Jigging in GOM

Under Water Expeditions
The big E is probably the best long range prospect we have on this side of the gulf. a 52hr will get you shots at yftuna, blackfin. Aj's grouper etc.. I am sure some others have some other options for you.

 

The big E would be the place to start. There is a lot of fellows who do a lot of jigging on that boat

 

grescobia that is some tuna

 

i'm hoping to do an april trip as well......

after the 12 hour trip, they let me walk around on the big e...that boat is sweet.


oh, and if you do a day trip or anything beforehand.....you can jig all you want, just go to the bow. no one was past the benches other than me. on almost every drop i had a nice red snapper or amberjack. this is a pic of pretty much the only thing i used all day....

 

View attachment 2793

 

Hey Bret, is that a Hopper rod? What Size?

 

it is - 4'10", up to 500g.

 

Sweet! I like them Hopper blanks, its got the same action of my Sevenseas rod. I'll be building a custom 600g shortly. Good fishing.

 

On the stella, saragosa and saltiga - i don't think you can close the bail by reeling as you can on a baitrunner and other reels. I may be wrong, but I think this is the case. It might be the same on others as well.

 

Hmmm.
If fishing right handed with assist hooks.
use left hand to loosely feed line through fingers
close to reel, on right hand while gripping the rod lay pointer finger against rod
by reel seat. On the drop you might either feel a light tap
on right hand fingeror or the line will stop pulling through left hand fingers
OR pull faster through fingers.... So in other words when conditions
change during a steady drop either your jigs been hit or you hit bottom
in one motion left hand closes bail as rod is being pointed down and then retrieve line until tight on fish. If you are not hooked up add 5-10 quick cranks and then drop through bite zone again. Hits can be suttle.
If drift is slow drop straight down, if drift is fast try to posistion on the boat so you can pitch jig some what up current. It's best if possible if the jig is some what verticle to rod when passing through strike zone.
But this is same with both Conventional and Spin equipment.

I like getting hit on the drop then I don't have to be concerned about
Jig bouncing and retrive styles.

Good luck

K2

 

Hmmm.
If fishing right handed with assist hooks.
use left hand to loosely feed line through fingers
close to reel, on right hand while gripping the rod lay pointer finger against rod
by reel seat. On the drop you might either feel a light tap
on right hand fingeror or the line will stop pulling through left hand fingers
OR pull faster through fingers.... So in other words when conditions
change during a steady drop either your jigs been hit or you hit bottom
in one motion left hand closes bail as rod is being pointed down and then retrieve line until tight on fish. If you are not hooked up add 5-10 quick cranks and then drop through bite zone again. Hits can be suttle.
If drift is slow drop straight down, if drift is fast try to posistion on the boat so you can pitch jig some what up current. It's best if possible if the jig is some what verticle to rod when passing through strike zone.
But this is same with both Conventional and Spin equipment.

I like getting hit on the drop then I don't have to be concerned about
Jig bouncing and retrive styles.

Good luck

K2

 

Mhy saragosa does have an automatic bail close. I can reel and it will close or I can close it manually. I think I will close it manual more ofaten than not since my hand will already be right there.

 

Auto bail is not a good thing for casting popper, you might lost a few popper because of the bail close on you. JMO.

 

you might loose a few popper anyway....