Jigging for Tuna

Reel Draggin' Tackle · 03-17-2007, 08:48 AM

We have always had diamong Jigs dangeling from our outriggers while we chunked away. They were hit often enough to earn regular placement out there. Now it looks like Jigging for Tuna is taking on a life of its own. There are all kinds of Jigs and hook sets out there. Lets hear about your favorite Tuna Jig, technique or tip.
-
We like flashy jigs with some Green when targeting YFT and flashy with blue when targeting BFT. We use two sizes, 4", 5oz and 6.5", 10 Oz. We never have left the dock planning to Jig all day, but I have heard of folks who have. Our gear is at the ready and when we find the marks and can't seem to draw the bite up we start dropping Jigs.
Ken

codfsh2 · 03-17-2007, 10:35 AM

I fish out of Gloucester,Ma.What do people think is the best method for catching the small BFT 50- 80 lb. fish.I have got some trolling small and large squid bars and I have also catch them chuming.However there are times that it seems that the bunchs just don't want to bite.The smaller ones that you chase around all day tryin to get one to bite.What suggestions do others have.I have wondered about jigging and the new jigs that are out there.What's the best.

Bryan A. · 03-17-2007, 10:45 AM

I have jigged with chrome diamong jigs while chunking but never hooked up. What is the best technique? Drop, reel, drop, reel (aka squidding) or set to a depth then up and down with the rod? Like codfishing?

CaptDom · 03-17-2007, 12:28 PM

I jig quite a bit for tuna, and the schoolie bluefins absolutely destroy the jigs out in the 20-30 fathom areas in the early fall some years.

Small mettalic knife style jigs, hammered diamonds, and inshore metals with HD hardware in sizes as small as 1 ounce will get plenty of attention from the sbft ......

I take off the trebles, and go with HD siwash and assist hooks when jigging, especially in the canyons. The trebles seem to wear a bigger hole, and I lose more fish to treble rigs than siwash it seems....the assist hooks work good, especially on the longer japanese style knife jigs.

I like sea rock jigs, hammered diamonds, braid slammer, and similar for canyons, and use Pt. Jude po jees with HD tuna gear inshore. Poppers and topwaters also work nicely on most tuna, and makes for incredible strikes. Popping and topwater for tunas is catching on as fast as the jigging technique.

Good jig set up is a 6 foot fast action pole rated 40-100, with a 30 class reel spool with braid and a top shot for active jigging... I use a Shimano 30 TLD 2 speed, or an Avet LX 2 speed with 80 pound braid and 100 pound top shot. I use Calstar blank 7' T670XH but there are many other specialty rods made specifically for tuna jigging, and the West Coast, long-range sportboat(our PB) editions of many rod blanks are nicely suited for this task as well.

The rigger technique works well, and you can use a 50 class reel on a nice short stand up stick as you won't fatigue from jig motion. For active jigging, I like to drop down past the depth the marks are showing at, and speed jigging up past the depth, before dropping down. When you find the right depth, putting the jig there and using long strokes with controlled drop back seems to work better for multiple hookups. I have a few customers who specifically want to jig for tuna, and it is becoming rapidly more and more popular here in New England and elsewhere.

Tuna are often tough to keep hooked when jigged up, more so with yft and albacore when offshore. We reduced dropped fish by using heavier drag settings on lighter reels like the Avet with braid, but only skilled anglers should do this, as the strikes can wrench the whole outfit out of untrained or unskilled hands. I always take the trebles off the jigs, feeling the small entry hole from the siwash or needle point specialty hooks work best, but alot of guys swear by the treble hook....matter of preference I guess. The assist hooks have worked well for me, I use the short owner hooks rather than Gama, on a solid ring preferably over a split ring.

old mud · 03-17-2007, 03:23 PM

WOW: Thanks for that great info. guys! Gets the wheels turning LOL. Jigging for Giants with 130s HMMMMMMMM.

Don

squidnation · 03-17-2007, 05:31 PM

We don't chunk much but sometimes when overnighting we will deploy this bad boy to the bottom. Run it up the long rigger and let the motion of the ocean do our jigging. Here is an old pic of a bluefin that fell to this rig.

Reel Draggin' Tackle · 03-17-2007, 05:49 PM

Thats what we been doing Bill. However I fished outa San Diego a few times last year where ran two lines trolling and when we got hit, a bunch of chum was dumped over, the trolling rods cam in and we worked chunl lines and jigs. There was quite has been a bit of talk about jigging in the canyons the past few years, CAPTDOM has provided a great description. We will probably try jigging quite a bit more this year.
Ken

captcl · 03-17-2007, 10:13 PM

Hey Sqidnation! good to see you here too Bill!

squidnation · 03-18-2007, 08:06 AM

thanks capt. nice site here

sharker53 · 03-19-2007, 09:47 PM

Squidnation I have 2 of those babies and they work great.

Work them the same way, way out on the riggers and let the boat do the work.

03-17-2007, 08:48 AM	#1
Reel Draggin' Tackle User Gallery Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 423	Jigging for Tuna We have always had diamong Jigs dangeling from our outriggers while we chunked away. They were hit often enough to earn regular placement out there. Now it looks like Jigging for Tuna is taking on a life of its own. There are all kinds of Jigs and hook sets out there. Lets hear about your favorite Tuna Jig, technique or tip. - We like flashy jigs with some Green when targeting YFT and flashy with blue when targeting BFT. We use two sizes, 4", 5oz and 6.5", 10 Oz. We never have left the dock planning to Jig all day, but I have heard of folks who have. Our gear is at the ready and when we find the marks and can't seem to draw the bite up we start dropping Jigs. Ken __________________ Don't miss out on our VIP Specials, click to join We'll have some exclusive VIP specials starting real soon!

03-17-2007, 10:35 AM	#2
codfsh2 NBS Member User Gallery Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 35	Bluefin I fish out of Gloucester,Ma.What do people think is the best method for catching the small BFT 50- 80 lb. fish.I have got some trolling small and large squid bars and I have also catch them chuming.However there are times that it seems that the bunchs just don't want to bite.The smaller ones that you chase around all day tryin to get one to bite.What suggestions do others have.I have wondered about jigging and the new jigs that are out there.What's the best.

03-17-2007, 10:45 AM	#3
Bryan A. NBS Member User Gallery Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Westbrook CT Posts: 1,269	I have jigged with chrome diamong jigs while chunking but never hooked up. What is the best technique? Drop, reel, drop, reel (aka squidding) or set to a depth then up and down with the rod? Like codfishing? __________________ And the sea will grant each man new hope..............Christopher Columbus 2003 Parker 2530 "DORYMATE".......click the pic 1973 Seacraft 20SF 1970 Glastron V153 70hp EvinrudeFOR SALE

03-17-2007, 12:28 PM	#4
CaptDom User Gallery Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Blue Planet Posts: 957	I jig quite a bit for tuna, and the schoolie bluefins absolutely destroy the jigs out in the 20-30 fathom areas in the early fall some years. Small mettalic knife style jigs, hammered diamonds, and inshore metals with HD hardware in sizes as small as 1 ounce will get plenty of attention from the sbft ...... I take off the trebles, and go with HD siwash and assist hooks when jigging, especially in the canyons. The trebles seem to wear a bigger hole, and I lose more fish to treble rigs than siwash it seems....the assist hooks work good, especially on the longer japanese style knife jigs. I like sea rock jigs, hammered diamonds, braid slammer, and similar for canyons, and use Pt. Jude po jees with HD tuna gear inshore. Poppers and topwaters also work nicely on most tuna, and makes for incredible strikes. Popping and topwater for tunas is catching on as fast as the jigging technique. Good jig set up is a 6 foot fast action pole rated 40-100, with a 30 class reel spool with braid and a top shot for active jigging... I use a Shimano 30 TLD 2 speed, or an Avet LX 2 speed with 80 pound braid and 100 pound top shot. I use Calstar blank 7' T670XH but there are many other specialty rods made specifically for tuna jigging, and the West Coast, long-range sportboat(our PB) editions of many rod blanks are nicely suited for this task as well. The rigger technique works well, and you can use a 50 class reel on a nice short stand up stick as you won't fatigue from jig motion. For active jigging, I like to drop down past the depth the marks are showing at, and speed jigging up past the depth, before dropping down. When you find the right depth, putting the jig there and using long strokes with controlled drop back seems to work better for multiple hookups. I have a few customers who specifically want to jig for tuna, and it is becoming rapidly more and more popular here in New England and elsewhere. Tuna are often tough to keep hooked when jigged up, more so with yft and albacore when offshore. We reduced dropped fish by using heavier drag settings on lighter reels like the Avet with braid, but only skilled anglers should do this, as the strikes can wrench the whole outfit out of untrained or unskilled hands. I always take the trebles off the jigs, feeling the small entry hole from the siwash or needle point specialty hooks work best, but alot of guys swear by the treble hook....matter of preference I guess. The assist hooks have worked well for me, I use the short owner hooks rather than Gama, on a solid ring preferably over a split ring. __________________ CAPT. DOM PETRARCA COASTAL CHARTERS SPORTFISHING NEWPORT, RI (401)-862-0358 www.coastalcharterssportfishing.com

03-17-2007, 03:23 PM	#5
old mud NBS Member User Gallery Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Brighams Cove Maine Posts: 867	WOW: Thanks for that great info. guys! Gets the wheels turning LOL. Jigging for Giants with 130s HMMMMMMMM. Don __________________ "I was so poor growing up that if I wasn't a BOY I'd have had nothing to play with" Piker Ancient Mariner

03-17-2007, 05:31 PM	#6
squidnation NBS Member User Gallery Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 10	We don't chunk much but sometimes when overnighting we will deploy this bad boy to the bottom. Run it up the long rigger and let the motion of the ocean do our jigging. Here is an old pic of a bluefin that fell to this rig.

03-17-2007, 05:49 PM	#7
Reel Draggin' Tackle User Gallery Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 423	Thats what we been doing Bill. However I fished outa San Diego a few times last year where ran two lines trolling and when we got hit, a bunch of chum was dumped over, the trolling rods cam in and we worked chunl lines and jigs. There was quite has been a bit of talk about jigging in the canyons the past few years, CAPTDOM has provided a great description. We will probably try jigging quite a bit more this year. Ken __________________ Don't miss out on our VIP Specials, click to join We'll have some exclusive VIP specials starting real soon!

03-17-2007, 10:13 PM	#8
captcl NBS Member User Gallery Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ocean City Md. area Posts: 57	Hey Sqidnation! good to see you here too Bill! __________________ *DILLIGAFF SPORTFISHING* Mako 22' Center console Ocean City Md. captcl@mchsi.com

03-18-2007, 08:06 AM	#9
squidnation NBS Member User Gallery Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 10	thanks capt. nice site here __________________

03-19-2007, 09:47 PM	#10
sharker53 NBS Member User Gallery Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NJ and NC Posts: 22	Squidnation I have 2 of those babies and they work great. Work them the same way, way out on the riggers and let the boat do the work.

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