News & Stories

On The Move For More Bass!

By Mike Frisch

Early season bass fishing in lots of waters is often a shallow water affair as lots of largemouth bass are shallow during this time feeding and also completing their annual spawning ritual.  A great way to target shallow fish by using a “moving” bait.  Moving baits allow anglers to target active fish and quickly cover water searching for them.

Spinnerbaits and shallow-running crankbaits are great moving baits used for casting around shallow cover to target aggressive fish.   Another good option that I have had lots of success with is a swim jig.  

A swim jig fishes a lot like a spinnerbait or crankbait as it is a “chuck and wind” bait allowing anglers to quickly cover lots of waters.  Unlike crankbaits and spinnerbaits, however, these baits are still relatively new to lots of anglers, meaning the bass haven’t been quite as conditioned to them in some waters.  Fish that haven’t seen a bait style too much are often more inclined to hit that bait.

I like throwing swim jigs on shallow flats featuring some form(s) of cover.  Reed banks are classic early season targets prime for swim jig fishing as a swim jig can often be worked along the edges and even through the reeds, particularly sparser reed patches.  Casting and working with the reeds, rather than across them, is a helpful hint for effectively working through reeds.

Other forms of shallow cover like submergent weeds, docks, and fallen trees are other areas that can be targeted with swim jigs, particularly by an adept caster who exhibits some casting accuracy.  Occasionally “bumping the stump,” that is careening a bait off a tree limb, dock post, or reed, is a good way to impart an erratic action to the jig that often triggers a bite.

Swim jigs are a lot like bigger skirted bass jigs that are used for flipping and pitching. Swim-jigs, however, are often lighter in weight, and have lighter-wire hooks than many of their heavy cover flippin’ and pitchin’ counterparts.  

My swim jig arsenal is pretty simple, but one that has been very effective for me.  I use a 5/16-ounce Tour Grade Swim Jig in either a bluegill or sexy shad color pattern and tip it with some form of plastic trailer. 

When I first started fishing swim jigs, a 4” grub was usually my trailer choice.  Recently, I have increased my fishing successes by tipping with other baits, particularly the Rage Menace and Rage Craw. Experimenting with various trailers and letting the bass tell you what they prefer on a given day is sound advice. 

Swim jigs fish well on bait casting tackle and fluorocarbon or braided line.  For me, 15-pound Tactical fluorocarbon often get the call as it is strong and abrasion resistant for fishing around cover.   And, the new Team Lew’s Custom Black Speed Spool LFS rod and reel combos offer a couple models that do a nice job for swim jig fishing.  

If enjoying an early summer day on the water with the potential for lots of “fishy” action is something you desire, consider an outing for largemouth bass targeted with swim jigs employing some of the suggestions just offered.  Odds are pretty good you’ll find some fish and have some fun too!

As always, good luck on the water and remember to include a youngster in your next outdoors adventure!

Mike Frisch hosts the popular Fishing the Midwest TV series. Visit Fishing the Midwest’s new website www.fishingthemidwest.com  to learn more!

Mike Frisch details what to do when you catch that first opening day walleye!