|
|
|
Trigger
 
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 4:05:43 AM
Posts: 116,
Visits: 385
|
|
| What type of gear do you guys use while hunting amberjack? i.e. reel,line,rod sizes, lead sizes, leader length, bait, etc.....you know what I mean give me the lowdown. I have been using a Okuma Titus 50 with 80lb line and 130lb leader mono rigged like I would to catch snapper with a 16oz weight and swivel 6' leader with a circle hook. After this weekend I realize I need to upgrade my line and hook size. We landed many AJs including a 84Lber but we were broke off and pulled hooks too many times.......thanks for any input.
"Pee!?!, you ain't got time to pee. The fish are biting, keep cutting bait and pee your pants!" quoted while chunking for tuna in Venice
|
|
|
|
|
White Marlin
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 3:37:06 PM
Posts: 5,341,
Visits: 19,675
|
|
Personally if targeting AJ's I like a spinner w/50-80# braid, like mono leader and a butterfly jig. Now that is fun.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>I'm a Sagittarius...If you don't want to hear the truth then don't ask my opinion!
Then again I'm a "Vacuous Asshat"  Political Correctness:
A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical liberal minority, and rapidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end. “Tell me who your friends are and I will tell who you are.” Century 25' Mirada 350/260HP "ISLAND LADY" >>>> Calera, Alabama My Pictures
|
|
|
|
|
Grouper
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 4:03:55 PM
Posts: 1,148,
Visits: 6,169
|
|
I don't see anything wrong with your set up, any more would be overkill. It's not often that you are going to be catching 80lb AJ's and if you up your line and leader size you may not get any bites. As far as pulling hooks, you may need a bigger hook to match your bait size.
___________________________________________________
20ft Bayliner Trophy Cuddy w/150 Yamaha 4-Stroke
MMSI# 338069659 Some of my Pic's
http://www.forumpictureprocessor.com/gallery.asp?gallery=1175
|
|
|
|
|
Grouper
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 3:54:45 PM
Posts: 1,048,
Visits: 5,623
|
|
i like the set up personally. maybe bigger hooks like already stated.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained!
|
|
|
|
|
Snapper
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 12:28:19 PM
Posts: 309,
Visits: 1,068
|
|
| Are you using 80lb braid or mono? I assume braid since you're hunting reef donkeys. Lock the drag all the way down on that 50. I know she's good for it!! Then make sure you don't get your ass drug over the side!! God I love AJ's!! Bob
___________________________________________________________Team ManFish 
Kathryn Lynn
|
|
|
|
|
Trigger
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Yesterday @ 3:01:20 PM
Posts: 231,
Visits: 1,892
|
|
| I use a Penn Torque 300, 80 lb PP with a bimini twist at the end, 50-80 lb fluoro leader tied to the bimini with an albright knot, mounted on a 7' Chaos T-80 jigging rod. Works well with jigs and also with carolina rigs...lots of backbone, lots of drag, lots of torque. Harry
|
|
|
|
|
White Marlin
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 6/25/2009 5:25:48 PM
Posts: 2,902,
Visits: 2,825
|
|
| This is what my rig looks like to catch AJ's. Its the only way I can. And I aint talkin about the rig behind me, talkin about the "rig" in my right hand!  
Heres the "rig I used to use. This time its in my left hand. 
Just clownin around. Seriously, I couldn't catch an AJ on a rod and reel if my life depended on it. I really wish I could figure out how you fishermen do it, cuz biullreds, rays, and catfish is about the extent of my fishing career, other than the few sharks I have got lucky with.
__________________________________________________________________________________ - UNDERWATER HELMET-CAM VIDEOS SPEARFISHING, USS ORISKANY, SHARKS, AND PICS!
- WWW.MYSPACE.COM/435395882
26' Pro-Cat Center Console w/ twin 140HP's PFF FORUM MEMBER SINCE 1/2/06 - ~2007 Outcast Mega Shark Tournament "Beautiful Losers"~
- ~2007 "Unofficial PFF Fall Shark Tounament" Winners!~
- ~13th Annual Orange Beach Spearfishing Tounament 4 Time Placers!~
|
|
|
|
|
Trigger
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 2:54:19 PM
Posts: 228,
Visits: 992
|
|
| When we are trying to catch them we use Shimano TLD 15-25s with 65lb braid and 100lb mono leader. 13/0 or 14/0 mustad circle hook. But all too often they find the Penn 8500s with 25lb mono we have out for flat lines and we wear ourselves out trying to wrestle them in on spinning tackle.
|
|
|
|
|
Trigger
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 4:05:43 AM
Posts: 116,
Visits: 385
|
|
thanks for the info, I was scared to lock the drag all the way down....maybe thats why it took an hour to land the fish  but even the 20-40lb'ers fought like they were amped up on Red Bull and Steriods. AJs are some the funnest fish to catch in my opinion,.........but then again all fish are fun to catch. We were using mono but I'm in the process of switching to 80lbPP, I have it on my jigging reels but not on my larger reels too much money to spool.
"Pee!?!, you ain't got time to pee. The fish are biting, keep cutting bait and pee your pants!" quoted while chunking for tuna in Venice
|
|
|
|
|
Snapper
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 9:26:46 AM
Posts: 554,
Visits: 1,746
|
|
| It sounds like you are fishing deep water so this advice may not apply. On the public wrecks in 80-100 feet of water try freelining a ruby redlip or a white snapper. It is a lot of fun to watch them come up and nail these baits. You usually can catch keepers that way. The guys that advised using conventional reels like the tld's are right on the money. The drags on those reels will stop an AJ a lot quicker than spinning gear. For some reason you don't cramp up as bad fighting fish on conventional reels.
|
|
|
|
|
Ruby Red Lip
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 12:03:25 PM
Posts: 16,
Visits: 66
|
|
| My one and only Amberjack was 47 lbs caught out from St. Augustine. The boat captain told me that Amberjacks were trash fish, was infected with worms, and was only fed in restaurants to tourists. I threw the fish back in. Was he wrong?
|
|
|
|
|
Trigger
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 2:54:19 PM
Posts: 228,
Visits: 992
|
|
cyd (7/24/2008)
My one and only Amberjack was 47 lbs caught out from St. Augustine. The boat captain told me that Amberjacks were trash fish, was infected with worms, and was only fed in restaurants to tourists. I threw the fish back in. Was he wrong?Used to be considered trash but now there is a market for them. Most do have worms in them especially neat the tail but they are not harmful when cooked.
|
|
|
|
|
Sailfish
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 3:10:45 PM
Posts: 1,717,
Visits: 5,888
|
|
|
|
|
|
White Marlin
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 2:24:16 PM
Posts: 2,525,
Visits: 51,233
|
|
cyd (7/24/2008)
My one and only Amberjack was 47 lbs caught out from St. Augustine. The boat captain told me that Amberjacks were trash fish, was infected with worms, and was only fed in restaurants to tourists. I threw the fish back in. Was he wrong?He was a retard. Char-grilled Amberjack is just about as good as it gets. Marinade in Zesty Italian dressing for 4 or 5 hours in the fridge before cooking and I bet you don't throw another one away.
AKA "Jiggin Junkie"
|
|
|
|
|
White Marlin
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 2:24:16 PM
Posts: 2,525,
Visits: 51,233
|
|
A good spinning/jigging setup is as good as it gets. It wears the fish out not the angler.
AKA "Jiggin Junkie"
|
|
|
|
|
Snapper
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 4:04:38 PM
Posts: 591,
Visits: 3,053
|
|
Take a broomstick and tie 80# test straight to it and a hook and drop it over the side with a mingo on it. Hand to someone on the boat and then bet them that they can't catch an AJ on it. Take the $ you win after that AJ rips it our of their hands and buy beer, another broomstick and more line.  I love AJ, one of the best fighters around.
|
|
|
|
|
Trigger
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 2:48:41 PM
Posts: 108,
Visits: 902
|
|
Depends where you fish – I really enjoy fighting them on jigging reels with 80 lb spectra, around low wreck or flat rocks. But around tall structure (rigs, rocks with 20 to 30 ft relief) I use 9/0 ‘s with 130 mono and the drag hammered down, and then use the boat to pry ‘em off. Even with 130 mono main line – I can get away with 100 lb mono leaders- hooks sized for bait & anticipated fish size (16/0 or 20/0 for mongo reef donkeys) With really big baits and lots of current near rigs I have used a down rigger – to keep from added several lbs of lead ahead of the bait. And trim those worms out – cut into cubes – teriyaki marinade, wrap with bacon and grill , MMMMMMM
|
|
|
|
|
Trigger
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 4:05:43 AM
Posts: 116,
Visits: 385
|
|
I'm gonna try a spinning setup just for fun while I'm in shallower waters targeting smaller AJs but when I'm out on natural bottom or structure in 250' or so I'll stick with the larger conventional setup. Thanks for the replies. I would have never in my wildest dream thought someone would fight an AJ on spinning gear, but I love a new challenge so I got to try it.............I can just see a naked spool and my reel bearings on fire
"Pee!?!, you ain't got time to pee. The fish are biting, keep cutting bait and pee your pants!" quoted while chunking for tuna in Venice
|
|
|
|
|
Grouper
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 4:04:13 PM
Posts: 715,
Visits: 2,577
|
|
wow i just use a penn 650 and a 6ft captiva rod, the reel is spooled with 30lb mono and i use 3-4 ft of 80lb mono for a leader with a 7/0 circle hook and i do fine witht he aj's
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
hobie outback-gas bill-nada 09 23' seafox cc 200hp suz-gas bill-well thats another story
|
|
|
|
|
Grouper
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 12:59:54 PM
Posts: 988,
Visits: 4,042
|
|
cyd (7/24/2008)
My one and only Amberjack was 47 lbs caught out from St. Augustine. The boat captain told me that Amberjacks were trash fish, was infected with worms, and was only fed in restaurants to tourists. I threw the fish back in. Was he wrong?Yep! Speckled trout has a heck more of worms than AJ's. I hardly ever find worms in AJ's. Although I like to grill AJ's, my favorite way is to filet it then cut it into 1" strips. Lightly rub yellow mustard on the strips, season with salt/pepper, bread them, and then deep fry. Great with Heineken or St. Pauli's Girl.
_______________________________________________________________________________ http://www.nra.org/home.aspx
|
|
|
|
|
Trigger
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 6/28/2009 9:24:55 AM
Posts: 163,
Visits: 380
|
|
| love to fish for aj's, especially when you have small sized friends onboard and hand then the rod and only say wind fast, its a blast to laugh at a 130lb man get slammed to the rail. i just play with the williamson jigs, dont seem to find any over 27 1/2 inches long but are always a blast!
|
|
|
|
|
Mingo
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Yesterday @ 11:31:34 AM
Posts: 56,
Visits: 2,361
|
|
| To target 70 lbs + AJs what reel would you go with 9/0, TLD 25, or Okuma Titus TW 50. All are under $200.
|
|
|
|
|
White Marlin
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 2:12:54 PM
Posts: 2,413,
Visits: 7,804
|
|
Penn Captiva 2000, 20-pound power pro, 30-pound leader and a pomp jig.
No, really.
It worked accidentally once. I was shocked.
www.saltwater-events.comBleach is for socks, not for docks, jackass!
|
|
|
|
|
Grouper
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 7/3/2009 8:54:48 PM
Posts: 1,023,
Visits: 8,350
|
|
gmblnfool (7/30/2008)
To target 70 lbs + AJs what reel would you go with 9/0, TLD 25, or Okuma Titus TW 50. All are under $200.9/0... the TLD has like 17 pounds of drag max? I dont know anything about the Okuma big game reels.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Josh
|
|
|
|
|
Sailfish
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 3:10:45 PM
Posts: 1,717,
Visits: 5,888
|
|
JoeZ (7/30/2008)
Penn Captiva 2000, 20-pound power pro, 30-pound leader and a pomp jig.
No, really.
It worked accidentally once. I was shocked.I caught one on my stradic 2500 with 10# braid and a small bucktail. The jacks were on top that day. Wasn't legal, but pretty fun.
Mako 284 w/ twin 250 verados: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpmWGjaEjkw
|
|
|
|
|
Grouper
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 9:55:29 AM
Posts: 941,
Visits: 5,735
|
|
9/0 for sure
Carpe Thunnus
I support commercial snapper fishing.
|
|
|
|
|
White Marlin
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 2:12:54 PM
Posts: 2,413,
Visits: 7,804
|
|
| This one was legal though, not by much but legal. Still laughing at that one.
www.saltwater-events.comBleach is for socks, not for docks, jackass!
|
|
|
|
|
Trigger
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 4:05:43 AM
Posts: 116,
Visits: 385
|
|
gmblnfool (7/30/2008)
To target 70 lbs + AJs what reel would you go with 9/0, TLD 25, or Okuma Titus TW 50. All are under $200.I use Okuma for just about all my setups I like lever drag, I just won a TLD 15 looking forward to using it, but I also own some Calcuttas and Avets as well. That 84# AJ I landed with a Titus 50 with the drag at strike position and never applied full drag setting. I love them.
"Pee!?!, you ain't got time to pee. The fish are biting, keep cutting bait and pee your pants!" quoted while chunking for tuna in Venice
|
|
|
|
|
Trigger
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 10/12/2008 9:54:26 AM
Posts: 154,
Visits: 274
|
|
| The TLD is a darn good reel, but, I like a penn. For big jacks I use 80 lb mono (I just don't like braids) with 130 leader. Just my rig.
|
|
|
|
|
Ruby Red Lip
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 1/31/2009 10:33:29 PM
Posts: 16,
Visits: 48
|
|
Sounds like overkill to me, I like my Torium 40 with 60 lb stren superbraid on a Trevala 6'6 med heavy jigging rod with an 80 lb flouro leader and a 7 oz williamson benthos jig. I like the Torium over the lever drags because you can do more adjustments and lock it down when needed.
Keep your lines tight and your tackle light!
|
|