Tips on using jigs. Do you have to use a trailer on them?

You don't HAVE to use a trailer - but it does make the jig more 'appetizing'.

IMO, yes you do, just like every other jig. They'll work without them, but I have zero confidence without them.

 On a swim jig yeah I always use a trailer. I have used small finesse jigs on bottom with no trailer with good success. even just a grub or a craw will be good. But have had best luck with paddletails 

A trailer 100% of the time. Trailer choice depends on a few factors, but I usually use a Rage Tail Menace most and mix in a Swing Impact, Rage Bug or Rage Craw depending on conditions. 

7 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

IMO, yes you do, just like every other jig. They'll work without them, but I have zero confidence without them.

I always add a trailer, I have confidence in certain color combo's and certain baits. You can pretty much throw on any soft plastic and catch fish on a jig, the fun part if figuring out which ones work best for you.

Also use one here. My favorite is the Zako paddle tail.  It drives them nuts.

I always use a trailer no matter how I am working the jig. 

I always use a trailer as well. Part of the fun is experimenting with all the different trailers available such as: Zako, boot tailed zako, z-craw jr., rage craw, rage menace, rage baby menace, strike king rage swimmer, strike king kvd swimming caffeine shad...well, you get the idea! ?

I don't think you do.  They don't catch fish either way so why waste money on trailers?  

 

 

55 minutes ago, JediAmoeba said:

I don't think you do.  They don't catch fish either way so why waste money on trailers?  

 

 

Swim jigs don't catch fish?

Trailer is a must. Typically I opt for either a paddletail or craw. More action the better whether it be from bouncing off or going through cover or by shaking the rod tip. Swim jigs really shine for me around pads and grass. Typically I will opt for a spinnerbait around timber. 

1 hour ago, JediAmoeba said:

I don't think you do.  They don't catch fish either way so why waste money on trailers?  

 

 

You might want to tell that to the 50 or so bass I've caught on them..

Swim jigs are my number one bait when I’m around grass or wood. If I’m imitating bait fish, I’m throwing either a keitech or a strike king rage swimmer. If I’m imitating crayfish, I’ll throw a netbait paca slim or rage craw. I keep it very simple trailer wise, just match the color to what bait I’m trying to imitate. All I throw is dirty jigs, their the best on the market in my opinion. If you use a trailer with enough action than there is no need for you to shake your rod tip, the trailer is already getting the skirt to pulsate. I’ve caught probably 10x more fish on a steady retrieve then shaking my rod.

The Biospawn Exoswim has clawed it'd way up to a primary trailer for my swim jigs. A given jig will have an ideal trailer, in my opinion. Some styles I use a Keitech, others I use a Biospawn. I think a reason that many guys struggle with swim jigs and others don't is the trailer pairing.

I have settled on either a Kalins 5” single tail or a yum pulse or pulse jr. both options are easy on the pocketbook and the fish seem to like them. 

23 minutes ago, cgolf said:

I have settled on either a Kalins 5” single tail or a yum pulse or pulse jr. both options are easy on the pocketbook and the fish seem to like them. 

What jigs are you pairing those with?

1. Take green pumpkin menace grub, turn sideways break apart the tail

2. Attach to 3/8 oz blue gill Strike King tour grade swim jig

3. Fish around bedding areas during the spawn and post spawn

4. Catch all the fish.

5. Don't tell anyone else about this.

 

While fairly effective for me, Swim jigs are almost exclusively a post spawn deal for me.

Lots of natural patterns in my swim jig box.

A-Jay 

Definitely add a trailer to your swimjig..I've played around enough with one on a very small local pond to know the bite numbers drastically fall-off when you throw one without a trailer of some sort...Z craws, skinny dippers, curly tails, keitech-like swimbaits..they all have their place and will all get absolutely chewed sometime!

18 hours ago, Throwafrog said:

Swim jigs don't catch fish?

 

17 hours ago, Hammer 4 said:

You might want to tell that to the 50 or so bass I've caught on them..

I really want to like them.  I have a big box of them and lots of trailers.  They are one of the least productive baits for me...

Must use a trailer on a swimjig, it gives the lure secondary action.  The skirt and trailer make up the total action.  Keitech Fat Impact are my favorite trailer.  I use craw a baitfish colors.  I knocked em dead last year on a Dirty Jigs swimjig with Ghost Trout Keitech trailer.

7 hours ago, Michigander said:

What jigs are you pairing those with?

Generally I prefer the santone Rayburn swim jig design with the flat bottom head, a bit multi purpose, but have used others. Outkast, Greenfish, All Terrain, etc. I have a couple of siebert but haven't thrown them yet. I generally like 1/4 to 5/16 but will toss a 7/16 now and then.

 

Ironically PB Musky was an a 5/16 Santone swim jig with a Kalins 5" single tail, 45" so not too huge.

A double tail or single tail grub is always a safe bet. I will sometimes add a spider grub to give the bait more bulk and slow the fall. The GYB spider grub pretty much catches fish no matter how you rig it or fish it....