Just bought a couple 3/8 oz swimming jigs that I want to give a try. What is the best rod, trailer, and technique for using these? I bought white since our lakes have alot of shad and the bass are chasing them around pretty good right now.
Thanks,
NoCAL
2004TR-21X/2015 250 ProXS
2B112175
Your favorite 5" single tail grub, pro's soft bait, glued to the hook
As normal, David and I agree. I normally fish a Hula Grub instead of a regular jig, and whenever I need a swimming jig (warmer weather) I just use a lighter Shad color like white, or pearl, and swim it. Single or double tail will work, just depends on how much action you want
Lifetime Member of BBC
Most of my jig swimming is done with a bullet head jig with a lighter wire hook. Personal preference for me over the planing head heavier hook type from Booyah and Davis, etc. Brovarney makes a great one, as does CustomLures. BPS' Monsoor jig may be more widely known. Single tail trailer (down) almost always. I like a Fenwick HMG MH power with a mod fast action. Use these in 6'6" and 7'. Curado 200 6:1. Power Pro 30/8. Alternate with Big Game 12 and 15. 1/4 oz jig or less, usually. Throw it everywhere. Rigged true, you will be surprised at what it will come thru, over, etc. And it's good for open water. For colors, something shad-looking is always good. Just don't overlook the browns, greens---anything that looks like a juvenile bluegill, also.
AWESOME technique.
I use a falcon cara swim jig rod and rogue MBH705. The falcon is the best I have used for swimming traditional swim jigs in the 1/4oz range. Been using for the last 4 months and my hookup percentage has GREATLY improved. Tried selling the rod after I got it because I didn't think it had enough backbone. After fishing a tournament with it, I decided that it will NEVER leave my arsenal...my first impression was very wrong. The rod works great with jigs up 3/8oz as rated. I fish it with 30lb power pro or 15lb fluorocarbon depending on the lake I am going to.
If I am swimming heavier than 3/8 or if I am going to be swimming in deeper than 10ft and really need to feel the bait working, I use a Rogue MBH705. The MB705 has a bit more moderate action and works well also.
I use many types of swim jigs. My favorites are the Davis, Brovarney, Skinny Bear, and a handpoured jig. For trailers is use yamamoto 5" & 6" double tail trailers in stained to muddy water (you would be surprised how many fish I have caught in muddy water on a skinnybear/6" twin tail combo.) In clear to lightly stained I use a 4"-6" single tail yamamoto grub (depends on size of baitfish.) Any grub would probably work, but I have a LOT of confidence in the yamamoto products. Not sponsored by them, don't even fish that many tournaments, but I believe they are worth the extra $$.
Colors I use are basic. I throw white/chartreuse, brown/green, black/blue, red/black/green. Occasionally I will add some tinsel to my skirts for flash or I may add some orange and purple. I really like the red/black/green skirt in the spring with a watermelon red grub.
In muddy water, I slow roll the jig like you would a spinnerbait. I have caught some really nice spotted bass slow rolling a jig off ledges and around docks in muddy water. Clear water I am typically burning unless I don't get any bites, then I start slowing down until I get bit.
Good Luck,
Steve
Steve....glad to see you respond on this one. I had been wondering about the Falcon, if you still had it, I know at first you were skeptical, etc. Are you using it with the Davis Pro Max jig?
Hey Tom,
Was glad to see your post as well. I have used it with the davis jig and booyah, but they need braid for a solid hookset. The brovarneys and the skinny bear work great with 15lb fluorocarbon. I have gone more towards the brovarney and skinny bear in shallow water (less than 10 feet.) When I swim jigs deep, I am using the rogue with 20lb fluorocarbon or braid. The Falcon has a soft tip that allows the fish to inhale the bait a little. I think that is the main factor in helping my hookup ratio. The soft tip isn't great for pulling the thicker hooks through the mouth though. The Brovarney and Skinny Bear jigs use a lighter wire hook that penetrates great. I like the Brovarney jigs around grass and scattered wood. I like the skinny bear around docks, thick wood and when I need to skip the jig.
The falcon also doubles very nice as a finnesse jig rod. I fish a lot of eakins type jigs with a lighter wire hook in 3/16 and 5/16 around boat docks and shallow wood. The falcon has done a good job with them. I have pitched senkos with it also, but it is at its best with a 1/4-5/16oz swim jig tied on the end.
Take care,
Steve
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