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Fall 2023
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CHANGE PROFILES OF A SWIM JIG
A soft plastic swimbait as a trailer on a swim jig can offer a different profile than a standard grub. This rigging option is especially effective when the bass are feeding on shad or bluegill, as the overall profile of the swim jig and soft plastic will emulate what the bass are feeding on.
The key when selecting a soft plastic swimbait to use on a swim jig, is you do not want to pick a swimbait that is too big, as could affect the natural retrieve of the swim jig in the water, and cause the bait to roll, which will deter bass from biting, and make the jig get hung up more frequently in the fish holding cover. I prefer the same Zoom Z-Swim 3.8 for a swim jig trailer.
BOOYAH Buzzbait with a Zoom Z-Swim 3.8 swimbait
Using the right size tail on the swimbait also plays an important role in selecting the right swimbait. If it’s too small, it will get stuck on the hook point of the jig when you cast it, and it won’t put off enough action in the water. If the tail is too big, its action will overpower the jig and again cause the swim jig to roll or run to one side or the other.
as there is a plethora of baitfish and bluegill around them, so a swimbait mimicking that forage will tempt bass to come out from underneath the dock to hit your Chatterbait.
Using a smaller, compact soft plastic swimbait as a trailer on a vibrating jig, also helps you skip the bait. I like doing this when the bass are underneath boat docks, and they are looking to eat something else, other than the normal dock fishing lures of a Senko, jig, or Texas-rigged creature bait.
CONSIDER COLOR FOR A JIG TRAILER
Selecting colors for swimbaits as a jig trailer can go
in two different directions. There is always the concept
of match the hatch as they say, meaning if you are
fishing in clear water and the bass wants a natural
presentation, then go with a swimbait that looks like
what the bass are eating. If they are eating shad go
with a shad-colored swimbait and if they are eating
bluegills, go with a bait that has more of a brown, green,
and blue color pattern to it.
The other color selection possibility is when fishing
in stained water, go with a swimbait that stands out
and brings attention to your lure. Such as when fishing
a white swim jig, and the water clarity is stained, use a
chartreuse colored swimbait, this will really make your
bait pop and catch bass attention. My must-have jig
trailer is a Northland Fishing Tackle Eye-Candy Paddle Shad 3.5.
JackHammer rigged with the new Northland
Fishing Tackle Eye-Candy
Paddle Shad
THINK SIZE FOR A VIBRATING JIG
The action and vibration of a ChatterBait is what makes the bait so effective; so, the most important factor when choosing a trailer for a vibrating jig is to make sure the action of the soft plastic does not overtake the lure it is accompanying. My plastic of choice is the four-inch Megabass Spark Shad.
I really like to use a soft plastic swimbait on my JackHammer when I’m fishing it around boat docks,
Swim jig rigged with a Megabass
Spark Shad trailer
As you can see, if you are looking to change up some of your current fishing presentations, and add some life like action to a lure, try adding a soft plastic swimbait to it. It is a quick add-on that can help you catch bass in tough situations, along with help increase your chances of catching that big bass you have been looking for. •