1 Bait, 5 Reasons: Gerald Spohrer’s Heavy-Duty Swim Jig for Prespawn Giants
When prespawn arrives in the southeastern part of the United States, you can guarantee that MLF pro Gerald Spohrer will have a swim jig tied on. But not just any swim jig: The Louisiana native prefers a G-Spo Beast Coast Gorilla Swim Jig. Here are five reasons why it’s the swim jig that Spohrer goes with every time.
1. Gets Big Bites in Heavy Cover
Cypress trees, buck bush and other thick cover are what Spohrer looks for during prespawn. While others may shy away from the mangled mess of branches, Spohrer ties on heavy braid and works the Gorilla Swim Jig in the heaviest cover he can find.
“I like to swim it around heavy cover and I tend to get big bites on it that way,” Spohrer explains. “Using braided line allows me to skip that jig as far back into heavy cover as I can in search of those big fish without the worry of getting broken off. I like to go with 50-pound braided line.”
2. Heavy Duty Hook
Heavy cover means heavy tackle as well. Spohrer fishes a Quantum Smoke PT 8:1 reel paired with a 7-foot-1 Alpha Angler Signature Swim Jig rod, and trusts in the reliability of the hook that comes with the Gorilla Swim Jig.
“The hook is a Gamakatsu Siwash No-Flex hook, which is important,” Spohrer said. “It’s the same hook people use in tuna fishing and it’s pretty much indestructible. There’s a heavy weed guard, so you don’t have to worry about getting hung up in cover.
“The hook is big enough to put a big trailer on it. A lot of times I’ll put a bulky trailer on it and the big barb on the hook is able to keep that trailer in place while you’re skipping it. For trailers, I usually go with a Menace Grub or Twin Turbo from Missile Baits, or a Gambler EZ Swimmer.”
3. Easy to Swim in Cover
While the Gorilla Swim Jig is built for heavy-duty action, Spohrer also likes some of the small details that make this swim jig unique.
“The head design has an angled line tie on it,” Spohrer said. “The angle of the line tie and the way the head is shaped, it makes it really easy to swim. I love swimming it around bushes in Texas lakes as well as flooded brush. Anywhere that you would flip a jig you can throw this swim jig.”
4. Technique is Key
A great bait is only as good as the technique you fish it with, and Spohrer knows that. That’s why he likes to work the swim jig a simple yet effective way.
“I like to swim it high in the water column while snapping it with an ‘Alabama Shake’,” Spohrer advised. “If I find some cover, I’ll drop the bait in there fast and then snap it out really quick to try and trigger a reaction bite. It’s all about catching the fish’s attention and getting him to not think, just bite.”
5. All the Right Colors
The Gorilla Swim Jig in available in 16 colors to fit your specific application or to match your local forage, but Spohrer always has three main colors ready to go, no matter where he travels.
“I mainly go with a white, black and blue or a green pumpkin if I’m trying to match bluegill,” Spohrer listed. “I use white most of the time if I’m working in clearer water but it can also work in dirty water. I really move to black and blue when the water is really stained and I need a darker presentation. I’m not trying to mimic a baitfish necessarily, I’m more trying to get a reaction bite out of these fish. That bright or dark presentation is sometimes all you need.”