Swim Jig Discussion

Recently I've been concentrating on trying to leverage the versatilty of the rubber legged jig. I've always believed jigs catch bigger fish than any other bait, and I've collected enough data to support that theory.

This summer I have spent 80% of my time on the water (Lake Gaston) fishing jigs of various designs, primarily skipping docks, swimming them in stumps, rip rap and Willow Grass, and flippin/pitching blow downs, brush, and grass.

With the many styles of jigs and trailers available these days, one can easily become overwhelmed by choices of jig, trailer, and technique. Do I need a different rod, reel, line for each style of jig? Casting jigs, flippin jigs, swim jigs, skippin jigs, all are only slightly different in design. Trailers are also a mind boggling choice. Swim bait style, craw style, D-bomb style, chunk style...on and on....

Lately, I am becoming more and more convinced that a very simple approach to this is better than having 4 to 6 rids all rigged with different variations og jig a d trailer is the way to go: 1 7 1/2 ft. MH rod, 8:1 ratio reel filled with 17-20 lb. flouro, a Stanley Swim Max 3/8 or 1/2 oz. swim jig, topped off with a Missile Baits D-Bomb.

Let me explain.

This setup can easily handle every scenario I've encountered except punching grass mats, which pretty much are non-existent on Lake Gaston.

While trying to cover the most ground as possible, I can skip docks easily with this setup, pitch or skip it into blowdowns, brush and grass, swim it in the Willow grass and on the edges, swim it through bream beds, cast it and work it on the bottom on stumps, ledges, humps, and deep bluffs.

The Stankey Swim Max swims very straight, gets anihilated when skipped in front of a hiding dock bass,
and bass WILL snatch it off the bottom. It seems to perform better than all other jigs I've used when asked to MULTI-TASK as a flippin, swimmin, skippin, casting jig.

Anyone out there thinking along these same lines?

Also, it seems to me I need a way to increase my hookup ratio when swimming jigs. I've watched or felt too many fish crush it and I don't seem to get them hooked. I do trim the weed guards down a bit on these jigs.

Anyone have any suggestions on how to get more hookups on swim jigs? Is there a "trick" to this?

Thanks.




September 22, 2021 11:23:36 AM
Jason Admin - admin

I looked at the jig you are referring to, Stanley SwimMax Swim Jig, I wonder if the hook being bent up like that might be your issue. I've never fished with a swim jig where the hook point was angled down like that. Probably helps it not get hung up, but may also be affecting your hookups. Maybe try a more traditional hook orientation, like on the Missile Baits Mini Swim Jig https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=c1UQEdGla5o&mid=38416&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tackledirect.com%2Fmissile-baits-ikes-mini-swim-jig.html these look like otherwise similar jigs, and Dirty Jigs has a lot of colors to choose from.
Otherwise, I don't entirely agree on the premise. I do agree on tackle, I fish most jigs on 7' or 7'6" MH with a softer tip of the 7' for skipping in tight places. I also have little to no grass in my lakes. Not bad to get all your jig fishing in on 2 rods.  I fish around a lot of rock and without a football jig, I would lose a lot more jigs. Personally, I would rather try to swim a football jig than fish a swim jig around rocks. D-Bomb is a good trailer, but there are times I want a chunk or the action of a twin tail grub. Still not a lot of tackle though.

September 24, 2021 04:12:36 PM

Thanks for your insights! I agee that the Swim Max jig is not ideal for fishing rocks, rip rap, etc., but even football jigs, while definitely better, still get hung. They are more salvageable though, so I agree they are a better choice.

The thing is, I'm weighing the trade-offs of having to constantly switch rods/rigs, against having the ability to cover as much water as possible with a variety of cover.

I do use Netbait Paca Craws as a trailer when I want better twin tail action, but the downside to those is that the "claws" often get bit off by smaller fish, a d while they skip well, they dont skip nearly as well as the bulkier D-Bomb.

Interesting observation of yours regarding the hook angle on the Swim Max. I agee that might be an issue. I think I'll start with trying to bend them to a better angle, but that is one strong hook, so I'm not sure it will be practical, or even doable.

I accept that this is a "compromise" setup. In a tournament I would probably opt to have at least 3 different rods rigged specifically for skipping, swimming and casting/pitching/flipping.

In search mode though, I'm looking for one setup that can work as a "Swiss Army Knife". All suggestions welcome.

September 26, 2021 11:47:46 AM

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