Extreme Jigging: Dogtooth Tuna, Yellowtail Kingfish (Hiramasa), Amberjack, Samson Fish > Tackle & Techniques

Wire assist vs cord

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Travis Heaps:
So we've been losing a few fish due to them slicing through the cord on the assist hooks we've been using (the Owner pink ones).  The obvious solution is to make some wire assist hooks up, fairly straight forward.  Made me wonder though - why do people even use corded assist hooks anyway?  They're not any less visible than wire, the wire isn't going to put the fish off in any way...so why bother?  You may as well have the security of the wire. 

The only reason i've found written about the place is that sharks can cut through the cord so you don't have to waste time fighting them.  For us the main target while jigging is spaniards so I can live with that downside. 

Is there any other reasons why corded assists are better than wire? 

Brandon Khoo:
I'm a terrible jigger so my comments should be taken in that light but my experience to date is that when the razor gang are around, you won't get saved by the wire assist cord. You need a segment of about 12 to 18 inches of wire leader as well.

I see absolutely no reason why you can't simply make your own wire assists and why they should not do the job equally well. If you like, you could use shrink tube and it would look just like a well-made one with assist cord. Zylon is a fair bit more resistant to the razor gang but it's expensive. Better off using wire as far as I'm concerned.

Jay Burgess:

--- Quote from: Brandon Khoo on February 04, 2009, 02:25:06 PM ---I'm a terrible jigger so my comments should be taken in that light but my experience to date is that when the razor gang are around, you won't get saved by the wire assist cord. You need a segment of about 12 to 18 inches of wire leader as well.

--- End quote ---

Good point, but generally when you have wire leader it puts the fish off.

Travis Heaps:
Thanks Brandon and Jay - confirms what we were thinking.  It's a strange thing but it's hard to find people that have taken it up yet it offers no disadvantages as far as I can see (besides the whole shark thing).

As far as wire in front of the jig - I don't think we need this, we have yet to be bitten off by a spaniard in front of the jig, just losing the assist.  I think this has to do with our jigging style (ie "agricultural").  It's generally a flat out retrieve with very few (generally none) pauses, drops or stops that would cause the fish to miscalulate ot mis-time it's attack, hence getting the leader.  No doubt we'll eventually lose a few but I think the advantages of it are outweighed by the disadvantages for the way we fish.

Jay Burgess:

--- Quote from: travis heaps on February 04, 2009, 03:02:29 PM ---As far as wire in front of the jig - I don't think we need this, we have yet to be bitten off by a spaniard in front of the jig, just losing the assist.  I think this has to do with our jigging style (ie "agricultural").  It's generally a flat out retrieve with very few (generally none) pauses, drops or stops that would cause the fish to miscalulate ot mis-time it's attack, hence getting the leader.  No doubt we'll eventually lose a few but I think the advantages of it are outweighed by the disadvantages for the way we fish.

--- End quote ---

That's interesting Travis, as we tend to have regular bite off's in front of the jig. Where we fish Spaniards have an annoying habit of hitting the jig on the drop and this just about always results in an instant bite off. I've also had occasions where we've hooked up with a wire assists and mid-way through the fight the fish manages to find the mono leader, as if it's tried to swallow the whole jig or something.

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