California Swim Jigs

The trouble is, I don't follow a lot of the "rules" regarding how they should be fished. I'm a big fish, heavy line, stout hook kind of guy and it never made sense to me that it wouldn't work with a swim jig. Over the last few years I've been searching, experimenting, fine-tuning, and ultimately helping to develop a new genre of swim jigs known as the California swim jig.

The baits are available exclusively through Tackle Warehouse for the next 30 days and can be found via this link: Dirty Jigs California Swim Jig

If you've read my posts or watched my videos about swim jigs in the past what you've seen were the prototypes. You've probably even seen the jigs catching fish but didn't know that's what they were. Thanks to Curt Demerath of Dirty Jigs Tackle (the godfather of innovative jig design) the California-style swim jig is a reality. Curt and I put our minds together on this one and created a jig that swims unlike anything else and allows you to target fish that other jigs simply can't reach. Other companies will follow this trend (as they should) but make no mistake, you are witnessing the beginning of a whole new wave of swim jigs. In addition to an extra-heavy wire hook and custom weedless head design, the jigs come in a variety of swimbait-derived color schemes. You no longer have to settle for black/blue or matte white. You have colors like Tactical Trout, Light Hitch, Gizzard Shad, and many more to choose from. No matter where you are located in the world you can find a color to accurately match the baitfish in your local waters. The following video is approximately 7 minutes long and covers everything you need to know to get started. I discuss why the baits work, what sets them apart, and some of the unique approaches that make the jigs so fun.

I hope this jig impacts your fishing as tremendously as it has mine. When I first started to experiment with swimming big jigs I had no idea the caliber or quantity of big bass I would begin to catch. Its also important to understand that these baits are not enormous. While I've trophy-class bass on the swim jig I've also caught significant numbers of 1-2 lb fish and have found the baits to be equally capable at filling a limit. The baits have worked equally both day and night and have produced fish in every month of the year. Pick up a California Swim Jig today and see what all the fuss is about. I look forward to hearing the stories and seeing the photos in the weeks and months to come. Dirty Jigs California Swim Jig

Beating the Bank for Giants: Part 2

In recent years technology has really spoiled a lot of bass fisherman. There are 21-foot bass boats with 250 horsepower motors that are nearly whisper quiet at an idle, new electronics with ten inch displays that literally show you a scrolling picture of what the bottom looks like from one side of your boat all the way to the other. Guess what? You can also mark that fence line you just found on the picture with a G.P.S. point so you can come right back to it and make an exact parallel cast to it on your first attempt. All of these luxuries have made the learning curve of bass fishing much shorter.
That said, not everyone is blessed to have all of these tools working in their favor, especially young anglers. Some of the young anglers don’t even want these items and would rather stay with the basics. For them and for a growing percentage of bass fisherman, bank fishing is the only option. Just because you don’t have any of the new toys doesn’t mean that you can’t take bank fishing to the next level.
When planning a trip to target giant bass from the bank, you’re going to have to take a few things into account. Some lakes are going to have limited shore access whether it be reeds, lily pads, grass mats or unsafe slopes. Then you have the problem of a lake having too many spots to choose from and you can find yourself trying to hit as many spots as you can, not spending the time to slow down and fish a spot effectively.

Choose a lake where you know you can reach prime structure targets. Points, flats with deep water access close by and creek channels all play a part in a giant bass’ life. If you have access to a topographical map of the lake you are planning to fish, you already have half of your work done for you.
Look for points that intersect with creek channels and/or have deep water access immediately to the side. Points that are adjacent to flats are also prime feeding grounds. If the flat breaks into deep water quickly near the point, you have yourself a trophy bass magnet.
More than everywhere else, launch ramps probably have the largest concentration of giant bass. Locally our lakes are stocked with hatchery raised rainbow trout. The trout trucks back into the water using the launch ramp and guess what is there waiting for thousands of pounds of easy to catch, completely disoriented meals? You’ve got it, it’s the true giant you’ve been hunting and you knew right where she’d be and when she’d be there. In the rest of the country ramps still represent an area where tournament-grade, snack-sized bass are released regularly. Look for all of these things and focus on those areas. Remember, you can not cover the whole lake effectively while bank fishing, so slow down and pick a few prime areas apart. Get out there, do some research and go stick a giant.

Submitted by Adam Hinkle

Early Spring Swimbait Fish

Spring is fast approaching the West Coast. In the Southern portions of the country its already arrived. If you’ve missed all the previous posts don’t miss this one: Its time to target big pre-spawners. As big bass move toward the spawning areas they become very vulnerable. They often follow distinct features like creek channels, breaks, and hollows as they move into the shallows. By locating these areas you can target the bigger fish as they move through. There are a variety of baits that can be used effectively. In this video I’m using the Mattlures Tournament Swimbait to target fish moving up in Clearlake. These baits are available at tacklewarehouse, here is the link: Mattlures Dark Hitch Swimbait

This bass is by no means a giant but its a female that is making her way into the spawning grounds. This is a prime example of what can be done around the country to catch females before they spawn. By presenting a big bait slowly along the bottom I’m able to specifically target the larger than average females. By applying this to funnels (places the fish have to pass by) I’m able to eliminate a lot of wasted time and energy. Take these techniques, apply them to your local waters and then share your results. I look forward to hearing what you produce.

Preparation Lands a Trophy Spot

There are many variables in the bass fishing game that are beyond our control. What are you to do when a front blows through a day early, a big fish wraps you around a log, or a local angler sits on your primary spot all day? In most cases, your hands are tied and you’re at the mercy of the fish.
With that in mind, why not control every possible variable that is within your control? I’m shocked every time I watch an angler lose a big fish because they bend hooks, break line, or give the fish slack. Its not that I don’t make mistakes, I do, and they’ve cost me dearly over the years. The point is that if you leave these variables unchecked you are choosing to be at a disadvantage. I firmly believe that what sets a truly great angler apart from everyone else is a keen attention to detail.
Spend the time to loosen your drags, replace bad line, and tie fresh knots as soon as you need them. If you catch yourself saying things like, “Eh, what are the odds” these words will be haunting when a big bass humbles you.

I hope you enjoy this video because its drives the point home so clearly. I was blessed to land this bass on a recent trip. When I got her into the boat I was shocked to see a full dropshot rig still stuck in her mouth. Someone had the good fortune of hooking this bass but due to lack of preparation, broke her off. How do I know it was lack of preparation? Whoever it was had a major nick in their line just above the hook. I can almost hear whoever it was looking at his partner and saying, “What are the odds” as he cast the damaged rig back toward a likely spot. The rest is history.
Remember to keep your hooks sharp, your line fresh, and treat the bass with respect.