditional sense, the smooth finish of the head and the secure attachment of the hook allow for a confident hold. The color coordination of the weedguard and skirt is a nice touch that enhances its overall visual appeal without detracting from its practical function.

Durability & Maintenance

The Strike King Tour Grade Football Black Blue Jig is built for longevity, especially considering its intended use in challenging underwater environments. The durable powder-coated paint is a significant factor in its resilience. After weeks of dragging it over rocks and wood, the paint has held up remarkably well, with only minor cosmetic scuffs.

The Gamakatsu hook is another key component that speaks to its durability. It maintains its sharpness through numerous hooksets and fish encounters, a critical factor in landing fish consistently. The skirt material is also robust; it hasn’t frayed or degraded significantly, even after repeated exposure to water and fish.

Maintenance is simple: a thorough rinse with fresh water after each use to remove any debris, followed by allowing it to air dry before storing it in a jig box. This prevents rust on the hook and preserves the integrity of the skirt material. There aren’t any complex parts to worry about; it’s a straightforward, well-built fishing lure that requires minimal fuss.

Accessories and Customization Options

This particular jig doesn’t come with additional accessories in the traditional sense, as it is a self-contained fishing lure. However, its design is geared towards effective use straight out of the package. The most significant aspect of “customization” comes from the angler’s choice of trailer, which can drastically alter the jig’s action and profile.

Many anglers will opt for a crawfish imitation trailer or a bulky grub to enhance its bulk and kicking action, especially when targeting larger bass. The Gamakatsu hook is a standard 60-degree round bend, meaning it’s compatible with a vast array of soft plastic trailers available on the market. There are no proprietary attachments needed; it’s designed to work seamlessly with readily available soft plastics.

While there aren’t any official “accessory” options from Strike King for this specific jig, the implied customization lies in the choice of trailer and the fishing techniques employed. The premium skirt offers a good base, but a well-chosen trailer can truly make this jig shine in different scenarios.

Pros and Cons of Strike King Tour Grade Football Black Blue Jig

Who Should Buy Strike King Tour Grade Football Black Blue Jig?

The Strike King Tour Grade Football Black Blue Jig is an ideal choice for anglers who frequently fish in deep water, particularly those targeting bass in reservoirs, lakes, or slow-moving rivers with depths exceeding 15 feet. It’s perfect for fishermen who value a superior feel for the bottom and appreciate a jig that presents naturally and elicits aggressive strikes. Bass anglers targeting largemouth, smallmouth, and even spotted bass in structure-heavy areas will find this jig invaluable.

Anglers who are frustrated with jigs that constantly snag or fail to stand up properly should definitely consider this model. Anyone looking to improve their deep-water fishing success and gain a better understanding of the underwater environment through their line will benefit greatly. However, if your primary fishing terrain is shallow flats or open water with minimal structure, a different style of jig might be a more appropriate and versatile choice. For those looking to maximize their deep-water prowess, this jig is a fantastic investment.

Conclusion on Strike King Tour Grade Football Black Blue Jig

The Strike King Tour Grade Football Black Blue Jig is a testament to thoughtful design and quality construction, specifically engineered for the challenges of deep-water bass fishing. Its football head provides an outstanding tactile connection to the bottom, facilitating the detection of even the most tentative bites. Coupled with its impressive upright presentation and the confidence-inspiring Gamakatsu hook, it consistently converts strikes into landed fish.

At $3.01, the value proposition is strong. Considering the premium components like the Gamakatsu hook and the durable finish, this jig offers exceptional performance for its price point. It’s a reliable tool that performs as advertised, making it a worthwhile addition to any serious bass angler’s tackle box, especially for those who frequently encounter deep, complex environments. I confidently recommend this jig to any angler looking to enhance their deep-water fishing game.