The history of jigging Blackfish in NJ as I know it

[Gerry Zagorski]

Thanks for that Eric, you JIGGER

Tried my hand a few times with mixed success and just as you say, there is a learning curve and for me it's been a pretty steep one. Conditions are everything as is the gear you use and you need to get used to feeling the bite since it's different then on a rig.

From what I've seen the conditions need to be on the calmer side with slower current and a nice sensitive lightweight but strong rod and reel is a practically must... Most bites are slight, you might feel a tap, some extra weight and sometimes they pick it up and run with it. For that reason you need a very light and sensitive but somewhat powerful rod and reel. The lightness allows you to detect bites and once you are hooked up, you need some power and lifting capability to keep the fish out of the wreck and busting you off. Point in case I tried it on a somewhat heavier spinner set up I use to jig for fluke and I couldn't feel a thing. The fluke bite is way more aggressive and no mistaking it, not so with Blackfish.

Having said all this I know there are some way more proficient then me who fish jigs almost exclusively, in spite of conditions and do very well.

I have a lot to learn yet but I too like it for the sport and challenge and sometimes when the bite is really scratchy or the fish won't commit to the bait, the jigs can be a big difference maker. One thing I'm still figuring out is the hook set.... Hard for me to get used to it but most sharpies say lifting the rod rather then a hard hook set is best.

Thanks again for the history lesson and sharing it here Eric.