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Rigging and Fishing Techniques

Swimbait, like crankbait, spinnerbait, jerkbait, buzzbait, ripbait, etc., is a term used to describe a certain type of lure. Swimbaits are basically plastic or rubber "fish shaped" bodies rigged on a jig head. Some swimbaits are the type where the body is separate from the jig head and must be rigged by the angler. This allows versatility in jig head size along with the ability to re-use the jig head with other baits and colors. Some types of swimbaits come either pre-rigged or with the jig head "built-in" to the body of the bait.

Swimbaits are extremely versatile, can be used in a wide variety of fishing conditions, and will catch any fish that feeds on other fish, shrimp, crabs, crawfish, etc.

Below are some basic rigging and fishing techniques along with several articles focusing on specific types of swimbait applications.

If you are new to swimbait fishing and need a place to start click here and check out our swimbait collections. Most of these collections are designed to correspond directly to the technique articles listed below.

General Information and Getting Started

Swimbaits - Rigging
How to properly rig a Big Hammer swimbait.

Swimbaits - The Basics
Basic swimbait fishing information, tips and techniques.

To Glue or Not To Glue
Many seasoned swimbait anglers glue the swimbait to the jig head, should you?

Why do Big Hammer Swimbaits Have Better Action?
Theories behind the Big Hammer design and what makes them "swim" so well.

Buzz Hammer Jig Heads - A New Twist to Buzzbait Fishing
An introduction to the deadliest buzzbait head on the market.

Rigging and Fishing the Salt Shaker Worm
Several rigging and fishing techniques that demonstrate the versatility of the Salt Shaker Worm.

Q-105 Skiff/Kayak Trips
What to expect, what to bring and how to prepare for one of these amazing trips.

Saltwater Bass (Calico Bass, Sand Bass, Bay Bass)

Calico Bass Fishing 555 - Larry Heron
Larry "Calico Hunter" Heron shares some of his proven tricks and tips for catching more and bigger calico bass. Larry covers the proper tackle, presentation, how to locate calicos and catch them under varying conditions.

Calico Combat - David Fong
David illustrates his methods of boiler rock fishing for calico bass.

Winter-Spring Calico Fishing - Dimitri Peros
Dimitri discusses some of the slower pace techniques used to entice cooler water calico bass during the winter and early spring.

Calico Candy - Malia Goldberg
Malia talks about how she got "hooked" on fishing for Calico Bass and some of the techniques she uses to catch them.

Rock Jetty Fishing - Henry Ortega
Henry provides tips and tactics for using swimbaits to pull bass and halibut off of rock jetties.

Harboring Big Bass - Steve Greanias
Steve tells how he finds quality fish in areas most fishermen overlook.

Hammering Spotties - John Strenk
Jon discusses fishing bays using freshwater techniques to pull saltwater bass out of places that are difficult to fish with conventional saltwater bass lures.

Freshwater Bass (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass)

Slingin' The Swim Jig - Jonn Graham
Jonn Graham of Warrior Jigs talks about his introduction to the swim jig, how to fish it, and why swimbaits make great trailers.

Saltwater Swimbaits for Freshwater Bass - Rob Belloni
We all know that swimbaits are a great way to catch calico bass and halibut, but largemouth bass? This article details the use of "saltwater type" swimbaits for freshwater bass including gear, lures, and tactics.

Patience Pays Off For Oregon Smallmouth - John Strenk
John talks about a recent trip to Oregon where experimenting with Big Hammer lures helped turn sluggish fish on.

Grouper

Trolling for Grouper in the Gulf of Mexico - Captain John C. Bedingham
John illustrates a new trolling method he is using to catch nice Grouper out of Cedar Key, Florida.

Halibut

Hammering Inshore Halibut - Pete Wolf
Pete shares the techniques he uses to catch halibut from the float tube in shallow water using swimbaits.

Swimbait Halibut From The Sand - Mike Edwards
In this article Mike explains how to catch halibut and other surprises from the surf using small swimbaits and light tackle.

Redfish & Saltwater Trout

Hammering Trout in Nags Head - Pete Wolf
Pete tells his story about fishing for speckled trout in Nag's Head.

Surf Perch

Hammer-Hooking: New Ideas for Surf Perch Fishing - David Fong
David goes through some of the basics of using small Carolina rigged grubs while introducing some alternative rigging and fishing techniques.

Trout

Trolling Swimbaits for Trout - Pete Wolf
Pete talks about some of the new ideas and methods behind using trap-rigged swimbaits for trout. Click here to view printable step-by-step trap-rigging instructions in .pdf format.

Tuna

Slide Open - Steve Greanias
Steve explains how to successfully catch tuna on swimbaits.

Tuna Fishing Basics for the Private Boater - Josh Dunlap
Josh takes you through the basics of successful private tuna trips.

Walleye, Pike & Musky

Swimbaits Catch Goliath Mid-Summer Pike - Jeff Matity
Jeff explains how to successfully hunt big pike using swimbaits.

Post Spawn Walleye on Swimbaits - Jeff Matity
Jeff illustrates his success using Big Hammer swimbaits for walleye.

Article Submission

If you use swimbaits for a specific type of fishing application and/or species that has not been covered in any of the above articles and would like to submit an article click here to contact us. Thank you!

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