W
eedless vibration baits, also
known as bladed swim
jigs, are widely used
for their versatility. For numbers and size, this tech-
nique packs a one-two punch
that is effective from spring
through fall. I amconvinced that
this one lure could be one of the
most underutilized tools in the
sport of bass fishing.
From weekend tournaments
to life on the road, bladed swim jigs
play a very important role in filling a limit
and catching a kicker – all with the same
bait. This instrumental technique is how Brett
Hite slammed FLW’s 2014 Lake Okeechobee event
with a four day total of 88lbs-14oz, taking home his
fourth FLW Tour career win with help from the Z-Man
Chatterbait Elite.
LURE SPECS
Narrowing my choices down to two manufacturers, I have used the above and recently added The Frenzy Vibe. Sporting a larger profile than the majority of bladed swim jigs, The Vibe has a couple of additional improvements. First, the bait currently comes in ½-ounce and ¾-ounce models. The half ounce is perfect for most conditions, but the heavier option is ideal for targeting structure oriented smallmouth on ledges. This particular bait is built around a pivoting hook and is pre-rigged with a 4/0 Daiichi hook, so changing hardware is a thing of the past. Essentially, the bladed swim jig allows the angler to cover water like a crankbait, hop or crawl it like a jig or slow roll it like a swimbait. Consider it the master of all trades.
TARGET AREAS
Bladed swim jigs excel alongside cover such as docks, timber and weeds. With spring in full swing, it can be hard to pick up a lure that has yet to punch a paycheck in the boat, but
SPRING 2014
make no
mistake, you
have
the gear and the ability to
go out and catch big fish immediately. A slow, steady retrieve gives enough action as the blade imparts most of the work. Areas with growing vegetation, such as flats with sprouting lily pad stalks are primary target points as the water increasingly warms.
Since bladed swim jigs are surprisingly weedless, intentionally deflecting the lure can be a rewarding tactic. Much like cranking, contact with cover and structure is important early in the year and will help you yield the greatest results. Water temperatures creeping into the mid 40s have been the perfect beginning to my partnership with The Vibe. From
smallmouth to
7