Spinnerbait Vs Jig?

[MIbassin]

hey guys!

i was wondering, when is it better to fish a jig over a spinnerbait?

what are the best conditions and cover to fish one or another?

I'm just having some trouble lately deciding which one i should use?

any help is appreciated!

p.s which one catches you more bass? and in what conditions and where? thanks!!!!

[WRB]

The question could be when to use a spinnerbait vs a crankbait. Both these lures are fast moving and appeal to active bass through flash and lots of vibrations. A jig is more like a soft plastic worm, moves slower usually appeals to bass that are less active. Now if you are asking about a swim jig, a chatter jig or a Scrounger jig that have similar actions to spinnerbait bit or crank bait, the decision is less obvious , the answer is the same; use faster moving lures for more active bass and slow down for less active bass. How do you know? Trail and error.

Tom

[mikey5string]

It depends.

I recommend reading the multiple articles on jigs and spinnerbaits as well as seasonal patterns, color selection and weather.

Then ask specific questions that you can't answer yourself after reading the articles.

The question "jig or spinnerbait?" is too vague.

[papajoe222]

I look at it this way. I can fish a jig in the same manner and under the same conditions I fish a spinnerbait. I cant' fish a spinnerbait like a jig, except to stroke it. Does that mean I would? No, but if you're undecided as to which to tie on, go for the jig. If you start getting reaction bites while swimming or stroking it, switch to the bladded bait.

Both baits are much more versitile than a crank and therefore a better choice to start with if you're unsure of the fish's location or activity level. Both baits have their devoted fans that wouldn't think of switching to the other even if it were a better choice. Don't become one of them. Remember, all baits are tools and should be approached as such. A crescent wrench will work on a number of different nuts and can be used to pound in a nail or two. If it's the only tool you have, use it but don't expect the same results as using a socket wrench or hammer.

[Jake P]

I look at it this way. I can fish a jig in the same manner and under the same conditions I fish a spinnerbait. I cant' fish a spinnerbait like a jig, except to stroke it. Does that mean I would? No, but if you're undecided as to which to tie on, go for the jig. If you start getting reaction bites while swimming or stroking it, switch to the bladded bait.

Both baits are much more versitile than a crank and therefore a better choice to start with if you're unsure of the fish's location or activity level. Both baits have their devoted fans that wouldn't think of switching to the other even if it were a better choice. Don't become one of them. Remember, all baits are tools and should be approached as such. A crescent wrench will work on a number of different nuts and can be used to pound in a nail or two. If it's the only tool you have, use it but don't expect the same results as using a socket wrench or hammer.

BOOM!

[Jake P]

It depends.

I recommend reading the multiple articles on jigs and spinnerbaits as well as seasonal patterns, color selection and weather.

Then ask specific questions that you can't answer yourself after reading the articles.

The question "jig or spinnerbait?" is too vague.

His question is far from vague. He is looking for input and or your personal experiences with both lures.

Spinnerbaits shine in low light/ staind water. Fish are attracted by the blades shine and vibration without being able to see what it is clearly.

Swim jigs IMO are better in more clear water since it is more of a natural look without all of the wire and blades. They are also better at navigating through vegetation and heavier cover because there are no blades to get tangled up.

I will fish a SB in more open and shallow water where I am throwing near targets and cover. If it is an overcast day in the fall I will throw a spinnerbait more than any other lure on the boat. I generally use a 1/4- 3/8 oz and dont fish them any deeper than 1-4 ft. Thats just how I fish them successfully. Some people slow roll them in 20 ft of water.

I will throw a Swim Jig when I am actually casting into cover or into some weeds or stick ups because like I mentioned previously, it doesnt get hung up and I can swim it through much easier without having to pick off weeds and junk after every retrieve. The thing I like about swim jigs too is if i am just drifting along throwing near the bank and I roll up on a stump or dock, I can take the jig and flip it under and around that specific piece of cover and if nothing ise there go right back to swimming it. Cant really do that with a spinnerbait.

This is just how I fish both baits. Not everyone uses their tools the same. Good luck!

-JP

[SirSnookalot]

Between the 2, it's a spinnerbait for me. Not because it produces better, but for me it's a lot more fun. I like a hard strike and certain baits and techniques just don't excite me. I use a lot of bucktails, I swim them and they are used for other species.

[MIbassin]

thank you so much!

[Arv]

I've actually been fishing both a lot recently. Since the bass are moving up more shallow after baitfish I've been throwing a spinner first. I'll fish them over weeks, open water, any kind of structure really. If there are heavy weeds, I will choose a swim jig with a trailer that provides a lot of vibration. If I don't get any bites off the spinner or swim jig I'll usually follow it up with another jig or texas rig (especially if there is specific cover) that I will drag/hop incase there are fish that might respond to a "softer" presentation.

[gobig]

Pacman, You nailed it. Look at each bait and dermine where they excel and what the limitations are. Then select the best tool for the job.

[MIbassin]

so basically, spinnerbaits are better for open water and jigs for specific structure?

[Jake P]

so basically, spinnerbaits are better for open water and jigs for specific structure?

Yes and no.

You can throw a swim jig in open water successfully like a SB. I use Swim jigs different than most I think. I dont use large trailers. Some use small swimbaits as trailers and swim them in open water. I prefer something smaller like a Rage Grub or Baby Craw or Rage Menace and fish them fairly shallow. There are TONS of ways to fish a swim jig. It all depends on who, what, when, where and why. All of those factors are determined by the waters you fish in.

1 thing I can say is try not to over complicate it. It is easy for us to tell you what works and how to use them but what works for me in my waters may not work for you in yours. This is where experience and time on the water come in to play. Experiment with what you like and think may work. If it doesnt, try a different trailer or different color etc. Good luck!

-JP

[K_Mac]

so basically, spinnerbaits are better for open water and jigs for specific structure?

No, not really in my opinion. A spinnerbait thrown to or into specific cover can be just what is required. A jig worked down a rocky slope may not require a specific target. When I start out the day this time of year, unless I'm locked in on a specific bite on that lake, I will have a jig of some sort, a C or T-rigged plastic, a spinner or chatterbait, a sqarebill crank or top water, and wacky-rigged Senko/knock-off ready to go. I will work from fast to slow, shallow to deep. Once I find where they are I will experiment with different baits (size, color, action) that target that speed/depth.

For me a spinner/chatterbait is a shallow water or upper water column moving bait, a jig can work anywhere in the water column at a variety of speeds. The only way to know which one is the better choice is to throw both and let the fish decide in my opinion.

[MIbassin]

ok thanks i think I'm going to start out with a jig experimenting with trailers and if I'm not getting any bites switch to a spinnerbait

[MIbassin]

and also what is your favorite swim jig/ regular jig trailer?

[Jigfishn10]

I will give each lure equal opportunity until one produces that day...the next day, I do the same thing...no favorites

[Jake P]

Rage tail all day. baby craw, craw, lobster, menace and grub.

[mikey5string]

I guess I view the question "spinnerbait vs jig" as vague because there are at least 5 jig types. Each type is designed for different conditions. So asking which conditions to use a spinnerbait vs a jig can lead to several different answers depending on which jig type you're talking about and what conditions. Not to mention spinnerbaits....

I wasn't trying to be dismissive when I recommended reading the articles. I think they are loaded with good information and could help narrow the question to something less vague like

"spinnerbait vs swim jig for post spawn"

[MIbassin]

oh ok i understand. the lakes i fish have lots of weeds and little to no structure in the lake besides little coves and shoreline vegetation

[MIbassin]

and the time of year late spring to late summer

[Jake P]

I guess I view the question "spinnerbait vs jig" as vague because there are at least 5 jig types. Each type is designed for different conditions. So asking which conditions to use a spinnerbait vs a jig can lead to several different answers depending on which jig type you're talking about and what conditions. Not to mention spinnerbaits....

I wasn't trying to be dismissive when I recommended reading the articles. I think they are loaded with good information and could help narrow the question to something less vague like

"spinnerbait vs swim jig for post spawn"

I didn't even realize it didn't say swim jig. I guess I assumed that's what the op was talking about. My fault lol.

MIBassin, where you curious about swim jigs vs spinnerbaits or just any jig in general?

[MIbassin]

more so swim jigs..sorry about that! but that makes me curious when do you fish a jig thats crawled/hopped alone the bottom?

[mikey5string]

more so swim jigs..sorry about that! but that makes me curious when do you fish a jig thats crawled/hopped alone the bottom?

I will usually use jigs on the bottom when the sun is bright, in the afternoon & over cover on the bottom like trees, brush or rocks. Usually in the morning you can catch bass actively feeding on baitfish. here I would use a spinnerbait or swim jig, cranks, topwater or jerkbaits. After this bite has died down I look for fish tight to cover like in weeds. This is when I would use a football jig, texas rig, or something like that.

I find that big bass are more likely to be loners, holding tight to cover in deeper water. That doesnt mean 60', just the deeper part of a lake. Also, the cover part cant be overstated. Always be looking for something that breaks up the bottom contour. A football jig is a "big bass" lure to me. They dont want to expend too much energy chasing down a meal like the smaller bass would.

[MIbassin]

thanks for the advice!

[hookset on 3]

I've actually been fishing both a lot recently. Since the bass are moving up more shallow after baitfish I've been throwing a spinner first. I'll fish them over weeks, open water, any kind of structure really. If there are heavy weeds, I will choose a swim jig with a trailer that provides a lot of vibration. If I don't get any bites off the spinner or swim jig I'll usually follow it up with another jig or texas rig (especially if there is specific cover) that I will drag/hop incase there are fish that might respond to a "softer" presentation.

Good answer, Arv.

That's generally how I roll in off-color bodies of water. In clear water, it has to be low light with a pretty good chop on the water for me to throw a SB any more. The lakes and ponds I fish, have bass that have seen a few too many spinnerbaits.