Jigging out of Tampa Bay

[Zummie]

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Caught jigging about 50 miles off Tampa Bay in the Gulf of Mexico. Red and Gag Grouper, American Red Snapper, Yellowtail and Lane Snapper, Pink Porgy and Amberjack. 150 to 180 feet of water; Chaos custom 15#-30# rod with a Penn 975 International. 30 pound test Power Pro tied to 20 feet of 30 # Triplefish mono top shot tied to 4 feet of 40 pound test florocarbon leader. No swivels.

Although I have every jig color made, I have found the that the ONLY one I use now is the 5 oz. Google Eye. Here is what a new one looks like


It produces fish 2 to 1 over every other jig I have ever tried.


Here is what mine looked like after the fishing trip and a barracuda and every fish you see had bit into it.

[SeaBiscuit]

Excellent catch on some very light tackle! That had to be fun!
Who makes that google jig?
SeaBiscuit

[CANTGETENUFF]

Great catch.I've fished the Gulf only a couple times on head boats(drove in from the Villages when visiting the P's) and not got into the the keepers.I'm a south jersey boy,and can't wait to get back down and try some jiiggin on them.Congrats again.

[Sea Draggin]

Thats a ton of fine eats. Great job on the catch!!

Thanks for the report.

[Zummie]

For every fish you see one got away and two were undersized. It was one of those trips where you counted to three when you got to the bottom and had a hit or a fish on.

[Kimberly662]

Originally Posted by SeaBiscuit

Excellent catch on some very light tackle! That had to be fun!
Who makes that google jig?
SeaBiscuit

It's the BassPro shops version... Offshore Angler "Freestyle jig" I've used them as well, and really like the results, and the price, WAY cheaper! Paint just doesn't last as long.

My personal favorite is the sardine color. Although the blue and green mack colors are killers as well.

[Kimberly662]

Originally Posted by Zummie

For every fish you see one got away and two were undersized. It was one of those trips where you counted to three when you got to the bottom and had a hit or a fish on.

I know exactly what you mean, we went out of tampa a few months back and were catching all sorts of fish-grouper, aj's, etc... on just about every drop, or every-other drop. although not too many keepers, but a lot of fun.

What kind of structure do you guys usually fish? Ledges, wrecks, holes?

Were actually going out this saturday, not as deep as you, but prob 100' +/- (granted the weather permits) gunna hit a few ledges, and maybe try to loose some jigs on a wreck or two


Congrats on the awesome trip! Hopefully I'll be able to post a similiar report next monday!

[Zummie]

Originally Posted by Kimberly662

What kind of structure do you guys usually fish? Ledges, wrecks, holes?

We fish a wreck where we find the AJ's and and at about 175 feet just very hard bottom with a lot of swiss cheese.

As for the jig, I have not been able to find another with the huge eye that this one has. I think the eye more than the color is what makes it so hot. If anyone here knows of another jig with a huge bright eye like this please let me know as I would love to try it out.

[Anders]

nice report with some good info, thanks for sharing

[Kimberly662]

Originally Posted by Zummie

We fish a wreck where we find the AJ's and and at about 175 feet just very hard bottom with a lot of swiss cheese.

As for the jig, I have not been able to find another with the huge eye that this one has. I think the eye more than the color is what makes it so hot. If anyone here knows of another jig with a huge bright eye like this please let me know as I would love to try it out.

You could always try Williamson's 'Vortex speed jigs'- they have large eyes, and a cool lookin' fall, since it corkscrews due to the convex/concave shape. Pretty neat lookin' jigs; and they come in that 5oz. size you like. But, unfortunately no goggle eye color.
http://www.cabelas.com/prod-1/0064960123816a.shtml

I've got a 7oz in the chartreuse glow color, but haven't had a chance to use it yet. So I can't tell you if it works or not. Hopefully I'll be able to saturday...which reminds me, check your PM's.