Swim Jigs and Swimbaits - Beginner To Advanced Tricks To Catch More Bass!

Come learn the secrets that fishermen use to consistently catch fish with swimbaits and swim jigs! Learn when its time to set the swimbait down and upsize to a swim jig. Watch as Matt explains the differences between swim jig trailers and how some create secondary action while others are virtually dead in the water. He’s giving up all the tricks from small finesse Swimbaits for clear water that will still get bit on the worst days, all the way to heavy swim jigs with huge hooks for busting hydrilla beds in search of giant largemouth!  

Finesse swimbaits are an incredible tool in every angler’s arsenal. The small keitechs have taken the industry by storm in recent years because of their incredible fish catching ability. Matt shows when to use the different styles and sizes and even shows how he and Tim rig the baits with micro hooks to maximize their bites on days when fish don’t want to bite. Color selection is key with these swimbaits as well so below in the description we’ve included color recommendations for every bait. 

Swim jigs are a huge category by themselves. We could go on for hours about how to pair trailers, modify skirts, and use each hook style to your advantage. But if you’re going to take away one piece of information its that for every weight/style of swim jig, there is a perfect trailer to make that bait rock and shimmy in the water. No matter what bait you choose, do not settle until you’ve found the perfect trailer that creates secondary action for you. 

Below are a breakdown of the baits, hooks, and even equipment we use when fishing swimbaits and swim jigs. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed descriptions and up close photos of each item. Matt has even included his favorite rods and reels for each bait category so you can really dial in your technique. 

Swimbaits… 

-Keitech Fat Swing Impact (3.8, 4.3, 4.8): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Colors: Pro Blue Red Pearl, Electric Shad, TW Ghost Shad

-Keitech Easy Shiner 4”: http://bit.ly/2bxJK6H 

Colors: Silver Flash Minnow, TW Ghost Shad, TW Pro Blue

Swimbait Heads… 

-TacticalBassin Finesse Head: http://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n 

-Matt Allen Swimbait Head: http://bit.ly/29RrTYN 

-Dirty Jigs Guppy Head 1/0 Hook: http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS 

Weedless Rigging and Bladed Heads… 

-Owner Flashy Swimmer: http://bit.ly/2e8O4Y7 

-Megabass Okashira Screw Head: http://bit.ly/2EpluSA 

-Coolbaits Down Under Underspin: http://bit.ly/2boS7QA 

Swim Jigs (Lightest Wire Hook To Heaviest)… 

-Finesse Swim Jigs: http://bit.ly/2dr2933 

Colors: Tactical Shad, Bluegill, Threadfin Shad

-Dirty Jigs Swim Jig: http://bit.ly/2dIVUMd

Colors: Chartreuse Shad, Dirty Shad, Bluegill

-No Jack Swim Jig: http://bit.ly/2d8qUCv 

Colors: Dirty Shad, Tactical Shad, Warmouth

-California Swim Jig: http://bit.ly/2auXfmx 

Colors: Alabama Bream, Citrus Shad, Tactical Shad

Swim Jig Trailers… 

Finesse- XZone Swammer 3.5: http://bit.ly/2PogV0q

Mid Size- River2Sea D Walker 100: http://bit.ly/2NwqBmz 

California- D Walker 120: http://bit.ly/2NwqBmz 

Lazy Method- Keitech 4.3” Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v 

Matt’s Favorite Tiny Swimbait Combo… 

Rod- Expride Spinning 6’10” Medium Light: http://bit.ly/2osaj3q 

Reel- Stradic CI4+ 2500: http://bit.ly/2gu84t7 

Line- Power Pro Moss Green Braid 10 lb: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b 

Leader- Sunline Assassin 8 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm 

All-Around Swim Jig Combo… 

Rod- G Loomis GLX 844C MBR 7’ Heavy: http://bit.ly/2gqziwT 

Reel- Shimano Curado 150 DC HG: http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4 

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 50 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ 

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 15 lb Mono: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9 

Budget All-Around Swim Jig Combo… 

Rod- Shimano Intenza 7’4” Heavy: http://bit.ly/2QADLTq

Reel- Shimano SLX 150 DC: http://bit.ly/2LWzw2Q 

Line- Sunline Assassin 17 lb fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Shallow Water Finesse Fishing For Summer Bass

The bass are in less than 2 feet of water! How would you catch them? We turned to "junk fishing" to get the bites. A mix of swim jigs, weightless senkos, and a shaky head did the trick. Come along and watch how we break down a new section of Lake Chickamauga, build a pattern, and locate quality fish despite difficult conditions. 

Summer bass fishing overwhelms a lot of anglers. Knowing how and when to adapt is difficult until you understand fish movements. Once you understand that half the fish go to offshore structure while the other half focus on shallow cover you will find their behavior more predictable. When the water gets really hot the fish will focus on shade for relief, even when that shade is ultra shallow. 

Today we intended to fish offshore structure but the wind had other plans. As the waves we picked up we knew the only option was to focus on the ultra shallow bite. Don't let Summer heat or changing conditions keep you off the water. Focus on the basics and you'll find consistent fish in the heat. Below you'll find a breakdown of the exact baits we threw to target these shallow water fish. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Senko... 

Worm- Yamamoto 5" Senko (Watermelon Red Flake): http://bit.ly/2axAmNS

Hook- Owner Jungle Wide Gap 3/0: http://bit.ly/2sBsR1Z

Shaky Head...

Worm- Netbait T-Mac 6.5" (Bama Bug): http://bit.ly/2jndwj9

Hook- Dirty Jigs 3/16 Canterbury Shaky: http://bit.ly/2aFOs0V

Swim Jig... 

Jig- Dirty Jigs Swim Jig 3/8 oz (Crappie): http://bit.ly/2dIVUMd

Trailer- Keitech 4.3" Fat Swing Impact (Pro Blue Red Pearl): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Topwater... 

Frog- River2Sea Bully Wa 2 (Ghost): http://bit.ly/2axyR2a

Matt's Senko Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'2" MH: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Reel- Shimano Curado DC 150 HG: http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4

Line- Maxima Ultragreen 15 lb: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Tim's Shaky Head Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis NRX 854C JWR: http://bit.ly/2hedqsq

Reel- Shimano Metanium DC HG: http://bit.ly/2qrSZvs

Line- Sunline Flippin FC 18 lb Fluorocarbon: https://bit.ly/3clXxt2

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

Swim Jigs: Everything You Need To Know For Summer Bass Fishing

Swim jigs made easy! Matt gives quick tricks that you can use to take your swim jig fishing for bass to the next level! If you're a spinnerbait or chatterbait guy, the swim jig is the next step. When combined with the proper trailer the baits come to life with amazing movement and flash that bass can't resist. Don't get caught shaking your swim jig this Summer, learn the proper technique and catch more bass!

In recent years, most swim jig fishermen have begun to use a keitech as their trailer. While this can be effective (and we often do it) its not the ideal swimbait trailer for a swim jig. Switching over to baits like the Rage Swimmer or D Walker will complete change the way the bait moves. A properly balanced swim jig with the right trailer will have head bob/roll, body rock, and skirt movement/flash without you imparting any outside action to the bait.

Summer time is the perfect time to learn the swim jig. This time of year you can get a lot of bites on the baits but you can also catch GIANT fish! Again, the key is selecting the right trailer. Below is a breakdown of the jigs, jig trailers, and equipment we use for swim jig fishing.

The Jigs...

-California Swim Jig (3/8 oz-3/4 oz): http://bit.ly/2auXfmx

-Dirty Jigs Swimbait (1/4 oz-3/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2dIVUMd

(Threadfin Shad, Tactical Shad, Crappie, Alabama Bream)

Swimbait Jig Trailers...

-Keitech Fat Swing Impact 3.8 and 4.3: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

-Strike King Rage Swimmer 4.75: http://bit.ly/2evZF8j

-River2Sea D Walker 100 and 120: http://bit.ly/2NwqBmz

-Reaction Innovations Little Dipper: http://bit.ly/2brnU5I

Craw Jig Trailers...

Reaction Innovations Spicy Beaver: http://bit.ly/2MPuma1

Strike King Rage Bug: http://bit.ly/2aAsuiV

Strike King Rage Craw: http://bit.ly/2uoqsLJ

Zoom Z Craw: http://bit.ly/2vW7Jo5

California Swim Jig Combo...

Rod- Expride 7'6" Heavy: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel- Chronarch MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2n8DghB

Line- 65 lb Power Pro Maxcuatro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- 20 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Swim Jig Combo...

Rod- Zodias 7'2" MH: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Reel- Curado 150 DC: http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4

Line- 50 lb Power Pro Maxcuatro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- 15 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

How To Catch Striped Bass

From Topwater to Swimbaits, we show you how to target big striped bass! If you've ever wanted to catch Striper on artificial lures, this information will help you be more successful. Come along for an exciting day on the water!

We begin throwing big swimbaits in the early morning hours. As the day unfolds we transition to a combination of swimbaits, topwater both big and small, and swim jigs. This combination allowed us to maximize our time on the water, increase or shot a big bites, without catching too many smaller fish.

Traditional striper fishing involves cut bait, rattle traps, and small topwater lures. These are all incredibly effective ways to catch striped bass, but they're not great ways to consistently TARGET Big Striped Bass. We use a combination of swimbaits and topwater to eliminate the smaller bites and more effectively target the big bass that we're searching for.

The baits in order of appearance...

S-Waver 200 (Light Trout, Powder, Bone): http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

Evergreen Shower Blows Topwater (150): http://bit.ly/2zIkqUH

Jackall DowzSwimmer 220: http://bit.ly/2OqDNMM

R2S Rover 128 Topwater: http://bit.ly/2acSVea

California Swim Jig 3/4 oz (Dirty Shad, Crappie, Citrus Shad): http://bit.ly/2auXfmx

Keitech 4.8 Swimbait (French Pearl, Sight Flash): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Swimbait Setup...

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 966: http://bit.ly/2x9kxuS

Reel- Tranx 300: http://bit.ly/2kYsvRw

Line- 80 lb Power Pro MaxCuatro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- 30 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Budget Swimbait Combo...

Rod- Dobyns Fury 8' Heavy Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

Reel- Shimano Cardiff 300: http://bit.ly/2cvhtMO

Line- 80 lb Power Pro: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Swim Jig/Large Topwater Combo...

Rod- Expride 7'6" Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel- Curado 200K: http://bit.ly/2tHewEh

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 65 lb: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

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