Page 72 - Lady Bass Digital Magazine Classic 2022

Swimjigs

There may be other baits in your arsenal that can be tendency to hang up. Casting jigs have a 60 degree
used in a variety of ways and for a variety of species, line tie. A casting jig has a 60 degree angle vs the
but the jig in its many forms is probably the one swim jig with a 30 degree line tie. This puts the hook
that is the most versatile. Consider this, a jig can be eye and hook in direct alignment making the swim
fished from a foot of water to a hundred feet or more. jig more weedless and an improvement in the hook-
The jig can be hopped, dragged, twitched, skipped, set strike to catch ratio.
jigged, and even swim it through the water. Jigs
come in all sizes, weights and colors depending on The image below is an example of an ideal situation
the species you are fishing for. for utilizing a swim jig. Use your electronics to help
you see where the bass might be holding. While you
A swim jig is a specialty jig for swimming in the same will have difficulty seeing bass in the grass, you will
types of water where you would fish a spinner bait, be able to see if they are holding off the drop! Use a
running a shallow crankbait, or a bladed jig. Many fan casting method to cover the area thoroughly. It
times, doing so brings about better results. may take multiple casts and a change in bait color to
entice the bass to bite.
A swim jig is fished slow with a slight pumping
retrieve in shallow water looking for those reaction
or impulse strikes from a bass. Once over deeper
depths, let it drop and continue with the pumping
action. For example, reel it and let it drop, start reel-
ing again and repeat the process back to the boat. In
this manner, you can fish at a depth of your choice.
The strike will typically occur as the jig falls. The rod
position is important so that when the bass bites, you
can get the best hookset possible. That position is at
about the 2-3 o’clock position. Be sure to watch your
line on the retrieve.

When vegetation is present, if possible, cast beyond
it and bring the swimbait across the top. As the bait
clears the vegetation or there is an opening, let the
bait fall a bit and maybe twitch it a bit. There will
likely be a little tick that you can feel when the bass Can the vegetation be situated along the shoreline
hits it on the fall. Frequently, a bass will be sitting with a drop? Absolutely it can. That is one of the
along the edge of the vegetation and that drop with beauties of using the swim jig! Also consider using a
erratic retrieve is more than the fish can resist. swim jig through and around lilly pads and standing
reeds.

Let’s compare a casting jig to a swim jig, Look closely
at the two. Pay close attention to the hook eye and
the angle of the line tie. Because of the location of
the hook eye and the angle of the tie, the casting jig
would be difficult to fish through cover and have a
70 Lady Bass Anglers Association Swimjigs