Lets talk Swimming Jigs??

[Central Bassman]

I dont now much about it.. i havent done it at all but have heard alot of people talking about it. Looking to learn alot about it Colors?? Best time of year to do it?? Where to do it??? What weights to use??? It all.......

[TurnUpTheFishing]

Ive caught some fish doing it but dont have alot confidence in it yet. I think it could be used anytime of the year fish are willing to chase or anytime you want to get a reaction strike (which I guess would be year round). The color is whatever you choose. I like to swim jigs over grass beds staying just on top of them. Pick a jig to match the depth of the weed bed (shallow=light, deep=heavy). I through my jigs on baitcasting tackle with higher speed retreive ratios 6+. I tried different retrieves more of a hoping reel, lift, reel, lift retrive and straight retrieves with the occasional pause/twitch similiar to spinnerbaits. Most the fish Ive got came on the striaght spinnerbait style retrieve.

[river rat316]

Swimjigs are awesome through heavypads, sparse pads in openwater, overgrass beds. Its more of a subtle approach then a spinnerbait and definetley catches a ton of fish. I like to use em when I can bounce em off cover, usually just a straight retrieve letting em deflect off pad stalks or weed clumps, you can also fish em in heavyslop, they come away surprisingly weed free!! My go to colors are usually bluegill Imitating or white, Outcast has a couple killer bluegill colors!

[SluggoMaster]

It's a great method that works where you would normally work a spinnerbait. I won't divulge all my good information, but I will say the trailer is the key.

[Central Bassman]

Well SluggoMaster Whats a good trailer???

[SluggoMaster]

Unfortunately I am not going to give up that information but I will tell you to experiment with different kinds to see which ones put off vibration and different action when swimming the jig. A good start would be the swimmin'chunk from Zoom.

[Deitz Dittrich]

CB- I use a Mr.Twister Sassy Shad as a swim bait trailer.

[RossT]

I use a 4" Berkley Power grub for my trailers. Pick a matching color and you'll be set. I prefer mostly white colored swim jigs and I pair it up with a GLOW colored trailer.

For swim jigs, I use Outkast - good skirt colors, nice hook, and they're lead free.

[Deitz Dittrich]

agreed, Outcast does make one of the better swim jigs.

[RK]

Hiya -

You know, when I first started reading about swimming jigs for bass, my raction was "oh, this looks familiar..." The technique, and even the theory, behind swimming jigs for bass is basically identical to how I fish jigs for muskies. Swim them along, pause them for a second every few feet as a trigger, and basically cover water. Sometimes it's a lot like a spinnerbait without a blade. Great for covering flats because you can cast them a freaking mile.

Like Dietz, I usually use a 4" power grub as a trailer. Sometimes if you want to swim a little slower a twin tail grub can be good too.

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[Central Bassman]

Do they work good in the river?? or are doesnt it matter??

[SluggoMaster]

I have had limited success on the river swimming jigs. If you do, swim it slow.

[hartner62]

It's pretty much my bread and butter on the river. This is always the first technique I use.

[RossT]

In my opinion, swim jigs are made for the river. Bass that inhabit rivers seem to go hawg wild over swim jigs. If I could pick one bait for the river, it would be a swim jig.

Ross

[hartner62]

I agree 100%!!! You can use them in pretty much any situation on the river. If you ever make it up to the Snake river in Pine county you have to use it. I've tried everything in my tackle box and nothing comes close in so many different conditions.

[Central Bassman]

Whats the best time of year it?? Or can it be used year around???

[Deitz Dittrich]

CB- a swimming jig is good from bass opener till ice up... you just maybe need to change up the retrieve at times. It really is a bass catching machine at times!

[Central Bassman]

Alrighty.... I will need to go to gander and stock up on them!!! What are some of the best color for all water types??

[Deitz Dittrich]

I'm a fan of white and pumpkin.