How to Fish Swim Jigs for Bass | When, Where, How, Gear Tips

Swim jigs are among the most versatile bass baits for covering water and establishing productive patterns. Texas native Jeff Sprague instructs on where, when, and how to fish swim jigs to find and catch bass relating to shallow cover. He also discusses his favorite rod setup and a few tackle tweaks and lure selection criteria to take your swim jig game to the next level.

TACKLE USED

As a tournament angler, Sprague is all about efficiency. He often starts his day with a swim jig so he can cover water quickly in search of active bass. Finding a few fish is the vital first step in establishing a pattern. While bladed jigs and spinnerbaits are excellent options, they're not as versatile or weedless as a swim jig. Swim jigs can be "high-sticked" and "wormed" through dense, shallow cover and fished deeper out from the bank, all on the same cast. They're also less aggressive, so they tend to trigger bites from tentative bass better.

Sprague details his preferred rod setup, opting for a longer heavy power rod mated with a fast reel and braid. Details like soft plastic trailer style and color can make a big difference too. He recommends matching your jig color to the predominant forage. Green pumpkin and variations of it are excellent bluegill imitators. At the same time, whites are often more productive on shad fisheries.

FOLLOW US HERE AS WELL:

[kejaymy]

Just a couple of hours ago I caught one of my best bass of the year with a Strike King swim jig! Truthfully I’ve never fished any of the other brands, but I’ve had so much success with the SK swim jig I don’t need to hunt out another brand!

[devinhoyt]

Most versatile bait out there pop it swim it sit it literally can do what ever with a jig and you'll catch the bigger fish in the schools 9 times outa 10 12 months of the year!

[Dag]

Just started fishing the swim jig about 1 year ago and it's definitely one of my favs now.

[isaacbrascoupe]

Like the subtle trim on the skirt and guard, can't wait to try that obvious GREAT detail!!!

[jayhernandezjh]

If it wasn’t for looking at this video, I wouldn’t have caught my first three pounder on a swim jig. I love the way you set it up. Thanks for all the help

[squeakybetz]

Dude I've watched a lot of fishing videos and you really impressed me it seems you're left handed but I noticed at the end of the video you made two really nice cast with the right hand that something you don't see every day

[cross_fire_]

I’ve really started to like the axel swim jig with 6th sense. No weed guard and it has a screw lock to connect your trailer and then Texas rig the trailer to make it completely weedless. I like jigs but I just don’t like the weed guards.

[gccurry]

my hook ups seem to have increased dramatically since I started cutting the weed guard back. Highly recommended.

[mattthomen]

I just moved to Florida, and broke out my strike king sexy shad swimjig, man I got bit good at the pond when that bite was on! I got 3 good fish, and many more bites, and jumped off a few as well! I paired it with a 3.5 in paddle tail swimbait, and it was the deal! I've gone out deep water off points and cracked a few bigguns on these too!. When I feel I've exhausted the area . I change colors, and weights to show the fish a different profile. The other jigs I use are gambler with a full starflash skirt. I like it for the bulk, and extra flash as I pump and pulse it. Both jigs work well, and have a place in my tackle box.

[mikebanks]

I love using those swimjigs with a 360gt swimbait body on it the bass here in New York love that combo 🤘🏻🤘🏻

[DarthRaider]

I have 0 problems with the weed guard on the strike king swim jig. It's pretty flexible compared to some of my other jigs. No need to trim.

[HBeretta]

Damn that thing looks so good in the water.

[robert]

Nice video and I respect how fast he throws the fish back! 👍

[brandonknight]

This might of just gained my confidence

[deonbolleurs]

Awesome video with a lot of information thanks a million. All the way from Namibia

[briclarahan]

after watching this i went to my nearest walmart and bought one, thanks for the tips

[mmatalk]

Frog season! I have to put the swim jig down! Other then that the swim jig catches everything in Northern California.

[shawnbeck]

I trim my weed guard at a angle. Just enough to not get hung up. Yes, I trim the skirt too. Use a Yum craw trailer. Shawn.

[mr.payne]

Good video. You said, you like medium heavy rod for swim jig, but the rod in the video was heavy fast 🤔. Which one do you really like? Thanks!

[charless]

How long will you throw a bait before you switch colors or lures?