When or what determines choosing one over the other?

A swim jig is a fairly subtle presentation as compared to a bladed jig, which vibrates all over the place.

 

That fact alone could be the driving force in your bait choice.

 

A-Jay

A swim jig is a fairly subtle presentation as compared to a bladed jig, which vibrates all over the place.

 

That fact alone could be the driving force in your bait choice.

 

A-Jay

This....

I prefer the swim jig in heavy weeds. Everything else I go for a bladed jig.

I'll typically throw a swim in weeds or clear water; bladed in dirty, stained or green water. Like AJay said the thump in a bladed jig is easier for them to hone in on when visibilty is limited.

Fish activity, along with water clarity and cover density are all determining factors for me. I will use the bladed jig on active fish in stained water around wood or sparse grass, I'll also use it in clear water if the fish aren't spooky but that happens mostly during the pre spawn period. If I'm fishing dense vegetation then it will be a heavier swim jig and if the water is clear I use a northern style swim jig, 3/16oz or 1/4oz most of the time.

I like a swim jig when there are nice pockets in the grass. If it is too heavy of cover though I will opt for the bladed jig to go over and call them out.

May I ask what makes a swim jig a "swim jig"? How is it different to a regula skirted football (or other shape) style jig?

 

I see there are also vertical line tie and horizontal line tie jigs. How/why/when?

May I ask what makes a swim jig a "swim jig"? How is it different to a regula skirted football (or other shape) style jig?

 

I see there are also vertical line tie and horizontal line tie jigs. How/why/when?

The head on a swim jig looks like a spinnerbait head. Football jigs have football shaped heads in order for them not to get stuck in rocks.

May I ask what makes a swim jig a "swim jig"? How is it different to a regula skirted football (or other shape) style jig?

 

I see there are also vertical line tie and horizontal line tie jigs. How/why/when?

 

You can swim any jig but the jigs that are made for the technique typically have a 30 degree line tie and a cone shaped or low profile head of some sort. There are a few different kinds of swim jigs, you have the Northern or finesse style swim jig which is usually 1/4oz and it uses a 3/0 or 4/0 standard wire hook with a thin 35 to 40 strand skirt. Then you have the California style swim jig which is 1/2oz and larger with a heavy flipping type hook 5/0 and up in size with a heavy skirt.