Swimming Jigs = Bass As Simple As That
By: Scott M. Petersen

When it comes to catching bass, bass fishermen are always looking for shortcuts to fill the livewell so when they hear there is a new technique that is working it is not hard to get their attentions. But what would you say if I had a technique that is so simple that I could hand a rod to a newcomer and be confident that they will catch fish, in fact this technique it is so easy you will ask yourself "why didn't I think of that". Enough of the suspense what am I talking about, swimming a jig.

Probably the hottest bass catching pattern right now from tournament trail pros to weekend fisherman is a simple technique called swimming a jig. Make a cast and reel the jig back to the boat that is the groundwork of the pattern, sound easy doesn't it, but there is a little bit more than just that. When I came to you with this bass busting pattern a year ago some of the options that you had to choose from were limited but with all patterns when the next year rolls around options get expanded and a few new wrinkles start to come to the surface. So let's update what we started and have changed over the year.

Of all the bass jigs that are out on the market the best jig I have found for this swimming jig pattern is a jig made by Outkast Tackle. What makes this jig stand out is a few items that will stack the deck in its favor. To start the shape of the head is the best on the market for fishing in weedy conditions. The bullet shape head allows the jig to come through the weeds with ease without getting hung up. The 30-degree hook holds the bait and the hook straight so the jig rides in a hook up position for solid hook sets. And the last and probably most important factor is the 25 strand skirt. Many of the other jigs on the market come with skirts that are big and bulky. When these baits come through the water they do not breathe like the Outkast Swim Jig skirt does. When retrieved the skirt moves with the motion of the jig making it look more natural resulting and life like bait getting more bites.

One of the biggest things that we have learned over this last year was how powerful the swim jig was at different depth of the water column. What started out with a 1/4oz jig that was fished in shallow water has now grown up and can be fished in many different depths of water. I used to say you can fish a swim jig anywhere you can fish a spinnerbait, buzz bait or shallow running crankbait now I believe anywhere where you can fish a jig or a deepwater crankbait you can fish a swim jig. To help you fish more water depths and conditions Outkast this year is introducing 3 new sizes of swim jigs to cover different water depths and applications. With 4 sizes (1/8oz, 1/4oz, 3/8oz and 1/2oz) you can now cover shallow pads areas to deepwater rock humps in 25ft of water or more.

When it comes to dressing up the swim jig Outkast Fat Tail Grub gets my choice. The action that the Fat Tail Grub gives off will compliment the Swim Jig to cover all fishing situations and conditions that you can get into during your time on the water.

To fish swim jigs remember these words KEEP IT SIMPLE. There is no special action that you have to put into the jig, no special cast you have to make. Just cast the jig out let it sink to the depth that you want to fish, and start to reel. Do not try to add any action to the jig just point the rod towards the jig and reel. While you are swimming the jig back to the boat adjust your retrieve speed to make contact with the cover you are fishing. You can lift the jig over brush or let it fall into a pocket of weeds but when the jig hits the bottom lift the bait again and start to reel. You will soon find the more action that you try to add to the bait the fewer bites you will get. Again cast and reel, it is that simple.

To fish a swimming jig you will not need any special rods you can use a 6'6" to 7' med-heavy to heavy action baitcaster rod, matched with a reel that is spooled with 12lb to 20lb test line. I prefer to use a 7' heavy action baitcaster rod, matching reel spooled with 15lb P-Line Fluorocarbon line. The reason for the Fluorocarbon line is the low stretch characteristics, better sensitivity and the added abrasive protection that the line gives.

So are you fishing swim jigs? If not, why not, do not let another summer past without getting in on this bass catching action. Remember keep it simple just cast and reel, do not make it any harder than it has to be. I bet when you catch your first bass you are going to take a step back and ask yourself "why didn't I think of that"?

Please remember to practice CPR (Catch, Photo and Release) The future of fishing is in your hands. For more timely bass tactics please log onto www.fishinginsider.com

If you would like to read more from Scotty Peterson, visit his web site Fishing Insider