Two sides of using jigs for Blackfish

[Sharkyispy]

Originally Posted by fishingmortgageman

Let me begin by saying that I do not believe one way of fishing for blackfish is better than the other. They are DIFFERENT !! I like to use the jig for blackfish, because I am a light tackle angler, when I can be. i use a light spinning rod and light jigs for fluke, I use the same gear for albies, I use light tackle when chasing strippers, and I do a ton of freshwater spin fishing. I use spiral wrap conventional gear because it feels more like a spinning rod to me then. I feel that using the jig and light spinning tackle for blackfish allows me to fish in a manner that I most enjoy. That being said I have seen no evidence that a jig is better than conventional tackle. Remember that it is just the same crab, being presented in a different way. You do not jig the crab, as you would a jig for fluke, but fish the bait in the conventional way.
There are some disadvantages to fishing with the jig. It is best suited to water under 60' deep. Deeper than that the jig takes to long to get to the bottom and you need more weight to just hold. I do not carry more than a 3 oz jig because my light tackle can not comfortably fish a heavier one. It is also harder to control fish on light tackle and this can cause you to tangle other anglers lines. I don't believe that doing that is fair. The bite is very different on the jig from conventional tackle. There is a learning curve that you must go thru to gain some proficiency. There is also a smaller chance that you will be able to land a big fish if you happen to hook one.

I believe that there is a time and place to use the jig. If you are going on a crowded party boat I do not think that it is a good idea. I think that the best thing to do is to ask the captain before jigging. There are many reasons why the captain may not want you to jig. For example just about every fish needs to be netted, you probably will not catch as many fish and not have the great experience the captain wants for you. You may lose the monster that would have been your personal best and you may not come home with that big bag of fillets.

I am blessed to be able to fish 2 times a week, so many of the downsides to jigging are not that important to me. I fish enough that coming home with fish does not matter to me. I have caught a good number of bigger fish and it won't break my heart if I lose a big one. That being said when the captain says that we are on a big fish spot I will break out the conventional gear and give myself the best chance to land a monster. Please be mindful of the captains wishes on jigs and your fellow anglers. I enjoy the fishing with light tackle and will continue to do so under the right conditions.

Nicely worded Eric, and to each angler, their own preference on how to fish, given the consideration of a captains approach if you are on a charter and other anglers out of fairness, especially with conditions that may not warrant the use of jigs. As an angler and proprietor of a business that makes them, I respect both approaches to the quest of hooking into a slob of a tog.....and fish with each as well.

[Joey Dah Fish]

Thanks Eric very informative and extremely helpful to all, both jiggers and non jiggers. I fish with a few jiggers, very good fisherman and they totally know what they're doing. Its a pleasure watching them. But to those I fish with that don't have a clue well let's just say I like my scissors close by so when the tangles comes and it always does I know what line to cut and it certainly isn't mine . Press on with what you love and respect for others is always appreciated. Tight lines and big fish for you brother. As for David Man jigging the man needs my helmet more than I do.

[bulletbob]

The use of jigs started in LI Sound where in early in the season the rocky bottom areas being fished are a lot shallower than we see on the NJ coastline.. Lot of that fishing was done in water 15-20 feet.. As time went on the jigs got bigger and bigger, guys fished deeper and deeper with them,and now guys jig with 3 or more ounces in upwards of 60 fow..
Personally I don't feel its jigging.. Its just a weighted hook.. That jig would quickly become useless without a piece of a crab on it... If a tog angler put an egg sinker on the line and let it butt against a plain old Virginia hook and fished it the same way as a "blackfish jig", it would be every bit as effective IMHO...

[fishingmortgageman]

Originally Posted by bulletbob

The use of jigs started in LI Sound where in early in the season the rocky bottom areas being fished are a lot shallower than we see on the NJ coastline.. Lot of that fishing was done in water 15-20 feet.. As time went on the jigs got bigger and bigger, guys fished deeper and deeper with them,and now guys jig with 3 or more ounces in upwards of 60 fow..
Personally I don't feel its jigging.. Its just a weighted hook.. That jig would quickly become useless without a piece of a crab on it... If a tog angler put an egg sinker on the line and let it butt against a plain old Virginia hook and fished it the same way as a "blackfish jig", it would be every bit as effective IMHO...

I think that you are spot on. The jig is just a method to get the crab to the bottom.