VOL . 36 • ISS . 19 |
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FRESHWATER |
Sept . 1-15 , 2017 |
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Getting Jiggy ….
^Author Cal Kellogg shows off a pair of big Farallon Island lingcod he landed while fishing Ahi Assault Diamond Jigs aboard the Goldeneye 2000 . When the jig bite is on an angler equipped with the right gear can load up on large lings and rockfish quickly !
^Here we see Cal Kellogg ’ s beaten and battered Ahi Jig and Seeker Stealth series jig rod . One of the big keys to success when it comes to jigging bottomfish is having the correct gear . The proper rod is 8 feet long and sports a stiff fast action . The rod should be mated with a high speed reel loaded with 50 to 65 pound braid . This season Cal has been employing a PENN Fathom lever drag reel for this work .
^Displayed here are some Ahi Assault Diamond Bars in 10 , 12 and 14 ounce sizes . Ahi Assault jigs are a fresh spin on the tried and true diamond bar and they are deadly on lingcod and rockfish in deep and moderately deep water . The white glow color is Cal ’ s
^This big black rockfish couldn ’ t pass up an anchovy pattern Ahi Live Deception Jig .. The Live Deception line of jigs do an exceptionally effective job of imitating injured baitfish in shallow to moderately deep water . presents Bars For Picking Up Lingcod And Rockfish
Over the past couple months , I ’ ve been out after lingcod and rockfish
several times . Most years , I rely heavily on large natural baits for my lings and shrimp flies tipped with squid or Gulp ! for rockfish . But alas every year is different and this season metal “ bar ” jigs have been working exceptionally well for me .
Using jigs , I ’ ve landed big numbers of lingcod and some huge rockfish . On one trip , I put together a legitimate 100 pound sack of lings and rocks … A feat almost unheard of in this day and age .
Growing up , jigging for lingcod with diamond bars and hex bars was pretty much the one and only accepted method for hooking these toothy predators . As a result , up until recently I assumed that most experienced charter boaters knew how to work with bars . Yet from the reactions I ’ ve gotten from fellow anglers that see me pulling in fish on my jigs , it ’ s clear that many modern day charter boaters have little understanding of how to jig , but when they see the results jigs can produce they are all interested in learning the ropes .
If you fall into this category , continue reading , because I ’ m about to unroll a basic guide for jigging bottom fish with bar jigs !
Of course , I ’ m tempted to start this discussion with the jigs themselves . Which ones are better ? Which ones are best ? Does color matter ? What factor does jig weight play ? Yet when it comes to jigging , the tackle used is actually more critical than the jigs themselves because without proper gear , you won ’ t be able to make an effective presentation .
Let ’ s begin with rods … I am currently
FISH SNIFFER HOW – TO by Cal Kellogg
using an 8 ’ Seeker Stealth series jig stick that is rated for 25 to 40 pound test line . The rod sports a fast action and features a ton of backbone . While it has ample fish fighting power , the stiffness and fast action of the rod is crucial for casting and working heavy lead jigs that weigh anywhere from 6 to 16 ounces in water that ranges up 240 deep .
My rod is mated with a high-speed PENN Fathom 25 lever drag reel . The reel is loaded with 65 pound test braided line .
Having a high-speed reel , say 5.1 to 1 or better isn ’ t critical for fighting fish , but it helps you avoid snags and of course the quicker you can reel your jig out of deep water when you don ’ t hook up , the quicker you can cast again . This means more quality bottom time and that translates to more fish at the end of the day .
The heavy braid allows me to fish a tight drag to pull the fish away from snags and it also offers incredible sensitivity . It ’ s rocky down there and if you ’ re dragging you ’ ll be snagging .
With the sensitivity of braid , I know exactly what my jig is doing .
What I ’ ve described is basically a SoCal style yellowtail rig . Seeker , Cousins and Phenix all make rods that fill this nitch . In terms of reels , PENNs are great as are Avets , SoCal Reels , Daiwas and Accurates . No matter what brand you choose , the reel is going to be pricy . Decent models start at $ 200 and range upward from there .
In terms of terminal end tackle , you won ’ t need much beyond some big heavy-duty swivels and a spool of 40 to 50 lb mono for leaders . I use green Trilene
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