Downsize your swim jigs for big bites!

In my process of writing this blog, I was reminded of a fishing story over 30 years old that should have been a life fishing lesson, but was missed by me until this year. It was mid-summer and me and two good buddies, Eric and Phil, were wet wading a hole on the Chemung in search of 'eyes with tonys (Stonecats to everyone outside of Chemung County, NY). The bite was decent, and we had caught some good eaters at 18-20" size, but we were running out of bait. All that was left were one or two little black tonys (or baby bullheads?) - everyone always uses the big golden ones first. Well, Eric was first to need a new bait, so he hooked a little black one on with little confidence, and proceeded to catch a giant 'eye that pushed the 30" mark on his first cast! Now for the recently realized life fishing lesson - if you're a fan of swim jigs for river smally or walleye (and you should because they flat out catch fish!), try downsizing the presentation when you're out next time, it could lead to your new PB! For years now I've been fishing swims of all different brands and have had great success with them. My favorite's by far, though, are the Keitech Easy Shiner and Keitech Swing Impact in 3.5" size on a 3/8 oz Northland Thumper jig head. That combo has produced time and time again for me. Well, that thought process changed on an early spring Chemung river charter this year when Bob, a client, pulled out a little Swing Impact on a little 3/16 oz orange jig head and proceeded to hammer the smally's - and he landed all of the biggest for the day too! Since Mom didn't raise no dummy, I immediately orderd up a bunch when I returned home and haven't looked back! Since that trip I have tweaked Bob's presentation a little with success, and here's the recipe I use for you to try. I like the 2.8" Keitech Swing Impact Fat paired with a VMC Neon Moon Eye or Northland Deep-Vee jig head in 1/8 - 1/4 oz size depending on water depth and current - you want to get it down near the bottom but not get snagged - and I really believe the big eyes on these jig heads help the fish commit. In stained or dirty water I go with white, chartreuse or black bodies, with chartreuse, orange or white heads in any combination. In the gin clear low levels we are experiencing right now in June, go all natural, both in body color and jig head color. My new favorite colored body is Smallmouth Magic (pictured) after a recent trip when I tied one on for a client, Jen, and it turned an hour long draught into a catch fest on the first cast! Other natural color choices should be imitating the natural forage of the river including dace, darters, chubs, and tonys. Fishing it is a breeze too, just cast it out, let it sink (again, depending on depth and current), and reel it back in at varying speeds. You can also impart a jigging action, and I often do, but it's not mandatory. Try fishing it from shallow rapids to deep holes and everywhere in between. Hope this helps you catch your PB this year, and good luck in your fishing adventures everyone! Yessir!

• Mike

For added durabilty, put a drop of gel super glue between the head and bait just before you snug it up to the head.

The 2.8" Swing Impact Fat in Smallmouth Magic color. I think the blue flakes are the ticket and imitate the tony's blue eyes.