[img_assist|fid=28533|thumb=1|alt=SW Laboratories Slim Jig|caption=370 and 470g]

This is one of the jigs I first reach for when out Sambo jigging. Its available in just the perfect weight for 100-120m where the Samsonfish aggregate, at 370g, or if theres a strong current or when moving out to deeper spots, say 200m, a heavier 470 brother.

It shoots its way down, due to its long slim profile, and its low water resistance also makes it less tiring to work with all day long, particularly on those slow days. It also drifts away slower than the more wider or fatter jigs, keeping it in the 'hot zone' longer. It is relatively affordable, and available at most tackle shops (and even some servos) in WA. On the drive up to Exmouth, I noted some of the servos carrying these models, with underwater pictures of Samsonfish hooked with them in the mouth. Amusing.

Available in a dazzling array of colours, my pick would be all of them, even those that have seen so many fish that they have had all their paint stripped off. Of course, during Sambo season, the fish don't care!

It works in a darting, then slowly sinking and drifting motion, then darting again, as you work the rod, imitating a (you guessed it) injured/tired baitfish. You can jig fast, or at a moderate tempo; I guess it depends on the mood of the fish on the day. I would suggest that technique is more important than speed, but this is certainly one easy jig to use. Keep the rhythm and you should hook up onto fish.

My workhorse jig, I only switch to more fancy and expensive ones if its a really slow day, or I feel like having more variety. For its price, its affordable enough for me to use to test the knots on my line at the start of the day. Another notable highlight is that this jig was what I have used to catch my (so far) heaviest Sambo (but not longest) and I also landed my first Amberjack using this. Another thing I like about it is that it has some really strong wire running through it, so that it does not bend into a C shape after a big dirty fight (well, I haven't seen one yet). I think this was one of the first long darting jigs to hit the WA market, and I find it nicely balanced.

The only drawback I can think of is that you do have to work it moderate to fast, as it is a darting jig, so it might be unsuitable for targeting lazy fish. Otherwise, the Seriola family and Skipjack species love it, and so do I.

Unfortunately, I don't spend as much time as I'd like to on the water, so there are still quite a few that I haven't jigged enough with to feel satisfied enough to pass comment on. (Having my reel sent back to Malaysia/Singapore for repair/modification/replacement doesn't help, it means I have to use other peoples gear! OR buy another one, ouch.) Also, I'll pace myself, and do a few more jigs every few days. Please feel free to post your own review of a jig.

A few that I soon hope to share a review on:
River 2 Sea Searocks
Smith CB Nagamasa
Smith MetalJack (funky little things)
Some Ofmer and Jigging Master jigs (once I find out what their exact names are!
Some of the Shout range of jigs
and perhaps what I think of the Fisherman Crazy Long, if I am brave enough to use it often enough. (Too expensive to lose!)

An example of one of the Ofmer jigs that I just can't remember what its called. If you know, please tell me =)[img_assist|fid=28537|thumb=1|alt=Some Ofmer Fluttering Jig|caption=I don't know its name!]

I do alot of jigging for all species ie Dhufish/pink snapper/Emperor/sambo's etc etc and my pick;

SW Lab for sure, then Zest, Shout and R2sea!

** Oceanside = Van Staal, Avets, Jigmaster rods, etc...**

Owner/Operator
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364 South Street,
O'Connor, Perth WA
Ph# 9337 5682
Fishing/Boating/Dive/Marine
** OPEN 7 DAYS **

300g, 400g and 500g (for picture, see above)

The most obvious pro about the SeaRock is its price: probably the cheapest on the market for the finishing! Available unrigged, which makes it even cheaper, and without the hassle of removing crappy split rings or hooks that usually come with mass-produced jigs.

The jig itself is hardy; the finishing will last a while, and the jig is not likely to bend after a decent tussle. Available at most (more like all?) tackle shops in Perth. a 300 to 400 gram jig should be fine on pe8 in 100m+, and the 400-500g on pe8 in 200m+. I am impartial to the blue, sardine colour, and the lumo with red-head, although I haven't come across anything that says those colours really catch more; it just looks nice to me thats all. ;)

It sinks like a brick too, meaning you will get down there in no time. The drawback to this, that to me, this jig does not (relatively) flutter much, or glide much, whatsoever. Unlike the SW lab jigs, which glide on the drop, my observation of the searock is that it just sinks, perhaps with a little bit of a flutter. It is not really a darting jig either. In fact, my nickname for it is 'the spanner'.

My opinion of how to jig with a Searock would be to be moderate to fast too. If the fish are lazy, slow it down on the lift, but not so much on the retrieve, as they dont seem to have much motion on the drop. From observing lighter searocks in clear water, it does resemble an injured baitfish, in its own way. While jigging, it 'swims' up and away, and on the drop sort of 'hangs' due to the upward momentum, and then sinks back down, until the next 'lift' causes it to swim up again. When jigged, this equates to a baitfish try to flee from the predator; but being injured, having to pause (the hanging bit) and be carried away (the sinking bit) by the current, before having enough energy to flee again. Another way to picture this, and it really did look like it, would be to see a hardyhead, with an injured tail, try to swim away in current. It will swim/dart a little bit, and then pause and get carried away by current, and then swim away again. Picturing the movement for the jig is important to give you confidence on how to work it; describing it however is a bit challenging. I hope you get the picture.

During Samson season, this is jig is a hit, especially because it gets down quick to the fish, and you should hook up amongst the school, no worries. It has also accounted for Dhuies, Pinkies, Skippy and more. Obviously it works; however, it isn't particularly my favourite. When sambos are schooling and biting yes, but I'll be quick to change to something else once it slows down.

Hope you found that informative, and if you have anything to add or would like to correct me, please do.

Until next time,
KC (still trying to snatch the pebble from the hand).

btw, if you guys reckon I'm just wasting space, and babbling, please let me know too. =)

I am sharing this information with the thought of it possibly being useful for someone, to see what sort of stuff is on the market, what might possibly be most suitable for someone, what someone else thinks about a particular jig, etc, but if noone finds it useful, I'll keep it to myself. =D

No point in me wasting time thinking of how to describe stuff in my head that I imagine happens 120m down in the depths of the ocean.

Good stuff mate...interesting stuff so keep it coming.

Are the 'un-named' jigs Zests?????

Loving the read KC, any more info is more than welcomed.

We always seem to find that the red head jigs on one side and the squid on the other seem to work better. Can't remember which ones they are but last season they worked much more effectively than the slim "spanner" ones. I don't mind the small sea rock jigs which have the fatter tails and flutter heaps more on drop and retrieve. Have never really tried the 400-500jigs, figure they must put a fair bit of hurt into the retrieve in the depths?

With jigging for dhues and pinks, how much do you change your jig speed and how far off the bottom do you retrieve? Catching a quality bottom fish on jig is another of my major goals but I question my technique.

Hi Andrew,
Those un-named jigs are by Ofmer... which now that you remind me, might be the same company as Zest! I haven't seen the same model sold here yet though.

Those would be the amoebic jigs, Adam?
I personally have yet to try em, but from their shape I would guess that theyre a fat darter. Yummy.

Don't know whether its because of those gym sessions, or perhaps an improvement in my technique, but I was jigging 400-500g jigs for a long time (6 hrs straight), and felt like I could continue for the whole day. Mind you, I was using fantastic rods, the Jigwrex and a Smith WGJ, and occasionally a Calstar 760L. This as opposed to last last Samson season, when if a fish didn't hit, I got tired jigging after 15 minutes. The post by galeintokyo about the 'cycling' motion would be what I think allows you to jig for ages without getting tired.

Now if only I could find a technique like that for popper casting =)

For jigging for dhuies and pinks, when I find out, I'll let you know =P =P =P It goes along the lines of slowing it right down.. I thought. But dhuies and pinkies have been caught on a fast retrieve, such as for sambos, 10m off the bottom so.....

I think when jigging for pinkies and dhuies, the main problem (my main problem) is finding them first.. if you can't find them you can't hook them. Ryan Thipthorp might better answer that question...
=)

I am far from an expert on this and can only share what has so far worked for me and that is by using Silstar Jig-Em-Rigs and basically bouncing the bottom 2 metres off the ocean floor you can pick up Dhuie's, Harlequin and Blackarse quite easily.

These rigs work well with a swift 9 o'clock to 11 o'clock rise of the rod (moves the lure about 1 - 2 meters) and then let the lure flutter back until you feel the sinker hit the bottom again. Most hits come on the flutter and it is only as you raise the rod again that you feel the fish on and set the hooks.

Pretty similar to what I've been told by far more experienced jiggers in Singapore, for reef species, they don't chase much, and fluttering jigs generally do better for them than the darters, which are suited for tuna and jacks.

Would love to get the chance to specifically target them on jigs, which so far has been of very limited success.

yo yo yo kasey, long time no jig.

can't wait for the warmer weather to roll in. hope next spring/summer ain't so windy... less spewing on deck for me !

amazing how local tackle shops are stocking heaps of jigging gear now. My local has a big selection of jigs, Japanese PE braids and Saltiga aluminium power knobs and so on... how things have changed.!

i couldn't resist, so on the weekend I went bought a little 4k brother for the 20k. Loaded it up with fluro orange 15lb Japanese super happy doki doki braid.

Hi Dasho,
Now I'm jealous, I've been thinking of a 4000 or 8000 size Stella for a long time now... or if the funds are lacking, a Japanese Twinpower.

Got a fair few 100-200 gram jigs, and have eyes on a Hot's Fake Lez, that looks sweet.

Btw, if you are looking for aluminium power handles for both the 4000 size and 20000 size Stellas, drop me a PM. I have been a bit lazy lately, but I should contact Singapore and get them to send me a few more. Cheap too ;) I have a spare 20000 handle lying around right now if you haven't found one yet, the same colour as the one I had. Installation takes oh about 30 seconds.

Oh, and I have some... 'news' about the SW lab jigs.

Speak to you soon.
[img_assist|fid=29668|thumb=1|alt=Hot's Fake Lez|caption=yummy!]

Pmed you back buddy.

Good news =)

100-200g not for 40-60m of water. Did I hear Dhuie and pinkie ground? Thats right.

And that rod is by hots. Another Japanese company with a decent pricetag and high standard of quality.

http://hots.co.jp/

They havent updated their site for a while tho... makers of the hot's Gipang, it has a reputation of a gt rod that is pretty impressive.

My dad went to Big W Whitfords last Saturday and saw a guy buying a huge stack of 'big long metal lures', and practically cleared the whole shelf. Im guessing the old boy meant jigs...

Was there some super sale on ???

jigs or large surecatch "raider" copies.......

**Oceanside = Van Staal, Avets, Jigmaster rods, etc... **

Oceanside Tackle and Marine
364 South Street,
O'Connor, Perth WA
Ph# 9337 5682
Fishing/Boating/Dive/Marine
** OPEN 7 DAYS **

Many, many thanks Kasey, over here on the other side of the world River2sea Sea Rocks are the only Aussie jigs available. Using the slow action jig/flutter hasn't brought much success. Your info is just why I joined this forum, first class, take a bow.
A great idea Honsu, keep it up.
Pump fish not iron.

KC a very interesting read and its great that you have taken the time and effort to explain the different arts of jigging and to do the reviews of different jigs
Well done mate
Cheers
Andrew
Tight lines and clear sky's

You haven't got anymore info to add after this season have you Kasey?

Tackle Dangler

um... didn't think anyone actually read this? Found my 'happy pills' a while back so I haven't been rambling as much. =P

What would you like to know? I still love the SW Lab ones, the 470 and 370 models alone have probably accounted for 50% if not more of the sambos I have caught. ever.

I guess I could talk abit about the Jigging Master Rocket jigs, that have shown up in some tackle shops (for good prices too) recently.

Great for short stroke, high pitch. As you might guess from their form, they are rear weighted, so don't really do the 'flutter' much. Keep it fast and at a steady rhythm, and any pelagic fish should give it a tasting. Cause its rear weighted and really slim profiled, it literally rockets down, pun intended,(great for this freakin current thats been pushing through) and doesn't quite have as much action on its own. The action is down to the jigger, so keep it steady and full of action, and it should do good.

you can long stoke (in the gimbal) them too, but you have to be fast and it has to be vigorous.... as i have not noticed too many people get the rhythm of 'blazing fast long stroke' going yet, its up to the angler. a great example is the way matsutani-san of seven seas does is on his 'jigging for chuuk' video, if anyone has seen it. yeah, about that fast. i guess its not so much speed, but the rhythm and coordination. no point yanking your rod all over the place and then fumbling with the reel, and then having the butt pop out of the gimbal and give you one in the kidneys. yeah funny, but painful ;) it goes something like this... pull-drop rod while winding reel about 2-3 time-pull and repeat. do it fast.

as for action, with a good steady rhythm, it just darts around like a confused fish. thats why i think you need a bit of speed to it; too slow and it just sinks, and a fish has to be pretty dumb to eat just a sinking piece of metal.

My only complaint is that it bends real easy, but I suppose you can 'bend it back'. (my worry is again when you bend em back, how do you get it 100% original straight shape). but i hear they are making them alot more rigid now; I haven't bought a supply of jigs for a while now so I will have to get back to you on that.

Pump iron to drop iron!

by the way.. i've spent a bit of time and money and effort and pride in collecting my jigging set-ups.. and I believe I am pretty darn happy at what I have now. If anyone was wondering what kind of crap I use to pull fish in, here is my humble offering:

PE2 (30lb) - Tenryu Jigzam PE1-3 with Daiwa Certate 3500HD, for 40-110g jigs.
PE4 (50lb) - Jigwrex PE4 with Daiwa Saltiga z30, for 150-200g jigs. (on order)
PE6 (80lb) - AG Jigging Master 400g 5'6" with Accurate Magnum Boss 665 N, for 350-400g jigs.
PE8 (100lb) - SEED Shiren DJ 60-A1 5'8" with Shimano Stella SW20000PG, for 470-600g jigs.

There you have it; if you wonder 'gee thats alot of money' lets just say illegal drugs may be profitable but it really is a big risk. =D

Pump iron to drop iron!

Only 450 reads KC, goes un-noticed. :) Love reading it mate, always good to get opinions from people who love their jigging and are relatively experienced.

oo... wouldn't put it that way adam, i'm still picking up plenty from those who are 'relatively more experienced' =P we are all learning.

maybe i should also say a little bit about what I've been 'into' lately. Although sambos are without a doubt fun, it can get.... repetitive sometimes. Its time to go a little further boys, aim for that dhuie or pinkie on a jig. Sambos are the training wheels. well, im aiming anyway.

Should be alot more easier with the agressive feeders up north, can't wait for exmouth adam. should catch u and gribbo there (spoke to him at the store today). spanglies and chinaman and coral trout and snapper; damn trevs betta get outta the way!! ;)

Pump iron to drop iron!

My favourite jig purely because i've caught most of my fish on it has been the Zest Long baitfish (300grm)in the green, man have i lost some of those babies!! but im only fishing in 15 to 20mtrs of water most of the time and for some reason (efficiancy?) the fish will generally only take the larger lures

Tackle Dangler

i really liked honsu's cresent sambo catcher

cheap effective and works

Quote: Its time to go a little further boys, aim for that dhuie or pinkie on a jig. Sambos are the training wheels. well, im aiming anyway.
end Quote

Lets give it a go. I'm up for it but I can't promise anything however I will give you as good chance as any to get one on a jig. I've nailed them on soft plastics (Berkley Power Grubs) but never tried with metal. If we can get it on film that would be awesome. Perhaps we can organise something of a crusade over the next few months. We need a camera man though and with Ads heading up north we will need a new co-pilot.

If you are up for it send me a PM and we will arrange something in a few weeks time.

i can drive 45ft non comercial and 35ft comercial

I'll put out a call in a couple of weeks so stay tuned.

oh he only comes out when honsu is around! lol

waiting 4 your call mate

"My favourite jig purely because i've caught most of my fish on it has been the Zest Long baitfish (300grm)in the green, man have i lost some of those babies!! but im only fishing in 15 to 20mtrs of water most of the time and for some reason (efficiancy?) the fish will generally only take the larger lures"

hi, im interested to read more... in 15-20 m of water i drop down to jigs of 40 about grams. can't say i have been tooooo successful, except the usual suspects: skippy, small sambos and pike (you know its pike cause you lose most of your jgis to them, bloody things) wrasse etc. i guess its the same as bait-fishing, you dont go out everyday and pull in pinkies, and i don't go fishing every day.

Andy, I would consider it an honour to take you up on that, mr. mcdhu. You can certainly have the fillets =P for the price of pulling one metro on jig. i certainly won't be the first to do so. won't even mind if tis the first fish, knowing your 'let the first one go' rule; i'm sure releasing a big dhuie on video will stir a few fellas up.

back to topic, i guess if theres any specific reviews, just mention it and we'll see what i can babble on about. i really didnt start this as a 'show off i know so much w@nk thing', just a discussion to get ideas off my chest. let me say this though: i'm really excited to jig for reef fish, as you never know what may come up. once u sort of get the jigging kinda right, then it comes down to groud and whether the fish are biting, just like bottom-bouncing. sometimes their there but not biting, sometimes theyre off, sometimes theyre just not hungry. same for all fishing. except with no messy bait. and a hard, fast take. as for the results of the old effective bait vs. this new 'faddd' thing.... inconclusive as yet.

tight lines fellas. andy a PM is on your way =) cheers for that

Pump iron to drop iron!

Im thinking the reason they only pounce on the larger/longer jigs comes down to the fact they are going to get more a feed out of the energy they use to catch it thus more efficiant, even sambo's and skippy that struggle to be bigger than the jig itself are willing to have a go.
The retrieve that seems to be more effective has been the high lift and drop But i have had a few close calls with jig bursting out of the water and having to duck for cover, this style does wear you out pretty quick but so i've been trying the small cirles with the rod tip while winding with vairied success

Tackle Dangler

Very educational for someone who hasnt done alot of jigging and trying to get into it more. Thanks alot guys, keep it coming.

Keep it tight, reeeeeeel tight!

"But i have had a few close calls with jig bursting out of the water and having to duck for cover"

Colour coded braided lines come in handy here. memorise the top colour, and when you see it, slow down. Or a really long leader.

Well, I would have thought the smaller 40-60g jigs would 'match the hatch' more appropriately. Also, at such shallow depths, the water resistance on the line and current would be alot less (plus thinner PE line) meaning the heavier jigs would just sink faster with less action to entice, beginning to do the 'jig a sinker' thing. No flutter.

I have tried it, and it does just sink down.... but maybe I'll look at it again.

First step to jigging SPESS is to really watch someone, either live or maybe on video, but to also think about what you're tryinng to do: mimic a wounded or fleeing baitfish. its not so 'easy' like soft plastics now, where the current can give it action by giving its tail the wiggle, and just 'swimming' through the water column gives it action; heck you can just leave it on the bottom like bait and still score fish. its more up to the angler. =) makes it fun. more aggressive takes since they have to chase it and give it a whack or a crunch or a munch.

Pump iron to drop iron!

Im using some PE4 Linesystem frog braid at the moment, it has a mark every 10m. No damage done yet anyways! The zest jig 'slides' all over the show on the drop in that tasty zig zaggy pattern.
The lighter jigs i have used haven't had the same interest anyways, keeping in mind i may not be imparting enough or the right kind of action on the smaller candy's to begin with??
I will persist!!

Tackle Dangler

Kasey - where did you get you JM400 from? I tried the JM500 powerspell matched with Ocea Jigger 5000p on a recent trip and fell in love with it....think I need to sort myself out with one of these rigs.

http://www.jiggingmaster-ag.com/

All rods and blanks tested to maximum load before shipping.

The custom builds are really the biz.

All components available to build your own.

Shipping costs very reasonable.

The ONLY jig rod worldwide that no-one has ever broken (according to English speaking forums)

great read should do one on poppers/stickbaits Kasey

My son and I have been using various jigs and plastics for dhufish off Geraldton regularly now for a couple of years.
We have found the R2sea rocks outstanding and cheap too. My friend gave me the tip of pimping them up with a small squid skirt added(the dhuies love em).
BTW great pointers Kasey and a great site(plenty of W.A. based relative info).