Super User Cgolf Posted November 14, 2015 Super User Posted November 14, 2015 I thought I would share this with everyone. It is a video I did last night where I tested seven different trailers on a swim jig to see how each worked. It was eye opening for me, hope it helps others out too. 4 Quote
Super User kickerfish1 Posted November 14, 2015 Super User Posted November 14, 2015 Nice video! Not the same trailers I would consider for a "swim jig" outside of the Kalins 5 inch grub but it does help folks see the action. 1 Quote
Super User Cgolf Posted November 14, 2015 Author Super User Posted November 14, 2015 Nice video! Not the same trailers I would consider for a "swim jig" outside of the Kalins 5 inch grub but it does help folks see the action. The Paca craw and the sideways rigged yum thing were my best producers this year. I did yo yo retrieve the jigs a lot so that might be some of the reason they worked so well. What trailers would you go with? I could do a second video. It really is a learning experience for me so I am game if you have some ideas. Quote
Will Wetline Posted November 14, 2015 Posted November 14, 2015 Very interesting. Thanks for putting this together and posting. I too have a hydrodynamics testing tank in my home and use it for observing the action of the hair jigs I tie as well as bathing. 1 Quote
Super User kickerfish1 Posted November 15, 2015 Super User Posted November 15, 2015 The Paca craw and the sideways rigged yum thing were my best producers this year. I did yo yo retrieve the jigs a lot so that might be some of the reason they worked so well. What trailers would you go with? I could do a second video. It really is a learning experience for me so I am game if you have some ideas. Generally, for swimjigs I like Keitech Swing Impacts and Fat Impacts, GY Swim Senko with about 1/2 inch to an inch taken off the front portion of the bait, SK Rage Mennace Grub, SK Rage Grub, RI Little Dipper, and even the SK Rage Eliminator. 2 Quote
Super User Cgolf Posted November 15, 2015 Author Super User Posted November 15, 2015 Generally, for swimjigs I like Keitech Swing Impacts and Fat Impacts, GY Swim Senko with about 1/2 inch to an inch taken off the front portion of the bait, SK Rage Mennace Grub, SK Rage Grub, RI Little Dipper, and even the SK Rage Eliminator. I have a swim senko and the reaction innovation dippers and zoom swim baits. I forgot I do have some double tail grubs too. I was really disappointed in the havoc grass pig, hope that other baits are better. What is the difference in action between a menace grub and a beaver bait? I am guessing if drops quicker, but has similar tail action? What is the eliminator, didn't see if on TW? Quote
Super User kickerfish1 Posted November 15, 2015 Super User Posted November 15, 2015 The mennace grub has sort of kicking action in a compact profile. The baits has action while using a lift and fall retrieve or a steady swim. Most beaver style baits like the RI beaver or SK rodent have minimal action. Their strengths lie in their bulk and profile of a large meal. They have minimal action which at times can be excellent especially in colder water. Another advantage is they offer very little wind resistance. The SK Eeliminator has very limited availabilty. I believe you can buy them from the manufacturer but that is about it. I loaded up with them last winter. The bait is very eel like and is comparable in action to sort of a magnum single tail grub. 1 Quote
Super User WIGuide Posted November 16, 2015 Super User Posted November 16, 2015 Try a Big Bite Baits Cane Thumper on the back of a swim jig. It's about 1000 times better than the dead pig (cough cough) I mean Grass Pig. Quote
Super User Choporoz Posted November 16, 2015 Super User Posted November 16, 2015 Thanks for the video! I too generally put paddle-tail style plastic on swimjigs. I use Yamamoto swimbait, Megastrike Fat Shad, Larew Sweet Swimmer. I used to use SK caffeine shad, but I've found that I prefer the three above. I haven't tried the cane thumper, but that's on my wishlist. 1 Quote
Super User Cgolf Posted November 16, 2015 Author Super User Posted November 16, 2015 Doing part 2 sometime this week with some swimbaits I have. I probably have shied away from using them as trailers because I have had very little luck with them in Wisconsin. The swim senko yes, but the go to retrieve was cast let it drop and sit, pop it let it sit, pop it again and reel in if no bite, never had a fish while swimming it. Not knowing much about swim jigs, I fished them like a lipless with a yo yo retrieve and got bit a lot. Never got bit on a straight in retrieve, but really didn't try it much. Personally I just like how they cut through the weeds, curious though if you all use a flatter retrieve than I do? Quote
papajoe222 Posted November 17, 2015 Posted November 17, 2015 I do tend to use a swim jig more like a spinnerbait than a jig, letting it fall on a tight line just to give me an idea as to where it is in the water column. Unlike a spinnerbait, I like to keep them close to the bottom. A Kalin's Lunker Grub is my #1 choice with a RageTail Grub getting the call in murkier water. Quote
Super User Catt Posted November 17, 2015 Super User Posted November 17, 2015 While I don't use your trailers I do like Santone's Rayburn Swim Jig! 1 Quote
Super User WIGuide Posted November 17, 2015 Super User Posted November 17, 2015 Personally I just like how they cut through the weeds, curious though if you all use a flatter retrieve than I do? I use pretty much a straight retrieve with a swim jig. I might change the speed, or pop my rod tip a little to flare the skirt and give it more of an erratic action, but about 90% of the time I stick with the straight retrieve. There are times I'll also just reel it along and kill it next to a piece of cover and there's days they will absolutely kill it when you do. Another nice thing about them is despite being titled a swim jig you can also fish it the same way you would a regular jig. Sometimes if i'm fishing down a bank with one and I come up to a dock I'll skip it under there and just let it fall, hop it a few times, and once I pass the dock I go back to fishing it like I normally do. 1 Quote
Super User Cgolf Posted November 17, 2015 Author Super User Posted November 17, 2015 Part 2 is in process. For part 3 I will need a TW order or a trip to the local bait shop in Sauk City for me. 1 Quote
Super User webertime Posted November 17, 2015 Super User Posted November 17, 2015 A shortened spade tail worm is an awesome trailer. (Think Jelly Worm with a wider tail) Quote
Super User Maxximus Redneckus Posted November 17, 2015 Super User Posted November 17, 2015 Swim jig trailors lose a lot of action because of the way they are on a hook .the longer the hook the less action.they still have some action but to get the most out of a swimbait IMO its best to have a keeper hook on the jig. 1 Quote
Super User Cgolf Posted November 17, 2015 Author Super User Posted November 17, 2015 Swim jig trailors lose a lot of action because of the way they are on a hook .the longer the hook the less action.they still have some action but to get the most out of a swimbait IMO its best to have a keeper hook on the jig. The only thing I might worry about here is that it would get too long? Could use the jr skinny dipper instead and get a bait about the same size. Are you talking like a hitchhiker keeper? Watching the videos and seeing the jig wobble, I would think that a hitchhiker type attachment would deaden the jig action and increase the bait action? Not sure which would be better. Or did I completely miss what you are saying? Quote
Super User Maxximus Redneckus Posted November 17, 2015 Super User Posted November 17, 2015 Your right a hitchhiker it will enhance head action of the softbait and sorta makes it 2 diff actions the jig head and the soft bait will be in essence just following each other as opposed to the heavier jig controlling the softbait 1 Quote
Super User kickerfish1 Posted November 18, 2015 Super User Posted November 18, 2015 Nice job with the tank test part 2. Good choices! Freiendly criticism should you use the powerworm trailer would be cut that one down some as well. Bigger fish should inhale it but smaller ones may just mess with the tail section. Keitech fat impacts and swing impacts have great swimming action as well. 1 Quote
Super User Cgolf Posted November 18, 2015 Author Super User Posted November 18, 2015 Nice job with the tank test part 2. Good choices! Freiendly criticism should you use the powerworm trailer would be cut that one down some as well. Bigger fish should inhale it but smaller ones may just mess with the tail section. Keitech fat impacts and swing impacts have great swimming action as well. Thanks it's been fun and a good learning experience. Now I just need a pool in the backyard and some underwater cameras;) Rigged the power worm looked about right, but in the water the tail really stretched out. The swim senko was a stunner, that thing pushes a lot of water. 1 Quote
Super User Cgolf Posted November 18, 2015 Author Super User Posted November 18, 2015 Your right a hitchhiker it will enhance head action of the softbait and sorta makes it 2 diff actions the jig head and the soft bait will be in essence just following each other as opposed to the heavier jig controlling the softbait I might have a third installment now lol. Do you let it float completely free on the hook, or use some tubing to limit how much the hitchhiker can travel? Quote
Super User MIbassyaker Posted November 18, 2015 Super User Posted November 18, 2015 Very interesting series of tests so far -- I am taking notes! 1 Quote
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