Jigs For Seabass?

[Chinacat]

So The past few years on my boat we've done really good with Sea Bass on the local reef. When targeting them specifically we pretty much use a double dropper loop rig with bank sinker at the bottom with clams. When targeting fluke in the same area we can't escape them and get plenty as by-catch. The cost of clams adds up but produces easy limits of good sized fish. Next season I want to get better using jigs. I anticipate losing quite a few on snags so I'm not looking to spend money on higher end fancy jigs that will end up costing more than clams.

Should I try just standard diamond jigs, hammered, or what? Those of you that fish jigs are you tipping them with gulp, clams, squid or just using them straight up?

Any suggestions are much appreciated.
Thanks

 

[live bait]

ESLures Started to use these last year, & they worked really good. Mostly light spinning tackle, as they only make two sizes & the largest is 1.6oz. Used them straight up.
John

 

[CaptFP]

I use either hammered gold or smooth chrome diamond jjgs with a 4" pink grub about 18"above the jig. No bait or gulp the jig.

 

[chunkster]

Any suggestions are much appreciated.

Spring and Neap tide. What depths are you fishing in?

I anticipate losing quite a few on snags so I'm not looking to spend money on higher end fancy jigs that will end up costing more than clams.

When fluke fishing you're saying that you catch sea bass as by catch. You're obviously drifting.
Possibly anchoring and fishing the bow will decrease the odds of getting you hung up.

 

[Flukinit]

I as well as several guys i know use as small as a diamond jig you can get down. Go real light with a spinner outfit 10lb braid to give you as little resistance as possible through the water column and have fun.

 

[Chinacat]

I as well as several guys i know use as small as a diamond jig you can get down. Go real light with a spinner outfit 10lb braid to give you as little resistance as possible through the water column and have fun.

Let's make it a plan to try that out together when the season opens??

 

[BennyV]

007 works great.

 

[live bait]

I have found that when using the jigs for sea bass, bigger fish, & less shorts.
John

 

[captmike28]

Hi Mitch,
Solid advice from the other anglers posting. I too employ a plain or hammered style diamond jig, 4 0z. or less depending upon the current/drift speed where I am fishing. As noted above, no bait of Gulp on the jig but a teaser hook with Gulp about 6" above the jig.

Also, as John noted, it will improve the quality of the fish you take as compared with most baits. Having said that, I do have a few "secret baits" I use from time to time that will match the jig. Be sure to ask me about it next time you are on my boat!

Need proof of the diamond jig's deadliness on big knot heads? Here's a shot of my friend Paul who nailed this beautiful 5# fish off Montauk on a plain silver diamond.

 

[Chinacat]

Hi Mitch,
Solid advice from the other anglers posting. I too employ a plain or hammered style diamond jig, 4 0z. or less depending upon the current/drift speed where I am fishing. As noted above, no bait of Gulp on the jig but a teaser hook with Gulp about 6" above the jig.

Also, as John noted, it will improve the quality of the fish you take as compared with most baits. Having said that, I do have a few "secret baits" I use from time to time that will match the jig. Be sure to ask me about it next time you are on my boat!

Need proof of the diamond jig's deadliness on big knot heads? Here's a shot of my friend Paul who nailed this beautiful 5# fish off Montauk on a plain silver diamond.

View attachment 28981

WOW
Beautiful fish Mike. Looks like an awesome day as well.
If that doesn't convince me to start fishing jigs, nothing will ??
And I absolutely can't wait to be out with you on your boat again
Happy New Year

 

[Tigashrk]

Tie a green and white tease 8” above it. Thank me later.

 

[Chinacat]

So what exactly is that and where can I get it to try out?

 

[Snapprhead27]

I'll definitely have to try jigging for sea bass next year. Never did it, always used clams.

 

[Tigashrk]

So what exactly is that and where can I get it to try out?

Shimano lucanus flat fall jig. Very easy to use, drop it to the bottom and very slowly reel up 10 turns then drop back down and repeat. I like diamond jiggs too but some days that jig is on fire and out produces. Give a shot.

 

[Snapprhead27]

They have 2 kits on sale:
60gms,80gms,100gms Shimano Lucanus Inshore Seabass Kit
100gms,150gms,180gms Shimano Lucanus Ultimate Seabass Kit

 

[Chinacat]

Shimano lucanus flat fall jig. Very easy to use, drop it to the bottom and very slowly reel up 10 turns then drop back down and repeat. I like diamond jiggs too but some days that jig is on fire and out produces. Give a shot.

Thanks!
I'll give them a shot

 

[Snapprhead27]

Thinking of buying the kits. I mean.... Why not?!?! ??

 

[Leprechaun]

You can find lots of imitation Lucanus jigs on Ebay and AliExpress. Work exactly the same at a much lower cost.

 

[chunkster]

How about something like Spro? They make a wide variety
of colors and weight sizes. I'm really favoring the traditional
style jig head that Spro offers, very affordable and I see the
eye placement and the type of jigging that's going to be done
will work well for sea-bass. In my opinion. For my liking.

 

[Chinacat]

You can find lots of imitation Lucanus jigs on Ebay and AliExpress. Work exactly the same at a much lower cost.

Yes!
The main purpose of my wanting to use jigs more was to save $$$ on bait/clams. The pieces I fish are no doubt going to steal jigs so balancing cost vs effectiveness is a definite factor