Jigging
This bluefin fell for a Shimano Butterfly Jig. Photo courtesy of Capt. Andrew Cummings
Jigging is not new. I can recall diamond jigs in my father's tackle box decades ago. Chunkin anglers suspend a large jig off an outrigger allowing the rocking motion of the boat to provide action. The technique often accounts for an extra tuna or two in the kill box.
However, jigging really got a shot in the arm when Shimano developed a line of butterfly jigs in the 90's to reach deep bluefin. Now, the jig's popularity is once again growing with re introduction to tuna anglers.
Jigging can be preformed with any type of outfit. However, best results are obtained with a reel that's capable of retrieving line at a high rate of speed and a lightweight rod that does not wear the arms out. Braided line is preferred since it allows the jig to sink quickly, does not cause line drag, nor stretch allowing immediate hookups.
Working the jig through depths where tuna are suspended is the trick. When fish show up on the finder, drop jig below and work up through the prime water column. The process is repeated until hooking up.
Dropping to the bottom and working to the surface over and over will wear out any angler. This works, but to maximize return for effort, mark line at 100, 150 and 200 foot intervals. Permanent markers work on braided line, but a piece of wax line (rigging line) tied to the line lets the angler quickly see depth marks. It also easily runs in and out the rod guides. If fish are being read at 120 foot, the jig can be quickly dropped to the 150 mark and worked up to 100. No strikes? Repeat, this way the jig spends the maximum amount of time in prime water.
A word of caution hold the rod. The savage attack on the jig can and will result in the rod being jerked out of hand. This was demonstrated while jigging when I heard a splash behind me. I turned around to see the angler under water grabbing after one of my rods. Glad to report the rod and angler both survived the incident, although the fish was lost.
Technique for jigging consists of quickly sweeping the rod skyward and retrieving line as the rod is lowered before repeating the action. The method duplicates the erratic movement of baitfish fleeing towards the surface. But be prepared, often the jig is attacked as it falls due to the attractive flutter design.
There are several manufacturers producing jigging tackle. I use Shimano and Daiwa. The Daiwa Saltist 30H is a decent reel with a 6.1 to 1 ratio taking in 36 inches of line per crank. I teamed this reel with Shimano's Trevala TFC 58H rod which makes a decent jigging outfit for the price. Although I would recommend getting the SST30TH which is 6.4 1 and cranks in 47-inches per turn of the handle. These reels have a very smooth star drag system which do not allow for a strike position. This can account for the outfit being jerked out of hand since the drag is preset.
The Shimano System
Justin Poe pours on the heat with a Torsa 16 spooled with 50lb Power Pro.
Shimano has taken the most desired jigging features and developed the Shimano Butterfly system which consist of their own line of jigs, Trevala Rods and either the Torsa or Trinidad reel. I had the opportunity to spend a couple days on the mid Atlantic with Justin Poe (Product Manager Shimano Fishing Rods) testing out the Butterfly system.
Jigging has been growing in popularity for the last decade. However, I never invested precious offshore trolling or chunkin time in jigging. At least not until Justin demonstrated how jigs can catch just about everything with fins. It takes a few minutes to master the technique of swinging the rod upwards as one crank is taken on the reel. This results in about 4 feet of line recovered on each sweep and crank.
I have used all types of manufacturers reels for offshore fishing. The Torsa is the smoothest reel I have had in my hands. It does not come cheap, but you may find as I , that the outfit does more then just jig. The Torsa 20 matched with a Trevala TVC 58XH is my jigging, pitch bait and deep drop rod.
Spooled with 50lb braid and a wind on leader, it also handles trolling duties. Quick change drag cams are offered making this the most versatile reel you'll encounter. From taming tuna, sails or marlin to cranking tilefish out of 800 feet of water, the Torsa/Trevala combo takes it all in stride. And when I discover where my wife hid the checkbook, I'm going to decorate my pit with more!
The total fishing system, a Torsa 20, Trevala rod and assortment of butterfly jigs.For additional information on tuna tactics, pick up a copy of my book, Offshore Pursuit, available at most book stores, tackle shops or online at www.getgup.com
Tight lines and good fishing!
