[xs_tackle]

I first saw "assist hooks" on "butterfly jigs" packaged with labels written in Japanese. I've since seen jigs with assist hooks mentioned lots of places and even used offshore. But, I've never looked into the assist hook thing. I have some questions you guys can probably answer:

1. Do you think assist hooks yield more or better hookups?

2. What's the idea behind them? Is it that some fish hit a tail hooked jig from the side or front end and escape the tail hook?

3. Are assist hooks supposed to improve the action/look of the jig on its descent or to slow its descent?

4. Does a jig with hooks which dangle a few inches from the jig cast better because of better aerodynamics when they fold back on the fly? Or, maybe that doesn't matter because most assist hooked jigs are for yo-yoing and not casting.

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[Minnow]

I first saw "assist hooks" on "butterfly jigs" packaged with labels written in Japanese. I've since seen jigs with assist hooks mentioned lots of places and even used offshore. But, I've never looked into the assist hook thing. I have some questions you guys can probably answer:

1. Do you think assist hooks yield more or better hookups?
I think so

2. What's the idea behind them? Is it that some fish hit a tail hooked jig from the side or front end and escape the tail hook?
less leverage for the fish to swing the jig since assist hook attach to solid ring

3. Are assist hooks supposed to improve the action/look of the jig on its descent or to slow its descent?
I think it will improve action of the jig

4. Does a jig with hooks which dangle a few inches from the jig cast better because of better aerodynamics when they fold back on the fly? Or, maybe that doesn't matter because most assist hooked jigs are for yo-yoing and not casting.
Most jig fisherman hardly cast their jig, unless it's lite weight surface jig
Thanks for your thoughts.

Just my opinion

 

[ChrisW]

I first saw "assist hooks" on "butterfly jigs" packaged with labels written in Japanese. I've since seen jigs with assist hooks mentioned lots of places and even used offshore. But, I've never looked into the assist hook thing. I have some questions you guys can probably answer:

1. Do you think assist hooks yield more or better hookups?
debateable on more hookups, but every hookup is usually solid

2. What's the idea behind them? Is it that some fish hit a tail hooked jig from the side or front end and escape the tail hook?
the Japanese believe that predatory fish attack the head or gut area of the prey. That is where the assist hook should be positioned. Traditional bottom hooks foul the sea floor much more losing jigs. Fish like Dogtooth Tuna are more tail biters so a tail treble is preferred instead of an assist hook.
3. Are assist hooks supposed to improve the action/look of the jig on its descent or to slow its descent?
They don't improve action. In fact when the jig descends, the assist hook folds up against the leader well out of the strike zone. So if your target fish primarily hits on the descent, then place another assist hook at the bottom of the jig.

4. Does a jig with hooks which dangle a few inches from the jig cast better because of better aerodynamics when they fold back on the fly? Or, maybe that doesn't matter because most assist hooked jigs are for yo-yoing and not casting.
Jigs that normally have assist hooks where originally designed for vertical jigging, NOT casting. You may find that assist hooks work well on casting jigs. Many anglers much prefer a large single hook to a treble.

Thanks for your thoughts.
Some are my thoughts, most are thoughts of many experienced Asian jiggers.

 

[Ragman]

All great information above!

I think that the biggest advantage is that, as TJ wrote, the assist hook method decreases the leverage that the fish can use to its advantage to come unbuttoned.

I've also read where assist hooks are being used on topwater baits, in lieu of trebles or singles.

This is next on my list to try out. After my last trip and feeling many times the trebles coming unbuttoned while fighting tuna, I'm moving to singles on all of my topwater baits and experimenting with assists.