Riggin' the Rig

Submitted by: Full Limit Outdoor Media

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Once upon a time, swimbaits were the biggest thing on the national bass scene and then, as most crazes do, they fell somewhat out of the limelight. However, with the recent popularity explosion of the Alabama/Tennessee/Umbrella/Chandelier/Seine/Insert Your Favorite Name Here-style rigs, the swimbait is once again in high demand. They are generally understood to be the best trailing bait to be used in conjunction with these type rigs. However, not all swimbaits are created equal. They all have their pros and cons. Let’s take a quick a look at a great setup for this style of fishing and you'll see why.

Action is, without a doubt, the defining characteristic of a swimbait. Because they are silent, swimbaits are generally regarded as appealing to bass due to their lifelike swimming action. If you have ever had the opportunity to fish a swimbait in a clear water environment where you can witness the fish trail and eat a bait, it is quite eye opening. It is amazing how bass can become mesmerized when following a swimbait. This is due tothe rhythmic side-to-side sway produced by the “paddle” style tail. Fish will regularly follow a swimbait to the boat without any apparent concern with the boat’s presence as if they were in a trance. This action is amplified when the swimbait is hollow which allows the bait to be less rigid than its solid counterparts. The only potential downside to a hollow bait is durability. However, much of this issue can be resolved with proper rigging.

Now, we're not going to put down or take anything away from any brand of bait, hook, head, or rigging method. There is not necessarily a right or wrong combination. What we will do however, is outline what we know to workwell in an attempt to give you some proven advice.

A great bait to use is the Shadalicious soft swimbait from Strike King. It comes in 3 sizes (3.5”, 4.5” & 5.5”) and 6 colors. This variety should allow you to match the size and color of forage in any body of water without the usual over-complication of offerings. We like to pair this bait with the Redfish Magic Flats Jig Head from Strike King. This jig head was initially designed to be used in saltwater fishing for redfish and speckled trout, but since being “found” by swimbait chunkers, its crossover success has been quite impressive. The Flats Head comes in 4 sizes (1/8, ¼, 3/8 & ½) and 4 colors. The biggest attribute of this jig head is itshook. This is not a light wire sissy hook. It is a meat hook that was designed to handle 40 lb. redfish. A 7 pound largemouth is chump change to this bad boy.

Bait size and head size should be chosen based on the prevalent size of fish and forage where you're fishing. The head weight will also dictate the depth at which you are fishing. Remember when you’re throwing a “multi-bait” rig, the weight of each individual head adds to the total weight which also includes the weight of each bait and the rig itself. For example, if you are in Tennessee where it is basically only legal to use 3 bodies, and you are using three 3/8 ounce Flats Heads in conjunction with three 4.5” Shadalicious bodies, you have a rig with a rough total weight of 1 ½ ounces. So, be cognizant of the weight value of each component of the rig. If your target depth is for deeper fish, use heavier heads. If it is for shallower fish, use lighter heads.

Now, here is where the rigging gets detailed. This method is not as fast and easy as simply pushing a jig head into the nose of the bait. But, it is much more aesthetically appealing and much, much more durable. In simple terms, it should be rigged like a tube. In detail, a small incision is made into the back of the Shadalicious where the hook would come out. This precise spot is located by holding the jig head on the side of the bait as if one side of the bait was removed. It is how the jig head would be situated inside of the Shadalicious. You need to account for the eye to come out through the top of the head and the hook to exit through the top of the back. Then, all you have to do is make a small cut where the hook should exit, wet the jig head in order to allow it to the enter the bait easier, and shove it into the bait headfirst until it is all the way to the front of the bait and the hook eye pokes through. During this process be as careful as possible to ensure that everything is done as straight as possible. I use the mold seam on the back of the bait as a guideline.

So, you have now successfully and neatly internally weighted your swimbait body. Now all you have you do is affix it to your rig of choice and chunk away. This rigging method cuts down on your baits being pulled off of the jig head, as well as being torn by fish. When you get it down, it only takes about 3 seconds longer to rig versus just putting a new body on the head.

Here’s the other best reason to use this combination; price. The Shadalicious and Redfish Magic Flats Head are very accessible and regularly found at prices below the competition. They can be found at better independent tackle stores and big retailers nationwide. They can also easily be found on the web through several online outlets.

Get you a few bags of Shadalicious and a couple packs of Flats Heads and hang them off of your favorite rig and you can start whacking those bass. Hopefully, several at a time!