Westin Herrix Jig – Saltwater Flutter Jigs

Westin Herrix Jig is a compact saltwater metal jig with the natural silhouette of a herring and smaller silvery baitfish. It is not a do-everything lure and it is not heavy deep-water iron. It is built around a baitfish profile, flank flash, the sound of a rattling metal ball and, most importantly, flutter action on the fall. At SAF we stock it in 40, 60 and 80 g, so it sits in the light-to-medium class for active saltwater fishing, not in the heavy deep-water pilk category.

Why call it a flutter jig and not a classic pilk? A heavy pilk usually drops straight and its main strength is getting down fast. Herrix does not fall like a dead piece of metal – it tilts, shows its flanks and sends out short flashes. Many takes come in this falling phase, when the lure looks like an injured or escaping baitfish. That is why Herrix should be fished actively: cast, controlled fall, short hops, work through the column and only occasional contact just above the bottom.

The silhouette is based on herring, mackerel and other small silvery prey. Where predators choose food by size, shape and natural flash, Herrix has an advantage over overly aggressive high-contrast lures. The rattling metal ball adds another signal in low light, stained water or when you are actively searching for fish and need a mix of movement, flash and sound.

It is important to keep Herrix Jig separate from other lure types. The general category Saltwater metal jigs covers light metal lures for the sea across different brands, while Herrix is one specific Westin model range with its own action and character. Compared to a heavy pilk, it is a compact jig for casting, falling and fishing the water column. Compared to Westin Sandy Andy, which is a soft sandeel imitation, Herrix is a metal baitfish lure with flash and flutter. Compared to CudaKid, a sinking stickbait, Herrix works more vertically on the drop. And compared to larger lures such as Crazy Daisy, it stays in the lighter and more agile class.

Herrix makes sense in fjords, for shore jigging, around current seams, rocky edges, harbour piers and lighter boat fishing in shallow to medium depths. It is not the tool for extreme depth or heavy-current drifting – that job belongs to heavier deep-water lures. Use Herrix when fish respond to a mobile, naturally falling baitfish lure and hold in the water column or just above the bottom.

In northern waters, its main targets are cod, coalfish, pollack and mackerel. In warmer seas, the same type of lure can make sense for seabass, bonito, barracuda, bluefish and smaller jacks – predators that hunt small baitfish. Do not treat halibut as the main target of this range. With the stronger 80 g version and smaller, active fish it can occasionally come into play, but Herrix Jig is not a primary halibut jig and it is not an offshore tuna lure.

Choose the weight by water, wind, current and the contact you need with the lure. The 40 g version is the lightest and most lively option for shallow to medium water, finer presentation and lighter shore jigging. The 60 g version is the middle ground between agility and casting distance, with better contact in wind or current. The 80 g version is the strongest SAF option – it helps with longer casts, more depth and better control, but it is still a compact metal jig, not a heavy deep-water pilk.

Pick the colour by water clarity and light. Blue Mackerel is a silvery mackerel-style baitfish pattern for clear to medium-clear water and daylight, especially when fish are feeding on mackerel, herring or similar small prey. Herring is the most direct herring profile – a natural choice when predators are keyed in on herring or smaller silvery baitfish and you do not want to overdo the contrast.

Presentation is built around the fall. Cast the Herrix, let it drop under control and watch the line, because the strike often comes while the jig is fluttering. Mix short hops, a rod lift and a release into the next flutter phase. You can fish it faster through the column, and near the bottom use shorter lifts just above the seabed. Do not drag it like dead metal – the strength of Herrix is movement, flash and a controlled fall.

With a saltwater metal lure, the rest of the setup matters as well. A quality saltwater treble, strong split rings, a reliable snap and a fluorocarbon leader can decide whether you keep the fish around rocks, kelp or current. Salt water is hard on material and punishes weak points, so it makes no sense to focus only on the jig and ignore the connection system.

Inside the SAF structure, Herrix Jig fits naturally: Saltwater fishing → Saltwater lures → Saltwater spinning lures / Metal jigs → Westin Salt → Westin Herrix Jig. Choose the exact weight and colour below according to depth, current, casting distance and the fish you are targeting.

• Westin Salt – saltwater lures • Saltwater metal jigs • Saltwater spinning lures • Saltwater lures • Deep-water saltwater lures

Westin Herrix Jig – FAQ

What is the Westin Herrix Jig?

Westin Herrix Jig is a compact saltwater flutter jig – a metal lure with a realistic herring profile, flank flash, action on the fall and a rattling metal ball. At SAF we stock it in 40, 60 and 80 g for active saltwater fishing.

Is Herrix Jig a pilk or a metal jig?

It is a metal jig, more precisely a flutter jig. Unlike a classic heavy pilk that drops straight down, Herrix tilts and plays on the fall. It is meant to be fished actively through the water column, not just used as heavy iron on the bottom.

What is the difference between Herrix Jig and a general metal jig?

General metal jigs cover many light metal lures for the sea across different brands. Herrix Jig is a specific Westin model range with its own flutter action, herring profile and rattling metal ball. It belongs in the metal jig world, but it has its own character and use.

How is it different from Sandy Andy?

Sandy Andy is a soft sandeel imitation that works through body movement and a slim soft-lure profile. Herrix Jig is a metal baitfish lure built around flash, flutter action on the drop and the sound of a rattling metal ball. They are two different tools for different situations.

Which weight should I choose – 40, 60 or 80 g?

Choose 40 g for shallower to medium water, lighter shore jigging, fjords and smaller prey. The 60 g version is the all-round middle with better contact in wind and current. Choose 80 g for longer casts, more depth and stronger current, while still staying in the compact metal jig class.

Blue Mackerel or Herring – which colour should I pick?

Blue Mackerel is a silvery mackerel-style pattern for clear to medium-clear water and daylight, especially when fish are feeding on mackerel or smaller silvery prey. Herring is the most direct herring profile for situations where predators are focused on herring or similar baitfish.

What fish is Herrix Jig good for?

In northern waters, mainly cod, coalfish, pollack and mackerel, especially around fjords, edges and current seams. In warmer seas it can also work for seabass, bonito, barracuda, bluefish and smaller jacks feeding on baitfish.

How should I fish the Herrix Jig?

Cast it, let it fall under control and watch the drop, because many takes come in the flutter phase. Mix short hops, rod lifts and releases into the next fall. You can work it faster through the column and use shorter lifts just above the bottom. Do not drag it like dead metal.

Does Herrix Jig make sense for halibut?

Halibut is not the main target of this range. With the stronger 80 g version and smaller, active fish it can occasionally come into play, but Herrix Jig is not a primary halibut jig. For targeted halibut fishing in depth and current, heavier deep-water lures are a better fit.

What hooks, split rings and leader should I use with Herrix?

A quality saltwater treble, strong split rings, a reliable snap and a fluorocarbon leader with enough strength are the right direction. Salt water is demanding on corrosion resistance and the strength of the whole setup, so the connection system matters as much as the jig itself.