Is SPJ really a game changer?

[bobafet1]

I've gone to Turners a few times asking about SPJ setups and there doesn't seem to be a huge selection. I was told by the sales rep that it's mostly a fad that hasn't quite picked up. Maybe or maybe not. I'd appreciate some feedback on this. I know the videos and such on the net claim its the next best thing. Is it really? Any info is appreciated.

 

[Hismosa]

Another way to spend thousands of dollars. But I don't think we have much of a fishery for it unless 6oz rockfish gets you excited.

 

[yakdout]

Another way to spend thousands of dollars. But I don't think we have much of a fishery for it unless 6oz rockfish gets you excited.

It works as well for yellowtail and tuna as it does for rockfish…maybe give it a try.

 

[bobafet1]

It works as well for yellowtail and tuna as it does for rockfish…maybe give it a try.

Ok, but does it make a big difference when conventional methods aren’t working?

 

[Dave Coopman]

Charkbait has the gear your looking for if you want to check it out.

It’s effective. I’ve caught the usual suspects from the bottom along with yt, tuna and calico/sand bass.

 

[7emptsT]

Slow pitch fishing is awesome, and underutilized on the west cost. Is it the be all end all, no. But it’s absolutely a blast and simply works.

 

[Hismosa]

It works as well for yellowtail and tuna as it does for rockfish…maybe give it a try.

Have caught plenty of YT down in Mexico using it. Just don't think it adds any value doing it locally.

 

[Cactus Chris]

On the sport boats I see some guys doing it. Seems like they slay some decent rockfish. People catch pelagics too but it doesn't seem like any moreso that traditional yo yo from what I've observed

 

[yakdout]

Ok, but does it make a big difference when conventional methods aren’t working?

Which conventional methods? To give you an example, For fishing local inshore yellowtail I would fish a SPJ over a yo-yo any day of the week. I’ve had much more success with them.

 

[hucklongfin]

I’ve seen guys doing it. They didn’t catch anything, or any more, than I did. Unless something changes, I’m not going all in on it.

 

[stuman]

When we fish bass on the structure, I prefer to fish slow pitch. If that's not working I'll switch to plastics.

 

[hucklongfin]

When we fish bass on the structure, I prefer to fish slow pitch. If that's not working I'll switch to plastics.

I’ve done well with flat falls on bass (including 2 at a time multiple times) but that was just using a long fall technique, not jigging. No need for any special gear for long fall!

 

[stuman]

I’ve done well with flat falls on bass (including 2 at a time multiple times) but that was just using a long fall technique, not jigging. No need for any special gear for long fall!

I use a lightweight ugly stick with a Lexa or Fathom 15N. Last week I tried it with a spinning reel on the ugly stick. I'm just starting out with a variety of small jigs.

 

[Almud]

For really good pictures and articles of fish caught on SLP, do a search on Kil Song and Benny Ortiz here in BD. Not as widely practiced here in SoCal but widespread in Asia. I have had excellent results in Panama and Alaska. Plan to try Cedros this summer.

 

[hucklongfin]

For really good pictures and articles of fish caught on SLP, do a search on Kil Song and Benny Ortiz here in BD. Not as widely practiced here in SoCal but widespread in Asia. I have had excellent results in Panama and Alaska. Plan to try Cedros this summer.

Cedros was one of the places I got 2 bass a time on a flat fall!

 

[Proteus]

I've been at SPJ for almost a decade now and there's no turning back for me. It's provided me with bigger personal best fish year after year.

Will it outcatch all other methods all the time? .. no.
Does it cost thousands to get started .. no.
Is it a short term fad? ... no.
Should you take the advice of the naysayers here that haven't even tried it with proper gear? ... definitely no.


Rather than take the opinions on a thread, do some research, read up on Benny Ortiz and kil Song here on BD, or try it out yourself.

 

[bobafet1]

Which conventional methods? To give you an example, For fishing local inshore yellowtail I would fish a SPJ over a yo-yo any day of the week. I’ve had much more success with them.

I've been at SPJ for almost a decade now and there's no turning back for me. It's provided me with bigger personal best fish year after year.

Will it outcatch all other methods all the time? .. no.
Does it cost thousands to get started .. no.
Is it a short term fad? ... no.
Should you take the advice of the naysayers here that haven't even tried it with proper gear? ... definitely no.


Rather than take the opinions on a thread, do some research, read up on Benny Ortiz and kil Song here on BD, or try it out yourself.

Trying it out requires buying up gear, right? I’m fine with feedback for now. Unless someone wants to bring their gear on my boat and they can show me what its al about?

 

[yakdout]

Trying it out requires buying up gear, right? I’m fine with feedback for now. Unless someone wants to bring their gear on my boat and they can show me what its al about?

If you have problems buying new fishing gear you should take up a new hobby.

 

[ripped]

The proper gear makes a difference but you can use an extra fast action rod combined with a high geared reel as well. Since you have a boat, why don’t you just buy a few jigs and commit to using them exclusively till you get bit. Youtube can offer a lot of techniques to replicate.

 

[bobafet1]

If you have problems buying new fishing gear you should take up a new hobby.

This hobby doesn’t require poor financial decisions. Owning a boat does. Lol

 

[Cactus Chris]

When I was in Mexico I saw guys winding mono onto tin cans and outfishing many gringos with fancy gear

 

[lazyfisherman]

It's another tool in your tool chest. Stop thinking there's 1 tool for all jobs. When they're biting and boiling on the surface, you're not throwing a SPJ setup. But when they're down below you, it's a great tool to use. Last year, I was on a early spring trip on the Liberty. We were targeting a school of fast moving yellowtail. Boat ended up with 5 yellowtail. I got 1 on the yoyo, but 2/5 yellowtail was caught by 1 guy using a slow pitch setup. Other 3 were on yoyo jigs. Imagine what could have been if more than 1 person was using a slow pitch setup. Sometimes there's better tools for the job. I tend to always bring 1 jigging setup now along with my surface iron rod. You just never know.

 

[yakdout]

This hobby doesn’t require poor financial decisions. Owning a boat does. Lol

Call it whatever you want. I don’t think a productive piece of gear is a poor financial decision, but sounds like you already made up your mind before you asked the question

 

[yakdout]

When I was in Mexico I saw guys winding mono onto tin cans and outfishing many gringos with fancy gear

Whenever you’re ready I’ll trade you all my beer cans for your gear. Give me a call.

 

[Cactus Chris]

Whenever you’re ready I’ll trade you all my beer cans for your gear. Give me a call.

Are we talking full cans? Tall boys?