RULE OF THUMB FOR COLOR
SPRING: Black/Blue, Chartreuse/White, Bluegill
SUMMER: White, Black/Blue, Chartreuse/ White, Bluegill
FALL: Shad patterns (White, Splatterback Shad and Sexy Shad) When selecting the trailer color, there are two ways you can go about selecting one. The first is to pick a color that compliments the jig color. This creates a very natural looking presentation. I tend to follow this idea that when the bass are feeding on shad in the late summer and fall, bluegills throughout the year and crawfish. The second idea behind picking out a trailer color is to use one that contrasts the jig color. Early in the season, I like to use trailers that get attention, especially if the water clarity is poor. I use colors like white and sapphire blue.
Another scenario to choose the swim jig is when the bluegill and other panfish are spawning. Bass will stalk the shallows looking for an easy meal and a swim jig brought through the panfish spawning areas will pay off.
Ambush points are obvious in many areas, whether they funnel down in weeds, channel openings, current breaks, docks, lay downs or bottom composition changes, they all are great areas to catch bass. Fishing a swim jig in these areas will allow you to present your lure effectively and cover a vast amount of water in a short amount of time.
One of my favorite ways to fish a swim jig during the summer months is to cast it on top of weed mats. The key to fishing weed mats with a swim jig is to get the bait coming across the mat to the edge and then dropping it. Anything that was watching it come across the mat will track it to the edge and strike as your jig falls into the open water.
A look at some of my favorite swim jigs, which include RC Tackle, Brovarney Baits
and Super K Jigs. (Photo: Glenn Walker)
I will select a jig color that looks natural and portrays the forage that the bass are feeding on.
If the water clarity is poor and the bass aren’t able to zero in on the swim jig before biting it, I will select a color that catches the bass’ attention and stands out in the tinted water.
THE SCENARIOS
The majority of areas and situations that a swimming jig will shine revolve around shallow water that is filled with various forms of fish holding cover and structure. One of my favorite and most productive times of year to use a swim jig is following the spawn, when the bass are guarding their fry. A swim jig does a great job imitating something trying to disrupt those fry and bass will destroy your jig.
SPRING 2017
Photo: Glenn Walker
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