Tuna jigs: Help me cover the bases please

[jjdbike]

Hey gang,
I know there is no one answer to this. Also feel that lures are like scratching an itch, one to too many and 100 aren’t enough.
I’m gearing up for a couple off shore tuna trips. I most likely won’t do anything longer than 2 1/2 days.
I’m not looking to spend more that I have to and don’t want to carry a ton of stuff. I just want to have my bases covered and have the jigs I need to get bit in most conditions.
Here’s what I currently have:
2 16 oz Eddy Bombs,
2 400 gm rip rollers,
1 320 gm knock off rip roller,
1 300 gm SK,
1 260 gm knock off streaker,
1 250 gm SK,

See pic attached below.
What else should I have w/ me? I’ve heard good thinks about West Coast Jiggerz jigs, they look very pretty, but they’re twice the price of others. Are they worth it? I’ve heard good things about Diawa MR Slow jigs, do they fill same niche as SK?
Thanks in advance!
JD

 

[Tugboat64]

If you saw my recent report, I just got off a 3 day. Night one was all you wanted 30-50pound fish on small jigs only. If you fished anything heavier than 160g your bites were far and few between. In addition to that, we straight tied 40lb to the jigs resulting in a lot of loss so take that into account.

For night two we fished larger 60-100 pound fish with your regular 200-500g jigs and did just fine so it looks like your covered there. SK jigs were the jig of choice for these fish.

 

[hucklongfin]

You’re good for night jigging. I like sniper type jigs from 80-150 gm too. I use them during the day.

 

[Hugo Bendo]

3rd jig down. The one with the polka dots. 300g rip roller.
Caught my personal best Bluefin 172 #. 350-400 feet down.

 

[Ventura Bill]

You may want to consider adding a 500g or heavier jig.

Went a couple of weeks ago and the current was ripping. Couldn’t keep the 500g rip roller straight and it scoped out pretty far making it hard to know your depth and necessary to bring it all the way up before dropping down again.

 

[Potlucktlo]

You've got the base covered. The biggest challenge is going to be fishing at the right depth. And make sure you set the hook.

Also, start working out your arms, wrist and grip strength because night time jigging can be brutal.

 

[surfgoose]

You are well on your way to Lure Obsession, a symptom of Offshore Fishing Disorder. It slowly takes over your life, and you don't even realize it while it is progressing. Then one day you realize that there is no possible way that you can take all of your precious toys out and play with them on your next long trip, and then you have to make the soul-ripping decisions about which ones to leave behind.

Unfortunately I have never heard of a proper treatment program, not even a decent 12-Step Group for the Disorder. And there is no insurance to cover it, anyway.

I hope that you can stop where you are, and take a deep breath, and just resist the trembling in your hands to reach for your wallet. I hope that you are stronger than me! You don't want to end up in your 70's with a garage-full of things that haven't gotten wet in decades.

 

[MattFred1414]

All you need is 8 sk jigs, 5 rip rollers and a dozen colt snipers.

Looks like you got plenty. Chances are you’ll only use 1 or 2 of them. I like those lumo rip rollers.

 

[andrewr]

What you have is fine. Use your money to go fishing.

 

[bassnet]

I'm on my way to recovery! Just one box on the porch today from West Coast Jiggerz. Pretty cool that they threw in a free 100 g jig with the 3 jigs I ordered, if you do need quality jigs hit them up.

 

[jjdbike]

You are well on your way to Lure Obsession, a symptom of Offshore Fishing Disorder. It slowly takes over your life, and you don't even realize it while it is progressing. Then one day you realize that there is no possible way that you can take all of your precious toys out and play with them on your next long trip, and then you have to make the soul-ripping decisions about which ones to leave behind.

Unfortunately I have never heard of a proper treatment program, not even a decent 12-Step Group for the Disorder. And there is no insurance to cover it, anyway.

I hope that you can stop where you are, and take a deep breath, and just resist the trembling in your hands to reach for your wallet. I hope that you are stronger than me! You don't want to end up in your 70's with a garage-full of things that haven't gotten wet in decades.

OMG, so true.
Hilarious and at the same time, not.
JD

 

[jjdbike]

I'm on my way to recovery! Just one box on the porch today from West Coast Jiggerz. Pretty cool that they threw in a free 100 g jig with the 3 jigs I ordered, if you do need quality jigs hit them up.

If you saw my recent report, I just got off a 3 day. Night one was all you wanted 30-50pound fish on small jigs only. If you fished anything heavier than 160g your bites were far and few between. In addition to that, we straight tied 40lb to the jigs resulting in a lot of loss so take that into account.

For night two we fished larger 60-100 pound fish with your regular 200-500g jigs and did just fine so it looks like your covered there. SK jigs were the jig of choice for these fish.

You’re good for night jigging. I like sniper type jigs from 80-150 gm too. I use them during the day.

3rd jig down. The one with the polka dots. 300g rip roller.
Caught my personal best Bluefin 172 #. 350-400 feet down.

You may want to consider adding a 500g or heavier jig.

Went a couple of weeks ago and the current was ripping. Couldn’t keep the 500g rip roller straight and it scoped out pretty far making it hard to know your depth and necessary to bring it all the way up before dropping down again.

All you need is 8 sk jigs, 5 rip rollers and a dozen colt snipers.

Looks like you got plenty. Chances are you’ll only use 1 or 2 of them. I like those lumo rip rollers.

I'm on my way to recovery! Just one box on the porch today from West Coast Jiggerz. Pretty cool that they threw in a free 100 g jig with the 3 jigs I ordered, if you do need quality jigs hit them up.

Thanks so much everyone!

I have heard good things about West Coast Jiggerz jigs and they are very pretty. But they seem to cost twice as much as others. Are they worth the extra coin?

I do have a good assortment of Current Sniers and Zacanas, aren't they basically the same thing?

I do need a couple more SKs.

I'm having trouble finding anything heavier than 420 Oz.

I'm trying to pay attention to whether jigs are tail weighted or center weighted as they depend differently on slack line.

I do struggle w/ lure ho'ing. When I moved from NE coast I sold most of my collection of cod jigs and striper plugs. Looks like I'm starting over again, west coast style. Looks like I'm in good company.

Thanks again everyone!!!!!
JD

 

[slcbcsmx19]

I'll vouch for the west coast jiggers jigs, especially the new HD's (I am an addict so I have most of the rest of them too) The HD's are heavy enough (350g) while still being a smaller profile, very pretty, and can take a beating. Have caught most of my night fish on them this year. For heavy jigs you're good with the eddie bombs, you may want some smaller jigs like others stated, the 80-120 gram colt snipers are really good. The rest of your jigs are great. If you can avoid the panic buying before the trip you should be just fine, but that's more easily said than done as others of said as well. The more important thing is having your line marked down to at least 500 feet, as being in the zone while you're vertical is more important than any jig you'll use. 500 feet because you will cut line or lose line and having your line marked further down will aid you when you start having to do math.

Additionally, watch the people casting downwind from the boat to get vertical by the time they're close to the boat to avoid scoping. Adjust your casting angle to optimize your approach to the boat as the jigs fall. Reset when you start to scope more than 20%. This practice alone will get you more bites than the jigs you buy. Good luck!

 

[jjdbike]

I'll vouch for the west coast jiggers jigs, especially the new HD's (I am an addict so I have most of the rest of them too) The HD's are heavy enough (350g) while still being a smaller profile, very pretty, and can take a beating. Have caught most of my night fish on them this year. For heavy jigs you're good with the eddie bombs, you may want some smaller jigs like others stated, the 80-120 gram colt snipers are really good. The rest of your jigs are great. If you can avoid the panic buying before the trip you should be just fine, but that's more easily said than done as others of said as well. The more important thing is having your line marked down to at least 500 feet, as being in the zone while you're vertical is more important than any jig you'll use. 500 feet because you will cut line or lose line and having your line marked further down will aid you when you start having to do math.

Additionally, watch the people casting downwind from the boat to get vertical by the time they're close to the boat to avoid scoping. Adjust your casting angle to optimize your approach to the boat as the jigs fall. Reset when you start to scope more than 20%. This practice alone will get you more bites than the jigs you buy. Good luck!

Thanks!
JD

 

[Cubeye]

I have heard good things about West Coast Jiggerz jigs and they are very pretty. But they seem to cost twice as much as others. Are they worth the extra coin?

In my opinion, no. It's the technique that West Coast Jiggerz use when jigging that catches the fish.

I do need a couple more SKs.

300 grams. Or the biggest one they make.

I'm having trouble finding anything heavier than 420 Oz.

Try Johnny Jigs

I'm trying to pay attention to whether jigs are tail weighted or center weighted as they depend differently on slack line.

Center weighted gives you the "flutter".
Tail weighted bombs down faster. I.e. Williamsons Benthos.

 

[Durtyfeesh]

Add a nature boys jig
IMO probably the best
Not made of lead but steel, takes a beating and definitely gets bit

 

[Bryantttt]

SK works great.... Caught the most and the biggest on the last trip I went on. I used one jig for the entire 3 days. I just like having a few variety just in case of current or if the fish are keyed in on smaller bait. And then double up on each just in case you end up losing the hot jig. But from what I can tell, it doesn't really matter color, shape, etc. For night fishing that is.

 

[jer dog]

SK works great.... Caught the most and the biggest on the last trip I went on. I used one jig for the entire 3 days. I just like having a few variety just in case of current or if the fish are keyed in on smaller bait. And then double up on each just in case you end up losing the hot jig. But from what I can tell, it doesn't really matter color, shape, etc. For night fishing that is.

I heard that sometimes you need to have back up for your Back ups.

 

[torpedo]

You've got the base covered. The biggest challenge is going to be fishing at the right depth. And make sure you set the hook.

Also, start working out your arms, wrist and grip strength because night time jigging can be brutal.

Can we get some additional opinions on this "set the hook" concept when night jig fishing? Makes perfect sense but I constantly hear "just wind". Also when setting hooks, should the drag be at strike or less when nighttime jig fishing?

 

[CI_SeaWolf]

I never swing, just wind in to the fish. Drag should be a bit under strike when you jig.

 

[Potlucktlo]

Can we get some additional opinions on this "set the hook" concept when night jig fishing? Makes perfect sense but I constantly hear "just wind". Also when setting hooks, should the drag be at strike or less when nighttime jig fishing?

This is probably the best explanation
I time stamped it a bit early but it's around 6:25

 

[torpedo]

This is probably the best explanation
I time stamped it a bit early but it's around 6:25

I agree. He should know as he is a pro. But certainly, there is a difference of opinion. Swing or Wind. This guy is actually saying a hybrid version. When there is a jig strike, wind at lower drag(not full strike) until the fish takes a run and then swing. I asked this question because I didn't swing. I just reeled but lost several fish as they popped off.

 

[Potlucktlo]

You either swing or don't. Don't think there's really a middle ground.

 

[Tugboat64]

I heard that sometimes you need to have back up for your Back ups.

I needed back ups to my back ups and even had to back those both up with two more I saved for a special occasion.. lost 9 jigs from different brands last week.. it was expensive

 

[Rubberhook2]

150 Gram Brown Ahi Sniper, 300 Gram Luma Dot Rip Roller and Sardine Diawa 300 Gram SK....

These work for me...