Swim Jigs

[Bdnoble84]

Its important to understand that this whole swim jig thing is 2-fold. 1st is the practice itself. You are swimming a jig. Its just another thing you can do with it. Other options include flipping, hopping, dragging etc. any jig can do this. 
what makes different jigs standout is head shape and hook eye angle. Different heads lend themselves to different actions. A footballhead jig is great for dragging across rock and not getting hung up. You try that in grass though and its going to be a very long day.
Flipping jigs are great for flipping to isolated peaces of cover. You can probably work them through rock some as well. But swim it through grass, and again its going to be a headache. 

traditional swim jigs have a pointy, bullet shaped head. The shape cuts through grass without fouling. 
 

A very misunderstood (or atleast unconsidered) thing is hookeye angle. A 90 degree jig is going to have a forward gloding through water due to weight distribution in relation to your line. The eye leg is also often exposed and is a natural weed collector. Coming through cover in general is challenging due to the eye and line placement.

the 30deg eye on a swim jig however fits the streamlined profile which aides in it cutting through grass. It has another unique feature… instability. With the rounded head and the eye so close to center. The jig has a minimized keel effect. This means its probe for instability/rollover. While this can be an annoyance if not understanding how to harness it, with the right trailer, its magic. It takes a bait with a trailer that has good tail action and adds secondary action in the form of body roll. This brings the lure alive and drives bass wild.

[Jeffrey Walker]

That is great info thank you!!!

[Bdnoble84]

On 8/14/2022 at 8:09 PM, NorthernBasser said:

 

This 100%.

 

The other day I was fishing this particular swim jig (Santone jig with 4" Largo Shad) along weed edges and even through some thick vegetation. Many times either after ripping it out of weeds, or when I would just kill it, it would elicit some ferocious strikes. I like running straight braid on a 7'3 heavy/mod-fast rod when doing this. This 5 pounder (ok, actually a few ounces shy) was the biggest of the bunch. 

 

I love the Largo Shad. It has a little tighter shimmy to it, but if you want more thump, just tear off that thin flange you see in the first pic.

 

 

 

Largo Shad has become a go to for me. Started replacing swing impact type baits for. E. More reasonable/ more durable/ body rolling action. A 4” largo on an 1/8oz jig with the tail tag clipped rolls almost a full 90 and if you leave to tag attached it subdues it. Really like a 3” on a 1/4 swimjig. 4” on 3/8 and up. 

[GTN-NY]

While I’ve never intentionally fished a “swim jig” I have caught lots of fish while retrieving a flipping jig that I had pitched into heavy cover including my biggest of all my fish caught. 54” muskie while fishing a bass tournament. 

So I really have no idea why I don’t throw them with the intent of swimming them more

[roadwarrior]

46 minutes ago, GTN-NY said:

So I really have no idea why I don’t throw them with the intent of swimming them more

 You should!

[GTN-NY]

16 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

 You should!

I know! ? 

[LrgmouthShad]

I only have this season to base off of, but a swim jig around the spawn was incredible for me this year. Throw a spinnerbait and they would just slap it. Throw a swim jig and they would eat it whole. Just burning along in the shallows. You could not fish it fast enough.
 

JC has a video where he explains that a swim jig around the spawn behaves like a threatening bluegill or perch looking to disturb the bed and get a meal
 

Swim jig victims in NY:

 

[Darth-Baiter]

i have a fistful of swimjigs.  i think they look awesome plowing thru grass.  i have taken ONE fish.  i was almost shocked silent when the fish hit.  i need to tie one on this friday.  i am headed straight for the thick stuff on a lake i havent visted often. 

[galyonj]

1 hour ago, Darth-Baiter said:

i was almost shocked silent when the fish hit.

 

Bro I feel that.

[GTN-NY]

Just ordered 6 swim jigs from Sieberts. 2 each in 3 colors. 
bluegill

black

pumpkinseed

All in 1/2oz

[Munkin]

If you are on a spinnerbait bite in clear water with wind and the wind stops, throw the swim jig. 

 

Allen

[avidone1]

I like swim jigs because they are so versatile    It may have a pointy head but it’s still a skirted jig with a trailer so flipping works fine  but it really shines as a swimmer   

[NorthernBasser]

Lethal Weapon IV Swim Jig comes thru grass better than any other jig I've used.

 

[MN Fisher]

My Strike King Tour Grade swim jigs seem to just brush aside milfoil and pondweed.