Jonn Graham

The best thing about Jonn's stuff is that not only is he a superb smallmouth fisherman, he is designing stuff for our area and streams. He knows what kinds of rivers we fish, clarity, flow rates, forage etc. That means that he's designing stuff to be specifically used here, (rather than in California). Other thoughts he puts into it are qualities of the baits like supremely sharp hooks, gap sizes, weight etc. On top of that he's on the water testing them to make sure they work like they're supposed to. I know I sound like and endorsement but I buy the majority of my stuff from small companies that do personal work with high quality stuff and from guys that love what they do.

 

Jonn fits that bill for me.

 

(Oh, and I'm trying to get him to start making spinnerbaits) HA

 

Here's a plastic that would go nicely with the bluegill:

 

 

 

This with this:

 

 

 

 

I would like to remind everyone that the heads I use for my swim jigs are produced by Brovarney Baits out of Wisconsin. While the rest of the jigs I make are poured by yours truly. We may start pouring our own swim jig head in the future, but right now Brovarney has such a great product and has been a pleasure to work with.

Just a reminder for anyone thinking of purchasing a few of my swim jigs, the special price for ISA members ($37 per dozen) will end on January 15th. Spring is right around the corner

Mike:

Glad you liked your namesake lure!

By the way, the special ISA price on a dozen will run until January 15th. I have already received a couple of orders, so don't wait if you are interested in purchasing some for the spring of 08.

I caught them on the swim jig all the way down to 42 degree water temp. Can't wait for spring to really give them a workout.

I also use braid for my swim jigs. I use 20 pound suffix braid and usually throw the swim jigs on a casting outfit. Though I have thrown the swim jig with a spinning rod and it worked ok as well.

Paul:

In my limited swim jig experience, I have only used the bait as strictly a "swim" bait. I have not dragged or hopped the jig on the bottom. I have found the 1/4 oz. to be the best weight. Problem with the 1/8 oz model is it tends to want to ride too high in the water column on the retrieve. Now I may be able to remedy this by tying the 1/8 ouncers with a much sparser skirt and maybe go with a smaller trailer?? Don't know, but am going to try. I do know the 1/4 ouncers should be right for the Kish. Due to their bullet-head design they seem to be fairly snag resistant. When they get snagged, they often will pop out of rocks and such fairly well. I have been fishing mine without weedguards, but do have the weedguards that fit into the jig. I think next year I will fish them with the weedguards when around wood and other sticky cover.

Paul, I wil say they are a very enjoyable bait to fish. They seem to definitely catch the attention of active smallies. They hit the bait VERY HARD! Also, the 1/4, and 3/8 models with a trailer provide a bait that is heavy enough to allow long casts, which allows you to cover alot of river water very quickly.

Here are two more patterns. Mike C: the one on the right is my craw pattern...............I think I will officially call it the "Clifford Craw". The one on the left is "purple passion".

Yah, I have already thought about the sassy grubs and Charlie's grubs. Charlie has a new grub called a double action grub. Really cool.

One more thing...................when it comes to fishing swim jigs, I am a novice to say the least. If you really want to learn the craft, Jim Kast is your man. He has helped me immensely. Hopefully he will maybe offer some pearls of swim jig wisdom on this thread.

Jim:

Thanks for the kind words..............much appreciated.

MIke:

I do have a crawdad patterned swim jig. I will try to post it for you asap. ON the subject of plastic swim jig trailers, from what I have seen, most guys use larger twister tail grubs. I started out using big grubs as well. Caught smallies with the grub as well. Then Jim keyed me into the idea of adding a swim bait to the swim jig. Works awesome! The paddle tail on the end of the grub gives off great vibration and makes the jig itself shimmy back and forth on the retrieve.......really cool. Believe it or not, the swim baits I have used (right now Bass Assassin makes a great one that is marketed as a walleye/saltwater bait) wobble so much I can feel it in my rod. Kinda like a finesse crankbait feel in the rod.

I feel in 2008 the swim jig will be my number 1 search bait. I would think it could really comb the waters of the 3K catching the active fish quickly in an area.

thanks for the compliment. Jig tying/selling is what you would call a "side job". I must admit I really do enjoy doing it. Great activity when you can't be on the stream.

Below are three of my new patterns for my swim jigs. I am calling my swim jigs "The Scout"

 

 

 

 

 

 

From top to bottom:

 

bluegill

clown

Green Sunfish.

By the way, I am now selling these swim jigs. $3.75 apiece 2 for $7 and a SPECIAL LIMITED TIME ISA PRICE - $37 per dozen. I can make almost any color combination or you can order stock colors that I already have. Head sizes range from 1/8 to 3/8.

I just started throwing swim jigs toward the tail end of last season. I began to throw them as I always love to pick up a new technique. I read all of Jim Kasts' posts about the power of the swim jig. Let me tell you...........HE WAS NOT WRONG!! The last month or so of the fall I absolutely killed smallies on the swim jig. Especially big fish! I can guarantee I will have one tied on a bunch next spring.

Now that I am making them, I can make any color combo I want. Next, I am going to be working on a swim jig that matches a small Rock Bass.

Below are three of my new patterns for my swim jigs. I am calling my swim jigs "The Scout"

From top to bottom:

bluegill

clown

Green Sunfish.

You can also check out www.blueridgekayakfishing.com.

This video should get you steered in the right direction.

http://www.viddler.com/explore/hawghead/videos/4/

Oh crap Jim, I knew somebody would do this to me. Now I will have to google search it. I will post again in a few minutes.

The law in Illinois states that if the stream is not listed as navigatable with the state, then you need permission to wade or canoe. It does not matter if the stream can be floated or not, you still need permission............by law.

In Wisconsin, all streams are open to the public. I think there is even a small easement upon the bank where anglers can walk.

In addition, anyone into Kayak fishing really should get the new book by Jeff Little. I have it and it is outstanding. Not only about Kayak fishing, but also some great tips about targeting trophy smallmouths.

Check out this video. good music also.

The above picture is of a stream in Wisconsin where I just pulled up along the road, grabbed my rod, and went fishing. VERY NICE!

All streams in Wisconsin are open to the public as long as access is gained from a public spot (i.e. a bridge). This means you can canoe or wade a stream as long as you enter from public places and stay in the water.

The guy's name is Mike Dial. If you google his name, I am sure you will find him.

Rod is sold!

Deep is relative to your flow. In my rivers, four feet is awful deep, and five or six feet is "crazy" deep. If these areas have slow or moderate current, that is where I start. Now, I will say I have caught many winter smallies in areas where it was shallower than four feet, but I will say that when I normally catch those shallow fish, deeper water is close by. John, hope this helps a little. YOu know you can call me at any time!!!