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What is more fun than making your own baits?
Answer π making baits that look exactly like something a fish eats!
Two years ago I caught this gorgeous pumpkinseed sunfish while fishing a local creek.

Ever since then, I’ve had a burning desire to color match a jig to that pumpkinseed.
This process has taken a couple years and several design iterations… but I’ve finally nailed down what I think is the best pumpkinseed swim jig pattern you can find anywhere.
Want to see how I built this jig? Then check out the video below π.
Pumpkinseed Swim Jigs Recipe
π Poison Tail Jig Mold by Do It Molds
Another appearance here from one of my favorite jig molds – the ever versatile Poison Tail Jig!
π Nova Stone Chameleon Mossy Craw Powder Paint
There are powder paints and then there are powder paints. This powder from Barlow’s Tackle is hands down the best I have ever worked with. It’s super fine, coats jig heads easily, and the colors are drop dead gorgeous!
π Red 3D Eyes 1/8″
Using red eyes here to give this mini swim jig a pop of color.
Swim Jig Skirt
π Nature’s Edge Watermelon Silicone (1/2 tab)
Watermelon silicone strands form the outermost layer on the top of the skirt. This color offers a subdued balance to the bright oranges and blues that also get tied in.
π Pumpkinseed Perch Striped Silicone (1 tab)
This pumpkinseed perch silicone was tailor made for pumpkinseed jig patterns – absolutely love the pops of orange and blue it contains!
π Pumpkin Orange Silicone (1/2 tab)
Last but not least, I use this pumpkin orange silicone to give the pumpkinseed swim jig pattern a vibrant orange belly.
Remaining Components
π VMC 7150BN 1/0 Spinnerbait Hook
This VMC spinnerbait hook is a tried and true gem in my bait making arsenal. Great for spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, chatterbaits, and swim jigs, this hook comes with the high quality and reasonable price we’ve come to expect from VMC. Give this hook a shot, you won’t be disappointed.
π Black FG-12 Weedguard
Nothing fancy here – just your basic, light fiber weedguard to keep the jig from easily snagging around cover.
π Connector Link Size 1
Use one of these connector links and bend it to the right shape and size for the eye of the jig. This makes it possible to use whatever spinnerbait hook or worm hook you like for these swim jigs.
Enjoy this article? Then check out some of my other luremaking articles below! π
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