One of the most underrated techniques in bass fishing today is the swim jig. It is an incredibly effective technique that many kayak bass anglers use far too rarely or, for some, never at all. If you like to throw a spinnerbait, swimbait or bladed jig, the swim jig is something you need to add to your tackle box.
Let’s take a look at the basics of swim jig fishing so that you can be equipped to get out on the water and start catching fish on this excellent technique right away.
Which Size Swim Jig Should You Use
The thing that separates the top bass anglers from the newbies is the attention that is paid to the little details. One of those vitally essential details is the weight of your lures. Tru-Trac Lure CO. Swim Jigs typically come in sizes ranging from 1/4 – 1 ounce, and a little hint, they are not all created equal. Click over to Lionel Hollingsworth’s Facebook Page.
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So when do you use a smaller jig versus a larger version? It is all about the depth and the type of cover you are fishing. A 1/4 – 3/8 oz might be appropriate if you’re fishing shallow. It sinks a little slower, so you can keep the bait in the upper part of the water column. However, there are times when fishing a slightly heavier jig with a big trailer is a killer in the shallows. Especially if you want to really burn the bait quickly during power fishing down a bank, then you might go for a 1/2 oz that sinks a little faster.
Experiment with different weights and trailer sizes. If you want to get a really deep and slow roll on the bottom like you would a heavier swimbait, a 3/4 – 1 ounce swim jig can be very effective, especially for deep summer bass on humps, points, and ledges.
What About Swim Jig Trailers
Trailers are really important, but there is not a lot of consensus from anglers on the best trailer to use. Double-tailed craw-style trailers are very popular, something like a Zoom Ultra Vibe Speed Craw. A Strike King Rage Swimmer or Keitech is my top choice.
The most significant factor in choosing your trailer is your profile. What kind of profile are you trying to create? Often, a big, bulky profile with a lot of tail thump, moving quickly through the water, is deadly effective. That’s not to say there isn’t a time and place for the smaller, more finesse approach as well. Let the fish dictate what they want.
How Do I Fish a Swim Jig
Your presentation is critical when you’re out tossing around the swim jig. A straight, consistent retrieve works, but it is definitely not the most effective. You want to get action around key pieces of cover. Point your rod tip up at a 10 o’clock position and pulse the bait through the water. This is the presentation that the top swim jig kayak bass anglers use 90% of the time.
They’re not skimping on the gear, either. Use 17-25 pound K9 fluorocarbon or mono. Make sure that your rod is heavy enough to handle the line. I prefer something in a 7’0 – 7’3 medium-heavy with a fast tip. A castable rod that you can have a lot of control over to put in those hard-to-reach places.
When Do I Fish a Swim Jig
This technique is truly a year-round fish producer. In the winter, I might opt for an underspin instead of a skirted jig and work it much more slowly along the bottom, but the concept is the same. From spring through the fall, make sure you have one tied on. You can throw a spinner bait or a bladed jig any place where you would throw a swim jig.
In fact, many kayak bass anglers use them as a 1-2 punch. When the wind is calm, and the water is slick, they work the less intrusive swim jig over grass flats or around weeds or docks. When the wind picks up, they pick up the bladed jig or spinnerbait to give off more vibration that tends not to spook fish when there is a little more chop on the water.
If you haven’t already, the swim jig is a must for your bass fishing arsenal. Play around with different styles and jig trailers to find what works best for your body of water, and then hold on cause you’ll be smacking giants in no time.
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