Chatterbait and Swim Jig Tricks You Actually Need To Know!!

Finally! The tricks that make all the difference! When should you throw a swim jig instead of a chatterbait? What about just throwing a swimbait? What makes one better than another? Its time to find out exactly what each bait is for and when to switch between them!

Chatterbaits are incredible lures! They're ability to catch fish is rivaled by only a few other lures. But do they have a weakness? Of course they do! That's where the swim jig steps in. Understanding the differences between the chatterbait, swim jig, and swimbait will help you catch fish day after day. Learning to use these baits as a system instead of sticking with a single option will allow you to adapt to changing conditions on your lake. 

Below you'll find links to all the baits discussed in the video. We've included our favorite colors and weights for each, as well as our favorite trailers to compliment each style. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

SWIMBAITS...

Head- Matt Allen Swimbait Head (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/29RrTYN

Bait- Storm Largo Shad (4"): https://bit.ly/3vxP0NB

Color Shown: Pro Blue Red Pearl

SWIM JIGS...

-Dirty Jigs California Swim Jig: http://bit.ly/2auXfmx

Weight: 1/2 to 3/4 oz.

Favorite Colors: Crappie, Tactical Shad, Alabama Bream, Black/Blue

-Dirty Jigs Skirted Swim Jig: http://bit.ly/2dIVUMd

Weight: 1/4 - 3/8 oz.

Favorite Colors: Alabama Craw, Crappie, Hematoma, Tactical Shad

SWIM JIG TRAILERS... 

-R2S D Walker Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2NwqBmz

Sizes- 100 (Swim Jig), 120 (California Swim Jig)

Favorite Colors: PB Red, Shamrock Shad, Ice White

-13 Fishing Pleasure Shad: https://bit.ly/3A4F4hx

Sizes- 4" (Swim Jig), 5" (California Swim Jig)

Favorite Colors: Black and Tan, Collard Greens, Witches Brew

-Gambler EZ Swimmer: https://bit.ly/2OLlyUf

Favorite Colors: Electric One, Ghost Shad, Gold Rush

CHATTERBAITS...

-Evergreen JackHammer: http://bit.ly/2popvj6

Weight- 3/8 to 1/2 oz.

Favorite Colors: Bruised Green Pump, Clearwater Shad, Green Pump Shad

-Z Man CrossEyez: https://bit.ly/2ZrZnVd

Weight- 3/8 to 1/2 oz.

Favorite Colors: Mouse Rat, Shad Spawn, Green Pumpkin

-Z Man Chatterbait Custom: http://bit.ly/2Ix71mI

Weight- 3/8 to 1/2 oz.

Favorite Colors: Bluegill, Glimmer Shad, Black Blue Flk

CHATTERBAIT TRAILERS...

-Hog Farmer Spunk Shad: http://bit.ly/2UFkCD7

Sizes: 4.5" and 5.5"

Favorite Colors: Blue Gizzard, Ghost Minnow, Black Blue, Natural Gill

-Big Bite Kamikaze Swim On: https://bit.ly/2NkSdPV

Size: 4.25"

Favorite Colors: Green Pump Chart, Hematoma, Green Pumpkin

CLIP/SNAP UPGRADES...

-Nishine Original Snap: https://bit.ly/2T2ic1F

Size: #2

HIGH-END CHATTERBAIT COMBO... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 883C BJR: http://bit.ly/2QurcHi

Reel- Shimano Metanium MGL 150 B (XG): https://bit.ly/34HlAAk

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 50 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Sunline FC-100 16 lb Shock Leader: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

ALL-AROUND CHATTERBAIT COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 7'2" Medium Heavy Glass: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel- Shimano Curado DC (XG): http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4

Line- Sunline Assassin 17 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

BUDGET CHATTERBAIT COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano SLX 7'2" Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2L3wppO

Reel- Shimano SLX 70 MGL (XG): https://bit.ly/3gIUCgJ

Line- Sunline Assassin 15 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

WANT TACTICALBASSIN GEAR?  

We have a variety of apparel items and custom lure designs available! Everything from hats, to hoodies, to crankbaits! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

TacticalBassin Apparel and Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

Jig Fishing Buyer's Guide

The Holiday Buyer's Guide series continues with this video on JIG FISHING! We cover the jigs, trailers, and gear but keep it really simple so both fisherman and their loved ones can benefit from the information. 

The purpose of this video is for you to share it with your loved ones to make it easier for them to get you the gifts you really want this Christmas. Below is a break down of the jigs, trailers, rods, and reels shown in this video. Please use the links provided before doing your shopping at Tackle Warehouse so they know you came from us. Thank you for the support and enjoy the gear! 

Jigs...

No Jack Flippin Jig:
Try the 5/8 oz. in colors "Alabama Craw", "Pay Day", or "Green Pumpkin Candy"

Pitchin' Jig: 
Try the 1/2 oz. in colors "The Go To", "Super Matt Brown", "Molting Craw", and "Norcal Craw"

Finesse Football Jig:
Try the 3/8 oz. in colors "Super Matt Brown", "Okeechobee 420", or "Big Texan"

Compact Finesse Jig: 
Try the 3/8 oz. in colors "Green Pumpkin Craw", "Okeechobee 420", or "Alabama Craw"

California Swim Jig:
Try the 3/4 oz. in colors "Alabama Bream", "Tactical Shad",  and "Tactical Chartreuse Shad"

Jig Trailers...

Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver
Try colors "Dirty Wizard", "Black/Blue Flake", or "Watermelon Red"

Yamamoto Double Tail Grub
Try colors "Cinnamon Bk & Pr Flake" or "Grn Pumpkin Bk Flk"

Strike King Rage Bug
Try Colors "Green Pumpkin" or "California Craw"

Keitech 4.8 Swim Jig Trailer
Get the 4.8 size in "Crystal Shad" or "Green Pumpkin"

Rod and Reel Combos...

Lighter jig combo:
Rod- 7'2" Medium Zodias
Reel- Curado 200I

Medium Jig Combo:
Rod- 7'8" 4 Power (784)
Reel- Curado 200I

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Heavy Jig Combo:
Rod- 7'6" Flipping (765 Flip)
Reel- Curado 200I

We have done much more detailed jig videos in the past so if you would like more information on fishing a jig for bass check out the following videos:

Winter Jig Fishing: https://youtu.be/2e9LkMgTQwc
Jig Modifications: https://youtu.be/pCfL2ZuhBrQ
Simplifying Your Jig Selection: https://youtu.be/SyR4fiWuMag
Simplifying Your Jig Trailers: https://youtu.be/FLeTxQFGQkY

Jig fishing is an amazing way to catch giant bass. Whether you're just purchasing jigs for the bass fisherman in your life as a Christmas present or you're a serious bass angler trying to catch bigger bass, the jigs, jig trailers, and the rod and reel combos in this video will make a huge difference on your quest for a trophy bass!

Everything You Need to Know About Swim Jigs!

Bass fishing with Swim jigs has increased in popularity the last few years. This video is full of tips and tricks to make you more effective at fishing a swim jig. Matt breaks down everything you need to know from jighead design, jig colors, jig trailers, swimbaits, etc. 

Most bass fishermen fish a swim jig around shallow grass and cover but there are a lot of other great options. Don't be afraid to bottom crawl the bait in the rocks like a big trout swimbait. Its also an awesome option for night fishing in Summer and Fall!
 
The swim jig can be thrown as a replacement for a spinnerbait, chatterbait, underspin, or squarebill crankbait. You get all the action and fish attracting features of the above baits but with the realism and secondary action that only a swim jig can provide. 

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Finesse swim jigs are great for spotted bass, smallmouth bass, or for largemouth in reservoirs. The standard swim jig is an awesome all around option with a pointed head for coming through grass, tullies, reeds, and wood. 

The California Swim Jig is designed for giant bass. Whether you're in California, Texas, or Florida, if you're targeting big bass this is the swim jig for you! Its designed with the heaviest hook on the market so that no freshwater fish can bend it. 

We hope this video helps you understand the difference between different styles of jigs and when to use each one. There isn't a perfect jig for every situation so stock up on a few different models and you'll be prepared when the swim jig bite turns on.

Products explained in this video:

Jig Styles...

-Finesse Swim Jig
-Skirted Swim Jig
-California Swim Jig
-No Jack Swim Jig

Trailer Options for Baitfish Imitators...

View fullsize

Keitech Fat Swing Impact Swimbait*
Roboworm EZ Shad
RI Little Dipper
Netbait Spanky Swimbait

*Keitech Fat should be throw in 3.3, 3.8, 4.3, and 4.8 sizes

Trailer Options for Crawdad Imitators...

Strike King Rage Bug
Netbait Paca Chunk

Jig Color Recommendations...

Shad Imitators: Crappie, Tactical Shad
Bluegill Imitators: Alabama Bream, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed Bream
Baitfish Imitators: Light Hitch, Pearl Ghost Shiner, Golden Shiner

Swim Jig Rods...

Finesse Swim Jig Setup:
-Rod- Zodias 7'2" Medium
-Reel- Curado 70
-Line- Maxcuatro 30 lb
-Leader- 12-15 lb Maxima

Standard Swimjig Setup:
-Rod- Champ Extreme 7'8" 4 power
-Reel- Curado 200
-Line- MaxCuatro 50 lb
-Leader-15-20 lb Maxima

California Swim Jig Setup:
-Rod- Zodias 7'5" Heavy
-Reel- Curado 200
-Line- MaxCuatro 65 lb braid
-Leader- 20-25 lb Maxima

Best Baits to Target Bluegill Eaters

We focus a lot on trout and shad imitators out West but we all know that bass love to eat bluegill. When the water begins to warm the bluegill becomes a major forage base for bass and you shouldn't overlook them. This week Matt breaks down his Top 5 Baits to best imitate a bluegill so you can begin to catch those big summer bass. 

The key to successfully imitating bluegill is to find baits that not only get bites but are also slim enough to have a high hookup ratio. There's nothing worse than getting giant bites and not hooking the bass! Below you'll find a breakdown of Matt's favorite bluegill imitating baits and the reasons he chooses them. 

The first category is the Squarebill crankbait. Bluegill eaters spend most of their time shallow and around heavy cover so the squarebill is a great option to coax a bite. Matt's favorite all around bluegill imitating squarebill is the River2Sea biggie. You might remember our squarebill debate from THIS VIDEO. 

The second category is the swim jig. When imitating a bluegill I love to use a keitech fat swing impact as a trailer on my California Swim Jig. This combination creates a wide thumping action that imitates a bluegill's tail really well. Quick tip: a chartreuse/blue keitech paired with a very natural looking jig adds a little chartreuse flash and really looks nice in the water! ...see picture below.

The third category is the soft swimbait. The two most widely available baits that best fit this category are the Mattlures Bluegill and the All American Sunfish. Both baits have a very natural profile and are great around cover. Quick Tip: The All American Sunfish needs to be rigged on a swimbait hook of some kind. My preferred hook for this bait is the 5/0 trokar. 

The fourth category is topwater. My favorite large bluegill topwater is the MS Slammer. Its not perfect, but its good enough to get those monster bites and that's what counts! Another great option is the Jackall Gantarel. If smaller baits are your preference, you can't beat the popper. Personally, I'd throw the yellow magic though there are many other great options out on the market. 

The fifth and final category is the Senko. I hate to say it but the senko works incredibly well on bluegill eaters! They're ambush predators and the slow fall of the senko , especially when wacky rigged, really lures them out. Color comes down to personal preference but something with a bit of a chartreuse tail should get the job done. 

I hope you find these tips helpful! As always, we love hearing from you so feel free to leave a comment with your own experiences or even a topic idea for a video you'd like to see us do. Thank you for your continued support of tacticalbassin!