Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 24

How to

Swim a Jig
and Why

by Darl Black

photos by the author

Jigs have long been considered a bottombumping lure, so swimming a jig may
seem like an oxymoron.

The shape of swim jig heads varies. Pictured are (left) two swim
jig heads that are southern style; (right) two swim jig heads that
are northern mid-western style; and (top) a swim jig head that
is referred to as an "open water swim jig" for deep swimming.

This is a variety of soft plastic body trailers commonly used
on swim jigs.

24

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * March/April 2014

It was a last minute decision. Marilyn and I hitched the boat
to the Explorer and headed up the road to Woodcock Creek
Lake, Crawford County, for a late afternoon fishing outing.
Smallmouth Bass were in our crosshairs.
For us, mid-summer Smallmouth Bass success on the
exceptionally clear waters of Woodcock Creek Lake typically
involve a combination of topwater baits fished over points and
small soft plastic baits drop shotted in depths of 12 to 18 feet.
That's the tackle I tossed in the boat.
However, upon arriving at the Woodcock Creek Lake
ramp, we were surprised to find that the lake level was high
and the water color was dingy. Seeing stained water lapping at
shoreline grass, I immediately re-evaluated our plan.
"This is likely going to be a shallow water bite," I exclaimed
gleefully, until I realized we were without spinnerbaits, shallow
crankbaits or pitching style jigs. Our spinning outfits with
light line were geared for drop shotting. Two casting outfits
for topwater baits were also onboard. Fortunately, one of those
casting outfits had a 3/8-ounce swim jig tied to 10-pound-test
line-the only jig in the boat.
Marilyn insisted on trying topwater, leaving the swim jig to
me. That pleased me, because the conditions were perfect for a
swim jig presentation. I lowered the trolling motor and began
running the bank. In short order, I landed two Smallmouth
Bass on the swim jig while missing two other strikes. Then, I
handed the rod with the hot bait to Marilyn.
"Cast to the water's edge and immediately begin a fast, steady
retrieve," I suggested. Upon missing three strikes in a row,
Marilyn realized that Smallmouth Bass were grabbing the jig
as it broke free from the shallow cover, then running with the
bait towards deeper water-literally right at the boat thereby
making it tricky to get a solid hookset. By adjusting her casts to
put the jig into the shore cover ahead of the boat, her hookset
angle improved, and she began connecting with fish.
Over the next two hours, Marilyn scored her best one-day
catch of Smallmouth Bass from Woodcock Creek Lake
including a 21 incher. All were caught on a swim jig.
The origin of jig swimming is as murky as a river after
a good rain. Anglers in Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut
and Wisconsin lay claim to the technique. There is even a
Pennsylvania connection to jig swimming.
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014

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