12 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

make noise.  cause reaction strikes.  Sometimes that's what the fish want.

 

I figured they made more noise.

 

To me, a swimjig with a paddletail swimbait just seems like it would give off a more natural vibration/look.

 

But the two main lakes I fish I would consider fairly pressured. They are small, but they get fished a lot.

 

IDK, I have several of them, I just need to try a whole outing with one.

1 minute ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

 

I figured they made more noise.

 

To me, a swimjig with a paddletail swimbait just seems like it would give off a more natural vibration/look.

 

But the two main lakes I fish I would consider fairly pressured. They are small, but they get fished a lot.

 

IDK, I have several of them, I just need to try a whole outing with one.

Like you I was late to the party, I will say there are some days where they do not prefer the bladed jig and they prefer something else but then there are days that they absolutely prefer the vibrating jig. One other thing that has really surprised me is that I have had lots more success on blue/black with a dark blade then the white version. If you have a blue/black version that would be the one I would throw first, and like right now I am throwing the smaller version seems to be hotter right now. 

17 minutes ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

 

I figured they made more noise.

 

To me, a swimjig with a paddletail swimbait just seems like it would give off a more natural vibration/look.

 

But the two main lakes I fish I would consider fairly pressured. They are small, but they get fished a lot.

 

IDK, I have several of them, I just need to try a whole outing with one.

a big honking white spinnerbait with two whirring chunks of metal might be the least natural thing in the water and they sure catch a bunch of fish. I’d agree that a swim jig is more subtle. And sometimes that’s what they want. One year for me that was the ticket. The year before was a bladed jig. This year I’ve caught a bunch on a spinnerbait and a bladed jig with nothing on a swim jig. Every day is different, every lake will vary.  If there is scattered grass and relatively still conditions, a bladed jig is my choice. More grass and sun goes swim jig. A little breeze but sporadic cover (or anything wood) and I’m throwing a spinnerbait. I’ll usually have two of the three tied in at any given time until the fish tell me what’s working that day. 

3 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

a big honking white spinnerbait with two whirring chunks of metal might be the least natural thing in the water and they sure catch a bunch of fish. I’d agree that a swim jig is more subtle. And sometimes that’s what they want. One year for me that was the ticket. The year before was a bladed jig. This year I’ve caught a bunch on a spinnerbait and a bladed jig with nothing on a swim jig. Every day is different, every lake will vary.  If there is scattered grass and relatively still conditions, a bladed jig is my choice. More grass and sun goes swim jig. A little breeze but sporadic cover (or anything wood) and I’m throwing a spinnerbait. I’ll usually have two of the three tied in at any given time until the fish tell me what’s working that day. 

I agree on the wood, if I see a laydown I usually am throwing the spinnerbait since its like a 4wd and pretty much comes through anything. However lately i have been theowing my bladed jig over deeper brush piles and just hitting the tops has been pretty good lately for me but its a balancing act with the bladed jig. Much more prone to getting hung up, that front arm on a spinnerbait really helps it stay out of trouble, I will throw a spinnerbait just about into anything.

12 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

a big honking white spinnerbait with two whirring chunks of metal might be the least natural thing in the water and they sure catch a bunch of fish. I’d agree that a swim jig is more subtle. And sometimes that’s what they want. One year for me that was the ticket. The year before was a bladed jig. This year I’ve caught a bunch on a spinnerbait and a bladed jig with nothing on a swim jig. Every day is different, every lake will vary.  If there is scattered grass and relatively still conditions, a bladed jig is my choice. More grass and sun goes swim jig. A little breeze but sporadic cover (or anything wood) and I’m throwing a spinnerbait. I’ll usually have two of the three tied in at any given time until the fish tell me what’s working that day. 

 

I'm in a kayak so I'm limited to rods I can carry.

 

Most days I have a spinnerbait and a swimjig with me.

 

When (not if) I get my boat, I'm sure I'll have a bladed jig on as well.

6 minutes ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

 

I'm in a kayak so I'm limited to rods I can carry.

 

Most days I have a spinnerbait and a swimjig with me.

 

When (not if) I get my boat, I'm sure I'll have a bladed jig on as well.

Pick up a couple of the mini chatterbaits, they are smaller and lighter, this time of the year smaller seems to be better but they catch big ones. Ive been have luck with a small bootail on them and they have been nailing them. Most folks dont like bootails since it can impede the action but for whatever reason they like the combination right now.

1 hour ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

 

I figured they made more noise.

 

To me, a swimjig with a paddletail swimbait just seems like it would give off a more natural vibration/look.

 

But the two main lakes I fish I would consider fairly pressured. They are small, but they get fished a lot.

 

IDK, I have several of them, I just need to try a whole outing with one.

I have a swim jig with paddle tail tied on a rod all the time. I mostly use it to rip through grass or when its a very calm day with little cloud cover. The more gentle approach is usually preferred over something very noisy in those conditions. 

 

Basically I use it as levels of aggression in this order from most to least. Water/sky conditions dictate which I throw more and then if they are buried in grass.

Bladed Jig

Spinnerbait

Swim Jig

2 minutes ago, Functional said:

I have a swim jig with paddle tail tied on a rod all the time. I mostly use it to rip through grass or when its a very calm day with little cloud cover. The more gentle approach is usually preferred over something very noisy in those conditions. 

 

Basically I use it as levels of aggression in this order from most to least. Water/sky conditions dictate which I throw more and then if they are buried in grass.

Bladed Jig

Spinnerbait

Swim Jig

Couple of these lakes that I fish have NO grass in them at all, wish there was some but its a community lake and they keep grass out which is a bummer from the fishing perspective.

40 minutes ago, Functional said:

I have a swim jig with paddle tail tied on a rod all the time. I mostly use it to rip through grass

 

 

That's what I do as well. I love throwing it into weeds and ripping it. To ME, the swimjig is the most versatile of the three.

 

I've always had amazing success in the dark with it.

 

With a good sized 4" trailer it's a good bait for them to home in on.

56 minutes ago, bishoptf said:

Pick up a couple of the mini chatterbaits, they are smaller and lighter, this time of the year smaller seems to be better but they catch big ones. Ive been have luck with a small bootail on them and they have been nailing them. Most folks dont like bootails since it can impede the action but for whatever reason they like the combination right now.

 

I've wondered if the stealth (clear) blades would be a more subtle option.

 

Almost like a bladed jig/swimjig combo.

1 hour ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

 

That's what I do as well. I love throwing it into weeds and ripping it. To ME, the swimjig is the most versatile of the three.

 

I've always had amazing success in the dark with it.

 

With a good sized 4" trailer it's a good bait for them to home in on.

 

I've wondered if the stealth (clear) blades would be a more subtle option.

 

Almost like a bladed jig/swimjig combo.

The stealth blades only comes in the larger version. I have both but really like the smaller minis, not the micros thise are tiny. The minis come in 1/8 to 1/4oz and then they have the mini max which have more colors and heavier weights up to 3/8oz. The minis have a much smaller blade and imho are more of a finesse presentation, less vibration and I think do better in higher pressured lakes. You can pick up the normal minis usually at wally world for about $5. The mini-max have better colors and a trailer keeper but i add my own keeper and make my own skirts but for $5 they are cheap enough to try out. I need to post how I do upgrade the hook keeper, super easy to do and works pretty well...

3 hours ago, ElGuapo928 said:

The absolute best tool for sharpening a hook is not a hook sharpener….It’s an Ignition or Points file, available at just about any auto parts store for a couple of bucks. 
 

 

With a little practice, you can get just about the worst hook sticky sharp with just a few passes. 

Harbor Freight offers a couple different needle file sets.  The different file profiles make sharpening even smaller hooks a breeze.  And they are excellent for restoring barbs. 

https://www.harborfreight.com/needle-file-set-10-piece-69876.html

Welp I went with a heavier rod today on the mini max, and oof I missed 2 large fish. One was really large but not sure how big, that one I threw up shallow and she hit it once it hit the water, the other one was moving. This rod is a MHF 1/4-1oz and its much stiffer than the MM I was using but honestly I do not think that is the issue but I need to figure it out since I am losing some really nice fish that I would at least like to get them to the boat. The hook on the mini's are pretty small and maybe that and along with the trailer that I am using are causing the issue. I think the hook on the mini is a 2/0 and along with my small boot tail swimbait maybe that is causing some issues. Both fish I felt like I am setting the hook really strong to the side but now thinking maybe I should try setting the hook upwards vs to the side.

 

Honestly right now I am stumped and frustrated that I keep missing the larger ones...sigh. Will take a picture of the bait and trailer, really do not want to add a stinger hook to the setup.

Here is a picture of the mini along with one and my finger, not a big hook maybe 2/0, and with the trailer maybe I need to ditch the trailer.

While I personally would use a little smaller trailer, I don’t think that’s the main issue. 
 

Sounds like you’re getting the yips, and concentrating so hard on the hookset, that you’re mistiming it.
 

Generally with a chatter, I like to wait until I feel the rod loading up and then give a quick vertical set. Every time I try the “slackliner” set, I end up losing the fish. Even if they knock slack into it on the hit, I like to take it up and know d**n well that hook is going into the palate.

Just now, ElGuapo928 said:

While I personally would use a little smaller trailer, I don’t think that’s the main issue. 
 

Sounds like you’re getting the yips, and concentrating so hard on the hookset, that you’re mistiming it.
 

Generally with a chatter, I like to wait until I feel the rod loading up and then give a quick vertical set. Every time I try the “slackliner” set, I end up losing the fish. Even if they knock slack into it on the hit, I like to take it up and know d**n well that hook is going into the palate.

Agree, not on the yips part but I think I am setting the hook to quickly. I think I need to wait longer anz maybe from years of spinnerbait and cranks even though I am trying to do that I havent been very successful in application. Another problem us right now the bites are few and far between and when I get a strike kind of just reaction on my part.

12 minutes ago, bishoptf said:

Agree, not on the yips part but I think I am setting the hook to quickly. I think I need to wait longer anz maybe from years of spinnerbait and cranks even though I am trying to do that I havent been very successful in application. Another problem us right now the bites are few and far between and when I get a strike kind of just reaction on my part.

It happens to all of us….I dropped a 5+ right at the boat last weekend, and I’m still pouting. 

1 minute ago, ElGuapo928 said:

It happens to all of us….I dropped a 5+ right at the boat last weekend, and I’m still pouting. 

One of the fish today I think was in that ballpark, hit it right when it hit the water...need to wait longer and make sure they have it...last couple of teips Ive missed 5-6 quality fish...ugh.

On 9/15/2025 at 7:42 PM, A-Jay said:

I mean this 

A-Jay

Looks like they no longer make that exact rod at least looking on TW site, the heavy now is a 7'5" rod.

On 9/17/2025 at 1:22 PM, bishoptf said:

This rod is a MHF 1/4-1oz and its much stiffer than the MM I was using but honestly I do not think that is the issue

I lose far fewer fish bladed jig fish with a mod-fast rod than a F rod. I got lazy this year on an outing and grabbed what was handy, a MHF, and hooked into a monster that was waddling around on the surface. I lost her. I might have lost her no matter what, but it gave me no margin for error. 

I have two "favorite" bladed jig rods at the moment - the brett hite super combat stick and the kistler nitranium. Both are not something I'd want to fish bottom contact, too floppy. Perfect for medium open hook like many swimjigs and any flavor of bladed jig. 

6 minutes ago, txchaser said:

I lose far fewer fish bladed jig fish with a mod-fast rod than a F rod. I got lazy this year on an outing and grabbed what was handy, a MHF, and hooked into a monster that was waddling around on the surface. I lost her. I might have lost her no matter what, but it gave me no margin for error. 

I have two "favorite" bladed jig rods at the moment - the brett hite super combat stick and the kistler nitranium. Both are not something I'd want to fish bottom contact, too floppy. Perfect for medium open hook like many swimjigs and any flavor of bladed jig. 

I picked up today a cheap h2o express premier rod to try out, i have several of them in medium/medium for small cranks and other light stuff. Picked up a mh, moderate fast, 7', is an im6 blank. It's stiffer than the m/m but not as stiff as th arid-x mhf of the same length. Really dont think its the rod, i need to delay hookset and make sure they have it before setting the hook but for as cheap as the rod is I thought it was worth a shot. Also changed my leader back to mono from fluoro. Hoping to get out tomorrow if I can avoid the rain for 4 hours.

19 minutes ago, bishoptf said:

I picked up today a cheap h2o express premier rod to try out, i have several of them in medium/medium for small cranks and other light stuff. Picked up a mh, moderate fast, 7', is an im6 blank. It's stiffer than the m/m but not as stiff as th arid-x mhf of the same length. Really dont think its the rod, i need to delay hookset and make sure they have it before setting the hook but for as cheap as the rod is I thought it was worth a shot. Also changed my leader back to mono from fluoro. Hoping to get out tomorrow if I can avoid the rain for 4 hours.

Oh man I didn't catch you were braid to leader too. Yeah you are going to like that rod being floppier (technical term) on braid to leader. I fished chatterbaits on braid/leader for a long time. 

Hooks aren't that thick, you do not need to jack the fish - should be able to set with a wrist-flick unless it is coming right for you. 

10 hours ago, bishoptf said:

Really dont think its the rod, i need to delay hookset and make sure they have it before setting the hook

Making sure they have it and the delay in the set requires less attention with a more moderate rod, its just part of the system.

 

Also, the problem might be less to do with your hook set and ability to time it right, many fish are lost on the fight because the system is too rigid and yanks on the hook. A more moderate rod gives when a bass pulls and doesn't shock the hook out of its mouth. 

3 hours ago, Banned User said:

Making sure they have it and the delay in the set requires less attention with a more moderate rod, its just part of the system.

 

Also, the problem might be less to do with your hook set and ability to time it right, many fish are lost on the fight because the system is too rigid and yanks on the hook. A more moderate rod gives when a bass pulls and doesn't shock the hook out of its mouth. 

Yeah the new rod I got is medium fast and its better but I really want a moderate action, but really in cheaper rods a mh moderate is hard to find most everything that I have looked at is medium fast or fast. I have several moderate rods but they are medium and not medium heavy...gonna keep looking.

1 hour ago, bishoptf said:

cheaper rods a mh moderate is hard

That's because its more expensive to design and properly manufacture.

 

I stand by my advice to you to stop buying budget rods, sell 3 or 4 that you have, and buy something that will suit your needs and be worth the investment. 

 

You don't need to drop hundreds of dollars for this, but you can catch a sale and stay around 100 bucks or so. And enjoy your fishing trips much more. Why go cheap and stay frustrated? 

 

 

8 minutes ago, Banned User said:

That's because its more expensive to design and properly manufacture.

 

I stand by my advice to you to stop buying budget rods, sell 3 or 4 that you have, and buy something that will suit your needs and be worth the investment. 

 

You don't need to drop hundreds of dollars for this, but you can catch a sale and stay around 100 bucks or so. And enjoy your fishing trips much more. Why go cheap and stay frustrated? 

 

 

Understand, gonna keep looking and see what I can find. I still need to find my groove with the bladed jig for whatever reason I'm not very good vs the spinnerbait. I had a couple fish that I set the hook on today that were small that I pulled out of the water. I think that is to much for the hook set, I just need more practice and figure out what works for me.