Question about jig heads and swimbaits

So, one thing my brother and I noticed while we were fishing last weekend is we'd get a lot of rockfish bites on the tail of the swimbait. This was when we were using 4oz jigheads.

This made me wonder about adding a treble "trap" rig to the swimbait (in other words, there would be a hook on the tail of the swimbait. This makes sense to me, but maybe there's a reason this is not generally done?

I get the feeling that most rockfish do not bite the whole hook, especially when using 6" or longer swimbaits. It's entirely possible I'm doing it wrong. We have no issues hooking up Lingcod on swimbait/jigheads. But they have much bigger mouths than rockfish.

Second question, where can I buy 5oz to 6oz jigheads? Andy doesn't respond to PM's as far as I can tell, and 831 Tackle only goes up to 4oz. Most places I've seen only go up to 4 too. Online would be ideal.

Last question! What do you guys use to store your jigheads on kayak? The Plano boxes are too small to hold the heavier jigheads. And I'm getting tired of turning my hand into swiss cheese untangling them in crappy containers.

Thanks all!

Try a larger Plano box and custom fit n divide them accordingly. I usually buy my larger jig heads at outdoor pro. But sometimes I'll buy them off eBay if ODP doesn't  have the ones I need in stock. As far as rigging an extra hook, I guess you could run a line and hitch it too the tail part from the jig head hook. But that's more rigging and things to lose and redo after every fish.

EDIT: the link below is just to show the size and model number of the box...the pirce is good but the shipping in that link sucks

you can buy jig heads in 6 oz @ that bait and tackle shop below the kayak connection...bayside marine?

big glow bullet shaped white ones  I think


J&d auto in seaside aka 'gone fishing' has them too

as far as trap hook ...I tried it and when a fish got the second tail hook, it would tear up the swimbait wrestling as I brought it up.....making the swimbait plastic tail a loss...all for a small blue or whatever it hooked....when I am getting 'short strike' hits on a big swimbait I will switch to a smaller bait and/or run a little rubber teaser on a hook 16" above the swimbait...or switch to shrimp fly and get the rock fish in the boat without losing my 3$ tails -which already are are a tad hard to keep in good shape if the lings work em...

6 oz jig heads get snagged quick even in deep water at my skill level and I found that 4oz is better unless it is super drifty....the only reason I kepp 6 oz on tackle is for super fast drift...so Im not out of touch and loose stuff....

outdoor world or J&D auto in seaside carry the large size "plano guide" boxes for about 20$

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Plano-Fishing-3700-Size-Deep-Waterproof-StowAway-Tackle-Box-3741-10-/311119029012?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item487023a314

If the fish is too small for the swimbait I don't want it any way. If I want to just catch fish I run a shrimp fly above the swimbait.

Thanks for the recommendations.  I forgot about Bayside Marine, haven't been to SC Harbor in a while now.

You make a good point about the trap hook tearing apart the swimbait. That makes sense.

Yeah I try to stick with 2-4oz jigheads, but sometimes even with 4oz the drift sends the swimbait like a mile out before it even touches the bottom. Exaggeration but it definitely makes it challenging. So I was hoping to get a couple 5-6 oz for the tackle box.

Thanks for the box recommendations, I'l take a look.

Craig, what kind of rig do you use for shrimp fly?

Same question to you Rob, how do you run a shrimp fly above swimbait?

I've never seen or used shrimp flies (still pretty to fishing) so I'd love any examples given to try something new.

Dropper loop  & about 1-2' above jig head . And loop the hook shrimp fly .

If the fish is too small for the swimbait I don't want it any way. If I want to just catch fish I run a shrimp fly above the swimbait.

Like Rob said
 a 8" Gopher can take in a 7" swimbait on a 4oz head , don't waste time on the little nibblers.......

lately I tie my own "shrimp fly" or rock fish rigs ...but I always have couple store bought 1.99-2.99 simple pre-made ones..those with a 2-4oz weight and bait and it's easy pickings for a rockfish limit


to put a "teaser" just put rabbit ear loop above the swim bait a 1 foot or more and loop synch a hook and little sassy shad or any type that you got...small rubber worm,small twist tail grub...or a old shrimp fly rig leftover fly/hook......and fish that are small that are checking out the swimbait nail the little one...and big lings slam it too

shrimpfly  plus factors ..white or red..or green my fav...if it comes with a swivel on top and bottom already pre made..even better ...put a whole squid on the top one and an anchovy on the bottom....catch some big shit
if that is getting robbed just a little piece of bait on each and bam!!!

basic idea ...swimbait jig and little jig above.fly whatever you want...hook and anchovy too

better pic...same idea......tie  a snap swivel there and you can try dif teasers

Dropper loop  & about 1-2' above jig head . And loop the hook shrimp fly .

This

Very nice, I like this a lot better than adding a trap hook to swimbait. I'll definitely try that this weekend! Thanks a lot!

Are you using mono?  Braided line (much smaller diameter and no stretch) really helps with "feeling" the bottom.  Since I switched I can use much lighter jigs.

I use 4oz all the time. Occasionally heavier in a fast drift situation.

Very nice, I like this a lot better than adding a trap hook to swimbait. I'll definitely try that this weekend! Thanks a lot!

Nothing wrong with a trap hook setup, I've seen many people do it and seemed effective for them. I've had a ling bite off the tail, then spit it out and I re-attached it with a lighter and fished it the rest of the day    Others have caught plenty of fish on tailless swimbaits too!  Point is try it, see if it works for you or not.  The rigs pictured are good except I would stay in the 2-4oz or up to 6oz range, and forget the smaller jigs.  Also, not all jig heads are alike. Some are shorter than others.  Look for something longer, that puts the hook farther back on the swimbait.  And of course you can also use smaller swimbaits, even on larger jigs, especially in santa cruz!