Leadhead jigs can be Coho killers in some waters, and not very effective in others.

Rivers like the Skykomish are really challenging, rivers and saltwater in Alaska can be a strike on every couple of casts.

I definitely prefer barbless hooks on my jigs.

My favorite jigs in Alaska and Puget Sound saltwater are tied with flashabou to resemble a bait fish. These can be very effective off Whidbey Island beaches and I have done well on the Skagit. A pink squid has worked well for me on some waters.

Of course I had a good mentor, some guy that wrote a book about fishing with jigs.