Jig Fishing Buyer's Guide: Jigs, Colors, and Trailers For Every Season

Let's talk jigs for bass! Small finesse jigs, giant flipping jigs and everywhere in between! If you want to catch bigger bass this year, the jig is a great way to do it. Matt simplifies the whole process by narrowing it down to 6 jigs, 3 trailers, and a few rods that will work every month of the year. Don't let Winter get you down, you can take this information to the lake tomorrow and start catching fish.

The jig is known for producing larger-than-average bites throughout the year. You can use it to replace a worm, creature bait, or small swimbait and instantly upsize your catch. The trouble is there are dozens of styles and hundreds of colors. Its enough to overwhelm even a seasoned angler! Matt's goal with today's video is to help you understand what each style is for but also to eliminate all the overlap between models. You can go through the entire year with a small handful of baits in a few key colors. 

When selecting jig color always start with natural tones. We typically only turn to dark or bright colors when water clarity is compromised (muddy) by rising water, wind, or algae blooms. Day in and day out a natural Green Pumpkin or Brown jig will catch bass across the country. Your rod selection is also a critical aspect of jig fishing. Finding a proper jig rod is very difficult but we did the ground work for you and will recommend some of our favorites. Below is a breakdown of the jigs, color, trailers, and gear we recommend. Each item includes a link direct to the product on Tackle Warehouse where you can see up close pictures, detailed descriptions, and color selection. 

The Jigs... 

-Dirty Jigs Finesse Football jig: http://bit.ly/2d2apsm

(Brown Craw, Canterbury Crunch, Supermatt Brown, Go To)

-Yamamoto 4" Hula Grub: http://bit.ly/2d7SpgG

(Green Pump/Black Flake, Cinnamon/Black and Purple Flake)

-Hula Grub Head- Owner Ultra Football: http://bit.ly/2t1bY4y

--Dirty Jigs Finesse Jig: http://bit.ly/2eJinXo

(Brown Craw, Supermatt Brown, Go To)

-Dirty Jigs Pitchin Jig: http://bit.ly/2amL3of

(Go To, Green Pumpkin Craw) **Magic Craw for Spring Bass**

-Dirty Jigs No-Jack Flippin Jig: http://bit.ly/2fx8YBI

(Hematoma, Go To)

-California Swim Jig 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2auXfmx

(Crappie, Tactical Shad, Citrus Shad)

The Trailers... 

-Yamamoto Double Tail 5" Grub: http://bit.ly/2db9w1p

(Cinnamon Black and Purple Flake, Green Pumpkin Purple and Copper Flake)

-Big Bite Baits 5" Grub: http://bit.ly/2qS1YtE

(Tilapia, Green Pumpkin)

-Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver: http://bit.ly/29W3RZW

(Green Pumpkin Red, Delicious, Tramp Stamp) **Magic Craw Swirl For Spring Bass**

-Strike King Rage Craw: http://bit.ly/2uoqsLJ

(Blue Craw, Dirty Craw, TW Green Pumpkin)

-River2Sea D Walker 120: http://bit.ly/2NwqBmz

(PB Red, Ice White, Shamrock Shad)

Matt's Favorite Finesse Jig Rod... 

Rod- G Loomis GLX 844 MBR: http://bit.ly/2gqziwT

Reel- Shimano Chronarch MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2n8DghB

Line- 40 lb Power Pro Maxcuatro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- 12 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Matt's Favorite All-Around Jig Rod... 

Rod- Megabass Orochi XX Braillist: http://bit.ly/2OSVNwH

Reel- Shimano Curado 200K HG: http://bit.ly/2tHewEh

Line- 65 lb Power Pro Maxcuatro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

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

Matt's Favorite Flippin' Stick... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 7'11" Extra Heavy: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel- Shimano Metanium MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2ezIBfB

Line- 65 lb Power Pro Maxcuatro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Budget-Friendly Jig Rod... 

Rod- Shimano SLX 7'5" Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2L3wppO

Reel- Shimano SLX 150: http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

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

Swim Jigs and Senkos - Summer Fishing The MidWest

We're fishing in a new state! Today we're breaking down Patoka Lake in Indiana. The lake is flooded with high water deep in the trees, the bass could be anywhere! With only a few hours to fish, we have to move quickly to locate the bass and develop a productive pattern to catch them. We begin by fishing offshore but quickly realize that's a big mistake.

Upon realizing the offshore bite was non-existent Matt headed shallow. He picked up a swim jig and began searching the backs of creeks. After getting his first bite and several additional followers he turned to the senko to complete his pattern. While Patoka Lake may not have an abundance of fish, the quality is excellent. Matt was able to catch a handful of really nice bass and is confident he could have caught quite a few more given another day or two on the lake.

Next Stop: Wisconsin! Matt, CC and Sierra are headed North to meet up with Tim's family as well as a few friends in search of giant smallmouth. Keep your eye out for our next video, its going to be fun! Below is a breakdown of the baits and equipment Matt used on Patoka Lake.

Electronics...

Humminbird Solix 12: http://bit.ly/2AE2YDB

Humminbird Solix 15: http://bit.ly/2Hazsej

Lakemaster Plus Digital Map Card: http://bit.ly/2Dk5Erc

Baits...

-California Swim Jig 3/8 oz (Crappie): http://bit.ly/2auXfmx

-Keitech 3.8" Fat Swimbait (Electric Shad): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

-Yamamoto 5" Senko (Green Pumpkin Black Flake): http://bit.ly/2axAmNS

-Gamakatsu Wide Gap Superline Hook 2/0: http://bit.ly/2ac92XG

Swim Jig Combo...

Rod- Megabass Orochi XX Braillist: http://bit.ly/2OSVNwH

Reel- Shimano Chronarch MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2n8DghB

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

Leader- 17 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Senko Combo...

Rod- Shimano Expride has 6'10" Medium: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel- Shimano Aldebaran MGL 50 HG: http://bit.ly/2uQ4oH8

Line- 12 lb Assassin Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Swim Jigs: Everything You Need To Know For Summer Bass Fishing

Swim jigs made easy! Matt gives quick tricks that you can use to take your swim jig fishing for bass to the next level! If you're a spinnerbait or chatterbait guy, the swim jig is the next step. When combined with the proper trailer the baits come to life with amazing movement and flash that bass can't resist. Don't get caught shaking your swim jig this Summer, learn the proper technique and catch more bass!

In recent years, most swim jig fishermen have begun to use a keitech as their trailer. While this can be effective (and we often do it) its not the ideal swimbait trailer for a swim jig. Switching over to baits like the Rage Swimmer or D Walker will complete change the way the bait moves. A properly balanced swim jig with the right trailer will have head bob/roll, body rock, and skirt movement/flash without you imparting any outside action to the bait.

Summer time is the perfect time to learn the swim jig. This time of year you can get a lot of bites on the baits but you can also catch GIANT fish! Again, the key is selecting the right trailer. Below is a breakdown of the jigs, jig trailers, and equipment we use for swim jig fishing.

The Jigs...

-California Swim Jig (3/8 oz-3/4 oz): http://bit.ly/2auXfmx

-Dirty Jigs Swimbait (1/4 oz-3/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2dIVUMd

(Threadfin Shad, Tactical Shad, Crappie, Alabama Bream)

Swimbait Jig Trailers...

-Keitech Fat Swing Impact 3.8 and 4.3: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

-Strike King Rage Swimmer 4.75: http://bit.ly/2evZF8j

-River2Sea D Walker 100 and 120: http://bit.ly/2NwqBmz

-Reaction Innovations Little Dipper: http://bit.ly/2brnU5I

Craw Jig Trailers...

Reaction Innovations Spicy Beaver: http://bit.ly/2MPuma1

Strike King Rage Bug: http://bit.ly/2aAsuiV

Strike King Rage Craw: http://bit.ly/2uoqsLJ

Zoom Z Craw: http://bit.ly/2vW7Jo5

California Swim Jig Combo...

Rod- Expride 7'6" Heavy: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel- Chronarch MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2n8DghB

Line- 65 lb Power Pro Maxcuatro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- 20 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Swim Jig Combo...

Rod- Zodias 7'2" MH: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Reel- Curado 150 DC: http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4

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

Leader- 15 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Is Lake Chickamauga Really That Good? (Big Bass Eats A Spinnerbait)

Chickamauga was amazing! We'd never been to the lake but we had heard the rumors! Is it as good as they say? Can we catch a bunch of fish? How about a big bass? Come along as we head out on the water to see what all the fuss is about on Tennessee's best trophy bass lake. Spoiler Alert: Its good and we catch some big ones!

In 3 days we never struggled to get a bite and we caught fish on every lure that we threw. From senkos up shallow to deep cranks offshore, there we bass everywhere! The trick was figuring out how to catch the big ones but after a few days we got it dialed in and had an amazing time catching quality fish all over the lake The key for the bigger bites was shad. There was a shad spawn in the morning and the big bass were keying in on the opportunity.

Below is a breakdown of the baits and equipment we used during our time on the lake. Baits are listed in order of appearance as we caught fish on a variety of lures. If you ever get the chance, take a day to fish Chickamauga, its an awesome fishery!

The Baits...

-California Swim Jig (3/8 oz Tactical Shad): http://bit.ly/2auXfmx

-Keitech 3.8" Fat Swing Impact (Electric Shad): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

-Jackall TN-70 lipless Crankbait (Ghost Minnow): http://bit.ly/2lqAwjh

-River2Sea Bling Spinnerbait (I Know It): http://bit.ly/2diSwqq

-Keitech 4.3" Fat Swing Impact (Pro Blue Red Pearl): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

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

-Keitech 4.8" Fat Swing Impact (Electric Shad): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

-Jackall TN- 70 Lipless Crankbait (RT Scale Minnow): http://bit.ly/2lqAwjh

-Azuma Z Boss 22 (Grand Shad): http://bit.ly/2poLKUC

-Blade Runner Underspin 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/29UVegz

-Strike King 6XD (Powder Blue Chartreuse): http://bit.ly/2ery44M

-Yamamoto 5" Senko (Green Pumpkin/Watermelon Laminate): http://bit.ly/2axAmNS

-Yamamoto 6" Senko (Green Pumpkin): http://bit.ly/2axAmNS

Matt found an All-Around Rod This Trip that was unbelievably universal. From senko to spinnerbait, swim jig to Keitech, he was able to use a single rod. That's extremely rare but the combination of soft tip and solid back bone made the MBR amazingly versatile.

Matt's Versatile Combo...

Rod- G Loomis GLX 844C MBR: http://bit.ly/2gqziwT

Reel- Chronarch MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2n8DghB

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

Crankbait Combo...

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 845 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel- Curado 200K HG: http://bit.ly/2tHewEh

Line- 20 lb Power Pro: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Leader- 12 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9