Need more tuna gear? Take a look in your old cod and bluefish boxes.
Have a few old diamond jigs collecting dust in the corner of the basement or garage? Why not consider turning them into red hot tuna slayers!
Start off by finding several AVA style diamond jigs between 4 and 10 ounces. If you have the large Viking Jigs or the Bridgeport diamond jigs between 10 and 16 ounces that would be fine also. Many of us have the Bridgeport and Viking Jigs from the old cod fishing days; this variety, if you have it, is just what the doctor ordered and are all ideal for the task at hand.
The first step is to remove all the old hooks and swivels; over the course of time they accumulate oxidation which weakens the metals and dull up the point of the hooks. Once all the hardware is removed, treat those jigs to some fresh lukewarm water and dishwashing soap. Be sure to give those jigs a good soaking and then apply a scrounge pad or a scotch Brite pad to remove any grime or oxidation from the surface. Once cleaned, rinsed and dried thoroughly, apply a strip of self-adhesive holographic and reflective fishing lure tape.
While there are countless different patterns and colors to choose from, I strongly suggest matching the hatch as close as possible. Given the fact that squid, anchovies, butterfish and sand eels are some of the more common baitfish stalking on our local tuna grounds, I suggest pearl blue, pearl green, iridescent rainbow and iridescent silver. In all probability the color you wouldn’t want to leave home without is a fluorescent glow in green and white. I strongly feel when all else fails, glow comes to the rescue, especially while the tuna are deep.
Remember the cleaner the jig the better the tape will adhere. And make sure the tape you purchase is waterproof. You can also spray paint the jigs in two tone colors. Be sure to clean the jigs thoroughly and spray a primer before applying paint.
Next is replacing the hardware. You will need a size #4 Spro Ball Bearing Swivel with two welded rings. Should that be a bit too steep for your budget, size #2 Spro Power Swivels are fine. The reason I suggest the ball bearing swivel is because they handle the stress of a powerful fish with ease. You will also need Spro Stainless Steel Split Rings, preferably size 5. Lastly you will need the Gamakatsu Assist 520 ring which is available from 3/0 to 6/0. The size of the diamond jig will determine the size of the hook. There is a welded ring at the end of the line which you can connect right on a split ring should you prefer a double hook.
Gamakatsu also offers the Assist 530 Double Long which uses a polyethylene braided line featuring a fluorocarbon core making it stiffer, which reduces tangles and promotes deeper penetration when a fish is hooked. This rig also has a welded ring which is also best applied to the split ring. Add the barrel swivel to the split ring and your set to go.
Feel free to employ your favorite jigs which is one of the most productive lures to catch all varieties of tuna as well as any other sport fish along the Northeast. Jigging for tuna has become a favorite fishery among tuna anglers. During summer and fall months, tuna migrate with warm waters to within striking range of sport and charter boats. While some anglers prefer using live bait for tuna, live bait is not always available or practical. Large tuna sit below the major school of tuna, making jigs the perfect lure choice.
When a school of tuna is near the boat, lower an anchovy or a green glow colored jig just below the fish you are marking and retrieve it rapidly back to the surface. This tuna jigging method drives the fork tail speedsters insane. Yellowfin tuna also enjoy hitting jigs when employing the same tactic mentioned above. Casting jigs as far away from the boat as you can also draw in tuna. After casting the jig, allow it to sink through the water column for approximately 15 seconds and then begin a fast retrieve, toward the boat. You can also vary your retrieve by stopping every few seconds to allow the jig to sink.
When a tuna hits your jig it’s like hooking a freight train traveling in the opposite direction. The tuna’s powerful grab of the jig is addicting which is why tuna fanatics prefer this method among all else. In addition, it is simple to master compared to trolling or a lot less messy compared to chumming and chunking.
In all fairness, there are times when the jigs are snubbed by the tuna with live bait or wide trackers getting the nod, but I always prefer to take my chances with the ole reliable homemade jigs.
