When would you use 50g-100g jigs?

[JerseyBrian]

On shallow water reefs/wrecks? (45-90ft?) Or Not at all?

[Formula4Fish]

Target fish are usually Yellowfin Tuna or donkey Amberjack. I always figure that even though elephants eat peanuts, larger baits means larger bites. The smallest jigs in my arsenal are 150g (5oz) and I generally use 200g or 250g jigs or larger.

Even if I'm targeting Red Snapper I'll generally use 200g.

I have an assortment of diamond and hammered diamonds in 6oz, 8oz, 10oz, and 12oz.

[JerseyBrian]

Originally Posted by Dick_Formula233

Target fish are usually Yellowfin Tuna or donkey Amberjack. I always figure that even though elephants eat peanuts, larger baits means larger bites. The smallest jigs in my arsenal are 150g (5oz) and I generally use 200g or 250g jigs or larger.

Even if I'm targeting Red Snapper I'll generally use 200g.

I have an assortment of diamond and hammered diamonds in 6oz, 8oz, 10oz, and 12oz.

Thanks for the response! I'll be targeting Mutton Snapper (8-12lb range) and Grouper during my next trip down to Miami so your snapper fishing observations help a lot. However, say you had a long (8 inches) 3oz knife jig, would you use it? (has a large profile, but would be lighter than your normal ~5oz....)

[gman]

Brian it really depends on the current, unfortunately the current on the reefs down in Miami is usually ripping. I went jigging off some wrecks less than 2 miles from the beach and i had to use 9 ounces to get it down

[JerseyBrian]

How deep were you? Isn't depth an issue?

I was thinking of making a day trip out to the Bimini Reefs in the Bahamas next time I was down in Miami since it's only a 50 mile shot from the Miami marina. A friend of mine has a 26ft boat and should be able to get us out their in short order... Depth ranges from 45-90ft and Big Mutton Snapper invade the area in the summertime along with resident larger black groupers in the 60lb range. I've seen cobia, king macks, the rare Cubera and small 30lb YFT being caught off the reefs as well. Could be a nice trip for my first real jigging experience ...but I have to admit, I might cheat and bring some chum and dead bait

[Pescador]

JerseyBrian said "Cheat and bring some chum and dead bait" - theres a sign of a newbie.
Good jigging will outfish bait JB - just stick with it and you will see the light.

On your question of lightweight jigs - I've caught fish to over 70lb on jigs below 100gms, and always use the lightest jig I can.

For Snapper try a 60gm River2Sea Sea Rock, bomb it straight down wherever you mark fish, try and get at them with a direct hit, don't worry because they will intercept the jig before it can reach the bottom!
Just watch the line entering the water and as soon as it stops, engage, wind fast and hang on.
SeaRocks are tail weighted jigs, if you cant get some where you are, use any tail weighted jig that is shortish in length BUT I have a friend who gets his snapper on a long tail weighted jigs, so what the hell!

[gman]

Originally Posted by Pescador

JerseyBrian said "Cheat and bring some chum and dead bait" - theres a sign of a newbie.
Good jigging will outfish bait JB - just stick with it and you will see the light.

On your question of lightweight jigs - I've caught fish to over 70lb on jigs below 100gms, and always use the lightest jig I can.

For Snapper try a 60gm River2Sea Sea Rock, bomb it straight down wherever you mark fish, try and get at them with a direct hit, don't worry because they will intercept the jig before it can reach the bottom!
Just watch the line entering the water and as soon as it stops, engage, wind fast and hang on.
SeaRocks are tail weighted jigs, if you cant get some where you are, use any tail weighted jig that is shortish in length BUT I have a friend who gets his snapper on a long tail weighted jigs, so what the hell!

Pescador ... that newbie comment wasn't neccisary at all. First off not everyone loves jigging 100% I bait fish as well. Why do you need to be a newbie to use bait?? Doesnt make sense.

To answer your question Brian, depth has something to do with it but if the current is ripping regardless of depth you will need to increase the weight. Its the same concept with bottom fishing, i could be in 50 feet but a 2 ounce sinker may not work

[BretABaker]

brian - i agree with glenn in that it'll depend on current....just wanted to add don't under/over match your rod. if it is rated to 250g...using a 600g jig is probably too heavy for that rod.

it sounds like you will be fine, hope the trip goes well.

[JerseyBrian]

Originally Posted by Pescador

JerseyBrian said "Cheat and bring some chum and dead bait" - theres a sign of a newbie.
Good jigging will outfish bait JB - just stick with it and you will see the light.

On your question of lightweight jigs - I've caught fish to over 70lb on jigs below 100gms, and always use the lightest jig I can.

For Snapper try a 60gm River2Sea Sea Rock, bomb it straight down wherever you mark fish, try and get at them with a direct hit, don't worry because they will intercept the jig before it can reach the bottom!
Just watch the line entering the water and as soon as it stops, engage, wind fast and hang on.
SeaRocks are tail weighted jigs, if you cant get some where you are, use any tail weighted jig that is shortish in length BUT I have a friend who gets his snapper on a long tail weighted jigs, so what the hell!

Yea, I'm definitely a newbie at this whole jigging thing but who says bait fishing isn't fun! Especially if I can get some livebait with my cast net. Feeding small fish to big fish is cool ... like when you start to feel him on your line trying to flee....hehe Don't matter if it's live bait, dead bait, finesse, jigging or popping...I LOVE FISHING and I love every kind of fishing there is. I hope to learn as many types of fishing techniques and styles as I can in my life. I love expanging my fishing repertoire, and mostly my fishing knowledge I started off as a kid using line twisted onto a ruler off the Oradell Ave. Bridge which was 40 ft off the water so you can tell I was obsessed as soon as I caught that first Sunfish...and I'm down to fish; with whatever.

Thank you for sharing your experiences on jigging lighter lures with me though! It sssures me that I should get a real assortment of jigs that range from light to heavy, from short to long...always prepared for what conditions await me.. I'm stopping by a few stores this weekend so I will look for what you suggested. Thanks again!

Originally Posted by gman

Pescador ... that newbie comment wasn't neccisary at all. First off not everyone loves jigging 100% I bait fish as well. Why do you need to be a newbie to use bait?? Doesnt make sense.

I've always been fascinated by speed jigging and with my tax return money, now is my chance to get my own jigging setup and start learning!!! Gotta start somewhere. I'm an experienced inshore popper though. Can't wait to start throwing those 4-5 oz poppers to tuna, roosters, cubera, etc... I know already its going to be a totally different action/movement. I love it.

Originally Posted by gman

To answer your question Brian, depth has something to do with it but if the current is ripping regardless of depth you will need to increase the weight. Its the same concept with bottom fishing, i could be in 50 feet but a 2 ounce sinker may not work

hmm, very true. Strength of current and tide >> depth. Thanks Glenn

Sorry I ask all these 7 part questions guys But I'm trying to learn as much as possible and you guys have been great. Very open and helpful down to a fault. Fishermen 4 Life!

[JerseyBrian]

Originally Posted by BretABaker

brian - i agree with glenn in that it'll depend on current....just wanted to add don't under/over match your rod. if it is rated to 250g...using a 600g jig is probably too heavy for that rod.

it sounds like you will be fine, hope the trip goes well.

Thanks Brett. Another question I had was if you guys use a lure that is at the max of the rod's lure weight rating or if you tend to give it a little cushion. But I definitely knew not to over load my rod with a lure out of it's weight range.