Hookset and Brush Jigs

Rank: Smallmouth Rank

Joined : 04 Jun 2012

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I've been fishing brush jigs lately with either a zoom super chunk jr or uncle josh pork frog trailer.

I keep loosing fish. They are staying on for a couple seconds then come off.

Am I not setting the hook hard enough? I mellowed on the hookset for fear of yanking it out of their mouth.

I'm fishing mono.

Thanks,
Patrick

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Posted Wed Jul 17, 2013 9:33 am

samf

Rank: Swordfish Rank

Joined : 15 Sep 2009

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what power / action on the rod and how heavy is the line? also, are they heavy wire hooks? if so, you might not be setting hard enough and getting the hook through the hard part of the mouth. for jigs with heavy wire hooks it's probably best to go with a stout rod and heavier line without stretch.

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Posted Wed Jul 17, 2013 9:39 am

biggz53

Rank: Largemouth Rank

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The stretch in mono probably isnt helping a ton either. If you have another rod that is at least MH with flouro or braid give that a try.

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Posted Wed Jul 17, 2013 9:43 am

kizel13

Rank: Largemouth Rank

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Fish it on braid or mono and u wanna cross that fishes eye hard hard hooksets

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Posted Wed Jul 17, 2013 10:15 am

azmlii

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I'm using a Medium 6'6" casting rod with 12lb mono.

Sounds like I need to set the hook harder and possibly pickup a heavier rod.

Thanks everyone.

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Posted Wed Jul 17, 2013 1:55 pm

kmsnowman

Rank: Panfish Rank

Joined : 06 Mar 2012

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7 ft med/Hvy to xtra Hvy. 17 lb mono to 65 pound braid. If you can get away with braid you won't need an eye crossing hook set. Also make sure your jig has a good hook too.

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Posted Wed Jul 17, 2013 2:06 pm

tunasty13

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I use a 7'6 heavy action with 50-65 lb braid for most flipping. I don't really lose that many. If the water is really clear ill tie on a heavy mono or floro leader but for most thick cover you can usually get away with straight braid

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Posted Wed Jul 17, 2013 8:24 pm

johnyak

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Make sure your hooks are sharp. If this is the rod you want to use I would use 14lb.flouro, less stretch with the flouro and it's stronger than mono.
If you go with braid a lighter hookset will drive it home, no stretch at all. Braid will rip the jaw off if you try and cross it's eyes. Also loosen your drag and let the rod and the drag fight the fish.

Tight lines...

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Posted Wed Jul 17, 2013 8:59 pm

shawneramone

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I agree with these guys. I use a 7 ft MH rod with 15 pound Fluoro. You can make a really hard hook set with this setup. I put mono on my jig rod once when I was being lazy and that's what I had on hand. Waaaaay too much stretch for jig fishing.

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Posted Thu Jul 18, 2013 6:26 am

azmlii

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Joined : 04 Jun 2012

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Thanks for the advice everyone, as always you folks are a helpful lot.

I guess I need to get myself a 7'MH rod and some 15lb fluorocarbon line, if I want to fish jigs right. BTW, they're Boag Hog Baits jigs, so they're good quality.

I wonder how that's going to go over with the wife. Wink

I do have some 12lb florocarbon. I may respool this setup with it until I can buy another.

Again I really appreciate all your advice.

Cheers,
Patrick

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Posted Thu Jul 18, 2013 1:02 pm

samf

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you can use lighter line if you have any jigs that have a lighter wire hook. i throw some finesse jigs with a light wire or medium wire hook on 12 lb. test.

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Posted Thu Jul 18, 2013 1:07 pm

azmlii

Rank: Smallmouth Rank

Joined : 04 Jun 2012

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Total Points: 280

I may have some lighter jigs I got from Tackle grab. I'll have to check. Otherwise, I'll order some Barrel Bugs from Boag Hog Baits.

Do you use a trailer with the finesse jigs? If so what kind. I imagine one is still trying to emulate a crawfish.

Thanks,
Patrick

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Posted Thu Jul 18, 2013 1:16 pm

samf

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yeah i usually use a crawfish type trailer. just something smaller for a finesse jig like a 3" instead of 4". i sometimes just cut the back end of bait down a little bit so it fits well on the jig.

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Posted Thu Jul 18, 2013 2:33 pm

jwall046

Rank: Striped Bass Rank

Joined : 06 Oct 2009

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All good stuff Very Happy

I too trim my trailer on my finesse jigs, But they have a super sharp owner light wire hook! Trust me my fingers know it from making so many Cool

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Posted Fri Jul 19, 2013 11:25 am

stratos1966

Rank: Swordfish Rank

Joined : 17 Jul 2011

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azmlii
Thanks for the advice everyone, as always you folks are a helpful lot.

I guess I need to get myself a 7'MH rod and some 15lb fluorocarbon line, if I want to fish jigs right. BTW, they're Boag Hog Baits jigs, so they're good quality.

I wonder how that's going to go over with the wife.

I do have some 12lb florocarbon. I may respool this setup with it until I can buy another.

Again I really appreciate all your advice.

Cheers,
Patrick

med heavy is not ideal. Heavy, fast or extra fast is best imo.

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Posted Fri Jul 19, 2013 12:36 pm

Hookset and Brush Jigs

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