Anatomy of a bucktail / jighead. Not understanding something.

[Fishermancraig]

Hey guys.

Question about the shank of a bucktail. Apologize if this seems like a noob question.

I have attached a photo of a jighead but these are also present in the bucktail. Up the shank of a hook is this additional component i have circled in blue. What is it called?

What purpose do they serve? I find they are an impede my from being able to shift by gulp higher up along the shaft. So i bend them up so that i have shift my gulp higher up. Do you guys do that as well? Are you guys able to cut this off?

I find if i dont bend these up, my gulp hangs down too low and i will miss a hook up from a short strike.

So does anyone know what their purpose is for and how to remove them?