Fat Cow Jig Strips: The Ultimate Bucktail Jig Upgrade for Surf Fishing

As discussed in my previous article, “Surf Fishing with Bucktail Jigs: Ultimate Guide for Beach Anglers,” bucktail jigs are a staple in any surf angler's tackle box, offering a versatile way to catch a wide range of species from the surf. But as we discussed in “Beyond the Basics: Adding Trailers to Your Bucktail Jigs,” even the most effective lures can be enhanced with the right additions. A bucktail trailer is an additional lure element that attaches to the hook, amplifying its action, color, and overall appeal. One popular option that's gaining traction among anglers worldwide is the Jig Strip by Fat Cow Fishing, an innovative soft plastic strip designed to add enticing movement and enhance the profile of your bucktail jig. Let's delve deeper into why Fat Cow Jig Strips are becoming a favorite among surf anglers.

What Are Jig Strips?

Jig strips are a type of fishing trailer specifically designed to enhance the action and appeal of bucktail jigs (and other lures). They are essentially thin, flexible strips of durable material, often featuring a forked, split, or tapered tail design. When attached to a jig, they create enticing movement and vibrations in the water, mimicking the natural behavior of baitfish or other prey.

While Fat Cow Fishing is a popular brand known for its high-quality jig strips, other companies also offer similar products. Some notable alternatives include:

Z-Man: Z-Man's ElaZtech material is renowned for its durability and stretchiness, making their jig strips incredibly resistant to tearing.
Uncle Josh: While traditionally known for their pork rinds, Uncle Josh also offers a line of synthetic jig strips that provide a similar action and profile.

Beyond these synthetic options, anglers have long relied on natural bait trailers like pork rinds. Pork rinds offer a unique texture and scent that can be incredibly effective, especially for species like redfish and snook.

No matter which brand or material you choose, jig strips offer a simple and effective way to enhance your bucktail jig presentations and increase your chances of success on the water.

Fat Cow Jig Strips vs. the Competition

While Fat Cow Jig Strips offer numerous advantages, it's helpful to compare them to other popular options to understand their strengths and weaknesses.

Fat Cow vs. Z-Man:

Durability: Both Fat Cow and Z-Man jig strips are known for their durability, but Z-Man's ElaZtech material might have a slight edge in tear resistance, especially when dealing with toothy fish.
Action: Fat Cow Jig Strips tend to have a more subtle, natural action, while Z-Man's ElaZtech strips often have a more pronounced vibration and stretch.
Color Selection: Z-Man generally offers a wider range of colors and patterns compared to Fat Cow.
Scent Options: Fat Cow Jig Strips are available in a variety of scents, while Z-Man strips are typically unscented.

Fat Cow vs. Uncle Josh:

Material: Fat Cow Jig Strips are made from a proprietary soft plastic blend, while Uncle Josh offers both traditional pork rinds and synthetic jig strips.
Action: Fat Cow Jig Strips provide a more subtle, quivering action, while Uncle Josh pork rinds have a unique, natural movement in the water. Uncle Josh synthetic strips offer a more vibrant, active presentation.
Scent: Fat Cow Jig Strips are available in various scents, while Uncle Josh pork rinds have a natural scent that many anglers find highly effective.
Durability: Fat Cow Jig Strips and Uncle Josh synthetic strips are both quite durable, but pork rinds can be more delicate and may tear after a few strikes.

Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your personal preferences, target species, and fishing conditions. Experiment with different brands and styles to discover what works best for your surf fishing adventures.

Rigging Jig Strips on Your Bucktail

Rigging a Fat Cow Jig Strip is simple:

Choose the Right Hook: Ensure your bucktail jig has a hook that's appropriate for the size of the jig strip.
Thread the Strip: Slide the hook point through the head of the jig strip, ensuring the strip is aligned straight.
Secure the Strip (Optional): If necessary, use a dab of superglue or a small piece of wire to secure the strip to the hook shank.

Fishing with Fat Cow Jig Strips

One of the great things about Fat Cow Jig Strips is that they seamlessly integrate into your existing bucktail jig fishing techniques. As we covered in “Surf Fishing with Bucktail Jigs: Ultimate Guide for Beach Anglers,” the key to success with bucktails lies in understanding how to cast, retrieve, and work the jig effectively in the surf. Adding a jig strip simply enhances those techniques, providing an extra layer of attraction without requiring any major adjustments to your approach.

Whether you're casting your jig and strip combo into calm waters or battling rough surf, the principles remain the same:

Vary your retrieve: Experiment with different retrieval speeds and rod movements to find what triggers strikes. A slow, steady retrieve can be effective for species like redfish and speckled trout, while a faster, more erratic retrieve might entice snook or mackerel.
Maintain bottom contact: For bottom-dwelling species like flounder, ensure your jig maintains contact with the seabed, bouncing it along as you retrieve.
Adjust to the conditions: Pay attention to the water conditions and adjust your casting distance and retrieval speed accordingly. In rough surf, you might need to use a heavier jig and a faster retrieve to keep your lure in the strike zone.

Essentially, Fat Cow Jig Strips enhance the natural presentation and action of your bucktail jig, making it even more appealing to a wide range of fish species. They're a subtle but powerful addition that can significantly improve your catch rate without requiring you to learn entirely new techniques.

Exploring Alternatives: Beyond the Jig Strip

While Jig Strips are a fantastic option for enhancing your bucktail jigs, it's always good to have a few tricks up your sleeve. The world of trailers extends far beyond jig strips, offering a diverse range of options to experiment with. As I mentioned in my article Beyond the Basics: Adding Trailers to Your Bucktail Jigs, here are a couple of popular alternatives:

Curly Tail Grubs: These classic trailers are a staple for many surf anglers. Their long, slender bodies and curly tails create an enticing wiggle and vibration in the water, attracting a wide variety of species. They're particularly effective for redfish, speckled trout, and flounder.
Paddle Tail Swimbaits: If you want to create a more pronounced thumping action and vibration, paddle tail swimbaits are an excellent choice. Their wide, flat tails displace water and mimic the movement of fleeing baitfish, making them ideal for targeting predatory species like snook and mackerel.
Creature Baits: To imitate crabs, shrimp, or other crustaceans, creature baits are the way to go. These lifelike trailers excel at enticing bottom-dwelling species like flounder and black drum.

Want to learn more about using curly tail grubs to enhance your bucktail jigs? I'll be diving deep into this topic in my next article, “Curly Tail Grubs and Bucktail Jigs: A Match Made in Surf Fishing Heaven.” Stay tuned for a comprehensive guide to rigging, fishing, and maximizing your success with this dynamic duo!

Conclusion

Fat Cow Jig Strips are a valuable addition to any surf angler's arsenal. Their durability, versatility, and enticing action make them a top choice for enhancing your bucktail jig presentations. By incorporating these trailers into your surf fishing strategy, you can increase your chances of success and enjoy more exciting catches. Give Fat Cow Jig Strips a try, and see the difference for yourself!