Blackfish jigs

[Bobbym]

I have a banana jig mold and the recommended hooks have fairly long thanks what hooks would be good for blackish most of the jigs I see have a shorter shank hook

 

[Leprechaun]

Can't help with this one, as I buy my tog jigs pre-made from HTLureco.

Anyone else have some input for Bobbym?

 

[Snapprhead27]

I bought mine from here. It tells you the type of hook he uses.

https://charliesbucktails.com/shop/ols/products/tog-jig

 

[CaptFP]

I'm guessing you have the Do-It mold that uses the 90 degree Eagle Claw jig hook. Try the Mustad 32833NP-BN 2X 4/0 hooks. Get a few small packs in a couple of sizes 2/0- 4/0. I have the sparkie mold that uses a 60 degree hook and Mustad makes a 2x hook that fits.

 

[Bobbym]

Thank you

 

[Togilator]

I like a 2X 4/0 but can’t tell you the model.Only time I use a bigger 5/0 is in Maryland trying to fish a bigger medium size white crab and trying to grab a XL tog on the jig.Short shank hooks have less chance of bending but your generally not using extreme drag pressure with a spinning set up and jig.I Also prefer a jig with out a collar but fish with and with out collars.

I do like the longer shanks when fishing for numbers as it allows you to put 2 pieces of crab on the hook so the have something to come back for when you miss that first time.This has worked well for me when trying to put fish on the boat.Anyway just trying to give you some info.Wish I new model numbers but I buy all my jigs from Backwater baits,Magic tail jigs or lead pot.Hope this helps a little with your decision.

 

[george]

I like a 2X 4/0 but can’t tell you the model.Only time I use a bigger 5/0 is in Maryland trying to fish a bigger medium size white crab and trying to grab a XL tog on the jig.Short shank hooks have less chance of bending but your generally not using extreme drag pressure with a spinning set up and jig.I Also prefer a jig with out a collar but fish with and with out collars.

I do like the longer shanks when fishing for numbers as it allows you to put 2 pieces of crab on the hook so the have something to come back for when you miss that first time.This has worked well for me when trying to put fish on the boat.Anyway just trying to give you some info.Wish I new model numbers but I buy all my jigs from Backwater baits,Magic tail jigs or lead pot.Hope this helps a little with your decision.

Thanks for the advice. Personally, I have caught some fish with jigs, and I don't doubt that it's an effective method. But for some reason, I have little confidence when to set the hook and I've missed a lot of fish with them. In the meantime, the guy right next to me is mohawking them with jigs.

I have the same issue fluking conventional. The feel I get using a spinner and the control I have over the rod is much clearer to me. Last week I tried out a new grappler with a corado baitcaster while fluking and I missed many fish.

Maybe your suggestions will help me this year when tog season gets here and I appreciate your input.

 

[Bobbym]

Thanks aqain

 

[Whaler13]

Leprechaun, which jig have you been using from HTLure? The Rock jig or the Banana jig? Ordered a bunch of the Rock jigs this year. Making the switch from the Bean style

 

[Leprechaun]

The Rock Jig. Call up there to Clint at the number on the site (its his cell) and confirm that he has switched the entire lineup to 4/0 hooks. His last batch to me did have the 4/0s (not the 2/0s as shown on the website). Should be good to go. They work real well, by the way.

 

[Chinacat]

Stupid question....
Are blackfish jigs primarily for use with spinning gear or are they effective as well using a conventional reel set up?
Thanks

 

[Leprechaun]

Sure you can use tog jigs with a baitcasting setup, Why not?

Its true that it seems "all the cool guys" are now using spinning rigs. But my first season "jigging" blackfish was done with a Daiwa Ryoga/Pluton 200 baitcasting reel on a Daiwa Proteus SS H-power. Worked fine. Better than fine, actually. Lots of fat tog made their way to my dining room table that Fall, after meeting up with THAT outfit, for sure.

The reason for the spinning setup preference, in my opinion, is that the jig will "free fall" to the bottom much more quickly with the spinning gear. No revolving spool inertia and level-wind friction to overcome - this can become important if you're fishing in any sort of tide. However, both of these issues can be overcome (mostly) by using a very free-spinning baitcasting reel - preferably one with a disengaging levelwind pawl.

If I were of a mind to once again take the above-mentioned baitcasting setup jigging, the night before I would pull the two spool bearings out of the reel, flush them with automotive brake cleaner (outdoor use only!) air dry them (that takes like 60 seconds) and then give each of those bearings a single drop of a very lightweight oil - like TSI 321. The whole operation takes under 5 minutes - if I have a hand tied behind my back, that is.

But I don't use that setup any longer, having made a significant monetary and skill-level committment to fairly high-end spinning for my tog jigging adventures.

Baaaah. Baaaah. I can be as big a sheep as anyone else.

Here's my very first jig-caught tog. A fat 6lb-er, taken on Capt. Mike's boat, fishing in 15' of water. Note the setup in my left hand. . . that poor toggie never had a chance.

 

[Leprechaun]

You know, now that we're on the subject of tog jigs, I want to pass this along - I was in Trophy Tackle last Sat and saw that John is carrying the Magic Tails tog jigs. These are built with a MUCH more substantial hook than my friend Clint/HTLureco uses. All the 1oz and up MTs I saw had a 4/0 2X in them.

Particularly in the 1oz and under sizes (Clint uses a thin 1X 2/0 hook on these), I think the MT jigs are the way to go. I do believe that a full 4/0 2X hook will never, ever bend under a big fish's runs. I dunno if I can say the same for Clint's 2/0-equipped versions. Clint/HTL does use a 4/0 once you get to his 1.5oz, but it isn't a 2X strength version - so be guided accordingly.

I tried talking to him a couple of times about this hook size/strength situation, but, well, anyway, John sells the MTs 1.5oz and under for $9.99/3-pack - and had a full array of colors to choose from. Not a bad deal at all . . .

 

[Chinacat]

Thanks Pete!
As always, I appreciate your input and expertise!!
Based on that I will have myself prepared with a spinning or bait casting set-up as opposed to using a one of my tekota reels. I'll stick to the tekota's when fishing the deeper drops.
I hope to be standing in that same spot holding a similar fish very soon

 

[Chinacat]

Mike and Nader speak pretty highly of Tidal Tails

 

[Leprechaun]

Now that I looked, I do have some of those TTs that a buddy picked up for me from that Fisherman's Depot shop, up in College Point. Perfectly fine pieces.

 

[Leprechaun]

Yeah, I would pass on the Tekota for jigging. The spool is massively heavy in those reels. Much better for using with sinkered "regular" blackfish rigs.

 

[Chinacat]

Yeah, I would pass on the Tekota for jigging. The spool is massively heavy in those reels. Much better for using with sinkered "regular" blackfish rigs.

I did pick up one of the remodeled tekota A's which is much more compact and lighter than the original tekotas.
I'm pretty happy with that so far....

 

[Leprechaun]

It still ain't no baitcaster. But by all means give it a try.

But be sure sure to bring along a lighter baitcast or spinning outfit . . .

 

[Chinacat]

It still ain't no baitcaster. But by all means give it a try.

But be sure sure to bring along a lighter baitcast or spinning outfit . . .

I hear you LOUD & CLEAR!!!!
Thanks