Summer Swim Jig Fishing

Author Matt Fed - barbcatchfishing.com

As the hot summer months roll through, there are few baits better at catching bass than a swim jig. It’s one of the most versatile baits out there and lets you fish in places most other baits can’t reach.

Because summer heat can be draining, it's important to know how to fish a swim jig efficiently, so you get the most out of every trip.

Why the Swim Jig Excels in the Summer

There are two main reasons why the swim jig shines during the summer:

1. Weedless design – The classic jig-style weed guard lets you fish a swim jig right through thick cover like grass, pads, or brush. When the sun’s high, bass push into this shaded stuff—and the swim jig gets right to them.
   

2. Speed and aggression – Unlike other weedless baits, a swim jig can be fished fast. That means you cover more water and locate fish quicker in vast summer vegetation. Speed also triggers aggressive strikes from warm-water bass.
   

Where to Fish the Swim Jig

You probably guessed it: shallow cover is the prime zone.

• Lily pads
  

• Grass lines
  

• Brush piles
  

• Docks
  

• Overhanging branches
  

Basically, if it's shallow and has cover, it’s a swim jig target. Just steer clear of thick, matted vegetation—everything else is fair game.

How to Retrieve a Swim Jig

There are two go-to retrieves:

1. Steady Reel

This is your classic spinnerbait-style retrieve. Use it for:

• Sparse cover
  

• Grass edges
  

• Weedlines
  

It’s all about covering water fast and drawing bites from cruising bass.

2. The Alabama Shake

Hold your rod tip at a 45° angle and shake it as you reel. This creates an erratic, bouncing action that:

• Triggers reaction strikes
  

• Keeps the jig higher in the water column
  

Perfect for very shallow water where you want that jig to hover just beneath the surface.

Picking the Right Trailer

Trailers are just as important as the jig itself. There are two styles to focus on:

Craw Trailers

Use in shallow water. The flat profile adds resistance, keeping the jig up in the water.

Swimbait Trailers

Use in deeper water. Sleek and subtle, these help the jig stay down.

Simple rule:

• Reeling retrieve = swimbait trailer
  

• Shaking retrieve = craw trailer
  

•  Pick the right trailer

Braid vs. Fluorocarbon

Both lines have their place, but for summer:

• Braid is your go-to when fishing grass and vegetation. Its thin diameter cuts through cover and has the strength to pull fish out.
  

• Fluorocarbon works best around wood or in clear water where you want low visibility and abrasion resistance.
  

In summer, braid usually wins.

Swim Jig Colors

Keep it simple. Just three colors will cover nearly every summer fishing situation:

• Black – Best for bluegill imitation in muddy water or on overcast days
  

• White – Shad imitator for all water clarities
  

• Green – Mimics bluegill in clear water
  

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Tying This Off

With its weedless profile, fast-paced retrieve, and cover-busting ability, the swim jig is a must-have tool for summer bass fishing.

Nail the retrieve, pick the right trailer, match your line to your water, and keep color selection simple—and you’ll be ready to catch more bass in the heat of summer.

Grab your swim jig and get to work.