Swim Jigs

[The Dutchman]

I really want to fish a lot of swim jigs next year but I want to make my own. Which Do-It jig mold would recommend.

[gone2long]

Depending on size and type of fish your after these have my vote:

 

Weedless Casting Jig

 

Ultra Minnow

[cadman]

Dutchman,

     Weedless Casting Jig in some catalogs is known as a Grass Jig. I make these for my  nephew he fishes these exclusively he loves them and does really well. I have fished these as well and like them. However I still like my Snootie 1st, tied for 2nd or 3rd would be a Poison Tail or the Grass (Casting jig)

 

You have a PM from me.

[smalljaw]

I like the casting or grass jig in the 1/8oz, 3/16oz, and 1/4oz sizes, I make what is called a northern style swim jig and it has out produced my favorite bait, the spinnerbait this year and gave it a good run last year. I'm with Cadman on the Snootie, that is my heavy swim jig as I use the 1/2oz and 5/8oz cavities for swim jigs. I used to think any jig you could swim and it is true but but jigs designed for swimming work better, what they do is run true meaning they run with the hook in the upright position with a trailer, and most are made with a 30 degree hook, the forward facing hook allows for good hook sets and aids in keeping the jig swimming true. The Snootie uses a 60 degree hook and it is why I like this for heavier swim jigs, I like to use a heavier swim jig for slow rolling along the bottom, the line tie being on top allows me to bang the jig off the bottom without nicking the line or damaging the knot and the Snootie comes through grass and cover in general better than any other jig, the only real knock is the collar is a ball and you need to add a drop of good super glue to the collar before you slide your trailer on, and I only do that in cover, the ball collar is actually fine in open water.

[willowblade]

Take a look at the weedless casting jig that Do-It makes.  This is the perfect swim jig head and remains
the most balanced when coming through the water.  There are two different mold sizes
available.  One mold pours 1/8, 3/16, and
¼ oz jigs while the other pours 5/16, 3/8, and ½ ounce jigs.  These jigs also feature recessed eye sockets
so that way you can add eyes to give your jigs even more appeal. 

 

Casting Jig Mold Small Sizes

 

Casting Jig Mold Large Sizes

[bass100]

The swim jig is my favorite bait.  I won 2 opens and took 2nd in a regional tournament down on the Potomac this year with them.  Both of the opens I used a brush jig with a wire weedguard and in the regional tournament I used a grass jig with a wire weedguard.  The brush jig deflects well if you are swimming it around rocks or wood but I always start with the grass jig first and if I start hanging up I will go to the brush jig.  I started out with the standard fiber weedguards but I had to many fish getting off so I switched to a wire weedguard and now I have no problem catching the light biters and the hard biters.  90% of the time I am using a 1/4 or 5/16 oz jig but if I am fishing deeper than 10 feet or the wind is heavy I use a 1/2 oz.  I make many types of swimbaits but the best trailers for me are a craw papi type trailer or a #4 powder coated willowleaf attached to the hook.  I always match my blade to the color of my jig.

[bass100]

Here are some of the swim jigs I have here in the house.

 

 

 

Sorry I don't have any of the brush jig ones or the standard darker colored ones here but you get the idea.

[gone2long]

Just curious do you have hookup issues with those willow blades on the hook? I'm in PA as well and although we do have some nice sized fish I would think that that setup would be a hindrance in these here parts, nice work by the way good looking work.

[bass100]

No hook-up problems at all.  They are taking over my spinnerbaits.  The blade will always spin (reeling, lifting, falling, etc) and because the blade is behind the hook it doesn't get slimed or grassed up near as much as a standard spinnerbait.  You can also work it in far more places than you can a spinnerbait.  I have done well flipping and pitching it also.

[bass100]

I have had alot of people ask me how I am putting in these weedguards so hopefully this will put all the questions at rest.  You can put wire weedguards in any mold. 

 

1) you cut a weedguard insert so it is flush with the inside of the cavity

2) cut a slot in the weedguard insert for the wire weedguard.  I use a dremel.

3) when you make your weedguards make sure that it hooks around the jig hook.  Use wire of

     your own choice.

4) put it all together in the mold.

 

So as you see you can put a wire weedguard in any mold that takes a fiber weedguard.  Hope this helps.

[gone2long]

Someone posted how they use a silicone skirt band with the weed guard inserted into it then placed flush in the pin slot at the head, said the band would last quite some time before changing.

[backwoods1975]

Very nice bass100, thanks for the tips.

[DaBehr]

I fish swim jigs a LOT and I agree that the first choice is the Weedless Casting Jig because of the 30 degree hook. I also really like the Snootie because almost all of the hooks are in the top of the mouth and it will "rock" off of a snag.

I often make both without weedguards by cutting the aluminum base hole pin short so it leaves a small stub of lead which I cut off with side cutters.

On both jigs I wrap the Do-it wire bait keeper on the shank with heavy thread and coat it with crazy glue or Sally Hansen's Hard as Nails (after cutting of the lead barb off on the Weedless casting jig. With the thread, wire bait keeper and a drop of crazy glue...no trailer is coming off!

[Big-D]

I also like the snootie for my swim jigs.  I use a light, fg-30 weedguard and tie on a wire keeper.   I get good hook ups and get fewer snags in wood cover with the 60 degree hook and the fiber weedguard.  If I were fishing weeds exclusively, I could see where the wire guard and the 30 degree hook would shine.

Edited November 23, 2013 by Big-D

[Darkman]

Bass100 thanks..that is super slick

[mark poulson]

Bass100 thanks..that is super slick

 

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