Chicago Illinois Fishing Forum, Information & Reports

06-23-2010 08:45 AM
FishinMatt	Thanks guys Local, the jig I posted comes with a trailer. They only last so many fish, so I was replacing them with 4'' Chompers grubs. Everything I read and was told was to reel the bait like a spinnerbait. Typically I keep the bait about 3-6 inches under the surface, but that can be dependent on weeds. Over heavier slop I would wake the bait higher which produced fish as well. I went out last night to a pond and it was slow right up until dark and they really started whacking it. Last night they did want a faster retrieve. I think how one reels in a spinnerbait is subjective anyways, so I look at the swim jig the same way. Overall though, faster seems a bit better. If I had to guess, I believe the bass think it is a gill going by and it elicts a quick predatory strike. The less time they have to react probably ups the odds of getting bit. I still have alot to learn with this but I go back to many fishing situations in the past and can envision certain places and times of the year when these baits would excel, so I am excited to keep experimenting with them. Joe, Chatterbaits rule! The first thing I thought when fishing these are they are like a chatterbait w/o a blade. That is actually what killed my confidence at first. I am so used to feeling the vibration of the chatterbait blade that I did not have any confidence that swimming a "bladeless" chatterbait would interest fish.
06-22-2010 01:00 PM
Bossman	Nice looking bass Matt!
06-21-2010 07:52 PM
2sac	Nice fish Matt. I haven't used a swimjig, but do swim regular jigs quite often. If weeds aren't an issue, you can also work a chatterbait like a swim jig. It'll give you a little more flash and plenty of vibration.
06-21-2010 02:34 PM
FISHING&FORDS	another option for a swim jog trailer http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Optimum_ ... -ODDS.html
06-21-2010 02:18 PM
Jerkbate	Hey, thanks for the encouragement to try something a bit different. How many times I've done that and then do the fall-back to "old less-than reliable"! I've pondered packing only one type of lure and sticking with it regardless, but that never seems to really take place! I also like that you studied up before-hand to help your confidence. Good idea! Regards.
06-21-2010 02:11 PM
localyokal	Matt, did that swim jig come with the plastic curly tail trailer or did you add it. None of the swim jigs I purchased had any plastic trailers but I can see where they would help keep the jig on top. Also wondering, were you really "burning" the jig, just keeping it on top or waking in it. I know you need to experiment but just wondering where you had your success.
06-21-2010 01:12 PM
FishinMatt	Thanks guys. The bait I have been experimenting with is a BassStalker Swim Jig, 3/8 ounce, Blue Devil Pattern. WW, I am still getting out here and there I've made a few trips up to Delavan and a couple of short pond outings this year. Next month is a weeks vacation up North, so there definitely will be a report from that Glenn, swim biats are still on the list of things to work on. Last year I got into the jig and Gulp, but I sure would like to try swimming some of the Money Minnows or Hollow Bellys over the weeds. Got em all in the arsenal, just never think of using them.
06-21-2010 12:50 PM
Fonzie	**** Matt, nice bass I've recently started tossing swim baits. I was skeptical of them at first. but a nice wobbly paddle tail seem to entice the strikes. Next up, I guess I'll have to try swim jigs.
06-21-2010 10:58 AM
Westwind	Nice bass! Hadn't noticed any reports lately from you and thought you'd maybe given up on fishing. :P
06-21-2010 09:04 AM
FishinMatt	Thanks man. I really got some confidence in them the other night at a local pond. From 8-9P I caught about 15 fish and missed several others. I was suprised at how simple it was to work the bait. Basically retrieve it like a spinnerbait and hold on. Its kind of cool because I could see the V's in the water when a fish would hone in on the bait. I bet Enuiqion would be a good place to try it out down your way. IMO its always easier to dial in a presentation in a situation where the fishing situation is conducive to a high rate of success.
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