Re: sea bass on the iron!!
It's my favorite way to catch seabass........Period! We have been catching them on the old Lucanus jigs and the new Lucanus flat fall round jigs. I've converted the Shimano Coltsniper jig by replacing the treble hook with an assist hook. The seabass we have been catching are filled with tiny sandeels along with a few crabs and even small lobsters. Because of the variety of bait, all of the previously mentioned jigs worked wonders on the open bottom in 80 feet.
We do our fishing from our own boat so using jigs is much easier than from a crowded party boat. Since we drift and don't anchor, we've learned how to keep a light jig near the bottom and still avoid tangles. We cast our jigs downwind or in the direction of the drift and free spool until it hits bottom. As the boat drifts with the wind or current it catches up with the jig and we follow the jig past the boat until there is a little scope before we reel in and start again. The real trick is for everyone to go back to the head of the line once you reel in so everyone can keep following their jigs. Once at the head of the line, cast again in the direction of the drift and get back in line. It's a choreographed dance where everyone keeps moving and fishing.
By doing it correctly, you can use a lighter jig and keep it in the zone longer without having to go to a much bigger jig with their bigger hooks. It's a team effort, but it really works. From a boat anchored in a current, it's important to cast your jig up current so it gets down as it gets near the boat so you can fish it vertically for a longer time. You'll catch more fish on jigs if you can keep them fishing vertically.
Hope it helps. Good luck.
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