It’s that time of the year when I want to be able to focus on one or two things that give me the best chance of putting quality fish in the boat. Everyone knows that my favorite thing to do is throw a swim jig, and it’s certainly the first thought that I have most of the year. Being that focused right now isn’t always the best approach — I need something else.
This time of the year is unique; there are fish that are spawning, some are already done and there are still a few late prespawners out there. Because the fish are in so many different stages, I need a presentation that allows me to cover water and one that allows me to follow up.
This is “one-two jig time” for me.
I can’t just rely on moving through cover and having the horizontal presentation of a swim jig. It’s a great tactic and I will go into how to use it during the spawn, but I also need to have a follow-up for when the fish swirl and show themselves without committing to a moving lure. When they are in this mode, sometimes they will just show themselves under a swim jig and won’t strike it. Other times, they will swing and miss completely. That’s when I turn to a flipping jig.
I will typically always have a 1/4-ounce signature swim jig tied on, and I’ll have a variety of trailers ready. When they are spawning, I prefer a smaller profile like the Zoom Z Craw Jr. or Ultravibe Speed Craw.
I’ll also have three different colors tied on. I’ll have a white to match the shad, I’ll have a black and blue tied on and I’ll have some sort of a green pumpkin or bluegill color. I want to be able to present a lure to fish that are in any phase of the spawn. Earlier in the spring when the fish are in the prespawn phase, I’ll tend to go with a full-sized Z-Craw because fish tend to like bigger profiles.
My setup for the swim jig is a 7-foot, 6-inch Ark swim jig rod and a 7.1:1 Ark Gravity G7 reel spooled with 30-pound-test Seaguar TactX braid.
Because I am looking to target fish in all phases of the spawn, I look for areas that have a mix of cover and areas for fish to move in and out of spawning bays or flats. If there is a spawning area with nearby cover, it provides the ability to locate fish that are moving in or moving out as they are staging.
Having two presentations this time of the year is a must. Not only are the fish that are actually spawning going to be a little finicky, but having a bigger presentation for transitioning fish will draw bigger bites.
This is when I like a jig with a big trailer. A 3/8- or 1/2-ounce flipping jig with a Zoom Super Chunk is going to be my choice before and after they spawn, and also as my follow-up presentation.
Having a one-two jig punch will give you the best chance at the right kind of bites this time of year.
