BFT Jigging Tackle

[Kevin-Dan's Legacy]

I have heard a lot of things about how jigging for BFT can be effective when they are not biting on trolled baits. I usually fish out of OC when I run offshore and have tried to pursue BFT without much success. I thought that it could maybe come into use when at a spot like the Jackspot trolling and marking fish, but not catching. The whole jigging thing has me kind of curious. What kind of set ups and outfits would I need to jig up BFT?

[t_hoang02]

Spinning:
Stella 18k-20K on a 300g-400g rod, then load that thing full of PE6 DENON Braid, that should whip almost any BFT that you'll come across.

But if you're on a budget, Shimano Saragosa 14-18k (change the drag wash out for Carbontex) 300g-400g rod, then load that thing full of PE6 DENON Braidor some kind of depth finder braid.

Convential:

Jigging Master P5-P9 Reel (2speed reel 60lbs+ max drag) on a 300g-400g rod, then load that thing full of PE6 DENON Braidor some kind of depth finder braid.

or

AVET (LX, JX, HX all will do) on a 300g-400g rod, then load that thing full of PE6 DENON Braid or some kind of depth finder braid


There are way more options then the above, but these are what i have used and have worked well for me...

[suncoug]

Much depends on whether you are targeting BFT much larger than 200lb. For up to 200lber, you could probably land one without too much trouble with a fairly inexpensive setup like OTI/Trevala + Saltist/Saltiga 40 + 300+ yards of 80lb (PE6) den, especially if you are in a small boat and you can chase it.

Bigger ones are a completely different story and, while you could land one with a lesser setup, it is advisable to go with big tackle that can deal with nearly 30lb of drag, which means each setup will set you back at least $1k. Also, you would want to have at least 400 yards of PE8 or better lines. Also, your termial tackle connections become extremely important.

[Entourage]

if you want to jig bft over 180 lbs which almost all the fish are now, a saragossa isn't your reel @$300. I had two and sold them, the drag cap and carbon washers really dont make a differnce. the washers do help but the drag cap isnt any differn't. i have had 7-8 of them new and old and they seem the same. your best bet that you could ever have is a reasonable price is find a shimano stella 20000fa. i bought a brand new one for $550 spooled with over 500yrds of 80lb power pro on it. then i took the power pro off! then spooled it with 575yrds diawa boat braid 80lb. the 20000fa (old model) and 20000sw (new model) are jigging reels, the 18000sw and 10000fa are poping reels high speed. you cannot use a a 18000sw or 10kfa for jigging it will throw off the rythem i have been told. a 300g jigging rod is to lite to fish these fish. not saying you cant land a 200lb on one,i have seen it done. but i would get atleast a 400g rod 5'2" long. i use 300g for small tuna, i have a 400g oti jigging rod i used and now am using a 450g synit venom which is a total differnt ball game. most use 450 g rod. i will sell the oti if you want one $200, i payed $300 it looks new. some people i have fished with landed a 400lb fish in 30 mins today on a stella 18k. and when fishing with these same guys we hooked 3 fish on stellas at the same time (triple)and all 3 came in to the boat in 12 mins or less biggest 73" and smallest 68". and pe line doesnt equal break strenght get 80-100lb line

[shoot-straight]

since you are talking about fishing outta oc, we generally dont see the HUGE BFT's like they do north and south. sure, they come by, but i wouldnt worry about them too much. admittedly, i am far from a jigging pro, i have got a few jigging though. all were caught on combos <300$ each. again, the tunas wernt huge, but i did land a 140# BFT on a travala/torium combo. that woudlnt be my first choice, but it worked! others 100# BFT's were caught on saltist reels and okuma cedros rods that day.

i am assuming you are like me and just a weekend warrior. i just see no reason spending 1000's of $ on jigging combos that will not be used alot. im outfitting my boat with a couple of new combos to replace the ones that were stolen. they will serve double duty as deep bottom rods for seabass, tog or even tilefish and jigging rods if needed. i have pretty much decided on the tsunami jigging rods and diawa BG reels. i think they will do fine. the new BG series saltists have the newer carbon drags. i think most rods will be servicable, just dont high stick them and youll be fine.

having said that if jigging is what you want to do all the time, then yes, buy the best.

of course if money is no concern, by all means get the best, i guess at that point there would be no reason not to. sure i would love to have the best of everything, but im trying to save money for fuel. i think im gonna need it when the middle east implodes and gas goes even higher.

JMHO

[TerpHeels]

shoot-straight is dead on for delmarva sized fish which nowadays rarely seem to reach 100lbs. Add to that skinny water and u just don't need 2 break the bank. I don't have any input on the spinners but the Avet HX 5/2 will handle anything u throw at it up here and doubles nicely as a deep drop reel if u go conventional. I like the Avet cuz it has lug harnesses on it.

[Entourage]

one thing about a shimano, i bought my saragossa 18k spooled $225 sold it in five minutes on a jigging site for $245, another i sold and broke even the same day i advertised it on the same site. if you spend the money on a gosa or stella and dont buy it for retail, which is easy to do you will lose no money or a few bucks at the most. these fish are big. two boats yesterday in h.i. landed 13 fish and one was under 73" most over 300#.

[dawurm88]

Entourage where did you get the stella for that price? I would buy 2.

[Entourage]

sorry one fish on each boat was uns=der 73". the best jigging site to buy gear is 360tuna, this is the most informative site for palegics. and the people never have attitudes. i think maybe i have seen 3 tidalfishers on there. i have seen 2 old model stellas = f.a. 20000 sell for $500 spooled in 2 weeks. the new models=sw are usually $750 and up new. i have seen one go for $650. this stuff in the classifieds litteraly might only last seconds if its a good deal. good luck..

[Kevin-Dan's Legacy]

Everybody, thank you for the advice. I have come to the conclusion that I am not yet ready to drop the money on the jigging equipment. I will deffinitely keep everyone's advice in mind when I do decide to make the move and get the gear. Thanks again...
Kevin