Swimjig rod for River Smallmouth

[Schocker]

I have been having great success throwing swimjigs for smallmouth in all my Local TN rivers and creeks.  I was wondering if any body else is using them in smaller river systems with a lot of current and if so what your rod set ups are.  The rod I had been using went to the river gods the other day and I am debating what to replace it with.  I was using a Shimano Claris 7’ MH fast.  Thanks for the any input.

[TnRiver46]

2 hours ago, Schocker said:

I have been having great success throwing swimjigs for smallmouth in all my Local TN rivers and creeks.  I was wondering if any body else is using them in smaller river systems with a lot of current and if so what your rod set ups are.  The rod I had been using went to the river gods the other day and I am debating what to replace it with.  I was using a Shimano Claris 7’ MH fast.  Thanks for the any input.

Oh no! Ask the river gods if I can have all mine back too........ I like to use swim jigs in late summer and fall when there’s grass I can’t fish through with anything else. Almost like snatching a rattle bait through the cabbage, so I go with a stout rod. They usually hit the jig really hard so sensitivity takes a backseat for me . The hard part is not getting excited about all the drum that thump the jig 

[smalljaw67]

For that application you don't really need to spend a lot and I have a rod that is perfect for that purpose. The rod I use is a 6'6" medium power, fast action Abu Garcia Vendetta, it is the first generation of that rod but I imagine they still are using the same blank. I originally got it as an all-purpose rod to use when fishing in a jon boat or canoe on the Susquehanna river. I figured it wouldn't hurt much if the rod was broke or lost on a float trip and being all purpose I could get away with using only 2 or 3 rods. Well the rod was a lot better than I expected it to be, it is a little more stout than a typical medium, it is a solid 1/2 power over a medium, a light medium heavy if you will. With that rod I could throw anything but I found it was really nice for spinnerbaits, swim jigs, and buzzbaits, the power allows you to drive home larger hooks but it isn't a broom stick, it is kind of funny in that it feels real stiff and stout until you fight a fish and then you see that the rod does have some give but not too much, perfect for single hooks. I got the 6'6" because most of my casts with it are roll casts to specific targets and I often need low trajectory to get under overhanging trees but a 7' should work the same.

[Schocker]

Thanks for the input.   We burn them around wood and any time we hit fast water with any vegitation near it.        The problem I have it the bass hit it and come right at you and I’ve noticed a lot of the bigger fish we hook throw the hook.   The small and medicine m size fish usually choke the swimjig.