When a former FLW Tour and Bassmaster World Champion talks fishing for two hours, there is plenty to chew on. That’s the way I felt returning home from Anglers Marine last night after listening to Jay Yelas at the final FINS event in Santee.
But one item that got me thinking (and maybe several others who didn’t bother with Monday Night football in Charger-town) was Jay’s reference to the “swimming jig.”
Everybody has their own notion of what this is, or what it has been for them in the past, but his instruction pulled me in. As he said, “It’s not a method used much here,” which was quite accurate, but his rendition was certainly not what I have experienced with the likes of Don Iovino and a spider jig.
Jay suggested its use “where there’s lot of shallow cover” or secondarily “during the post-spawn or along the edges of docks.”
Instead of a contour bait, he fishes it much like a spinnerbait barely a foot or so below the surface (obviously perfect for the shallow brush cover). With the flapping tails of a Berkley Chigger Craw behind his 3/8-ounce flipping jig (now with softer weedguard) he demonstrated a shake and steady, medium spinnerbait retrieve, which he usually aligns with 30-pound Fireline.
“It’s deadly at times,” he said, but suggested only carrying three colors. For him those have been black/blue flake with a matching trailer; brown with green pumpkin; or white on white.
But despite the spinnerbait-like retrieve, his hook-setting approach is totally different. “Don’t set when you get a bite,” he warned. “Rather, pause two or three seconds and then set.” His best explanation: “There’s something in the physics of how the fish take the jig, that they just don’t have it like they do a spinnerbait.”
Of course, there was a lot more (not to mention the burgers and brats) but I’ll save some of Jay’s Gems for another time.
BTW: Since it was my first trip to the store, I have to say, Manager Art Bailey (pictured with Jay) and tackle-meister Greg Gardner make the place extremely customer friendly.
6 Responses to “Jay Yelas: swimming jigs & a good time at FINS”
Thanks for the summary George.
George, good seeing you again.
It was a great evening of Information.
George,
Thanks for taking the time and making the drive down. I hope you can make them next year. Let us know if there is anything we can do for you…Califishless 
I had to throw that in there…LOL!
Gotta say, I’m not treated as well in my own house! The FINS trip was definitely worth the time. I’m looking forward to next season….
gk
Thanks George, I will send this to Ranger Boats.