Jigging Fluke Question

[togzilla]

I was out two weeks ago jigging for fluke in Barnegat Bay and had a problem with my line getting twisted. I was using 20lb. braid attached to T-turn swivel with a 25" teaser 15lb mono line with a 6 inch gulp and on the bottom was a 12 inch 15lb mono with a 1 ounce bucktail. This is the usual set up I use when ocean jigging but with a little heavier line and bucktail and fishing in 50-70ft depths. Problem I was having is that I was fishing in average depths of 10-17 ft and the teaser line kept twisting with the main line when I brought up my rig. Rarely does this happen in the ocean.
With Barnegat Bay fishing do I need to skip the T-turn and just use mono with a dropper loop? Shorten the length of the teaser?
Any thoughts from you jiggers fishing in Barnegat Bay or other areas where the depth is shallow?

[Gerry Zagorski]

Probably due to lack of current/movement in the bay. This happens a lot during slack tide.. I would definitely try and shorten up your teaser... I usually just make a 3 or 4 inch dropper loop above the jig and thread the teaser hook on to it. It also helps to use floro since it is a bit stiffer than mono and makes the teaser stand off your main line better...

The other issue you might have is the teaser spinning on you.. If you're using gulp make sure and thread it onto the hook as straight as possible to avoid that.

Hope that helps and will be interested to see what others recommend.

[togzilla]

Originally Posted by Gerry Zagorski

Probably due to lack of current/movement in the bay. This happens a lot during slack tide.. I would definitely try and shorten up your teaser... I usually just make a 3 or 4 inch dropper loop above the jig and thread the teaser hook on to it. It also helps to use floro since it is a bit stiffer than mono and makes the teaser stand off your main line better...

The other issue you might have is the teaser spinning on you.. If you're using gulp make sure and thread it onto the hook as straight as possible to avoid that.

Hope that helps and will be interested to see what others recommend.

Thanks. Shortening the leader is what I figured I needed to do.

[reason162]

Originally Posted by togzilla

With Barnegat Bay fishing do I need to skip the T-turn and just use mono with a dropper loop? Shorten the length of the teaser?
Any thoughts from you jiggers fishing in Barnegat Bay or other areas where the depth is shallow?

You could also lose the teaser altogether and just focus on fishing a single jig correctly. 1/4 - 3/4oz, cast upcurrent, work it back...I can almost guarantee your keeper/short ratio will improve dramatically.

[krob8979]

Shorten the leader and teaser. Add a drop loop. Get rid of the T-turn and tie a double uni knot

[Capt. Lou]

Go to a twisted dropped loop Will stand off and will not tangle , also use fluoro it’s stiffer .
Also a simple double surgeons spliced onto main leader with teaser book standing up it’s simple a quick Grand Banks knot style ! Fine for inshore rigging.

[togzilla]

That’s why I follow this board everyday. Full of great information. Thanks to all

[Irish Jigger]

Like Gerry said dropper loop takes care of that. The less hardware the better !!

[mike1010]

Using a small (like 1/4 oz.) jig head instead of a plain hook for the gulp can help eliminate spinning.

[Jigman13]

Thats a LOT of stuff in the water. If fishing shallower either fish just the bucktail precisely or drag something on a three way rig. You wont have to worry about line twists and if you get snagged and bust off you're now down $20 in tackle in one shot.

If going the bucktail only route, try to use the lightest possible lure you can.

For my back bay and shallow fluking, I've even done away with bucktails all together and no teaser. I simply hop a 3/8 to 1/2 oz jig head with a 5" swimming mullet on #20 fluoro leader. With #15 braid main line, an ultrasensitive fast rod and light spinning reel, my catch rate skyrocketed. And if I snag and bust off, I'm down $2 vs $20!