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

ASSIST HOOKS

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Lazaros Tsenesidis:
Hi guys

I need some advice, when it come to select the correct hook size for a jig.


1) what should be the length of the assist hook compering to the length of the jig?
2) what should be the width of the hook compering to the width of the jig?
3) what type of hooks i should use?
4) makers and models of assist hooks you think are good?

I used numbering in order to make it more easy

I think it is a interesting topic that will help all of us to learn something new and useful

Mark Harris:
Lazaros

There are not really any right or wrong answers to those questions, only points of view. I will give mine!

1. As a very broad rule of thumb, one third of the length of the jig. For very long jigs though, less than that. Usually about one third of the length mean the hook point will be somewhere close to behind the eye - that's good as many predator fish strike in that area.

2. The width of the hook should preferably be wider than the width of the jig. 

3. The perceived wisdom is that short shanked hooks are usually those that work best for jigging.  Again though that is only a guideline.  Personally I have a lot of success working with a very long shanked hook (Owner Jobu), but that is not typical of the hook types used for jigging. 

4. I would urge you to learn to tie your own assist rigs (it is VERY easy) and not buy the made up assist hooks. This will save you money, give you a greater sense of achievement, and allows you to determine exactly how you want to present your hook. I make mine with kevlar assist line (usually Varivas Assist in the 260 lb size), a tube of super glue and some heat shrink. There is a very well written beginner's guide to jigging which includes how to tie the assists, here: http://www.360tuna.com/forum/f68/intro-jigging-gman-reference-beginers-4449/

Leaving aside my peculiar taste in Owner Jobus for jigging :),  my favourite heavy jigging hooks are Owner SJ41 and Owner SJ51 in the largest sizes. Sadly, it seems Owner have discontinued the SJ41 in size 13/0 but you can still find them around. I also sometimes use Owner Gorilla in the large sizes.

Lazaros Tsenesidis:
You reply makes me happy but more questions are coming in my head now.

1) Sorry but my english is not perfect so i need you to explain "short shanked hooks"
2) You mentioned owner sj41/51 hooks what numbers-size do you use for slim size jig (when i say slim i mean 2-3 cm width)

Thanks for the help mate i am in the process of making my own hooks that is why i am asking all these questions.

Jamie Moir:

* I've seen people use, and get hookups with assists as short as maybe 5-6cm to the bottom of the gape on jigs like 200g sidethrusters.
* Wider than the widest part of the jig, but adding those little octopus skirts seems to help prevent fouling with small jigs too.
* I seems to be using Smith and Owners ATM, bit off decoy after straightening one recently.
* Assists are pretty easy to tie, try this guide A constructive post - tying assist hooks. I really must buy some of that solid cord that everyone seems to sell in singapore for the little stuff.

Mark Harris:
I would recommend the doubled cord method of tying assists (as in Gman's tutorial which I linked) and not the single cord method in the link that Jamie posted. Apart from anything else there is only one knot involved rather than 2.  Also that guy is tying the assist to a split ring -  definitely not recommended for reasons of abrasion IMO.

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