A collaboration between Dirty Jigs and Tactical Bassin’ is nothing new, but after Nichols purchased the company we were excited to see what Matt, Tim, and Brooks had cooked up with the addition of the Tactical Screwed Up Swimbait Head and Tactical Bassin’ Underspins. As fans of the existing Tactical Swimbait Heads and the Guppy Jig, our curiosity was piqued when we heard about a new full-size underspin and a screw-lock design.
Out of the package, the super-sharp hooks, quality components, and exquisite powder coat paint finishes left us with high expectations. We half expected that these jigs might replace all the swimbait heads and underspins in our tackle box. For this product review, the scoring for each category reflects a collective score for both the Dirty Jigs Tackle Tactical Screwed Up Swimbait Head and Dirty Jigs Tactical Underspin.
- Capitalizes on proven design & head shapes
- High-quality Mustad & VMC hooks
- Oversized Screwed Up Head bait keeper (for swimbait head)
- Excellent color selection
- Realistic 3D eyes
- Premium price point
- Lead bait keeper on Tactical Underspin
Upgraded with a unique oversized screw-lock bait keeper, the Dirty Jigs Tactical Bassin’ Screwed Up Swimbait Head secures your preferred trailer better than ever without the need for messy glue or epoxy. On the flip side, the molded lead keeper found on the Tactical Underspin was received less favorably, as it isn’t as effective at locking baits in place and is too bulky for rigging slender soft plastic swimbaits.
The rounded head shape of the Tactical Underspin pairs perfectly with a fat-bodied Keitech swimbait and provides a distinct snag-free advantage when fishing slowly along the bottom or around technical cover. Equipped with a high-quality Worth ball-bearing swivel that spins freely, the cup of the blade spins consistently even at dead-slow retrieve speeds. Aside from some pushback on the molded underspin bait keeper, the reviewers were pleased with the overall level of performance.
In terms of durability, the Dirty Jigs Tactical Screwed Up Swimbait Head and Underspin collectively earned mixed reviews by the end of our test period. While all the reviewers highlighted the premium hook and immaculate paint finishes in their first impressions, some reported paint chipping after minimal use, with others commenting positively on the long-lasting powder coat finish. One reviewer also mentioned that he extends the life of his swimbait heads and underspins by removing soft plastics if they are going to be stored for a while, as heavily salted swimbaits induce rust along the shank of the hook if they’re in contact for extended periods of time. Nonetheless, the hook points remained sticky-sharp throughout fishing in the trial period and showed no signs of bending out after fishing around cover and catching fish.
There’s no doubt Dirty Jigs tackle is slightly more pricey than comparable swimbait heads or underspins on the market, but if you’re looking for the best of the best, there’s no need to look further.
An all-season baitfish and small forage imitator, there’s no wrong time of year to tie on a soft swimbait and smash down the bank, making swimbait heads and underspins some of the most versatile tools in an angler’s tackle box. The Dirty Jigs Tactical Bassin’ Screwed Up Swimbait head and Underspin provide a solid foundation for your favorite paddle tails and create enticing swim action as you turn the reel handle.
Both perform excellently as stand-alone jigs for single swimbaits, and a few of our reviewers also noted how they used all three of the small Screwed Up Swimbait heads to build out a well-balanced umbrella rig. The hook sizes appear perfectly matched to the swimbait head, but one reviewer noted how they would like a few more size options on the Tactical Underspin, so you wouldn’t be limited to throwing a 5/0 hook with 3/4 oz.
While the price of the Tactical Bassin’ Screwed Up Swimbait Head and Underspin isn’t for budget-minded anglers, it’s a premium choice for those who utilize an underspin often and want premium features to save money and catch more fish. Before Nichols purchased Dirty Jigs Tackle, the outsized demand and slow fill rate of Dirty Jigs products left the Tackle Warehouse shelves frequently empty. With our friend Brooks taking over production, we are pleased to report there are no longer issues with availability, and you can expect more great innovations moving forward like the Dirty Jigs Screwed Up Swimbait Head and Dirty Jigs Tactical Bassin’ Underspin.