Tuna jigging ?

[NJ Dave]

In the next few weeks ill be out with a 6 pack sponsor for some tuna fishing.
Thinking of jigging during the night.
I have a Zee Baas 25 that is rated to 35 lbs of drag. Its a bail less model.
The question is will this bail less reel work for jigging?
Obviousley I will clear w captain prior.
Line recomendation?
Jig recomendations?
Thx.

[bunker dunker]

6 & 8oz hammered jigs in chrome and gold

[Gerry Zagorski]

Stingo PPJ and braided colored line 40 lbs class. The braided line helps you to detemine what depth you are at so if you are marking fish at 40 feet you can get your jig there.

[Jigman13]

I use a VS 275 bail less for tuna jigging. It works fine once you get the method down. I havent used it in about a year due to minimal opps to get out but it works--just gotta be QUICK!

I use #80 daiwa boat braid b/c its metered--never had an issue with it. For top shot/leader, I start with #100 fluoro--either YoZuri or Seaguar, but that's just my preference. Pink and blue sardine jigs work... As do sting-os... and of course--there always effective hammered chrome and gold diamond jigs. Size will vary by tide and depth of fish...

[NJ Dave]

Thanks to all.
Jigman by "QUICK" what do you mean? Quick to get the line back on the roller???
I can borrow a 10k stella but something about using my own reel makes it all more worth the fight.

[Jigman13]

Yea, pretty much. A quick rod snap and a finger swoop usually does the trick just fine. I've also noticed with the VS that the roller catches the line on its own sometimes but I dont instill much faith in that. Snap, swoop, set hook lol.

[nmc02]

Use 80 lb braid w a flouro leader in 80 lb. I like the HOTS drift tune jigs in 200 gr

[PeteyHD]

Stingo PPJ and braided colored line 40 lbs class. The braided line helps you to detemine what depth you are at so if you are marking fish at 40 feet you can get your jig there.

This is the only line I use for vertical jigging! Daiwa Boat Braid in 80lb-100lb test. Very low diameter, smooth as silk and color coded for depth love it!

[NJ Dave]

All great onfo. Thx to all.
I have a bunch of butterfly and hammered jigs.
I think ill add some stingos and such to my arsenal.

Question.....
so basicall I am droppong down to the desired depth, putting the line on the roller and then start jigging right?
I think trying to get the line on the roller from a running fish would be detrimental to my fingers

[Gerry Zagorski]

All great onfo. Thx to all.
I have a bunch of butterfly and hammered jigs.
I think ill add some stingos and such to my arsenal.

Question.....
so basicall I am droppong down to the desired depth, putting the line on the roller and then start jigging right?
I think trying to get the line on the roller from a running fish would be detrimental to my fingers

Yep and sometimes the fish hit the jig on the way down. That's why in general spinning gear is more suited for casting and top water popping and conventional for dropping down and vertical jigging.

Have fun and catchem up Dave.

[NJ Dave]

Yea Gerry thats what was my concern w the bail less. Just want to get one on my reel.
thx to all.

[Dino]

your fine with that reel... load it up with some 65 or 80lb braid. nice uni/uni knot to a 5-10 foot length of flouro. jig umm up.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Yea Gerry thats what was my concern w the bail less. Just want to get one on my reel.
thx to all.

I hear you and you should be fine. You might want to bring a light glove to help prevent the braid from digging into your finger joints. I was out with a friend a few weeks back and we were trolling with braid. A spreader bar line popped out of the rigger and when I went to grab the braid to put it back into the release clip it cut me pretty good right in my pointer finger joint.

[Jigman13]

Question.....
so basicall I am droppong down to the desired depth, putting the line on the roller and then start jigging right?
I think trying to get the line on the roller from a running fish would be detrimental to my fingers

Yes, but quickly in regards to getting the line on the roller. Might take a few drops to adjust but you'll get the hang of it pretty easily. A glove isnt a bad idea. I wear the pelagic gloves when jigging b/c I'm mostly using braid and/or spectra. That stuff makes quick work of flesh. If you get slammed on the drop, snap the rod tip up and swoop your index finger onto the line and catch the roller. It's fun on spinning gear as it offers a different kind of fight. Conventional set ups do make it easier but fighting them on a spinning set up is pretty awesome--esp when that drag starts singing the sweet, sweet tune of thunnus!

I also added a spinning rod harness strap to the arsenal. It easily loops around the rod grip above the reel and allows you to attach your harness clips in the event you're fortunate enough to hook into a big fish. My set up consists of the VS 275 with the VS VJS66-325 6'6 jigging rod. Pop the gimble butt into your belt, hook into the harness strap and enjoy the blue water tango!

[NJ Dave]

I just picked up a VJS58-500 from this site to use. A little bigger than I wanted but just in case that big em comes I guess ill be ready.
The ZB paired nice to the VS rod.
Going to stop at jigging world for a few jigs and a shop in sayerville that was recomended to me for jigs.
Any additional advice appreciated.
Thanks to all.

[Jan G]

With butterflies I usually let the lure hit the bottom then pump and reel the whole way through the water column. Always be alert if the lure is picked up on the way down or on the sinking after a pump.

[MVP]

I just picked up a VJS58-500 from this site to use. A little bigger than I wanted but just in case that big em comes I guess ill be ready.
The ZB paired nice to the VS rod.
Going to stop at jigging world for a few jigs and a shop in sayerville that was recomended to me for jigs.
Any additional advice appreciated.
Thanks to all.

Used stingo 5.5 oz in mackerel color last time out that was hot jig for the day. Get yourself a line counter or color braided line as mentioned as you want to make sure you keep jig in the strike zone.

Send me pm with place in sayerville that sells jigs.