How To Fish Swing Head Jigs For Summer Bass (Watts Bar Lake)
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ก.พ. 2025
- Swing Heads paired with creature baits and swimbaits are one of the most effective baits for BIG Summer bass. Today is Matt's first time on Watts Bar Lake and he's armed himself with swing heads in search of bass. Come along as he explores the lake, teaches the fine details of fishing swing heads for Smallmouth, Largemouth, and a surprising mix of other species in today's video.
The swing head gained a ton of popularity a few years ago when Tommy Biffle saw tournament success with the Biffle Head. In recent years the hype has died back and many anglers have forgotten this technique. While effective year round, our favorite time to throw it is post spawn into Summer. There is just something about it that draws a consistently larger bite than other baits. Its great for covering water, locating fish, and catching those key kicker fish that we're all searching for.
While it can be done with a variety of creature or swimbait trailers, all of our favorite options are hard kicking creatures. The two that really stand out are the Keitech Crazy Flapper and the Zoom Z Craw. Both baits have a great profile and a ton of action on the back of the swinging jig head. Below is a breakdown of all the baits and equipment Matt used in today's video. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.
The Heads...
-Dirty Jigs Pivot Point Football: bit.ly/2jOY1Ns
(1/2 oz 4/0 Hook and 3/4 oz 5/0 Hook)
-Swagger Tungsten Football Swing: bit.ly/2ZM9PIq
(3/8 and 1/2 oz with 3/0 Hook)
Today's Baits...
-Keitech Crazy Flapper 4.4: bit.ly/2c3cXrp
(Green Pumpkin Watermelon, Double Trouble, Electric Junebug)
-Zoom Z Craw Standard: bit.ly/2vW7Jo5
(Green Pumpkin, JuneBug, Tilapia)
Other Great Trailers...
-Strike King Rage Bug: bit.ly/2aAsuiV
-NetBait Paca Craw: bit.ly/2wlVAfh
-Keitech 4.3" Fat Swing Impact: bit.ly/2ab7s8v
-Xzone Swammer Swimbait: bit.ly/2PogV0q
Matt's Combo...
Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'5" Heavy: bit.ly/2cgmMAe
Reel- Shimano Curado 150 DC HG: bit.ly/2yHtsp4
Braid- Power Pro Maxcuatro 50 lb: bit.ly/2clBRiQ
Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 15 lb Mono: bit.ly/2ae97J9
Favorite Combo For Tungsten Swing Heads...
Rod- Megabass Orochi XX Extreme Mission Type F 7'5": bit.ly/2OSVNwH
Reel- Shimano Curado 150 DC HG: bit.ly/2yHtsp4
Line- Sunline Assassin 15 lb Fluorocarbon: bit.ly/2h4LNjm
Budget Combo For Swing Heads...
Rod- St. Croix Bass X 7'4" Heavy: bit.ly/2r0xWAs
Reel- Shimano SLX DC 150 HG: bit.ly/2LWzw2Q
Line- Sunline Assassin 15 lb Fluorocarbon: bit.ly/2h4LNjm
NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel...
TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: bit.ly/2TwBWs7
TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: bit.ly/2FVD9Rs
TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: bit.ly/2TvFMBD
TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: bit.ly/38cVi9G
_________________________________________________________________
What we wear...
Sun Mask: bit.ly/2JcA8xi
Sun Shirt w/ Hood: bit.ly/38cVi9G
Light Fishing Pants: bit.ly/2foDx10
_________________________________________________________________
Equipment We Recommend...
Minn Kota Ultrex Trolling Motor: bit.ly/2vFQypW
Humminbird Solix 15 Electronics: bit.ly/2Hazsej
Minn Kota Talons: bit.ly/2F0QBSP
Hot Foot Throttle Control: bit.ly/2ob4kgO
Loc-R-Bar Boat Security: bit.ly/2CMF1NP
Favorite Storage Box: bit.ly/2fvjcFB
Favorite Pliers: bit.ly/2tfxFvw
Favorite Split Ring Pliers: bit.ly/2fT4Qw0
Favorite Wire Cutters: bit.ly/2soB34k
Favorite life jacket: bit.ly/2odXXIP
Favorite sunglasses: bit.ly/2glE3eN
Hero8 Camera: bit.ly/37hVTX4
ElectroSamson Scale: bit.ly/2f7QgQ9
Frabill Net: bit.ly/2FNdnQr
Lure Retriever: bit.ly/2TLTJc6
________________________________________________________________
If you plan to do any shopping, using our links before doing your shopping at Tackle Warehouse is the single greatest way to support us! You won't be able to even see a difference but they'll know you're one of us!
#Summer #bassfishing #bassjig
I definitely appreciate you showing the spots on the mapping more often. This is something I've personally wanted to see more of. The bait demonstrations are great but seeing where, and why, you throw them is just as important. Keep up the great work guys.
Thanks for taking time to visit & fish the great state of Tennessee.
My favorite swing head jig trailer are 10" zoom ol'monster in June bug... Slays!
Watts Bar is my home lake great video wish i could have met you while you was there
I used some of the baits on the swing head jig and caught a 7 pound bass. I would not have caught it without your tips, your videos are really informative keep it up
Hey Matt, enjoy the video as always. Thanks for taking us along. Would love to see you come down here to Lanier one of these days or some magnum spots. LOL
Watts bar is just below my home body of water of Fort Loudoun Lake. Fish it quite often. Enjoy seeing you drop in on water I fish and do something a little different than I do. Going to have to give this a shot this next trip out. Keep the vids coming. Love the trips across the country vudeos
Where have you been all my life Matt? I learn so much watching your videos. I wish I were a kid again gaining all of this fishing knowledge from you.
Love the video caught my second largest fish over weekend on the nose hooked fluke with finesse setup and like you said it hooked right in the roof of the mouth!
Not only like the technique info, but especially appreciate the strategy insights. Thanks!
Can you please do another video on watts bar on how to catch them in the middle of summer been subbed along time thanks!
Glad to see you came up and caught fish. Always enjoy your videos and look forward to the next one.
Awesome!! Will definitely try this out in Korea!! This channel has definitely helped land more fish and show more techniques to anglers out here!
Stoney Lonsome Fishing out here is decent. Definitely smaller out here but still fun. Haha
Always wanted to learn about these.
Thanks for another great video!
Great video! So much information on this channel head an shoulders above everyone else!
Again, always relevant and great information.
I go to school in knox so I’m lovin these east TN videos. Great work
Love the swing head, always catch fish on the Bar with it.
Thanks Matt. Looks like fun. I’ve had good success with the SK structure bug on a swinghead jig.
I live in Tennessee and fish these spots from the last 3 videos, not exact one but areas. I wish so badly that I could have met you guys. I'm a huge fan and basically a student of your techniques. It is amazing I can watch your videos and go out and apply them, and they are helping me become a better angler. Hope to meet you guys one day. Maybe, you could do a contest for a chance to fish with you. Keep the knowledge coming. Thanks Matt!!!!!
Any idea which ramp he launched from
Gave the swing head its first try on a local lake with deep water and alot of offshore ledges. Got 2 5 lbers using your tips. Never had much luck offshore, had alot of fun trying this
Im so impressed with your awesome video and catches Mijo!! Thank you and God bless you with many more videos!!
"Come on back..." 2 cranks later, boom! "Got him". Amazing how Matt can call a fish back.
Literally just tried swingheads this weekend and slayed em! Such a fun bite!
It is a beautiful setup I enjoy fishing with it I I won't never stop fishing with it thank you I really do thank you I am catching so much fish now more than I ever had thank you so much
Fish calling skills are second to none.. Lol "Come on back come on" wam Got him...
A Man Bear Pig on a rugby swing head is always tied on this time of year!! Sweet video
Myself, Brother-in-law and son make those heads. Totally awesome baits.
I put a hurting on em this weekend with a swing head. Googan bandito bug on Gene larew swing head. Ding Ding
Stoney Lonsome possibly if you have a boat go for deep deep offshore structure. The temps might not get as High down there
Stoney Lonsome or fish night
The Dstyle truster is my favorite for a swing head. It's a little smaller (3.8") works great for smallies and heavy pressured fish.
Cool video! Thanks for the techniques and tips!
man you make fishing way more complicated than i have an understanding . watts bar is my home lake and i just go fishing. im sure these local tournament anglers get it ,but its just info overload for me . i can appreciate the effort tho.
You guys know ur stuff ,learning alot from ya.
Awesome vid Matt! Great info and knowledge, gotta get on a swing head bite now...
You and Tim could do well in Tournaments I think... Yall catch good fish everywhere you go and that is amazing!!!
I absolutely love a swing head, my go to bait when the conditions and where I'm fishing are ideal for it. The z craw is my first choice, also a rage bug and rage menace but for smallmouth I almost only throw the Gene Larew hammer craw. Very small compact bait.
Keep following the Tennessee River north if you have time and check out Ft. Loudoun, Douglas, and Cherokee lakes. All are awesome fisheries. Great video!
Nice. Right on. Thank you for sharing...
Have fished watts bar my whole life. It’s an amazing fishery. The best part is you never know what you may catch. Tons of different species in that lake and big numbers!
Have u gone to the cliffs
Yep,Watts Bar has some hook benders!Believe me,I learned the hard way!👍Strong fish!Have to be able to turn them to keep them out of cover sometimes!
Thanks for the video. Would like to see some video of centerhill and Tim's ford lakes while your in Tennessee. Both great Lakes plus could use the advice lol
I absolutely love swinging football heads! My PB 6.28 lb smallmouth came on a 3/4 oz bass patrol deflection jig with a watermelon candy baby brush hog!
Great video I will have to try on my lakes in Michigan
I usually fish in the same way, except with a Tokyo rig. My lake gets really slimy on the bottom so the Tokyo helps keep the bait clear of vegetation.
Welcome to Tennessee! Where you can catch almost all species on any technique 🤜
I watch this channel and feel my wallet getting lighter as I place another order online LMAO
As usual great video.
Great vid as always. Thanks
That’s my home lake. It has a numerous amount of 10 pounders. And triple digit catfish. Melton hill lake has Muskie if you’re interested in that. Or the clinch river below Melton hill dam. Muskie, smallmouth, largemouth, and striper. Good luck fellas
Caught my biggest fish on a 3/8oz swing head using rage tail space monkey. I tend to do really well in the summer with space monkeys in June bug color. great video
Fishing my home lake man that awesome!!
David Newport me too glad he’s here
Come to Carter's lake in Ellijay GA....its a phenomenal spot fishery....but very tough at times!! Challenge thrown out there...hopefully y'all will accept....dont think it'll disappoint
Matt if you come through or near Indiana I would love to take you out to a local reservoir loaded with 3-5 pound fish. Lots of creek channel swings near main lake points and chunk rock veins offshore. Thanks for all the awesome videos you and Tim do.
great video it was really entertaining
If you're still in TN come a little west to Mitchell Creek on Dale Hollow.
Come on over to NC.
I’ve never seen a drum caught in the same waters as a bass! You just blew my mind, next I expected a redfish.
I am local on Watts bar, drum and catfish will hit frequently here when fishing for bass
You must not fish much lol.
@@samgaither793 Wow that's a pretty ignorant thing to say dude. I fish constantly but I come from a state called Florida and here you don't find drum and smallmouth together, don't even have smallmouth. But we excel at giant largemouth bass.
Please come up to Tellico Lake (the next lake up river). We would love to see you catch some fish on this lake where we live. I need all the help I can get and you are definitely the master of fishing. There are two public boat ramps in Tellico Village. See you there.
You should def come check out our Santee Cooper Lakes in your cross country tour!!!
🙏🙏Awesome video Matt,I’m still praying the team will come to Rhode/Massachusetts area for a meet and greet 🙏🙏🙏
Matt are you coming to the Hartwell area? Im in upstate SC. Would love for you to do a video on out blue back lakes!
Perfect timing. I just started picking these up. What do you think about buying the free swinging weights and attaching them to your favorite EWG? It’s a less expensive option, since I already have tons of hooks, but I don’t know how solid the hook-to-weight connect would be. Thoughts?
Would that work for river fishing for smallmouths post spawn?
You guys are in my part of the country. Stop in Louisville when you head north. Would like to meet you guys. I’ll buy lunch/dinner..
Hi guys, love the videos! I learn a lot from you and always try to put it in practice and I've caught more fish! I just started to venture into using braid to a leader like you guys do, using the same connection knot, but I have lost many fish on the hookset at the connection knot. On this video I noticed that it sounds like the drag slips a little bit on your hooksets, my question is, do you back the drag a little? or what is the happy medium on hookset strength and drag? Any tips in this would help me a lot and possibly many other people watching your videos! Keep the great work on the instructional videos and tight lines!
Man I knew you were throwing a DC reel. I could here the supercharger inside the reel when you threw it and that catfish would have went home with me!
Awesome video
Watts Bar is roughly an hour from where I live. Love fishing that lake.
Great video if you get a chance you should try cedar creek lake in Kentucky it’s known for some big bass
I agree on that very big bass
Hi Matt what about using Tungsten Football Swing Jig Heads vs Lead heads? Some say you get a better feel of the bottom with a Tungsten head.
Hey! Glad you’re in my neighborhood! Show me how to fish the Tennessee River in the gorge area! That’s where I live!
Same
I don't know if you have, but try coming to Pineflat Lake, I don't know if we still do, but it had the record for spotted bass at one time.
Thanx Matt.........
I fish that region a lot, primarily Nickajack. The spawn has been severely delayed due to the weather. I was still catching spawning spotted bass 2 weeks ago.
I thought you were gonna say due to the corona
When you're coming through Arkansas, fish Bull Shoals where it's 35ft above normal pool!
I got the 2 pack of strike king tungsten, am I good w popping them on 4/0 superline gamys I already have?
I caught a lot of fish this weekend at Castaic Lake.
So
Coach my 7 year old wrote that ... sorry it annoyed you.
I was just kidding, trying to get a laugh. The world we live in is so hectic right now. I hope you guys enjoy great fishing and fun on the water.
Hey guys I would like to see a video about tidal river fishing. There are very little videos about how to follow fish when the tides change.
Can we get a mashup video of all of Matt’s beaver style bait imitations?
Do you ever find yourself on a trip like this one, needing a smaller bait for instance. Running up to local marinas to grab a bag of smaller plastic to check your theory. Or will you just keep on keepin on with what you have?
Great Vid got my like👍🏼. All said you chose to bring the big baits (around16:50) you said I could've brought the smaller or medium and got more bites. My question is to Master Matt you're the best bait modifier I've seen. Why didn't you trim/ cut down your baits to get those extra bites you wanted? Just asking. 👍🏼👍🏼❤❤🎣🎣👍🏼👍🏼
Thanks for sharing
Was wondering what a ledge looked like on a graph. U just pointed and said casting up on the ledge on the graph and boom, i know what it looks like. TB is awesome
You said you guys where going to Michigan. I’m headed that way the week of the 4th . Take me fishing.....
Hey guy's I just wanted to say how grateful I am for your video content. I've been a creek and pond fisherman all of my life. A two man pirogue with a trolling motor was all I ever needed. You know, just fishing banks. I've always dreamed about learning how/being able to fish deep. I just bought my first lake boat(because of your video's I've outfitted it correctly the first try. TY). What lakes do you choose on your summer trips and why? Now that I have a true lake boat. I might be able to travel like you. Ha! In your opinion. What lakes are worth a 300 mile trip? Please break it down by season. Thanks Jim
Break it down like you do fishing tackle. Dream/Vacation lakes by season and how you would fish them. If we could be you...?
You should try bay springs lake in Mississippi
It is very inconsistent and the fish change daily but there are some giants
Love Watts bar lake
In case yall read this now that you live in Tennessee know this the drum in the Tennessee river are absolutely stout and they will bite your jig. I love fishing the Tennessee river system and its lakes, and i think yall will too.
How did you locate the first place you fished? Why did you stop there? What do you see on the graph that’s made you stop. This is always my problem. Thx
I tried getting my friend on a Smallmouth this weekend. A few times reeling in fast to recast they where coming up and trying to smash it. Finally I had one hit me at the float tube so close and hard he literally almost jumped in with me. His tail kick to get away splashed me at 100mph. My instinct immediately let drag off so he could run with it haha. Awesome day.
And I also cought a catfish on 4" lizard off a down tree in the rocks. I was like yup this is a big smallie head shakes for days. Nope wait it's a good catfish lol. Always happy to get a bite.
Niiiice fish!!!! 👏👏👏
Do u ever fish large worms on the swing head? And if so do u find it works better at times than creature baits or the same
Do you like the structure swing head as well?. depends on cover/structure?
When's the best option for the football as opposed to structure style?
thanks man
Are you guys coming to the Carolinas?
Hey guys completely off topic but.. did you new plano jig box melt the bands on your dirty jigs?
Hey Tactical Bassin' you know what's good for crushing summertime bass.....
The ManBearPig....
Just caught my PB on just a simple 3/0 EWG Hook with a Texas Rig ManBearPig and an unpegged 1/8 oz bullet weight fishing off the bank.
can you put trick worms . and is a light feel bite or do they slam it
Matt are you all coming to lake Cumberland? I would love to meet you or fish with you that would be awesome
Is this something you can use in a weedy area?
So if you miss one would you not want to kill it and see if they will come back especially if it’s a craw type bait??
Matt are you randomly speeding up your retreive or when you impact structure are you speeding up that one turn on the reel hanndle?