Swim jig rods

[snowplow]

Am l correct in assuming a swim jig rod would be the same as a M or MF spinnerbait/chatterbait/paddle tail rod? 

 

Not a F or XF jig rod?

[Munkin]

I use a 6-9 or 7' MHF for mine, a MHMF of MHM crankbait rod is too slow and I lose fish.

 

Allen

[casts_by_fly]

A swim jig is still a jig, right?  Use a jig rod.  

[Kev-mo]

13 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

A swim jig is still a jig, right?  Use a jig rod.  

Hmmm sorta... when I first started fishing swim jigs years ago I treated them like a regular jig and set the hook like it was a regular jig. Missed/lost so many fish! I found that when a fish hit if I just kept reeling until I felt weight and used a sweeping hookset my hooking landing percentage went to almost 100. That's more like spinnerbait or crank bait fishing for me.

 

Idk... everyone is different. I mostly fish 3/8 oz swim jig with boot tail trailer. I've fished them on MLEF, MF, MHM, and MHF 6'9" to 7'. Wading rivers so usually only carry one rod which why so many different action/power. Preference would be for one of the MH with a nudge towards F. 

[smesx]

Just getting into swim jigs this year.  Really happy with the Expride 7'6"MH (moderate fast) so far.  Mostly in and around grass.  @Kev-mo is correct on the delay and sweeping hookset much like with a chatterbait.  Tried a Sierra 704 and Expride 72MH fast also but prefer the EXC76BMH by far. 

 

For reference my chatterbait rod is a DC 736CB Glass which works great.  Have not tried it but it could work for swim jig but feel it may be too slow.

[FrnkNsteen]

^^Agreed^^ 

 

I had the same results. I saw someone on a video explain it in a way that finally clicked and made sense to me.

To me, fishing a swim jig is a little different to me than a regular jig because it is typically moving, so when a fish inhales it, you can feel them inhal it and set the hook before they even close their mouth and end up ripping it out of their mouth

A slower more moderate rod allows them to get ahold of it before your line loads up from setting the hook,.. Which has improved hookup ratio for me. I haven't lost near as many fish since switching to a slower rod.

 

Same goes for spinnerbaits and chatterbaits.

[MediumMouthBass]

I dont know how you guys fish swim jigs or chatterbaits on moderate/mod-fast rods.

I just dont get it, ive never lost a bass fishing them on stiff fast rods or extra fast rods, and i only get bass to bite them when im ripping it out of weeds. Id be too worried about a mod rod not having enough strength to rip it through or break trying to do so. Or getting stuck in it, a fast rod i can rip that thing out of there like an ancient Greek warrior, sometimes the bait will fly back at me tho.

 

I guess it all depends on the person fishing with them, some just set the hook too fast i guess and others too slow. Bass fishing sure is interesting

[Texas Flood]

Swim Jig rod for me needs to be Fast but if Im fishing with treble baits, then Im going with a Mod-Fast rod.

[Hook2Jaw]

I fish mine on a Daiwa DX Type-H 7'3" Heavy Regular, which is Daiwa's word for moderate.  It's able to rip my chatterbaits and swimjigs from grass as well as give the fish time to get the bait.  Old 7.3:1 Daiwa Fuego filled with 16# Sunline Sniper.

[Mike L]

All bottom contact presentations regardless of what’s tied on I use either an XF or F rod depending on cover. 

 

For all moving baits of every kind (including swim jigs) I use a “regular” action rod. 
It’s not as soft as glass, composite or what the common understanding of what a moderate action stick would be. 
 

The only exception is for a frog

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[MN Fisher]

^ I'm with the previous - bottom contact is F or XF...single hook moving baits (which includes swim jigs) is on MF...trebles are on M. Frogs are a special case...my frog rod is a H/F

[GetFishorDieTryin]

If Im shaking a swim jig on the retrieve, I want a 7'1 or max 7'2 with a really fast tip and short but.  For just a straight retrieve, letting the trailer do all the work, I like a 7'3 or 7'4 F and the length of the handle doesn't matter as much.

[snowplow]

Very good. Thank you fellas.

[waymont]

My favorite swim jig rod is a Loomis 844 MBR. That's a heavy power, fast action rod.

[casts_by_fly]

so I made a brief comment above, but figure I should expand on it.  For me, I have 3 main rods that I use as swim jig rods depending on the cover and depth.  The lightest is the falcon swim jig rod.  Its 7'2" and a fast action.  I fish it with braid.  Its a MH with a nice light tip.  This is my general purpose swim jig rod for anything 3/8 and under which mostly means 3/8 oz.  This is for intermittent grass/pads, docks, light bushes, etc.  This rod either has a swim jig or a light texas rig tied on it 95% of the time.  Then I've got the Head turner at 6'10", heavy/fast.  Its a lighter Falcon Heavy (6-power).  If I'm throwing at a lot of docks or general grass/pads and a chatterbait/spinnerbait isn't the answer then this rod has a swim jig.  Its a 3/8-1/2 swim jig rod with a fast tip.  I fish it with mono.  The shorter length is nice for tighter spots.  This rod is my go to rod for most trips and usually has a spinnerbait or chatterbait on it.  But its also a good swim jig rod.  The last is the falcon heavy cover jig.  Also a 6-power and fast action, but at 7'4" and rated to 1 oz is a big more of a rod than the HT.  Also loaded with mono, but heavier than the HT. This is a great rod for a full 1/2 oz swim jig with a 4.3" keitech on the back (or even a 4.8").  That's a pretty good sized swim jig.  I'll throw this in heavier cover yet.

 

In all cases, I've found all three setups to be more than forgiving on a fish taking the bait.  I don't much straight reel.  I'm usually shaking, hopping and droping.  I'll shake it over the top of grass and then drop it into a hole.  Cast it up to the dock and let it hit the bottom, give it a couple hops and shake it back.  I've found most of the fish will hit it on the drop or as soon as it hits the bottom.

[FishTank]

The 844C IMX is my favorite for swim jigs as well.