California Swim Jig Alternatives!

[Skeet22]

I use swimbaits sometimes but I don't know what it is about a single tail grub that drives fish nuts. I think it looks more baitfish like than swimbait the way it flutters through the water. What I usually do is on 1/4 swim jigs I use a grub almost always and when I go to 3/8 and up I will use a swimbait which in this case im usually fishing through grass and not around and on top of it like I do with the lighter swim jig.

[River Rat316]

If the fish are chasing and looking for a bigger meal (like fall) swim bait is the way to go, other wise its grub or action craw.

[G3Steve]

I went out on a trip with Matt Allen a couple of weeks ago to practice for our TOC, and he said that he's now using the Keitech Swing Impact Fat for 3/8 and 1/2 oz swim jigs.

He still uses the ~5" version (4.8), but my guess would be that the smaller versions would work well on the lighter jigs for a smaller profile. You might be sacrificing the thump of a bigger bait, but that would be my recommendation for a good, smaller sized swimbait.

[skeletor6]

On 10/17/2012 at 7:48 AM, Skeet22 said:

I use swimbaits sometimes but I don't know what it is about a single tail grub that drives fish nuts. I think it looks more baitfish like than swimbait the way it flutters through the water. What I usually do is on 1/4 swim jigs I use a grub almost always and when I go to 3/8 and up I will use a swimbait which in this case im usually fishing through grass and not around and on top of it like I do with the lighter swim jig.

On 10/17/2012 at 1:28 PM, River Rat316 said:

If the fish are chasing and looking for a bigger meal (like fall) swim bait is the way to go, other wise its grub or action craw.

I like what both of you guys are saying! That seems like a good implementation of this strategy and ideology that could be easily applied. The single tailed grubs I used have had success as well as the twin tailed, but the rage tailed craws kinda act like those as well and have a ton of those rage tails right now. I also use the single tail grub on a spinnerbait which has worked well, but now I find myself using a hyperworm and a zoom split tail. I used to use 3/8oz spinnerbaits now I find myself using the heavier 5/8 and 3/4 oz bought a few from northstar (new gill, white, and white/chartreuse).

I am digressing, I will go with the grub on 1/4 oz and some 3/8 and the other 3/8 and heavier will get a swimbait and see how well I do. Just when I am swimming them though. Otherwise it is Baby and Regular rage craw and paca craws/chunks for other techniques.

Thank you both for the idea it is simplifying things for me.

On 10/18/2012 at 11:14 PM, G3Steve said:

I went out on a trip with Matt Allen a couple of weeks ago to practice for our TOC, and he said that he's now using the Keitech Swing Impact Fat for 3/8 and 1/2 oz swim jigs.

He still uses the ~5" version (4.8), but my guess would be that the smaller versions would work well on the lighter jigs for a smaller profile. You might be sacrificing the thump of a bigger bait, but that would be my recommendation for a good, smaller sized swimbait.

Now that is what I call direct information right there.Thank you so much, that is pretty envious that you got the chance to fish with Mr. Allen himself! If he, Glenn, or Big-O wanted to go fishing with me I'd be there. Especially Glenn have you seen his vids? He's got game. Once again I am digressing.

I appreciate you sharing that information with me. it is his invented technique as far as I know and if he is using the keitech for lighter weights I could see myself downsizing with that swimbait as well. Can't thank you enough, I really appreciate it Steve.

[G3Steve]

I appreciate you sharing that information with me. it is his invented technique as far as I know and if he is using the keitech for lighter weights I could see myself downsizing with that swimbait as well. Can't thank you enough, I really appreciate it Steve.

No problem. Matt is a great guy and an awesome guide. If you really want to learn and not just get on fish, then he is the man to hire. One of the things that impressed me was that he doesn't fish unless he's experimenting with a new bait or technique. He won't use the same bait as you off the front of the boat and hog prime spots like another guide I've hired. If you ever come out to Cali you should give him a call. Surprisingly, many of his clients are from out of town. We just hired him to help us with our tourneys at Clear Lake and we plan to hire him again next year to help my partner and I learn more about our local waters.

On another note, two of the fish in my avatar were caught on the Cali Swim Jig at the lake where they were conceived, Clear Lake, CA. Matt says that he catches fish as small as 1-2 pounds on the bait, but I've never caught anything smaller than 3.5lbs on it!