swim jig in 55 degree spring water temps

[GoneFishingLTN]

What are your thoughts on a swim jig in 55 degree water temps with lakes with grass that hasn't came alive yet

[smalljaw67]

It will work but if you aren't getting bit after a bit switch to a spinnerbait. I find that pre-spawn the blade flash of a spinnerbait is tough to beat. When the water temp is under 52 or if the water is really a dirty a bladed jig is the way to go. That is just how I go by selecting which one to use. The thing is no matter what it still takes a little trial and error. As I said, a swim jig will work and will work well but don't be afraid to pick up the spinnerbait, the flash will draw the fish to it which is good when they are scattered.

[Bankbeater]

That is the cover I have been fishing in the past two months.  I start off with a swim jig or a spinnerbait in dead lilypads, and then I'll move to deeper water with eelgrass.  I've been walking down the bank, but then I'll back up and cast into the same area from a slightly different angle. 

[softwateronly]

3 hours ago, GoneFishingLTN said:

What are your thoughts on a swim jig in 55 degree water temps with lakes with grass that hasn't came alive yet

 

Love a swim jig this time of year.  I always have a 1/2-3/4oz and a 1/4-5/16oz tied on.  The heavier swim jig reeled at a medium pace with some reel chops hugs and bangs into the bottom and comes off the breaks right in their face and they often chase and smash it.  If they seem to be feeding up, I'll put some more time into the lighter jig.

 

scott

[NorthernBasser]

For sure. Caught a few today in 47 degree water on a @Siebert Outdoors Shot Caller. 

 

 

 

 

[Chilidog]

I agree the swim jig is one of my favorite spring baits.  I swim it slow and on the bottom.  When I hit any wood or old and emerging vegetation I give the  reel handle a quick turn  and let it sit a moment before I start the slow retrieve again.

[Bird]

Swim jigs and 55* water temps go hand and hand. Imo

 

Other considerations are Jerkbaits, square bills, Spinnerbaits and underspins.

[WRB]

What’s a swim jig? You can “swim” any jig in any water temps. I call it Horizontal Jigging.

55 degrees is early to mid pre spawn.

 

[NorthernBasser]

14 hours ago, WRB said:

What’s a swim jig? You can “swim” any jig in any water temps. 

 

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Swim_Jigs/catpage-SWIMJIG.html

[WRB]

Before a jig had a nose hook eye it was called a bullet head, then a grass jig, that became swim jig. 

Hook with a lead head or a tungsten head is still a bass jig. How it’s retrieved defines what it is.

Tom

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Like a lot of other baits they will hit a swimming jig before most people think about throwing them.  Once those fish get into that early prespawn mood and the water is warming, bass will hit a swim jig when the water temp is in the mid 40s.  

Last year I caught a bunch early on a swimjg, they just aren't my first preference .  I rather throw a chatterbait, crank or spinnerbait, looking for a reaction bite.  I do throw them, but only if the conditions aren't favorable for a chatterbait, spinnerbait, crank or when Im fishing structure that I'm likely to snag or get bogged down in while using other baits.  

[NorthernBasser]

11 hours ago, WRB said:

Before a jig had a nose hook eye it was called a bullet head, then a grass jig, that became swim jig. 

Hook with a lead head or a tungsten head is still a bass jig. How it’s retrieved defines what it is.

Tom

 

Right. And then things evolved to where bait makers started molding skinnier, hydrodynamic jig heads so you could swim a jig better through grass/cover. Hench, swim jig. I think most bass fisherman knows what a swim jig is nowadays when people mention them. 

[WRB]

One of the oldest jig designs is the banana head dates back into 1920’s, put eyes on it and you have today’s “swim jig”.

Popular paddle tail soft plastic swimmers date back to the 1960’s, nothing new just modernized and renamed.

Peace,

Tom