Rigging blackfish jigs - seeking suggestions

[Sc42]

Getting prepared for a couple of trips with a great boat/captain in Greenport. I was hoping to get some insight into how others set up line, leader and blackfish jigs. I ask because I’m interested in learning if I could do something differently to allow quicker or easier jig changes. I’d want to change if I need to go heavier (or lighter), or after losing the jig in a snag.

What I currently have is 20# braid on my spinning setup. I pre tie 3’ of 30# Seaguar flourocarbon to my jigs with a palomar, and tie on a swivel to the other end, also with a palomar. Once I’ve decided on a jig weight to try, I’ll tie the swivel to my braid with a palomar once again. When it’s time to change jigs, I’ll cut the braid just ahead of the swivel and put on a completely new rig. It’s not too much trouble, but cold hands and a rocking boat sometimes makes it take too much time to get back on the bottom. I feel there may be a better way. Thoughts?

 

[longcast]

Too much time with that. Plus if very cold, who wants to keep using their fingers to make knots.

Palomar knot in braid to swivel. 40-50 flouro, 3 feet, tie a loop in end of mono, big enough to change jigs - just like fluke fishing changing a jig or even a sinker. That's it. Never a problem. I know bass are a different fish, but had many approaching 30 lbs on jigs and I lean on them with the same setup, and sometimes lighter flouro. Granted, blackfish run you into bottom etc, but that's why the 50. Leader gets a little beat up, I look to see if I can still get roughly 2.5 feet of leader and tie a new loop. Otherwise I rip another 3 feet off the spool and repeat.

 

[longcast]

Here you go.

 

[Matts]

Some jigs have an eye too small for that. A snap or clip connector should make no difference at all as long as it is heavy enough not to open. In my head I know it won't make a difference, but somehow I feel like it does. I tie with a clinch knot. I use 60, so I do 4 twists, not 6. it does not take much time.

 

[Snapprhead27]

Agreed with all the above, don't overthink it.

 

[Chinacat]

I would also ask the captain of the great boat you will be fishing on
If its the captain many of us here fish with, I’m sure he will be more than happy to give you his opinion of what he suggests is best for where you’ll be fishing

 

[Kona]

Use jigs with a big eye, FG a 6’ shot of 40 to your braid, tie a loop at the end and add jig. Easy to change out the jig and when hung up as it breaks off at the loop knot and quick to te tie the loop. For rig fishing I go with 10’ of 50 , tie a loop for the sinker and a small dropper loop as close to the sinker as possible, quick tie also but I always have 3 rods with identical rigs ready to go.

 

[Kona]

This

 

[Snapprhead27]

I see a lot of people plasti dip their sinkers. Is it more to stop the sinkers from bouncing off the gunnels or like painting like we used to for flounder.

 

[Leprechaun]

Too much time with that. Plus if very cold, who wants to keep using their fingers to make knots.

Palomar knot in braid to swivel. 40-50 flouro, 3 feet, tie a loop in end of mono, big enough to change jigs - just like fluke fishing changing a jig or even a sinker. That's it. Never a problem. I know bass are a different fish, but had many approaching 30 lbs on jigs and I lean on them with the same setup, and sometimes lighter flouro. Granted, blackfish run you into bottom etc, but that's why the 50. Leader gets a little beat up, I look to see if I can still get roughly 2.5 feet of leader and tie a new loop. Otherwise I rip another 3 feet off the spool and repeat.

This is the way .

 

[Leprechaun]

Or, your 20lb braid to 6' of 30lb mono (I like Berkley Big Game) via an FG, PR Bobbin, or Red Phillips knot (I do not trust a double uni). 75lb snap on end of shock leader. Working leader 18" 50lb Big Game, 100lb barrel swivel one end (to the snap) other end a double over-hand Surgeon's Loop for the jig. Done this way you can pre-tie a gaggle of the 50lb working leaders and quick change them out as they get roughed up. This is my way.

Or go with Longcast's simpler method. Both work.

 

[Chinacat]

Too much time with that. Plus if very cold, who wants to keep using their fingers to make knots.

Palomar knot in braid to swivel. 40-50 flouro, 3 feet, tie a loop in end of mono, big enough to change jigs - just like fluke fishing changing a jig or even a sinker. That's it. Never a problem. I know bass are a different fish, but had many approaching 30 lbs on jigs and I lean on them with the same setup, and sometimes lighter flouro. Granted, blackfish run you into bottom etc, but that's why the 50. Leader gets a little beat up, I look to see if I can still get roughly 2.5 feet of leader and tie a new loop. Otherwise I rip another 3 feet off the spool and repeat.

Im guessing a barrel at the other end of the 3’ leader for quick change outs at the swivel correct?

 

[Chinacat]

Or, your 20lb braid to 6' of 30lb mono (I like Berkley Big Game) via an FG, PR Bobbin, or Red Phillips knot (I do not trust a double uni). 75lb snap on end of shock leader. Working leader 18" 50lb Big Game, 100lb barrel swivel one end (to the snap) other end a double over-hand Surgeon's Loop for the jig. Done this way you can pre-tie a gaggle of the 50lb working leaders and quick change them out as they get roughed up. This is my way.

Or go with Longcast's simpler method. Both work.

What is it about the double uni you don’t trust Pete? Is it specific to blackfish with the heavier mono?
All these big bass I landed the past couple of weeks were on braid to 40 mono double uni’s

 

[Snapprhead27]

If I'm using my heavy setup, it's 50lb braid to 50lb mono with an Alberto knot. Ill rip off 5-6' of mono and at the bottom tie a surgeon's knot to slip my sinker on. From the top of the sinker I'll go 4 fingers high and form a bight in my leader material and pass my pre-tied hook through the loop and cinch down. Then ill wrap my leader around it twice. Almost like a Belmar Rig, except I don't have such a long leader going to hook, maybe 4 inches like Kona shows in his picture.



My lighter conventional is 30lb braid to 30lb mono, again with an Alberto knot. 5-6' of mono, surgeon's loop and above 2 inches about that I'll tie a 5" drooper loop and put double hooks on that.

My spinning gear is 20lb braid to 30lb mono and I'll use a loop like longcast mentioned or if it's under 1 oz and my leader wont fit doubled over then I'll go with a clinch knot.

 

[captmike28]

I would also ask the captain of the great boat you will be fishing on
If its the captain many of us here fish with, I’m sure he will be more than happy to give you his opinion of what he suggests is best for where you’ll be fishing

Most of the advice offered in the other posts is quite solid, Steve. However, since my name has been invoked, I am obliged to offer my own opinion.

What I believe most accomplished anglers will agree with is the one thing you cannot get back is lost time on the bottom when the bite is on. So, if you do that with extra rods already rigged to swap out after a busted off rig or incorrect weight for the conditions, that is the most efficient approach. It is also one that I use in many situatioms.

When it comes to replacing or retying rigs here is where I differ a little from others. Nothing wrong with a 5-6' long top shot of your favorite leader as long as you tie proper FG's or Uni's or Alberto's, etc. The problem with all those knots is it takes too much time and adds extra steps when you are trying to get your bait/jig back down quickly. As has been mentioned when you add in the challenge of cold fingers or a windy day things just get tougher.

So, my approach is to tie a 75# Coast Lock swivel directly to my Main line braid using a palomar, Main line is 30# for conventional set ups, 20# for spinners. Then I pre tie at home and separately bag my 5' leaders with a #2 Spro barrel swivel (230# test rating) on one end and either a single loop on the other for jigs or two loops, one for the 8" short leadered bait hook (3/0 Mustad Bog Gun) and the second a few inches below for the sinker. Jigging rods get 30# leader Bait rods get leaders and snelled bati hooks using 60#. The rocks in the eastern Sound can be sharp as razors!

Probably 90% of the time when I break off it is the leader that gives way, not the Main line braid. So, if I want to keep fishign the same rod all I have to do is take one of the pre tied rigs and clip the barrell swivel to the Coast Lock add a new jig or bati rig and I am ready to go, no knot tying in windy or cold conditions. And if I break off at the Main line it is still a lot quicker to tie a new Caost Lock via Palomar to the Main line than any braid to mono connecton.

The beauty of fishing is there are lots of of ways to "skin the cat" Choose the flavor that best suits youi!