Swim Jig Retrieve

[set_the_hook]

What retrieve works best for you when fishing a swim jig? I see some shake with the rod tip high, I've seen straight retrieve with rod tip low.

[Rebbasser]

The best retrieve? The one the fish want at the time. It all depends on the mood of the fish. Like any bait, you have to vary the retrieve to find which one the fish will hit. I usually just crank it in like a spinnerbait or lipless crankbait.

[BassinNC]

Originally Posted by Rebbasser

The best retrieve? The one the fish want at the time. It all depends on the mood of the fish. Like any bait, you have to vary the retrieve to find which one the fish will hit. I usually just crank it in like a spinnerbait or lipless crankbait.

Could agree more.

[3dkicker]

Couple of options for you to try
1) use it like a wake bait and keep it just under the surface
2) slow roll it along the bottom
3) yo-yo it
4) swim it over grass - steady retrieve
5) yo-yo it in grass and drop in the pockets

Hook up ratio to strikes is tricky with this type of bait. I think you need the right set up or you'll miss a lot of strikes. A rod with a less backbone is needed (IMO but I could be wrong).

[set_the_hook]

Originally Posted by 3dkicker

Couple of options for you to try
1) use it like a wake bait and keep it just under the surface
2) slow roll it along the bottom
3) yo-yo it
4) swim it over grass - steady retrieve
5) yo-yo it in grass and drop in the pockets

Hook up ratio to strikes is tricky with this type of bait. I think you need the right set up or you'll miss a lot of strikes. A rod with a less backbone is needed (IMO but I could be wrong).

i have a swim jig specific rod by powell. using 17/25 lb fluoro right now, i might switch to 50# braid.

[3dkicker]

Have you done much with it? Miss many fish?

Me personally I use a heavy mono for that type fishing and wouldn't use braid. Haven't tried Fluoro for it yet. Since it's a horizontal presentation I look for a combo that gives a little when the fish sucks the bait and swims off. Kind of like my chatterbait and spinnerbait rods.

[set_the_hook]

Originally Posted by 3dkicker

Have you done much with it? Miss many fish?

Me personally I use a heavy mono for that type fishing and wouldn't use braid. Haven't tried Fluoro for it yet. Since it's a horizontal presentation I look for a combo that gives a little when the fish sucks the bait and swims off. Kind of like my chatterbait and spinnerbait rods.

I didn't loose any yet, but the heavier vegetation is coming up and i plan on throwing it in pads soon.

[swimbaitkid]

I talked to Brian Thrift(swim jig king) the other day and he said pull it and drop about 1 foot at a time,I have a state qualifier on Norman coming up and I'm going to try I'll let you guys know how it goes

[3dkicker]

If you go with the braid be sure that when you retrieve it you have a little slack in the line. Just enough to feel the fish suck the bait in. If it's too tight they hit it and you end up missing the fish. Your left wondering how it could have hit the bait so hard and not get hooked.

[triglet]

on swimming a jig. I watched a video by kvd and tried it. worked great for me on the tenn-tom the last time i was out there. I was a little unsure if i was getting bites on it or not at first. kept feeling like i was getting in to the grass or debris i was running the bait through and finally just said the heck with it and anytime i felt weight or a hard bump i set the hook. what do u know started catching fish. im still trying to learn about jigs but this retrieve worked great for me that day.
heres the vid may have to copy and paste
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...eo.cfm&k=Clear Water&connectionSpeed=broadband&videoID=678&startR ow=0&videoType=prodcutdemo&option=2&cmid=OLPHVIDEO _678_HIGH

[Bassboss]

I like fishing it much like you would regularly only reeling in fast. I only started catching them on swimjigs after this video, and doing it what he said, most of the time since most the bass here eat mainly bream, I'll use the same colors.

[Bassboss]

Originally Posted by set_the_hook

i didnt loose any yet, but the heavier vegetation is coming up and i plan on throwing it in pads soon.

You should be fine with heavy mono/flouro, as long as it's a good strong and on the thiner side (helps cut through the pads). As far as the mono flouro debate, I'd try a mix. P-line CX comes to mind, never used it but have heard GREAT things about it, I think it's also on the tinner side, I could be wrong though!