I strongly suggest using one large, wide gap hook instead of two unless you are using a jig that is more than 13 long, then and only then should you use a top and bottom hook.
Two hooks does nothing but scar up your fish and cause injury to yourself and foul each other causing missed strikes
It is very easy to make your own assist hooks
As a rule of thumb I keep all my assist hooks 1/3rd way down from top of jig.
There seems to be a lot of threads asking questions about Assist Hooks. If you want to buy some good pre-made ones the ones I have used and would suggest are Shout Power Assist 7/0 & Eastern Tackles Assist Hooks
If not making your own assist hooks are extremely easy to do and fun. First you will need the following supplies
1. Hooks -preferably wide gap short shank hooks
2. Kevlar Line - in 50 (500#) or 70 (700 #) size
3. Sharp Scissor
4. Super Glue
5. A jig for length ratio
Here are some examples of hooks I use when making my own
My favorite Kudakos but you need a 7/0 size
Kevlar Cord in roll form
Rules I live by ...
a. always make teh length of a single assist hook 1/3 to 1/2 jig length
b. Always use 1 hook unless jig is greater than 13" then I use a high and low set up
c. Always use a hook wider than the jig being used
Instructions
NOTE: With Kevlar the simple overhand knot will NOT slip especially when glued with super glue. The Kevlar bites into itself to make a secure connection to hook
This is a topic that will not end, there are long jigs, short jigs, fat jigs, skinny jigs. The shape of the jig will greatly influence the action. You will see a combination of jigs that are weighted different such as middle and rear weighted
Jig length is also very debated in my experience tuna like smaller jigs in blues, pinks and yellows where amberjacks love long slender jigs in bright colors and groupers in bottom fish like smaller fatter jigs. No data on this other than my on the water experience
Bottom or tail weighted jigs - will generally sink much faster than others are perfect for targeting grouper, snappers and bottom fish. They will move in very short up and down movements and are generally short in length but some are long such as the fishermans Crazy Long and Zest
Center weighted jigs - will really move when jigged, more of a flutter side to side such as the Hots Drift Tune. Most times it will take a very long time to drop to the bottom and you will most likely get hit on the drop.
Gram Weight Jigs are weighted in Gram weight, generally rule of thumb is the deeper waters with current need the heaviest jigs such as 250-400g jigs while the inshore areas can use lighter jigs such as the 100-130g jigs. Sea Draggin eluded to 100g per every 100 but this will vary based on current
Jig Color Pick your poisen not sure if I buy into all the scientific color data other than when the fish are feeding on metal Im not sure it really matters. Perosnally I always pull out pin first followed by a series of colors I have been successful with
Major Jig Producers and some popular selections. WARNING this is addictive
Hots Keiten, Drift Tune
Seven Seas Revolver, Hooker 1 & 7
Smith Nagamassa, Meijiyume, Dunk Shot, Side Thruster, Jacknife
Zest Super Deep, Deep Slim
Jigging Master - Broken Arrow, Little Jack, Power Jig
FC Labo SL jigs, Nata jigs
Fisherman Andmans, Crazy Long
River2Sea Zero Dropper, Sea Rock, Turkey Slider
Williamson Abyss, Bethnos and vortex jigs
Shimano, Flatside, Butterfly jigs
Eastern Tackle Katana, Classic Flat & Ayasugi
OTI Jager, Jumbo, Jinkster, Jitterbell & Jackal jigs
Eastern Tackle Katana showcase
SL Jigs by FC Labo amazing lines, angles and design, my new favorite
Gloves Girly or not I wear gloves, with ethe constant motion of vertical jigging you can wear off the skin on your hands and that isnt going to do you any good if you plan on jigging. There are many choices. Keep in mind when selecting a pair of gloves that you should get them tight fitting and find a pair that is light and has a protected finger. They come in every color. Hint of advice make sure you order a size larger if you are planning on buying a Overseas brand as they tend to run very small
JIGGING GLOVE COMPANIES
Zenaq
Smith
Fisherman Brand
Jigging Master
Ocean Revolution (in development)
NON JIGGING GLOVE COMPANIES
Aftco Bluewater Gloves
Belts The jigging motion requires that you use a smaller belt for comfort reasons therefore you should try to get a small profile belt when jigging. Not unlike the gloves there are many choices. Most of the Japanese jigging belts ride higher in waist but you can lower them personally I use a lower belt for leverage
JIGGING BELT COMPANIES
Seven Seas
Fisherman Brand _ I use the fisherman Flat Harness my favorite
Jigging Master
Hots
Ocean Revolution (in production)
Split ring Pliers
Split ring Pliers will make your life easy and will also be able to serve duel purposes as in cutting braid, leader and changing jigs. I would strongly suggest keeping your pliers in a sheath on your fishing belt connected with some type of teather so you dont lose them over board
SPLIT RING PLIER COMPANIES
Duo
Duel
Fisherman
Ocean revolution (in production)
There are two basic styles in jerk crank technique
Under Arm/shorter rod This is what I use and basically after your jig has hit bottom you make a short jerk of the rod tip upwards and crank down, Cycle is one to one. One jerk and one crank down BUT it is in a rhythmic OR violent motion. Generally I will switch up the technique with a pause, or a change of speed from a medium speed to a faster speed to a long stroke
On this video you will see that I will change up the technique from really fast, to a pause to fast again to a pause to a long stroke under arm before I hook up The fish were biting with avery fast stroke that day
Belt/longer rod 6 You position the rod in gimble and pull up dramatically and reel down. This is a much more violent style and you really need a longer rod to achieve better results
I didnt start jigging until 2 years ago when I became absoluetly obbsessed with it. Kilsong got me hooked and since then I have really been very lucky to fish with several distinguished fishermen and Sami & Randy from APS took me under their wings and helped me develop my skills by inviting me on several trips with some of the better jiggers.
I will tell you this vertical jigging is a very great way of targeting fish instead of waiting for them to come to you. This style will result in amazing hookups and all types of species. Perosnally I have jigged almost anything you could catch including all types of Tuna, Bottom dwellers such as Amberjack, Grouper, Snapper, Kingfish, Wahoo, Mako Sharks, and Striped Marlin
Hope this will help you get started all in one thread
Glen,
I waited until your closing to reply. You have done more than a five star thread here and of course this will be sticky'd right away for many to review for years to come.
As my friends in the orient say..."Today you are a Champion."
Great Thread! This needs to be pinned right on top of the board. It answers 99.99% of a beginners questions. Thanks for the time and effort to make this possible.
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