The OG Swimmer is best when predators are keyed on larger forage such as herring, pogies, mackerel, squid, or juvenile tautog. It shines in spring and fall bait runs when striped bass stage along rocky shorelines, boulder pockets, and reef faces. In southern waters, it is equally effective along estuary edges and inlet drop-offs where tarpon and snook ambush bait in the current.

Like all of our plugs designed for high-percentage catch-and-release species such as striped bass, snook, and tarpon, Hogy “Hook One” rigging uses a single belly treble positioned slightly aft for improved hookups, paired with a rear bucktail flag for balance and swimming action. This rigging reduces release mortality from 9% to 2.9% while maintaining strong landing ratios on larger fish.

Choose the OG Swimmer when you want a fat-bodied profile to match bigger forage. Unlike the skinny SP swimmer that excels for sand eels or slim bait, the OG’s wide shoulders and slow-roll action target larger predators feeding on bunker, mackerel, or squid. It holds steady over rocky structure and shoal crests where presence and visibility matter.

Yes. The OG Swimmer is balanced for the Hook One system with a single belly hook and a rear bucktail flag. Some anglers, especially when targeting bluefish, will remove the belly treble and replace the flag with a single inline J-hook. Inline hooks are easy to rig and keep the lure balanced without extra hardware.

The OG Swimmer pairs well with a 7' medium-heavy surf or inshore spinning rod matched with a 4000–6000 class reel. This setup provides enough backbone for long casts yet maintains control around rocky terrain. Capt. Mike fishes his on a 7' MH “daily driver” outfit for maximum versatility.

Als always, our color patters are intended to catch fish not fishermen!! The OG Swimmer is available in a focused set of proven forage-matching colors. Olive or translucent white are strong choices around pogies or herring, while amber shines in squid scenarios, especially in rips or
reef faces. Translucent black creates a strong silhouette in low light or turbid water. These options cover the most common forage and conditions encountered inshore.

Low Light or Overcast Skies → Bass feeding tight to structure → The OG Swimmer holds high in the column, staying visible and steady over shallow rocks.

Calm to Moderate Seas → Fish inspecting large forage near surface → Subtle slow-roll wobble imitates injured bait without blowing out.

Spring and Fall Bait Runs → Big forage pushing inshore → Wide-bodied swimmer matches herring, pogies, and mackerel staging near structure.

Large Forage in the Mix (pogy, squid, juvenile tog) → Striped bass and blues keying on big bait → Fat-bodied profile and rolling action trigger commitment.

Gulls Picking Over Boulder Fields → Subsurface bait schools hugging rocks → OG Swimmer runs shallow without snagging, covering ambush lanes.

Swirls and Shadow Follows in Clear Water → Reluctant fish not breaking surface → Slow-roll retrieve with pauses converts trailing fish.

Boulder Fields and Rocky Shorelines → Ambush predators staging in cracks and eddies → Shallow track lets you fan cast lanes without snagging.

Reef Faces and Shoal Crests → Predators holding just below the turbulence → Plug maintains depth control while rolling through the strike zone.

Estuary Edges and Inlet Drop-Offs → Snook and tarpon lying in current seams → Controlled shallow swim matches larger baitfish in flowing water.

Slow Roll Retrieve: Rod tip low, steady reel at slow to medium pace. Plug maintains a rolling wobble that mimics wounded forage.

Pause-and-Rise: Insert occasional pauses during retrieve, allowing lure to float slightly upward before resuming. Triggers followers in clear water.

Fan Casting Across Structure: Cast across boulder fields or rip edges, working slow and steady to cover water while keeping the lure above snags.

Current Swing: Position cross-current, let the plug swing naturally along a seam or drop-off, then tighten with a slow roll as it sweeps the strike zone.