Swimbait Jighead vs. Swim Jig?

[Tony Christian]

When would I fish one over the other? For the jighead I am going to use an easy shiner, for the swim jig an SI fat.

[Finessegenics]

Swim Jig is a bigger, bulkier profile for sure. I’d use it when you’re looking for a big bite and the fish are already pretty active. I also use a swim jig in places a bare jighead would struggle to come through (through cover) so that’s another thing to consider. Use the swimbait on a jighead in open water areas or when the fish are more skittish. 
 

[WIGuide]

The way I see it, I'll look to the fishes activity level/mood to tell me which to throw. A swim jig, although more finesse than something like a spinnerbait is still bigger and bulkier than a stand alone swimbait on a jig head. If I feel like the fish are more active, I'll start with the swim jig, and if they seem to be in more passive mood I'll throw just the swimbait alone. Cover would normally dictate as well since the swim jig has a weed guard on it, but the swimbait could be thrown on Texas rig or belly weighted hook as well for the same effect. 

[A-Jay]

6 hours ago, Finessegenics said:

Swim Jig is a bigger, bulkier profile for sure. I’d use it when you’re looking for a big bite and the fish are already pretty active. I also use a swim jig in places a bare jighead would struggle to come through (through cover) so that’s another thing to consider. Use the swimbait on a jighead in open water areas or when the fish are more skittish. 
 

 

33 minutes ago, WIGuide said:

The way I see it, I'll look to the fishes activity level/mood to tell me which to throw. A swim jig, although more finesse than something like a spinnerbait is still bigger and bulkier than a stand alone swimbait on a jig head. If I feel like the fish are more active, I'll start with the swim jig, and if they seem to be in more passive mood I'll throw just the swimbait alone. Cover would normally dictate as well since the swim jig has a weed guard on it, but the swimbait could be thrown on Texas rig or belly weighted hook as well for the same effect. 

Same ~

Open water - paddle tail on a jighead.

Just about any cover at all - Swim jig.

Side note - first several bass I ever caught on a swim jig,

were from an open water deal, but I was presenting it right on the bottom.

Hardly ever do that any more though.

Hmmmmm . . . . 

A-Jay

 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

I look at a swimjig as being closer to a spinnerbait or chatterbait then a swimbait, just a little more subtle without the flash and vibration.  If the conditions are too bright or calm for a chatterbait or spinnerbait then I throw the swim jig.  Swimjigs are great for fishing in places that others baits will get hung up or bogged down.  

In the past I used to go to a swimbait over a swimjig in open water, but recently Ive gotten away from that.  There's a reason why several companies are putting out compact, "finesse" swimjigs all of a sudden.  They do a great job at imitating small bluegills or shad with that bigger profile.  I feel like I get just as many bites with a smaller swimjig as I do a swimbait, but I feel I get better quality bites with the compact swimjig, particularly in water where bluegill are the primary forage.  

[softwateronly]

4 hours ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

I look at a swimjig as being closer to a spinnerbait or chatterbait then a swimbait, just a little more subtle without the flash and vibration.  If the conditions are too bright or calm for a chatterbait or spinnerbait then I throw the swim jig.  Swimjigs are great for fishing in places that others baits will get hung up or bogged down.  

In the past I used to go to a swimbait over a swimjig in open water, but recently Ive gotten away from that.  There's a reason why several companies are putting out compact, "finesse" swimjigs all of a sudden.  They do a great job at imitating small bluegills or shad with that bigger profile.  I feel like I get just as many bites with a smaller swimjig as I do a swimbait, but I feel I get better quality bites with the compact swimjig, particularly in water where bluegill are the primary forage.  

A little reel chop or pause goes a long way for me on a swimjig. I’m guessing it gives a little extra skirt flash and also looks like a vulnerable or fleeing bream.  I seem to do better on straight retrieves with a swimbait only. Obviously it doesn’t cost much to do both retrieves with either. 
 

scott

[galyonj]

10 minutes ago, softwateronly said:

A little reel chop or pause goes a long way for me on a swimjig. I’m guessing it gives a little extra skirt flash and also looks like a vulnerable or fleeing bream.  I seem to do better on straight retrieves with a swimbait only. Obviously it doesn’t cost much to do both retrieves with either. 
 

scott

 

That's a fact.

 

You aren't doing yourself any favors just winding it back. It'll get bit, but secondary action is what draws bites out of fish that may ordinarily not be interested otherwise.

[OkobojiEagle]

dressed jigheads aren't just for open water... Brewer Spider head and Fin-tech Title Shot jighead

 

oe