Swim Jig Rod

[BadContrakt]

Oh boy I know this topic has probably been beaten to death here but I DID do a search and just found people asking of what jigs to throw, when, where, and how.

 

All I want to know is what rig you throw it on?

 

Rod action

Rod taper

Rod length

Reel gear ratio

[NathanDLTH]

Rod anywhere from MH-H/

Action: me medium fast to fast

length: 7-7’4

reel: 6:3-7:3 

line flouro or braid depending on vegetation 

[Mikeltee]

Just find a rod marked swimbait and get the one for the proper weight range. Dobyns has a couple $100 ones in the fury line and a half dozen in the $220 champion line. They are designate dc79xSB where the sb stands for swimbait. They are at the end of the lists. I would assume the action is a little more moderate for the treble hooks. I dont fish SBs so wouldnt know what works best. If you dont like what they have to offer then find a similar length, power, and action from a brand that you roll with. 

 

As far as your comment about beaten to death... it's not. Not many people here fish swimbaits and those that do are all masters of their game so they really dont discuss it. Granted I am talking real swimbait fishing. Not paddletail on a 1/4oz jig head "swim baits" which technically they are. If that's the case just buy the appropriate texas rig rod for your weight range.

[Bassattackr]

I use both 7'1" and 7'3" MH power, mod-fast to fast action rods depending on cover, casting distance, etc.  

 

Typically a 7:1 gear ratio.. sometimes they pick it up like a spinnerbait and swim toward you and you need to reel slack quick!

[BadContrakt]

55 minutes ago, Mikeltee said:

Just find a rod marked swimbait and get the one for the proper weight range. Dobyns has a couple $100 ones in the fury line and a half dozen in the $220 champion line. They are designate dc79xSB where the sb stands for swimbait. They are at the end of the lists. I would assume the action is a little more moderate for the treble hooks. I dont fish SBs so wouldnt know what works best. If you dont like what they have to offer then find a similar length, power, and action from a brand that you roll with. 

 

As far as your comment about beaten to death... it's not. Not many people here fish swimbaits and those that do are all masters of their game so they really dont discuss it. Granted I am talking real swimbait fishing. Not paddletail on a 1/4oz jig head "swim baits" which technically they are. If that's the case just buy the appropriate texas rig rod for your weight range.

Yikes. Why are you commenting if you have no idea how to fish a swimjig?

25 minutes ago, Bassattackr said:

I use both 7'1" and 7'3" MH power, mod-fast to fast action rods depending on cover, casting distance, etc.  

 

Typically a 7:1 gear ratio.. sometimes they pick it up like a spinnerbait and swim toward you and you need to reel slack quick!

So I actually have an extra 7'3" medium heavy laying around not being used. I considered picking it up for swimjig fishing but talked myself out of it because of the lack of backbone for ripping it through weeds and what-not. Do you fish through cover at all? In my area, we often work swimjigs through pads, through grass, and through reeds. Do you use that rod for that application or not?

 

The reason I'm asking is because I also have a 7'3" Heavy-fast and it works great for ripping through cover and for solid hook sets but it doesn't cast well. The rod doesn't load up properly and casting distance and accuracy suffers greatly. I can tell you if I through it on my 7'3" MEDIUM heavy-fast I would be able to cast much further and much more accurate but I'm concerned about using it through cover. What's your experience?

[Bassattackr]

44 minutes ago, BadContrakt said:

So I actually have an extra 7'3" medium heavy laying around not being used. I considered picking it up for swimjig fishing but talked myself out of it because of the lack of backbone for ripping it through weeds and what-not. Do you fish through cover at all? In my area, we often work swimjigs through pads, through grass, and through reeds. Do you use that rod for that application or not?

Absolutely.  If you're fishing vegetation, I'd switch to braid.  Perfect application for that MH rod, but I use flouro and braid both situation depending.  

 

I don't care to use a Heavy power, fast action rod with any moving bait.  Doesn't allow them to suck it in for a good hookset.  Unless maybe a G Loomis Heavy (1/4-1oz), they run light for their action.

 

Typically any spinnerbait rod makes a good swimjig rod.

 

[BadContrakt]

1 minute ago, Bassattackr said:

Absolutely.  If you're fishing vegetation, I'd switch to braid.  Perfect application for that MH rod, but I use flouro and braid both situation depending.  

 

I don't care to use a Heavy power, fast action rod with any moving bait.  Doesn't allow them to suck it in for a good hookset.  Unless maybe a G Loomis Heavy (1/4-1oz), they run light for their action.

 

Typically any spinnerbait rod makes a good swimjig rod.

 

Awesome thanks for the info. I'm gonna throw that 7'3" this weekend and see what I think. The 7'4" heavy is just too much of a broomstick to cast that little jig very well. Quite annoying. I'll report back after trying the MH!

[Dens228]

I use a MH/Fast for swim jigs.  It was the Levante Braillist, now it's the Orochi XX Braillist. 

 

[waymont]

4 hours ago, Mikeltee said:

Just find a rod marked swimbait and get the one for the proper weight range. Dobyns has a couple $100 ones in the fury line and a half dozen in the $220 champion line. They are designate dc79xSB where the sb stands for swimbait. They are at the end of the lists. I would assume the action is a little more moderate for the treble hooks. I dont fish SBs so wouldnt know what works best. If you dont like what they have to offer then find a similar length, power, and action from a brand that you roll with. 

 

As far as your comment about beaten to death... it's not. Not many people here fish swimbaits and those that do are all masters of their game so they really dont discuss it. Granted I am talking real swimbait fishing. Not paddletail on a 1/4oz jig head "swim baits" which technically they are. If that's the case just buy the appropriate texas rig rod for your weight range.

Did you notice he asked about swim jigs, not swim baits.

[Bass Rutten]

I use a dobyns 705cb. Some may think it’s too light but I exclusively use strike kings kvd’s with light wire hooks. My hook up ratio went through the roof as soon as I made the change to this rod due to the forgiving tip.  The lakes I fish have very light cover though.

[waymont]

I use 3 power G Loomis rods for all my swim jigs. 10-17lb line 1/4-3/4oz ratings and they work fantastic.

I throw 1/4, 5/16, and 3/8oz jigs on 30lb braid to 15lb leader, and it's a really nicely balanced/sensitive set for open water to medium cover.

[Deleted account]

It depends on which swim jig I'm fishing, and how and where I'm fishing it. For true swim jigs, a  Med or MH rod 6"6"-7' with 12-15 lb mono. For beefier hooks and larger trailers around heavier cover, I usually go with a MH and braid. I don't find the rod choice is particularly challenging for swim baits, the only thing I don't like is something too fast.

[BadContrakt]

2 hours ago, BassWhole! said:

It depends on which swim jig I'm fishing, and how and where I'm fishing it. For true swim jigs, a  Med or MH rod 6"6"-7' with 12-15 lb mono. For beefier hooks and larger trailers around heavier cover, I usually go with a MH and braid. I don't find the rod choice is particularly challenging for swim baits, the only thing I don't like is something too fast.

Which is precisely my problem. The 7'3" Heavy-Fast I have is just too stiff and doesn't properly load up when casting. Very annoying. I'm excited to give my 7'3" MedHeavy-Fast a try this weekend to see if that lighter backbone loads up better.

[Deleted account]

11 minutes ago, BadContrakt said:

Which is precisely my problem. The 7'3" Heavy-Fast I have is just too stiff and doesn't properly load up when casting. Very annoying. I'm excited to give my 7'3" MedHeavy-Fast a try this weekend to see if that lighter backbone loads up better.

Wait, try different rods and see which works best? That's just crazy talk....  

[ww2farmer]

 

 Dobyns Fury 704c

 

I like to mix it up a bit and swim or pitch the jig in/around/or through cover.

 

I rarely swim a jig with a swimbait trailer, I tend to always lean on a high action craw style bait. Very versatile for me, I can swim it over grass, next to docks, etc...or pitch it right into the cover and fish it slowly. This rod allows me to do both well.

[WRB]

On September 3, 2019 at 7:55 AM, BadContrakt said:

Oh boy I know this topic has probably been beaten to death here but I DID do a search and just found people asking of what jigs to throw, when, where, and how.

 

All I want to know is what rig you throw it on?

 

Rod action

Rod taper

Rod length

Reel gear ratio

Define the swim jig you plan to use;

weight?

Hook size?

Trailer size?

[Dens228]

1 hour ago, BadContrakt said:

Which is precisely my problem. The 7'3" Heavy-Fast I have is just too stiff and doesn't properly load up when casting. Very annoying. I'm excited to give my 7'3" MedHeavy-Fast a try this weekend to see if that lighter backbone loads up better.

I found the same thing with smim jigs and other jigs as well.  I tried a H/Fast after it being suggested to me by several people.  I just didn't like the way it cast.  I'm back to MH/Fast but now I have a very good frog rod with the H/Fast.  LOL

 

[BadContrakt]

58 minutes ago, WRB said:

Define the swim jig you plan to use;

weight?

Hook size?

Trailer size?

1/2oz KVD Heavy Cover Swim Jig

4/0 hook

3.5 inch YUM Pulse paddle tail trailer

 

[WRB]

1/2 oz heavy cover swim jig with a heavy 4/0 wire hook and 3.5" paddle tail trailer overall weight some where between 5/8 to 3/4 oz.

If you plan to cast this jig as far as possible or 40 to 50 yards in heavy cover, that's isn't going workout good. Casting along cover breaks over the top of submerged heavy cover would work if you shorten the casting ditance tp 30 to 35 yards.

I use 6'10" 5 and  6 power jig rods with 12 to 14 lb FC, no braid when casting jigs of every type from 3/8 to 3/4 oz up to 50 yards so It can be done, just takeS practice.

My average casting distance around heavy cover is no longer then 25 yards using 65 lb straight braid from a boat and usually need to go to any big bass hooked in cover to get it out unless it swims itself out.

The longer the casts made the higher the IPT/ gear ratio is needed because the IPT drops radically over 40 yards. I use 8:1 reels for long casts and shorter cast slowing the down as needed. Heavy cover with braid I use my 7'6" Freds Majic or my 8' flipping rod and 5.8:1 Calcutta reel.

I wouldn't go any lighter power then 4/MH for more open water and 5 /H for moderate cover, length is your choice.

Braid with a leader is popular but not needed IMO.

Tom

[GReb]

I fish swim jigs a lot and typically use two rods depending on bait and cover.  3/8 oz for light cover is thrown on a 6'10 MHF and 1/2 oz for thicker vegetation is thrown on a 7'2 MHF.  I've tried every line option and have come back to mono in the 12-17lb range. 30 lb straight braid would be my next choice.

[Columbia Craw]

7'3" m/h (4 power) fast action with a 7.3 to 1 ratio and...........yes I do use braid, for this one.  

[OnthePotomac]

Mine are on a Rick Clunn 6'6" MH fast tip with 17lb Stren XL mono on a Curado 200E7.  Clunn designed that rod for top waters and it has a real flexible tip.  BPS carried it many years ago and I bought it on clearance for $80.  It has been an incredible cork handle rod over the years and in my daughter's opinion "the most beautiful design on a rod in the sunlight I have ever seen".  LOL

[BadContrakt]

Well so far so good. Went out to Gull Lake this weekend and fished some main lake reeds and it went quite well. Hammered down on several 2-3 pounders with no problem getting them out of the reeds / sparse cabbage / grass and, the highlight of the day, I actually upgraded my lake smallmouth PB! Up from 4 pounds even to 4lb 6oz. Rod handled her just fine.

 

Gear:

Tatula 7'3" MH-F rod

Tatula Type R 7.3:1 reel

30lb Jbraid

1/2oz Booyah swim jig

3.5inch Keitech Swing Impact paddle tail trailer

63.9F water temp

A brisk 55F air temp. Busted out the Carhartt for fishing this weekend!

 

upload

[Bassin_Harrison]

I use 3 different set ups for my swim jigs, I just use whichever one is available at the time and I’m not using for another technique. I have a 6’9 MH/F with braid and then one with mono, but I also use my 7’3 H/F w braid (I use this more around thicker cover I guess but I’ve used it in light cover/open water too so to me it doesn’t matter). 7.3:1 gear ratio on all 3 set ups. 

[r83srock]

On 9/6/2019 at 1:25 PM, OnthePotomac said:

Mine are on a Rick Clunn 6'6" MH fast tip with 17lb Stren XL mono on a Curado 200E7.  Clunn designed that rod for top waters and it has a real flexible tip.  BPS carried it many years ago and I bought it on clearance for $80.  It has been an incredible cork handle rod over the years and in my daughter's opinion "the most beautiful design on a rod in the sunlight I have ever seen".  LOL

Had some in this series back in the day. Those rods had nice components too, fuji sic guides, wish I would’ve kept them. To the op, I use a 6-6 or 7-1 mh fast with 30-40lb power pro, no matter what. I catch em pretty good on a swim I think.