Jigging for AJs

[cbaker77]

I have often wondered why AJs get such a bad rap in NC. In most other countries in the world they are highly valued as well as other parts of our country. In my opinion they are one of the greatest gamefish you can catch. They fight harder than anything I have ever caught short of a 300 plus pound bluefin, there are plenty of them, and believe it or not they tatse pretty dang good too. A 50 lb AJ is what got me hooked on this sport. It was the first fish I ever caught on my butterfly jig and it was the most explosive strike I have ever experienced and that was all she wrote. I do not mind admitting that I love catching AJs, especially on my jigging gear. It is hard to beat light tackle AJs. What are some other opinions?

[jiggaman]

As the recently appointed president of the Amberjack Sportsman's Society (A.S.S.) by a bunch of folks in Wilmington, I second that.

[JMS-ILM]

if you are out there just looking for a good tug, then donkeys are where its at. big, plentiful, strong, aggressive, etc. i get a little pissed with them when they continuously gobble up prime live pinfish intended for groupers, but on jigging tackle, its all good. ive eaten them in the past....not bad, but not all that good either. worms are for tequila, not fish!



chip, i set aside a couple jigs that Holwachagot gave me this past weekend for you to try. im in charleston this week and will try to drop them at the shop when i get back. the fishies were mighty fond of them saturday....and they are cheep!

[cbaker77]

Awesome! Thanks Matt, I look forward to seeing them. What kind of fishies were fond of them?
I agree, I would be kinda pissed too if they were gobbling up my prime grouper baits.

[JMS-ILM]

What kind of fishies were fond of them?

reds, scamps, tropicals, triggers, a slob cobia, donkeys....you name it.

[cbaker77]

I like the sound of that!! Can't wait, now all I have to do is go fishing!

[JaySmalls]

we did it for the first time in Key West about two weeks ago. It was a blast!! These fish can really beat the heck out of ya. As for eating them, the only reason we kept them was because the capt. can sell them to local markets and they smoke'em for fish dip.

[Bay Fishin]

I actaully happen to think AJs are ok to eat. I remeber it was pretty decent. The way I cuaght em was Butterfly jigging on Boneshaker charters. One of the hardest fighters, even more fun when you are using trevelas and you are thinking the rod will break.

[blackwell50]

jack jigging is great.we have some monsters in the gulf.We use 8 ounce diamond jigs.

[cbaker77]

Me and arlen are heading to venice in the beginning of June for a couple days of jigging and I would not mind tangling with some monster ajs even though tuna are our main target.