Swimbaits Or Swim Jigs? Tips and Tricks On How To Fish Each Set-Up

Andrew Nordbye hits the water with his favorite swimbaits and swim jigs from Karl's Bait & Tackle to try and catch some bass feeding on shad, bluegill, and other baitfish. Swimbaits and swim jigs can be perfect for fooling finicky fish into biting due to their lifelike presentation. Still, each style of bait excels in specific scenarios more than the other. Nordbye breaks down what you need to know about the differences between swimbaits and swim jigs.

Tips For Fishing Swim Jigs

Pair soft plastic swimbaits, grubs, or kicking craws on the back of your swim jig
Target shallow water areas, including docks, brush, and rocks
Rip them through grass, lily pads, and emerging vegetation
In stained water where since the added bulk helps draw fish in
Popular in the springtime when fish are pushed up around
Occasionally pop or twitch swim jigs to get the lures rubber skirts strands to flare out during your retrieve
You can burn reel swim jigs in to create a bulging action near the surface

Swimbaits On Jig Heads

Rigging a swimbait on a jig head is one of the simplest and most effective presentations that can help you catch fish all season long. They work especially well in clear water where fish have better vision and usually prefer natural presentations.
Try casting out and letting the bait fall to your intended swimming depth, and then slowly start retrieving the bait back to you. It's a simple as that. So long as the bait's tail is kicking from side to side, you have enough action to entice a bite. You can adjust your retrieval speed based on the conditions, where fish are set up, and their overall interest in your presentation. However, a slow and steady retrieve always seems to get things done day in and day out.

Swimbaits On Underspins

The other technique displayed is a swimbait paired with an underspin which combines the attributes of a swimbait and the flashy shine from a wobbling spinnerbait. Together they allow you to mimic schooling baitfish as the baits blade and tail kick in unison.

Karls Favorite Swimbaits

X Zone Lures Pro Series Swimbait
$4.19 Karl's Club Member Price
$5.99 Non-Member Price

Biospawn ExoSwim
$3.98 Karl's Club Member Price
$5.69 Non-Member Price

Googan Squad Saucy Swimmer
$5.39 Karl's Club Member Price
$5.99 Non-Member Price

Karl's Amazing Freestyle Swimbait
$3.49 Karl's Club Member Price
$4.99 Non-Member Price

Karl's Favorite Swim Jigs

Strike King Hack Attack Swim Jig
$3.99 Karl's Club Member Price
$4.99 Non-Member Price

Z-Man Cross Eye Swim Jig
$3.99 Karl's Club Member Price
$4.99 Non-Member Price

Googan Squad Grass Hero Swim Jig
$3.49 Karl's Club Member Price
$4.99 Non-Member Price

Karl's Favorite Swimbait Jigheads

Owner Ultrahead Round Jig Head
$4.20 Karl's Club Member Price
$5.25 Non-Member Price

VMC Swimbait Jig
$3.99 Karl's Club Member Price
$4.99 Non-Member Price

Owner Lockdown Roundball Jig Head
$4.40 Karl's Club Member Price
$5.50 Non-Member Price

10,000 Fish CycleBait Underspin
$4.89 Karl's Club Member Price
$6.99 Non-Member Price

Harmony Fishing Company Razor Series Underspin Hooks
$7.90 Karl's Club Member Price
$11.29 Non-Member Price

Mustad Underspin Shad
$3.99 Karl's Club Member Price
$4.99 Non-Member Price