Pro Lessons
Jig Swimming Specifics From Jay Yelas

Photo: BassFan Jay Yelas says unlike other jigs, he feels comfortable using his Berkley Gripper jigs right out of the package.

But 2008 was a much different story for Yelas. "I only weighed in one bass on a swimbait this year," the former Bassmaster Classic champion said. That's not because he didn't throw it. He said he tried to make it work at every tournament, but the fish just wouldn't eat it this year.

"Our timing was off this year," he said about the FLW schedule. "In 2007 it was like every lake we hit was prime for throwing a swimbait. This year the fish just weren't ready for it."

Yelas had to go back to the tackle box this season for a little variety. He relied on several baits throughout the year to put pounds in his livewell, but he said one bait definitely produced more bites than any other, and that was his Berkley Gripper jig.

Small Changes, Big Results

"Berkley's had a flipping jig out with my name on it ever since I won the Classic (in 2002)," Yelas said. "I really like that jig. It had some good qualities, but I think that new Gripper jig is a better all-around bait.

"We changed the head design on it and with that head you can flip it or swim it with good results," he added. "The weed guard on the old jig was really big and stiff, and I used to trim it a lot. But the new weed guard is soft and it's just about the right size. I usually don't trim it much, if at all.

"I think the hookup ratio is better with that new jig, too. I love to jig fish and although this year was really versatile for me in terms of what baits I used to catch fish, but I'd say that Gripper jig was definitely my top performer."

Not Just for Flipping

Berkley's Gripper jig family is composed of 3 different baits: Ike's Finesse jig, Hank's Football jig, and Jay's Flippin jig - named for Mike Iaconelli, Hank Parker and Jay Yelas, respectively.

But Yelas said don't let the name on his jig fool you, this bait is for more than just flipping. He scored a 13th place finish at the Beaver Lake FLW Tour event earlier this year by swimming a 3/8-ounce, black and blue Flippin jig around boat docks.

"It was a really sunny day and the fish didn't really want a spinnerbait, so I started swimming that jig by them and that was the ticket. There are just certain times when swimming a jig is the perfect presentation, and that was one of those times."

Photo: Berkley Gripper jigs: Jay's Flippin (top left), Ike's Finesse (bottom left), Hank's Football (bottom right) plus the Chigger Chunk.

On the subject of swimming a jig, here are Yelas' tips for when, where and how he likes to go swimming.

> "Swimming a jig isn't a technique that works all the time. I usually try it on warm, sunny days when a spinnerbait is too intrusive. A jig has a good profile and action, but it won't spook fish like a spinnerbait will on a sunny day. I guess my ideal scenario would for swimming a jig would be a warm, sunny spring day in muddy water."

> "When I'm flipping a jig I like to use a Berkley Chigger craw or Chigger Chunk trailer, but when I'm swimming I use the 3-inch PowerBait Double Tail grub. It has great swimming action."

> "Another good time to swim a jig instead of throw a spinnerbait is when you're in heavy cover like emergent vegetation or thules. You can swim a jig through really heavy cover where a spinnerbait would get hung up."

> "I usually use a 3/8-ounce jig for swimming. If you go heavier you won't be able to keep it near the top."

> "I pick my colors based on the baitfish in the area. I'll use white if shad are present. I use green-pumpkin to mimic bream. The only exception is if the water is really muddy, then I always use black and blue."

> "I prefer to use Berkley FireLine braid when swimming a jig. That helps me pop the bait out of cover better."

> "You don't want a real heavy rod when swimming a jig. I like to use the 7'1" Fenwick Techna AV Triggerstik. It's a heavy action, but it has a really fast tip so you can shake the tip and really make that jig hop up and down on the retrieve. That's about all the action I impart to the bait - just shake the tip as you reel."

> "I don't make very many modifications to that Flippin jig. If anything I might trim the weed guard a little, but it's pretty good straight out of the box."

> "You never want to set the hook as soon as you feel the bite on a swim jig. I can't explain why, but you'll miss a lot of fish that way. I usually wait for the fish to turn and go down before I set the hook."

Notable

> Yelas is competing in the FLW Series event at the California Delta this weekend. "I feel pretty good about what I've found. It's going to be a tough tournament, though. I think 15 to 18 pounds a day will be a pretty good average."