masterS series
The Bug comes in more than 40 colors , but my favorites are Sooner Run and Smoke Silver . One or the other seems to work well no matter where I ’ m fishing . I ’ ve won more money on Sooner Run , but Smoke Silver seems to be more versatile .
I try to match my color choice to the conditions . I like more translucent colors ( like Sooner Run ) in clear water , and darker colors ( like Smoke Silver ) in dark or stained water .
Once in a while , if the fishing ’ s very tough , I ’ ll swap out the Biffle Bug for a YUM Dinger . It has a subtle action that ’ s sometimes what they want .
basics
There ’ s really no “ wrong ” way to fish a swing head jig – as long as you ’ re catching fish – but my Buggin ’ technique will allow you to cover a lot of water and catch more quality fish than any other method I ’ ve used .
The first obstacle for most anglers who are new to the swing head jig is to think of it almost like a squarebill crankbait rather than a jig . You ’ re not going to be lifting and dropping your rod tip or dragging the lure like you might with a regular jig . You ’ re going to be cranking it , and you want to be reeling it as fast as you can while keeping it in contact with the bottom . That ’ s what gives the bait action .
I generally keep my boat parallel to the bank and make long quartering casts . Then I let my Bug sink to the bottom , and I start reeling . If I feel it hit rocks or brush or other cover with every turn of the handle or so , I know I ’ m in good contact with the bottom .
Strikes can range from hard hits to simply losing contact with the bait and seeing your line move off . When that happens , sweep your rod hard to the side , like you ’ re setting the hook with a crankbait or jerkbait … only harder . Since the bait has a single hook , you usually get good hook penetration .
If you find that your bait is losing contact with the bottom , slow down or go to a heavier head . If you ’ re getting hung up a lot , speed up or go to a lighter head .
When the water ’ s warm , the faster you can reel the bait and still keep it in contact with the bottom , the better the bass seem to like it . In cold water , you may have to slow down to match their metabolism .
bonus
To get the most out of your swing head jigs , you have to keep the bait in contact with the bottom or with cover . This can be tough on steeper banks , so you shouldn ’ t hesitate to go up in head weight . Using a 7 / 16- ounce head might be great much of the time , but if the bottom slopes off really quickly , don ’ t give up on them . Just change to something heavier , like 11 / 16- or even a full ounce .
I also like to use scent with my baits . I think it makes a difference . It ’ s why I added a hollow pocket to my design for the Biffle Bug . It holds scent really well . My favorite is Gene Larew Biffle Bug Juice . It ’ s a crawfish gel that ’ s been enhanced with garlic .
The hollow pocket on the Biffle Bug is not only great for scent , but it ’ s also the perfect place to add a rattle to the lure . I don ’ t do that when I ’ m fishing rock because the head of the bait banging around the bottom makes enough noise , but adding a rattle when you ’ re fishing around grass will sometimes make a big difference .
PHOTO BY PHOENIX MOORE
52 MAJORLEAGUEFISHING . COM | DECEMBER-JANUARY 2022