Swim Jig Vs Crankbait

[JDJ]

I've read lots of good discussions in this Forum on choosing between a swim jig and a spinnerbait, but what about choosing between a swim jig and a lipless or shallow-running crankbait -- assuming that they're both intended to represent a bait fish?  A personal preference, or something more?

[rockchalk06]

Swim jig for me personally. I am more accurate with a swim jig and they are more weedless than a crank. I feel for me, I can control a swim jig better around cover or in the nasty.

With a crankbait, controlling your depth is much easier than with a swim jig. Crankbaits (rattle versions) put off more vibration and sound than a swim jig does.

[Shane J]

The same for me. If they're dialed in to hitting moving baits, I'm just as confident that I can get 'em swimming a jig. I was recently shown a new rigging method, in which a 1/2 oz skirtless Seibert Brush jig, was transformed into a deadly swim jig application with a Smokin' Rooster. With that setup, you can further fine tune to catch the bigger fish, and work it like a regular jig anytime.

[smalljaw67]

It depends on 3 things, cover, depth, and water clarity, if the water is stained and added vibration may help fish get the bait then I'm using the crankbait, the same thing with depth, if I me going deeper than 5' I'll use the crankbait or if the cover I'm fishing is sparse or rock, in all those instances I'm using the crankbait. If there are weeds I'm going to go swim jig or in water less than 5' deep but there are always exceptions.

[Brian Needham]

I personally thing the swim jig is more subtle, sometimes they want that wobble and how the crank deflects off cover

 

I have debated this very topic with myself many times and have yet to come to a strong answer other than the ole cliche "let the fish tell you"

 

watch the classic next year...... all those guys will be chunking a lipless, compare to how many guy say they were throwing a swim jig.

 

 

[A-Jay]

For my money, a swim jig and a spinner bait are fairly interchangeable as far as where, when & how they are fished.

 

But a Swim jig, a Lipless bait and a Crank bait, to me are three totally different tools.  Clearly an angler can chose to fish any bait any where but to get the most out of it's potential, choosing the right one for the job makes sense.

 To me, a swim jig is a fairly subtle presentation.  Even with a beefy trailer and through some decent cover, a swim jigs ability to roll and glide as it swims is what makes the bait work. On the other end of the bait spectrum is a lipless or Rattle bait - loud and fairly obnoxious, this bait doesn't ever sneak up on any bass.  It screams "here I am - Bite me".  As for a crank bait, depending on the model and it's features, it can fall any where in between those just mentioned.  Can be loud, can be silent, can be subtle (as in balsa wood baits) and can have a wide wobble or a tight wiggle.  But the best feature and most attractive quality of the bait, is it's ability to draw strikes by deflecting off something; whether is loud or not may play a secondary role here.

 

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

A-Jay

[MacP]

For my money, a swim jig and a spinner bait are fairly interchangeable as far as where, when & how they are fished.

 

But a Swim jig, a Lipless bait and a Crank bait, to me are three totally different tools.  Clearly an angler can chose to fish any bait any where but to get the most out of it's potential, choosing the right one for the job makes sense.

 To me, a swim jig is a fairly subtle presentation.  Even with a beefy trailer and through some decent cover, a swim jigs ability to roll and glide as it swims is what makes the bait work. On the other end of the bait spectrum is a lipless or Rattle bait - loud and fairly obnoxious, this bait doesn't ever sneak up on any bass.  It screams "here I am - Bite me".  As for a crank bait, depending on the model and it's features, it can fall any where in between those just mentioned.  Can be loud, can be silent, can be subtle (as in balsa wood baits) and can have a wide wobble or a tight wiggle.  But the best feature and most attractive quality of the bait, is it's ability to draw strikes by deflecting off something; whether is loud or not may play a secondary role here.

 

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

A-Jay

 

Well said! 

[Dwight Hottle]

For my money, a swim jig and a spinner bait are fairly interchangeable as far as where, when & how they are fished.

 

But a Swim jig, a Lipless bait and a Crank bait, to me are three totally different tools.  Clearly an angler can chose to fish any bait any where but to get the most out of it's potential, choosing the right one for the job makes sense.

 To me, a swim jig is a fairly subtle presentation.  Even with a beefy trailer and through some decent cover, a swim jigs ability to roll and glide as it swims is what makes the bait work. On the other end of the bait spectrum is a lipless or Rattle bait - loud and fairly obnoxious, this bait doesn't ever sneak up on any bass.  It screams "here I am - Bite me".  As for a crank bait, depending on the model and it's features, it can fall any where in between those just mentioned.  Can be loud, can be silent, can be subtle (as in balsa wood baits) and can have a wide wobble or a tight wiggle.  But the best feature and most attractive quality of the bait, is it's ability to draw strikes by deflecting off something; whether is loud or not may play a secondary role here.

 

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

A-Jay

 

 

The pain meds have worn off & you have become clairvoyant.

[A-Jay]

The pain meds have worn off & you have become clairvoyant.

 

 Thanks but it's just the opposite - I doubled it up !

 

Wait a minute - Mike - is that you ?

 

 

A-Jay

[WRB]

The only "swim jig" I fish is a Scrounger or a Mattie. Crankbaits are a different type of lure, you can very the speed and depth, stop and they float, etc.

A Mattie is a standard skirt type jig with a swivel and Colorado size 1 blade in place of a trailer like a tail spinner.

Tom

[MacP]

WRB, Those are popping up all over my local shops now.

[JDJ]

Thanks for you inputs guys!

[AMAC]

As stated swim jigs and spinnerbaits are more arguable. However this time a year I lean more towards bladed swim jigs bc of the tight vibration. They are more comparable to crankbaits imo. When choosing one from the other it all depends on cover structure and the mood of the bass. I like strike king swim jigs in the hack attack version due to the stronger hook. The pure poison swim jig is awesome to although you have to be mindful of the trailer you choose to keep the blade tracking properly. All in all the swim/vibrating jig is my go to search bait.

[ww2farmer]

I use both. The swim jig has become my #1 shallow water search bait, and I find they will bite that when cranking hauls water. And I am pretty sure that I have never NOT caught a fish or two on them when I am throwing one.