First-Timer Jigging questions

[fman]

Hi all!!

My name is Frank from Atlanta, GA. I have enjoyed all off the insite I have been able to take away from this board. It is a blessing to have so many novice to expert fisherman to network with. I am a newbie to jigging but not to fishing so please bear with me. I have purchased two new outfits so far but I have yet to use them. I only get the chance to go fishing maybe once or twice a year so my gear will not take that much of a beating. I want to learn better before I buy better things but what I have isn't too shabby. I will describe my outfits first for you all to evaluate:

Outfit 1 Conventional-
Rod-Penn Torque 5'8" 80-200lb
Reel- Shimano Torium 20
Line- Stren Green 65lb braid
Leader- 10 turns of 80lb mono

Outfit 2 Spinning-
Rod- Hopper Custom 5'8" 100-200lb 500g
Reel- Shimano Spheros 14000FA w/drag upgrade
Line- Power Pro 65lb Hi-vis yellow braid
Leader- 80lb Yo Zuri HD Pink Flurocarbon

Jigs- (just one so far!) Williamson Benthos Pink/Silver Glow

1. How do my rigs sound for a rookie?

2. I don't hear much about the Penn Torque jigging rod, any opinions?

3. My main target will be Grouper in the Southeast. Are both rigs enough to stop a big fish and heavy AJ's?

4. I have the idea of changing all of my assist hooks to steel wired ones. Is that a good idea to avoid break off by other fish biting through the assist cords?

5. I have read that Diamond hammered are great for Grouper. What are some good sources on the net for those jigs? Is their a specific type (color, brand pattern) of hammered Jig?Will regular "butterfly" like jigs work effectively as an all-around alternative?

6. If you are out on a party boat what is the ideal position on the boat?

7. Any recommended headboat captains in my area (FL to North Carolina) that are recommended?

Thanks to all that took the time to read my long post. I tried my best not to ask things I could have researched on the board!

[paul708]

Hi all!!

My name is Frank from Atlanta, GA. I have enjoyed all off the insite I have been able to take away from this board. It is a blessing to have so many novice to expert fisherman to network with. I am a newbie to jigging but not to fishing so please bear with me. I have purchased two new outfits so far but I have yet to use them. I only get the chance to go fishing maybe once or twice a year so my gear will not take that much of a beating. I want to learn better before I buy better things but what I have isn't too shabby. I will describe my outfits first for you all to evaluate:

Outfit 1 Conventional-
Rod-Penn Torque 5'8" 80-200lb
Reel- Shimano Torium 20
Line- Stren Green 65lb braid
Leader- 10 turns of 80lb mono

Outfit 2 Spinning-
Rod- Hopper Custom 5'8" 100-200lb 500g
Reel- Shimano Spheros 14000FA w/drag upgrade
Line- Power Pro 65lb Hi-vis yellow braid
Leader- 80lb Yo Zuri HD Pink Flurocarbon

Jigs- (just one so far!) Williamson Benthos Pink/Silver Glow

1. How do my rigs sound for a rookie?

2. I don't hear much about the Penn Torque jigging rod, any opinions?

3. My main target will be Grouper in the Southeast. Are both rigs enough to stop a big fish and heavy AJ's?

4. I have the idea of changing all of my assist hooks to steel wired ones. Is that a good idea to avoid break off by other fish biting through the assist cords?

5. I have read that Diamond hammered are great for Grouper. What are some good sources on the net for those jigs? Is their a specific type (color, brand pattern) of hammered Jig?Will regular "butterfly" like jigs work effectively as an all-around alternative?

6. If you are out on a party boat what is the ideal position on the boat?

7. Any recommended headboat captains in my area (FL to North Carolina) that are recommended?

Thanks to all that took the time to read my long post. I tried my best not to ask things I could have researched on the board!

1. How do my rigs sound for a rookie?
you already bought the rigs, so give them a try. there have been alot of fish caught on those setups.
some guys may have had problems. but still alot of fish have been caught.

2. I don't hear much about the Penn Torque jigging rod, any opinions?i really cant say much about the penn rod,
i have seeen a few people use it..and it caught fish.


3. My main target will be Grouper in the Southeast. Are both rigs enough to stop a big fish and heavy AJ's? there have probably been some big fish caught with those, i think most guys would want 'MORE" in their setup for bigger fish.

4. I have the idea of changing all of my assist hooks to steel wired ones. Is that a good idea to avoid break off by other fish biting through the assist cords?try a few each way, see what works for you.

5. I have read that Diamond hammered are great for Grouper. What are some good sources on the net for those jigs? Is their a specific type (color, brand pattern) of hammered Jig?Will regular "butterfly" like jigs work effectively as an all-around alternative?i have not really fished that much for grouper, but i was using a 450g OTI jig and caught some nice fish last year out of OI..i hope to do some more testing this year..we use hammered diamond for tuna ..there are a few spots on the web for those.


6. If you are out on a party boat what is the ideal position on the boat? most jigging guys like the front,
but you can catch from other spots on the boat.

7. Any recommended headboat captains in my area (FL to North Carolina) that are recommended?

[Sea Draggin]

Hi all!!

My name is Frank from Atlanta, GA. I have enjoyed all off the insite I have been able to take away from this board. It is a blessing to have so many novice to expert fisherman to network with. I am a newbie to jigging but not to fishing so please bear with me. I have purchased two new outfits so far but I have yet to use them. I only get the chance to go fishing maybe once or twice a year so my gear will not take that much of a beating. I want to learn better before I buy better things but what I have isn't too shabby. I will describe my outfits first for you all to evaluate:

Outfit 1 Conventional-
Rod-Penn Torque 5'8" 80-200lb
Reel- Shimano Torium 20
Line- Stren Green 65lb braid
Leader- 10 turns of 80lb mono

Outfit 2 Spinning-
Rod- Hopper Custom 5'8" 100-200lb 500g
Reel- Shimano Spheros 14000FA w/drag upgrade
Line- Power Pro 65lb Hi-vis yellow braid
Leader- 80lb Yo Zuri HD Pink Flurocarbon

Jigs- (just one so far!) Williamson Benthos Pink/Silver Glow

1. How do my rigs sound for a rookie? You have to start somewhere. As you use them, you will make changes based on your preferences.

2. I don't hear much about the Penn Torque jigging rod, any opinions? I haven't heard much either, but looked at them in the store on day. As I recall they were stiff, which is not necessary all bad.

3. My main target will be Grouper in the Southeast. Are both rigs enough to stop a big fish and heavy AJ's? Both are defenitely good for groupers. Ajs it depends. I think most will be Ok. If you get into some momma's, you may have a good fight on your hands.

4. I have the idea of changing all of my assist hooks to steel wired ones. Is that a good idea to avoid break off by other fish biting through the assist cords? Not necessary, but whatever floats your boat. most fish either bite off the whole jig, or you get them in the corner of the mouth.

5. I have read that Diamond hammered are great for Grouper. What are some good sources on the net for those jigs? Is their a specific type (color, brand pattern) of hammered Jig?Will regular "butterfly" like jigs work effectively as an all-around alternative? I am biased so will skip this one.

6. If you are out on a party boat what is the ideal position on the boat? You will most likely be relegated to the front, to stay out of the way of others.

7. Any recommended headboat captains in my area (FL to North Carolina) that are recommended? I mostly go on private boats, but will be putting together trips this year on 6 pack charters. I have several good captains lined up in Wilmington, Morehead, Hatteras and OI. Look for the posts.

Thanks to all that took the time to read my long post. I tried my best not to ask things I could have researched on the board!

Welcome.

[mythosbeer]

I've caught AJ's over 60lbs with a 200g rod and a penn 750ssm with no problem so you can catch decent AJ's with what you have.

Most people can't afford "More" in a beginner setup regardless of fish size so you are doing good!

Give 'em a shot and see what you like best about each setup. Thats really the best way to learn. The hopper 500g rod is very stiff I've read so I think you'd be fine! For the few amount of times that you are able to go...it may not be worth spending over $1000 per combo. You will just have to see!

Mitch

[fman]

Welcome.

Thanks to all who have replied so far! I will hopefully be successful my first trip and catch the "bug" of jigging.

Sea Draggin- I will check out the your charter and try to book a trip for my wife and I. She loves fishing and we need some experts to guide us while we are learning.

Don't know why but the good fishing you guys have seem to have skips Georgia and goes from Florida to North Carolina.

[Sea Draggin]

Thanks to all who have replied so far! I will hopefully be successful my first trip and catch the "bug" of jigging.

Sea Draggin- I will check out the your charter and try to book a trip for my wife and I. She loves fishing and we need some experts to guide us while we are learning.

Don't know why but the good fishing you guys have seem to have skips Georgia and goes from Florida to North Carolina.

It just hasn't caught on yet as much probably.....Yet.

Another good site to check out for trips is 360tuna.com. They always seem to have some big trip in the works. One day, I hope to join them.

There is one headboat trip planned for NC in may with a bunch of interneters. There will be both jiggers and bait fishermen on it, but probably more bait is my guess.

Continental Shelf

[Jiggin Junkie]

Hi all!!

My name is Frank from Atlanta, GA. I have enjoyed all off the insite I have been able to take away from this board. It is a blessing to have so many novice to expert fisherman to network with. I am a newbie to jigging but not to fishing so please bear with me. I have purchased two new outfits so far but I have yet to use them. I only get the chance to go fishing maybe once or twice a year so my gear will not take that much of a beating. I want to learn better before I buy better things but what I have isn't too shabby. I will describe my outfits first for you all to evaluate:

Outfit 1 Conventional-
Rod-Penn Torque 5'8" 80-200lb
Reel- Shimano Torium 20
Line- Stren Green 65lb braid
Leader- 10 turns of 80lb mono

Outfit 2 Spinning-
Rod- Hopper Custom 5'8" 100-200lb 500g
Reel- Shimano Spheros 14000FA w/drag upgrade
Line- Power Pro 65lb Hi-vis yellow braid
Leader- 80lb Yo Zuri HD Pink Flurocarbon

Jigs- (just one so far!) Williamson Benthos Pink/Silver Glow

I also like the Shimano look alikes ( cheapos )

1. How do my rigs sound for a rookie?


2. I don't hear much about the Penn Torque jigging rod, any opinions?


3. My main target will be Grouper in the Southeast. Are both rigs enough to stop a big fish and heavy AJ's?


4. I have the idea of changing all of my assist hooks to steel wired ones. Is that a good idea to avoid break off by other fish biting through the assist cords?


5. I have read that Diamond hammered are great for Grouper. What are some good sources on the net for those jigs? Is their a specific type (color, brand pattern) of hammered Jig?Will regular "butterfly" like jigs work effectively as an all-around alternative?


6. If you are out on a party boat what is the ideal position on the boat?

7. Any recommended headboat captains in my area (FL to North Carolina) that are recommended?


Thanks to all that took the time to read my long post. I tried my best not to ask things I could have researched on the board!

1.A good starting place

2.I hear they do fine.

3.Do not lock down the drag on the Torium, use your thumb to apply more pressure.

4.It has been my experience that if you change to steel assists you kill the bite almost entirely.

5.I have caught plenty of grouper on butterfly, just bounce it off the bottom.

6.As far away from people as humanly possible.

7.Sorry I can't help you there, I fish out of Destin in NW Fl.

[fman]

Spiney Man- Thanks for the reply. Destin is just 6 hours from Atlanta,GA where I live I think that is in my area!! Who do your would you recommend in the Destin area??

[Jiggin Junkie]

This summer you can possibly hook up with me. I only have a 21' CC but we have a blast jigging. I already have about 5 others from another jigging forum that come down from Atlanta to jig fish with me. You will have to call around Destin because most of the commercial boats like you want don't allow braid, as a matter of fact one of the guys from Atlanta had a trip on one and they made him strip the braid and put on mono.

[fman]

Spineyman- Thanks for the offer. I will PM you.