Swinging Jigs For Summer Bass (Tips That Actually Matter)

Its time to change it up! Summer is here and this technique gets BIG bites when nothing else will. Quit throwing the same old Summer baits and show them something completely different! The swinging jig is easy to fish, doesn't require specialized gear, and most importantly, the big ones eat it!

This technique goes by many names. You may have heard of the wobble head, biffle head, free swinging jig, or swinging jig... all references to the same technique. We combining the swinging jig with either a creature bait or small swimbait to create a profile that bass can't resist. As you swim it along the bottom the bait will bump along, deflecting off cover, and drawing reaction strikes from the bass. 

Virtually every brand makes a creature bait that could work with this technique. However, there are a few that rise above the rest. Below you'll find links to all the baits, heads, and gear discussed in the video, beginning with the "If you could only have one" bait choice. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

If You Could Only Have One... 

Head- Dirty Jigs Pivot Point Football (1/2 oz with 4/0): http://bit.ly/2jOY1Ns

Bait- XZone Lures Adrenaline Craw (Junebug): https://bit.ly/3ebTO5h

Favorite Heads... 

Lead- Dirty Jigs Pivot Point Football Head: http://bit.ly/2jOY1Ns

Common Sizes: 1/2 oz 4/0 Hook, 3/4 oz 5/0 Hook

Tungsten- Swagger Tungsten Swinging Football: http://bit.ly/2MmBuur

Common Sizes: 1/2 oz 5/0 Hook, 3/4 oz 5/0 Hook, 1 oz 5/0 Hook

Top Creature Baits... 

-XZone Adrenaline Craw: https://bit.ly/3ebTO5h

Color: Junebug, Green Pumpkin Black

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

Color: Junebug, Huckleberry, Watermelon Red

-Netbait Paca Craw (Baby): http://bit.ly/2wlVAfh

Color: Junebug, Bama Bug, Green Pumpkin

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

Color: Junebug, Blue Craw

Other Great Baits...

-13 Fishing 4.25" Invader: https://bit.ly/3vdNznG

Color: Witches Brew, Collard Greens

-Zoom Ultravibe Speed Craw: https://bit.ly/3fTGlQQ

Colors: Junebug, Green pumpkin

-Netbait Paca Slim 4": http://bit.ly/2M5cuGF

Colors: Junebug, Green Pumpkin

-Gambler Stinger 4.25": https://bit.ly/3gpebNE

Colors: Gold Rush, Junebug

-Keitech Crazy Flapper: http://bit.ly/2c3cXrp

Colors: Double Trouble, Green Pumpkin Watermelon

-Big Bite Baits Swimming Mama: https://bit.ly/3gE8tWP

Colors: 1099, Tilapia

-Keitech 4.8" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Colors: Electric Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl

Matt's Favorite Combo... 

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

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

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

Leader- Sunline FC 100 Shock Leader (20 lb): http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

"Bang For The Buck" Combo... 

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

Reel- Shimano Chronarch 150 (HG): http://bit.ly/2n8DghB

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

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

Budget Wobble Head Combo... 

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

Reel- Shimano SLX XT: http://bit.ly/2BRTYL8

Line- Sunline Assassin Fluorocarbon (20 lb): 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

Where Do Bass Go During Summer? (And How To Catch Them)

Summer bass fishing is really fun once you know where to look! Many anglers lose track of the fish and struggle to get a bite, but it doesn't have to be that way. You can catch fish all day long, even in the heat of the day once you understand how their movements and feeding patterns change. Once you're ahead of the fish, its non-stop action! Let's take a look at where they are and how to catch them. 

During Summer the bass break into two distinct schools. The first goes shallow into cover and the second heads out to main lake structures. The shallow fish are fun because you can target them with a variety of power fishing techniques, our favorite are frogging, flipping, and throwing swim jigs. The fish on outside structures group up around current when available and large structures when the water is calm. These fish can be caught on wobble heads, crankbaits, worms, jigs, and a variety of other lures. 

Don't let the pressure steer you away, summer is prime time for bass! Below is a breakdown of the lures and equipment we use to target Summer bass. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Deep Diving Crankbaits… 

-Strike King 10XD: http://bit.ly/2gHT4F0

Colors- Chart Blue Back, Powder Blue Back, Chartreuse Sexy Shad

-Strike King 6XD: http://bit.ly/2ery44M

Colors- Chart Blue Back, Powder Blue Back, Chartreuse Sexy Shad

-Rapala DT20 and DT16: http://bit.ly/2BL0UYl

Colors- Citrus Shad, Parrot, Shad

-Norman DD22: http://bit.ly/2LKB37w

Colors- Chartreuse Sexy Shad, Tropical Shad, Sexy Shad

Squarebill Crankbaits… 

-River2Sea Biggie: http://bit.ly/2ahCzvo

Colors- Abalone Shad, TSMinnow, T1000

-Rapala BX Brat: http://bit.ly/2qFBMiR

Colors- Chartreuse Shad, Silver, Hot Dang

-Luhr Jensen Speed Trap: https://bit.ly/3ccfJbV

Colors- Chartreuse Shad, Crystal Chart Blue, Gun Metal Shad

Swing Head Jigs… 

Head- Dirty Jigs Pivot Point Football: http://bit.ly/2jOY1Ns

Size: 3/4 oz with 5/0 Hook

Bait #1- Zoom Z-Craw: http://bit.ly/2vW7Jo5

Colors- Junebug

Bait #2- Xzone Adrenaline Craw: https://bit.ly/3ebTO5h

Colors- Junebug

Boot Tail Swimbait… 

Bait- Keitech 4.8” Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Colors-Electric Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl

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

Weedless- Owner Flashy Swimmer (5/0): http://bit.ly/2e8O4Y7

Stick Bait… 

Bait- Yamamoto 5” Senko: http://bit.ly/2axAmNS

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Natural Shad, Baby Bass

Weightless Hook- Gamakatsu Finesse Wide Gap 1/0: http://bit.ly/2aKGmHM

Neko Hook- Owner Weedless Sniper Finesse: https://bit.ly/2zXirRH

Neko Weight- Swagger Tungsten Pagoda (3/32): http://bit.ly/2iGNSFW

Shaky Head Worm… 

Head- Dirty Jigs Canterbury 1/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2aFOs0V

Bait- Netbait T-Mac 6.5”: http://bit.ly/2jndwj9

Colors: Junebug, Kentucky Special

Frog… 

-River2Sea Bully Wa 2: http://bit.ly/2axyR2a

Colors: Little Allen, Bluegill, Ghost

-Jackall Kaera: http://bit.ly/2Fz6SA3

Colors: Glitter Bluegill, Glitter Hasu

Walking Baits… 

-River2Sea Rover 128: http://bit.ly/2acSVea

Colors: Bone, Abalone Shad, Sooner

-Teckel Kicknocker: http://bit.ly/2nvxkoA

Colors: Bone, Bluegill, Threadfin Shad

Frog Fishing Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 7'3" Extra Heavy: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel- Shimano Metanium MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/34HlAAk

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

Deep Diving Crankbait Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 968 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

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

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

Budget Crankbait Combo...

Rod- St. Croix Bass X 7'4" Medium Heavy Moderate: http://bit.ly/2r0xWAs

Reel- Shimano SLX 150 DC: http://bit.ly/2LWzw2Q

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

Crazy Underwater Footage Of Bass Attacking Jigs!! **Slow Motion Strikes**

Come along as we head underwater to watch bass interact with their prey! We're using jigs to imitate crawfish and small panfish and the bass can't get enough! Its fascinating to watch how the bass approach the lures, what makes them strike, and what makes them cautious. Some of the strikes are so vicious we needed to switch to slow motion footage to even see the bass attack!

Every time we head underwater we learn something new about bass behavior. In today's clips it was fascinating to watch how the fish inhaled the jigs. When the fish were cautious, they would only bite the claws. When they were made they inhaled the jig in a 2 or 3-step process. In every interaction it was clear the bass were aware of the jig's "claws" and made sure to incapacitate the claws first. 

What did you take away from the video? Do you notice any behavioral mannerisms? Did you see a favorite bait or trailer? Perhaps it was the subtle kick of the Paca Chunk, or the violent whipping motion of the Rage Craw?

We threw a huge variety of jigs and trailers to these fish. Below you'll find links to the exact jig and trailer combinations the fish were attacking, along with a few bonus trailers that we've had consistent success with over the years. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Finesse Jig... 

Jig- Dirty Jigs Finesse Jig 7/16 oz (Supermatt Brown): http://bit.ly/2eJinXo

Trailer- Strike King Rage Chunk (Hard Candy): http://bit.ly/2uoqsLJ

Football Jig #1... 

Jig- Jewel Baits Pee Wee 5/16 oz (Hail Mary): https://bit.ly/2IkGi20

Trailer- Netbait Paca Chunk Tiny (Crawfish): http://bit.ly/2d8mIXx

Football Jig #2...

Jig- Keitech Tungsten Football 3/8 oz (Green Pumpkin Blue): http://bit.ly/2FDQ3o1

Trailer- Netbait Paca Chunk (Magic Craw): http://bit.ly/2d8mIXx

Other Great Jigs... 

-Dirty Jigs Pitchin' Jig (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2amL3of

-Bass Patrol Round Rubber (3/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2Hbyf5x

Other Great Trailers... 

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

-Z Man Ned Crawz: http://bit.ly/2U9vx6P

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

High-End Finesse Jig Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis Conquest 844C MBR: http://bit.ly/2iL1PAY

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

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

Leader- Sunline FC Sniper 14 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Best "Bang For The Buck" Finesse Jig Combo... 

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

Reel- Shimano Curado 70 MGL K: https://bit.ly/3jdrMqa

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 30 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

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

Budget Finesse Jig Combo... 

Rod- St. Croix Bass X 7'1" Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2r0xWAs

Reel- Shimano SLX 150 XT HG: http://bit.ly/2BRTYL8

Line- Sunline Assassin 12 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

How To Choose The Best Jigs For Spring Bass Fishing (Beginner To Advanced Tricks)

So many jigs, so little time! We all know jigs catch BIG bass in Spring but with all the different colors, sizes, and styles, how do you know which jig to fish with? Matt cuts through the hype and the chaos and shows just how simple jig fishing can be. He demonstrates how two or three jigs can be used to match every situation, then gives up his favorite trick to catch bass after Spring storms. 

Spring jig fishing doesn't have to be complicated. As Matt demonstrates, an angler can buy a pitching jig and a pack of trailers and catch fish in nearly every circumstance. Digging a little deeper, that same angler can pick up a football jig and a flipping jig, and dial in the pattern no matter the conditions. Color selection doesn't have to be difficult either. Leaning toward natural tones in clear water and dark tones in muddy water will get consistent bites, and let's not forget Matt's Chartreuse core trick. 

As promised, we've included all our favorite jigs and colors below. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. We've also included our favorite jig rods and a budget combo that will help you catch more fish without breaking the bank. 

The Best All-Around Jig... 

Jig- Dirty Jigs Pitchin' 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2amL3of

Colors: Molting Craw, Canterbury Craw, Brown Craw, Go To

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

Colors: Dirty Wizard, Green Pumpkin, Magic Craw Swirl

Football Jigs... 

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

Colors: Go To, Canterbury Crunch, Magic Craw

Finesse Profile- Keitech Tungsten Football: http://bit.ly/2FDQ3o1

Colors: Green Pumpkin Chartreuse, Green Pumpkin Black

Football Jig Trailers... 

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

Colors: Green Pump Purp Copper, Cinnamon Black Purple

-Big Bite Baits Double Tail Grub: http://bit.ly/2qS1YtE

Colors: Tilapia

-Netbait Tiny Paca Chunk: http://bit.ly/2d8mIXx

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Summer Craw, Green Pumpkin Red

Flipping Jigs... 

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

Colors: Hematoma, Blackend Blue, Pay Day

Flipping Jig trailers... 

-Netbait Paca Chunk Sr: http://bit.ly/2d8mIXx

Colors: Black Blue, Toledo Special

-Reaction Innovations Kinky Beaver: http://bit.ly/2XQ1kJ1

Colors: Low Blow, Hematoma

Chartreuse Modification... 

-Yamamoto 5" Senko: http://bit.ly/2axAmNS

Colors: Chartreuse Black Flake, Firetiger

Matt's Favorite Flipping Jig Combo... 

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

Reel- Shimano Metanium DC (HG): http://bit.ly/2qrSZvs

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

Football Jig Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 844C MBR: http://bit.ly/2lVATTC

Reel- Shimano Curado 70 MGL K (HG): https://bit.ly/3jdrMqa

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 30 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

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

Budget All-Around Jig Combo... 

Rod- St. Croix Bass X 7'4" Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2r0xWAs

Reel- Shimano SLX 70 MGL (HG): 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