School Me On Blackfish Jigs

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Well-Known Angler
Tried them last year, & really didn't see any increase in the hook ups. Do you really get more bites using the jigs? The only advantage I saw was the ability to use lighter tackle, if you are lucky enough to get that 10 pounder to bite, what are the chances of bringing that fish to net with light tackle? Is that 10 pounder more likely to pounce on a crab & jig? I guess I just have a hard time breaking old habits, especially when fishing for Mr blackfish.
John
 
They have their time and place.....shallow water......get a 10lber in shallow water and it's like you roped a wild horse, and yes you can get em to net. The fish doesn't care about the jig...it's the weight (resistance) or lack of and the lighter lines that entices the strikes. IMHO
 
MTB's comments are spot on. I also agree it is the lower resistance the Tog feels when picking up a light jig and crab as compared to a traditional rig with up to 12 oz. of lead attached that makes the difference. The jig is nothing more than a super light delivery system for getting the crab bait in front of a Tog in shallow water.

On the lightest stages of the tides in my area (eastern LI Sound) I can use a 1.5oz. jig in depths up to about 40'.
As far as landing really large Tog on the spinning gear, there is no doubt it can be done. Last season I personally took an 11.5# brute on a spinning set up (see photo below) plus my customers and those on many other charter boats often do best DD Tog on the spinning gear in the shallows.

To be sure, landing a DD Tog on any gear, spinning or heavy conventional tackle, requires both skill and a little bit of luck, If that freight train of a Tog decides he is heading for the stickiest piece of bottom around almost nothing will stop him!


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I have very little to add to this discussion, as I've only started with this technique last season.

I would say that so far, by direct observation, I've noticed that the jigs that have a flat bottom, versus the "Lima Bean" type, received a far greater amount of hits. I postulate that this is because the flat bottom jigs hold the crab in a more upright position. Could be wrong though, as I'm far from a tog jigging expert.
 
My spinning outfit for Tog is a medium weight 6.5' vintage Lamiglas rod with a Diawa Stradic 3000 C4 spinner loaded with 20# braid. Naturally my leader to the jig is 60# mono for abrasion resistance. I know lots of guys go as light as 10# braid but I think that is just a little too challenging, unless you are going for an IGFA record!

On the jig shapes, personally I only started doing this 3 years ago and bought a bunch of flat 1.5 oz. green/orange painted jigs for a very low price. The 11.5# in the photo was taken on one of those jigs. Oddly enough, except for the occasional break off due to a large fish , this jig shape rarely gets snagged permanently in the rocks. I think it's slim profile lets it slide through the obstructions.

I also have observed those on my boat using the flat style may get a slightly higher percentage of hits, perhaps due to presentation as Lep has suggested. This season I have a bunch of new style, shape, and color jigs and I will attempt to see if any one style has a decided edge.
 
My Black fish rig is almost identical to my hi-low Blue fish rig... The jig on the bottom and about a foot and a half above it a twisted drop loop with a number one circle octopus hook...The jig is an ounce with a number one hook.. I will usually pre tie a dozen rigs so I'm prepared for rigs getting snagged on the bottom
 
sytheteacher said:
My Black fish rig is almost identical to my hi-low Blue fish rig... The jig on the bottom and about a foot and a half above it a twisted drop loop with a number one circle octopus hook...The jig is an ounce with a number one hook.. I will usually pre tie a dozen rigs so I'm prepared for rigs getting snagged on the bottom
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Never seen anyone fish a blackfish jig with a teaser. Interesting.
 
Basically its not a teaser, it's a second hook that I add a half piece of crab to and the other have of crab to the jig...Again I use the cheapest jigs I can purchase because of the number of rigs that I lose...
 
MY setup consists of Penn ssv3500 with 20lb Daiwa x-4and a Star Stellar SG816ISM. I pour my own Do-It sparkie jigs with 3/0 Mustad 2x Ultrapoint jig hooks. Usually fish them unpainted but have hit them with green and orange spray paint. Nothing fancy needed they don't last long and cheaper than the big name jigs.
 
I think there’s a learning curve with jigs. The beauty of the jig is it lets a big blackfish swoop in and “walk away” with the bait with no heavy sinker in play offering resistance. It takes a lot of patience to wait out the small taps and hits and wait for your jig to either get that sharp thump or, often, to start swimming away.
 
sytheteacher said:
Basically its not a teaser, it's a second hook that I add a half piece of crab to and the other have of crab to the jig...Again I use the cheapest jigs I can purchase because of the number of rigs that I lose...
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I've got to wonder if your high number of lost rigs could have something to do with the second hook increasing the potential for hanging into structure? Just a thought,
 
i use the bottomsweeper jigs. Insomniac Outdoors Bottom Sweeper Jigs 1/2 oz

I love these. I use 15lb braid and 30# fluoro leader, tied directly (no swivel and no clip). A 3000 size reel with about 5lbs of drag set. Only keepers can get any drag out, and only big ones can actually make a good run. if non-keepers are pulling drag, your drag is set too light.

I can use 1 oz up to about 25 feet. 3/4 oz in less than 15 feet works just fine.
 
UNCFISH said:
i use the bottomsweeper jigs. Insomniac Outdoors Bottom Sweeper Jigs 1/2 oz

I love these. I use 15lb braid and 30# fluoro leader, tied directly (no swivel and no clip). A 3000 size reel with about 5lbs of drag set. Only keepers can get any drag out, and only big ones can actually make a good run. if non-keepers are pulling drag, your drag is set too light.

I can use 1 oz up to about 25 feet. 3/4 oz in less than 15 feet works just fine.
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I'm also no sharpie when it comes to blackfish jigs, but I do like a little bit longer shank where it comes out of the leadhead than the bottom sweeper gives you. I also like a hook with a wider throat, I find it hooks the crab better. For myself 5 #'s of drag just won't cut it unless your constantly palming the spool to slow down those guys digging for the bottom. Everyones got their own styles and preferences, its interesting to read about different approaches and gear all associated with jigging Tog.
 
NoFlukenName said:
I think there’s a learning curve with jigs. The beauty of the jig is it lets a big blackfish swoop in and “walk away” with the bait with no heavy sinker in play offering resistance. It takes a lot of patience to wait out the small taps and hits and wait for your jig to either get that sharp thump or, often, to start swimming away.
Click to expand...
There is a big learning curve. On the take it almost feels like a fluke laying in the jig I’m not a big fan like others but it’s another tool in the tog arsenal aka a reason for a couple more custom rods and $$$ reels. Lol. It does have limits though. That’s why you fish it shallow (my max 40’) and slow or slack tide. It gets the bite when they aren’t aggressive.

Wish I was out there today. Darn day job. Weekend was a tough one with the 2’ sea and swinging in the wind. Still managed dozen keepers to 6lb and s*** ton of shorts.
 
Just picked up a bunch of 1-3 oz Tog Jigs from CharliesBucktails...cant hurt to try em. Plus they are running a promo today till 10/16 for 20% off.
 
Try a sliding egg sinker rig....works fine with a bit of slackline. They pick up the crab, dont feel the sinker, line start to straighten out and set the hook.
 
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