Subscribers don't receive any affiliate advertising!<-->

Featured Sponsor

    Swim jig Rods
from Waldo #11975 #11975  
3/25/2012 8:19:51 PM

Rated:

 I have been trying to become more proficient with the swimming jigs over the past couple of years, but I have always had trouble with missing a ton of fish. I have been using a 7 mh rod with 17 lb mono. Wondering if I need to use braid instead or a heavy action rod. Not sure if I may work it too fast but dont usually get the same amount of bites when I swim it slower.

Thanks for your responses.

Rate this message:

1 Star

2 Star

3 Star

4 Star

5 Star

   First thing from Hellathump #12313 #12313  3/25/2012 9:54:50 PM
 Change to a heavy action rod...try that first....Then go to braif with fluro leader...

   bites from Dwight #10907 #10907  3/26/2012 10:29:34 AM
 If your getting bites then not getting hooked up and the jig has a plastic weed guard try thinning it out by cutting some of the strands off and then shortening the rest to no more then 1/8" taller than the hook. Bend them a few times to soften them up.

   Hmmmm from Fisherboy #10852 #10852  3/26/2012 4:33:00 PM
 
In my experience, most fish hit a swim'n jig like a freight train.

But I'm with Dwight on this one. Thin the guard, or use a jig with a thinner hook. A MH rod and 17lb mono should seal the deal on all but extreme long distance casts.

   Yeah, I use a 7' MH and 14lb flouro from 710brownfish #17012  3/26/2012 6:01:40 PM
 and have NO problems. I don't intentionally use that size line for some perceived advantage, it's just typically what I buy and use. Works like a charm for me. I suppose the kind of grass you're swimming in could make a difference...I fish on the Coosa River lakes in Alabama, so 90% of all we're dealing with is scattered shoreline (visible above the water) grass, so I don't need to "horse" the fish persay. I know to never say never, but like Fisherboy said above, all the fish I catch on it hit it like they have a mad-on and I essentially never miss them. I pulsate the jig just beneath the surface, with what I'd call a medium speed retrieve.

I believe you actually may be having a REEL SPEED problem, not a rod, line, or hook problem. (Even if it's not your reel speed, your retrieve may be too fast) Either it's too slow geared, and you're fishing it too fast to compensate for the slow reel speed (taking it away from the fish), or maybe something like that. A high speed (7:1, etc) reel is perfect when just casually reeled....rod tip high.

   swim jig rod from BoWellington #15006 #15006  3/26/2012 6:25:59 PM
 falcon makes a good swim jig rod and i would use fluorocarbon r braid

   Situation from Waldo #11975 #11975  3/26/2012 6:40:35 PM
 Yeah I am fishing the Coosa chain and using the dirty jigs coosa version. The reel used is a 6.1:1. I could try one of the faster gear ratio reels and just work a little slower. I may try some 30 lb braid just to see. I just lose a lot of fish because they are missing it or not getting the hook or something. I like to wake the jig just under the surface with a steady retrieve, have had many more bites that way. I am still hooking fish but the percentage is just around 50%. Lost four out of five last Friday, if it would have been in a tourney I would have lost it.

Thanks for the input.

   with this type of swim jig method.. from bjlc #10606 #10606  3/26/2012 7:00:42 PM
 with the Coosa type of swim jigs.. use braid and just keep reeling.. when the fish turns.. set the hook.. other wise they will hook them selves..
this is the total opposite of the type of swim jig that I need to use in Wisconsin.. the fish we catch on swim jigs here are close to the bottom. if you fish high, you don't get the good bite.. some fish.. not BIG FISH..

   I know this is crazy, and I can't factually declare why... from 710brownfish #17012  3/26/2012 8:11:55 PM
 but I fish with another guy that straight reels his swim jig and he doesn't catch as many either. Makes me wonder if that slight pause (er, drop) in the pulsating motion gives the fish a better target to inhale? Who knows! It's fun though, ain't it!?

I'll say this too... I know some boys that fish a WHITE swim jig almost exclusively, and I have too, but I catch substantially more fish on a black/blue, and they will swallow that sucker. I'll fish those "Coosa" green colors too with good success.

Again, I know a lot of this is probably a figment of my imagination, and it's probably just a confidence issue, but I say it's real! LOL

   Black/blue from Waldo #11975 #11975  3/26/2012 8:57:28 PM
 I throw the heck out of that black/ blue and cannot buy a bite on it! LOL it must be a confidence thing. It must work because it is sold out everywhere I have looked for it. Like the shad colors and "Coosa Green" colors. I like the white because I can see it better when I am swimming it across the top of the grass.

   Swimming a jig from jhopper51 #20523  3/26/2012 10:26:15 PM
 6'6" M to 7" MH. The Shimano Compre 7' MH is the perfect action swimming jig rod. Get an action that matches it as closely as possible. 7 to 1 Reel is important. 50 lb braid is the best. When the fish strikes, pause. DO NOT set the hook. Just pull and reel. I get the best hookups on the dirty jigs. I prefer their style of big hooks. My opinion is that the best color changes from day to day. White, bream,Black/Blue. Same with retrieve. I could go on forever about the subtle nuances of swimming a jig. I love it. Good Luck/

   coosa swim jigs from dbnaileng #19046  3/27/2012 9:15:47 AM
 My setup: Revo SX 7:1, Shimano Cumara 7'2" Medium Heavy Extra Fast, 80lb Power Pro Braid and either a Dirty Jig 1/4 ounce white and chartruese or a Stan Sloan 5/16" Black and Blue.

I will not use anything but 80lb braid for several reasons. I have broke off 65lb braid on hookset and trying to get a fish out of the grass (really stalky grass that's on the lower coosa). Also, when I am fishing a swim jig I am popping the rod a ton and that 80lb braid gives off an extra popping sound in the water and I honestly believe that gets me more and bigger bites. The lighter the line the harder it is to make that popping sound....kind of sounds like someone jigger poling.

Most of the time the strikes are insainly viscous and you almost don't need to set the hook but If I see a bass waking or coming towards the swim jig I will generally drop the rod and let the jig fall and as soon as I feel the fish or see it eat it I swing for the fence!

Just my 2 cents and I hope this of use to someone.

   Thanks from Waldo #11975 #11975  3/30/2012 5:44:45 PM
 Thanks again for the feedback gonna try it out again this weekend.