Since large fish feed more readily on or near bottoms, the trick, logically, is to use a lure or bait that invades their domain.
If that theory sounds simple...it really is. You don't catch fish where they ain't, and there's nothing more effective in reaching this targeted area than a properly weighted jig tipped with a plastic tail, worm, skirt, or in conjunction with a wide variety of live, dead, or cut baits.
In normal circumstances, a 1/8-ounce jig is just right in shallow water from two to six feet. If, due to drift or strong tidal flows, the offering doesn't go to the bottom, switch to a 1/4-ounce.
If a 1/4-ounce jig is too small to work that drop-off or reef in 10-30 feet, step up to a 3/8- or 3/4-ounce regular or weedless model.
For those deep-water situations where a bait must reach depths of 60 feet or more, I'd suggest a jig weighing one to four ounces such as Cotee's Liv'Eye Action Jig which was refined in the early 1980s to reach tarpon in deep-water haunts, along with approaching rocky offshore reefs frequented by grouper, snapper, and amberjack.
Cotee's criteria for a deep-water jig is identical as for its lighter models in that it should incorporate the same unique corkscrew fall and staggered barbs that prevent a plastic tail from slipping down the hook's shaft.
Writers Vic Dunaway, Lefty Kreh and I introduced the concept of deep jigging for tarpon at Boca Grande Pass in the mid-1960s. The technique was an immediate success as we began jumping silver kings ranging in weight from 50-150 pounds at a ratio of five to one over those using conventional methods including the old Boca Grande standby of drifting pass or dollar crabs.
Color Preferences
Since then, with help from Capt. Charlie Cleveland, Bobby Croft and others, I've been able to further improve upon the system with a selection of color preferences.
Over the years, I've concluded that kelly or lime green is the most productive color for tarpon and grouper in waters ranging from 45-70 feet. Matter of fact, this particular shade of green is three times more effective than pink, white, clear, blue, and other hues.
Why? I haven't the foggiest.
However, when two or three anglers can frequently jump 100 or more tarpon on two tides in a matter of six hours, as I've often done at Boca Grande with a kelly green Chubby Grub tail on a one-ounce jig, I'll not look that proverbial gift horse in the mouth.
I've also done quite a bit of experimentation with one- to four-ounce jigs while fishing for grouper, snapper, and amberjack along offshore reefs in waters ranging from 45- to 125-foot depths.
Jigs Versus Bait
When matched with more conventional baits used for grouper, such as frozen sardines or live pin fish, I'd say a jig is more effective.
Based upon continuing color experiments on the grouper grounds during the warmer months, I'm inclined to use the lime green, motor oil, or hot pink tails. During the colder months of winter, clear, white, and yellow appear to be more effective.
One of these days, hopefully, I'll get my color "act" together and be more helpful at making specific recommendations.
Even though I'm continuing to experiment with various color combinations, I'll still catch more grouper and snapper with jigs in most situations than with frozen or live bait.
In addition to allowing me to catch more tarpon and bottom fish, jigs have an additional advantage in that I often use a $1 lure all day, instead of spending $20 or more for frozen or live bait that may or may not last for the duration of the trip.
Copyright (c) 1996 Herb Allen. All rights reserved.
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