Gmans intro to Vertical jigging

[gman]

ADVERTISE HERE

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

[gman]

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



OTI Jinkster



JIG WEIGHTS

100g= 3.5oz
150g=5.29oz
200g=7.05oz
250g=8.81oz
300g=10.58oz
320g=11.28oz
350g=12.34oz
400g=14.10oz
420g=14.81oz
450g=15.87oz
500g=17.63oz

[gman]

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 isn’t 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 don’t lose them over board



SPLIT RING PLIER COMPANIES

Duo
Duel
Fisherman
Ocean revolution (in production)

[gman]

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gMoQOFcmB0

On this video I had a slower more rythmic motion which produces on every drop. Its very important to change your style if the fish arent biting

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqdC-ttjPh4


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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_VFe...eature=related

[gman]

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

[Sea Draggin]

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."

[gman]

Thanks Jim, just trying to add value to the site and maybe help some people that are getting into it.

[fman]

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.

[gman]

Thank you and Stay tuned for a guide to casting poppers, stickbaits and swimbaits

[argus]

Excellent work, gman. Well done!