Featured Bait: Buckeye Lures J-Will Swimbait Head (3-pack)
Perfect for smaller swimbaits and fishing with umbrella rigs, the Buckeye Lures J-Will Light Wire Swimbait Heads feature light wire, super-sharp Mustad hooks for faster penetration and unmatched strength. The Buckeye Lures Light Wire J-Will Swimbait Heads have also been custom painted to match most colors of swimbaits on the market, and the collar on the head holds your swimbait securely cast after cast.
How to Rig
MLF pro Marty Robinson recommends a 7-foot medium-heavy action rod for general shallow water swimbait applications while opting for a 7-foot heavy action rod for tacking thicker cover. He utilizes a Lews Pro TI 6.8:1 or 7.5:1 reel with 15- or 20-pound line depending on water clarity. He matches the swimbait size to the weight of the jig head. As a general rule of thumb, he’ll use a 1/2 – 3/4 ounce jig head for large swimbait (over 5 inches) and a 3/8 ounce and below for smaller swimbaits. A 1/2 – 3/8 ounce jig head is the ideal choice for fishing in depths of 10 feet or less. As an alternative to a swimbait, Marty also uses a large Zoom Speed Worm on the back of the J-Will Swimbait Jig Head.
How to Fish
The “rolling action” is the key to triggering strikes in warmer water with hollow body swimbaits. The ideal cadence and presentation for the J-Will Swimbait Jig Head will depend on the conditions, environment, and trailer choice. Check out additional swimbait tips as well as the other baits Marty uses in tandem with a swimbait in the June edition of Unpacking with the Pros!
Featured Pro: Marty Robinson
Marty “The Party” Robinson has collected 23 career Top 10s in his career, including two BLF wins and a Toyota Series win. The South Carolina native has over $750,000 in career winnings.
