By Mike Frisch
A common question is “what’s the best lure to throw to catch lots of fish of various species?” For me, the answer is easy. A bladed swim jig paired with a plastic trailer catches bass, northern pike, and walleyes. Plus, the combo is easy to fish.
For example, last June we were on one of many “fishy” lakes in the Alexandria, MN area targeting shoreline flats with emerging weeds. By holding the boat near the deep edge of the flats, we made long casts on the flats and retrieved our baits. We threw various lures, but what got bit best was a ½-ounce Tungsten Thunder Cricket in a simple Green Pumpkin color pattern tipped with a Blade Minnow plastic in the KVD Magic color. By making long casts, immediately engaging the reel, and using a steady retrieve, partners and I landed a bunch of bass, several big northern pike, and two walleyes, fish measuring well over 20-inches long. This was easy, enjoyable fishing because the fish pulled hard and you never knew what was on the end of the line until the fish came near the boat!
Last week we were near Orr, Minnesota fishing Pelican Lake for largemouth and smallmouth bass. This lake is one of the finest bass fisheries I have fished. A partner and I again tied on Crickets and Blade Minnows – this time in Chartreuse White for the jigs and the Key Lime Pie pattern for the minnows. Once again, utilizing long casts and steady retrieves, we were able to put several dozen bass of both varieties in the boat over a couple days. For this trip, we cast to offshore reefs and sunken islands that had a mix of rock and weeds.
Though the bladed swim jig/plastic trailer set-up is easy to fish, successfully targets multiple fish species, and works around various forms of cover, you do want to “get right” your equipment. A medium heavy power baitcasting rod with a moderate fast action and nearly 7 ½ feet in length is perfect for making long casts and fighting big predators hooked with a bladed swim jig. Lew’s makes my favorite rod for this style fishing in their Custom Lite series. It’s a 7”4” rod specifically made for bladed jig fishing. Lew’s also has a similar rod in their TP2 Rod lineup that’s a bit less expensive and does a great job. I pair both rods with 20-pound test fluorocarbon line on Speed Spool RX casting reels which have the innovative new ParaMag RX braking system that makes for super long casts and resists backlashes. These reels are silky smooth and flat out fun to fish with too!
If multi-species fishing fun is on your bucket list, tie on a bladed swim jig and head to your favorite lake. But hang on, cuz you’re probably about to get bit!
Mike Frisch hosts the popular Fishing the Midwest TV series. Learn more at www.fishingthemidwest.com
PHOTOS – Frisch with a bladed swim jig bass. Frisch with a bladed swim jig walleye.
