Blackfish Jigging - When Should You Set the Hook?

Choosing the right time to set the hook when blackfish (tautog) fishing with jigs makes the difference between good catches and lost bait. This video zooms in on the tip of the rod so the viewer can see which bites to ignore and which to set the hook on. Thumbnail photo credit Tom Schlichter.
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[@jacobzacharski9019]

Amazing video skinner caught my first black fish thanks to you

[@snakemonkey555]

Amazing how to video! Thanks for highlighting the tip of the rod, it really lets the viewers see the hits and the hook sets.

[@KEPTIFISHING]

Great explanation it stands the test if time when it comes to jigging.

[@csralumni]

Great explanations and visuals on when to set the hook John. The good ones slack you up or try and pull the rod into the water.

[@chrisbodner9170]

Great video. Jigging for blackfish is so much fun with light tackle. And those smaller hooks on your jigs make all the difference in the word.

[@richardnigrelli8289]

Thanks John for your instructions ,just getting into Black Fishing for the first time.

[@dantheman4956]

Really creative and functional video of how to decide when to strike on tautog. I've never seen it described let alone shown better. Thank you John! Best teacher out there!

[@johnsweeney1400]

Great idea putting the white tape on the tip and the hi resolution. Really shows the action well.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Thanks. Wasn't sure if it would work out, but I felt like setting the hook a couple of times just watching it.

[@architectjk]

This is the answer to what I have always been wondering about! Thank you!

[@johnradomskijr9252]

I personally love the under water video you did showing how the small fish come in and start pecking away and then the larger fish come in and steal it away. I like to drop my jig down tap the bottom 3 times then pause i call it ringing the dinner BELL i will hold my rod tip slightly elevated and wait for it to load up before lifting or like you said goes slack as they pick it up and swim off.

[@dingfishing1186]

Awesome instructions. The key is to not swing at the pecks, which is so hard to do at times. Natural reaction, lol

[@derekalexander4030]

Great tutorial John, thanks. When you are rigging a half of a larger green crab where are you leaving the end of the hook?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

The hook is exposed.

[@lornehargis2614]

Great video. I struggle with tog. Very helpful. Thx John

[@MichaelP0418]

I've imparted the Slammer III reel handle onto a Battle II 3000 (The Battle Slammer lol)..... fits nice and works like a charm reeling in tog. You made a pretty cool discovery with that there Mr. Skinner :-)

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

A YT follower turned me onto that. It's like a reel upgrade.

[@mv20297]

I always learn so much information from your videos! What kind of boat is that? It looks like a fishing machine!

[@26halkman]

Very cool. Had forgotten all about this trip!!!

[@TTTTT5050]

John, love your videos! Can you do one for us on shore Tog fishing

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Done - kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJ3apnmaZt6Fpac

[@TTTTT5050]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing I am like on rerun marathon to sharpen my skills

[@Fluke17]

My theory on the orange collar is if they are hanging around metal structure it’s likely they are blending in with the rust

[@rtorres3442]

Cool. I'll try the same 4500 size Slammer handle on my 3000 SSVI. Thanks.

[@Reaper-mn5ym]

Thank you for this. I can’t set the book on blackfish at all

[@henrybronchtein5826]

Areyou tying the jig straight onto the braid or do you have a fluorocarbon leader? if so what test wght and how long a leader?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

3-ft 30# fluoro leader

[@henrybronchtein5826]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing Thank you sir, I retired and moved to Rhode Island during the pandemic. I started fishing last year. Love going for Tog all over the Narragansett Bay and just outside it. You are a legend among the people I fish with.

[@adonicalawrence3318]

what rod and reel setup do you recommend for blackfish?

[@dukoh3530]

I'm only fishing with fluke soup & Black fish u r video are really good!

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

Great vid yet again!! Are you mostly using chest mounts or head mounts for the GoPro??

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Head Mount

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

Ok thanks John. I just got the 7 and it's so much more stable than my 4. The 4 was hardly watchable when I had it on the head mount.

[@marcomizrahi5263]

Really great and informative video. Thank you John

[@gennerobootz6490]

I think the tsunami trophy slow pitch in the video you are using is a 6”6 MH Tsunami trophy slow pitch I wanna get this rod let me know if I’m right?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

It's a spin rod - I think this: www.jandh.com/products/tsunami-tsspj-s-701h-trophy-slow-pitch-jigging-spinning-rods.html?c=25280 - The only other one I have is the 6-footer, which is very light.

[@reelemin2583]

Hi Mr Skinner, new to blackfishing. My question is, can you fish for blackfish drifting? I have a WA CUDDY and I don't have an anchor ball rig . It's difficult to get to the bow in choppy water. Your help is greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance. Eric

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

No. You must anchor on structure.

[@joerappa1104]

great stuff !!! I am a novice in fishing and I was wondering if you can help me with a question...I have a real set up with braid and attached to the braid is mono leader that the tackle shop set up...The leader is about 5' . Should I take that down to 3' and use that to attach to my fluke rigs; or should I be using the leader to make my rigs ..

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Maybe this helps kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZLWpZqpoq55fKs

[@1973Saved]

I fished for a while with a rod & reel commercial fisherman & he taught me this also, has worked great for me ever since with scup as well as striped bass when using live eels. I saw little or no bending of the rod during the movement, are you moving the rod with the fish, or allowing the fish to move the rod before the hook set?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Allowing the fish to move the rod. I'm trying to maintain minimal contact with the jig.

[@rtorres3442]

Hey John, Any idea what Slammer handle size may fit a 3000 Spinfisher VI?

[@vitolasala8053]

Do you plan on a tutorial for setting the hook on fluke ? Will your editing software work on your older videos?

[@adriancaillat6269]

What about deep water black fishing outta Montauk,. What kinda jig should I use and what size.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

It depends on current. If you have to go more than 2 ounces, I'd fish conventional with a sinker rig.

[@adriancaillat6269]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing thanks John for getting back to me and the info. I'll post a pic if I get something decent

[@zwicker3697]

If you set on the bite you always miss them. YOU suggest waiting for the fish to swim with the bait. Problem is telling when the fish is swimming with the bait. I tried a new technique this week. Once I am down on bottom I give the line a little slack. I sight fish fish when the slack goes away. Once the fish starts swimming they take out the slack and then I set.

[@orbit7262]

How has that went?

[@sushirob1972]

Is this right off of Race Point on FI?

[@rtorres3442]

Very informative John, thanks! What're your thoughts on 3000 size reels holding up long term for this type of fishing? Gears usually aren't that large in most of them. Thanks.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Reels these days have pretty good gears. I know The Tsunami Evicts are made for this kind of fishing. Even Penn Battle reels come with machined gears now. I use a 2000 Evict for this with no concern.

[@rtorres3442]

Wow 2000! Borderline ultralight lol. I'm sure lots more fun/challenging. I'd be nervous going that small & with my luck hook into that +10lb moose! I considered the Evict for their low gear ratios. Settled on the new Procyon AL LT. I'll update later in the fall on how it performs. Thanks.

[@augustinecampbell7337]

How do tie a tog skinner rig?

[@emmanuellasker7505]

Great video thanks for sharing john 👍👍👍

[@joerappa1104]

would it be best to tie my braid to a barrel swivel then attach my rigs to barrel....would this method be good for fluke, sea-bass, striper etc...

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

That's what I do.

[@uqox]

Great fishing. I'm getting back into blackfishing and watching the tip of my rod and I can feel and see the tap but I'm missing setting the hook. :-( I can't quite "feel" when I should bring the tip up. I'm bring up an empty hook, no crab.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Wait through the taps until the fish starts moving with it.

[@louneumann6278]

I am wondering what landing net do you use for FLUKE (big net) and what for tautog. Is there a size and brand name to buy: Thanks, Lou

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I link to it in the video description. It's fine for fluke to 9 pounds and any blackfish. It's nice because it's quite tangle-free. We also have an extra large net for double-digit class fluke.

[@rtorres3442]

Correction, Would the same handle fit the Spinfisher? I believe you mentioned Clash/Spinfisher are the same thread in another video.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I did put a slammer 3 handle on a spinfisher VI. 4500s

[@MrTalmaguer]

Thank you for the tips and keep up the good work

[@anthonygregorio2208]

Is that the same Tom from the Fisherman magazine who does a video on blackfishing?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

yes

[@gennerobootz6490]

What kind of tsunami trophy slow pitch is that what is the length and power

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

It's the 6'4'' one. There should be a link in the video description.

[@gennerobootz6490]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing I think you mean at 66MH I don’t think they make a 6”4 in that model

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I had the wrong link in there. It's this slimwave: www.jandh.com/products/tsunami-swsps641-mh-slimwave-casting-rods.html?c=25199

[@gennerobootz6490]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing oh thanks

[@gennerobootz6490]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing I got the slim wave I wanna get the trophy slow like the one you use I think you use a 66mh trophy slow

[@jackh7545]

If I am not mistaken, you used tsunami slow pitch MH. Any reason to switch to H (heavy}?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

It's deeper with more structure than where I fish the kayak with the MH. Tom was using my MH when I netted that nice fish for him.

[@samsoncianfaglione7481]

Do your jigs come in 2 packs or just 1 packs?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

1

[@JerzyAnt609]

Off question but whatever I do I can’t keep my toes warm in these conditions what do wear? What shoes/socks?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

When it's really cold I wear neoprene waders.

[@johngoncalves4504]

I Iove black fish, we use to use fiddler crabs

[@triptre3638]

They camouflage to the rust and orange sponge to the wrecks and rocks.

[@annettehaughton4054]

Thank you!

[@mccandrj]

Why not a bait caster John?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I fluke with the baitcaster because I want the easy depth control that the flippng switch gives. I don't need that here, and the spinner is much more comfortable. So far I haven't seen anyone blackfish jig with a baitcaster, although I'm sure some people do it.

[@mccandrj]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing Fishing off the Jersey coast along Sea Bright and Monmouth beach we have a lot of rock (Shrewsbury Rocks) and you loose a lot of tackle. No one uses a spinning because the first thing you have to do is jerk the fish out of the rocks. Most use conventional with heavy rods 7-8.5". And many of us use Daiwa Lexa's 300-400's, especially if we go out on overnight trips that are anywhere from 50-100 miles of shore. Water gets deep and you need the line. Plus, sometimes you have to use 10 oz sinkers. The Sea Bass are huge when you get out that far. Great videos.

[@mccandrj]

@WickedSoles We mostly fish .5 to 1.5 miles off the beach. 12-30'

[@MakinHicks]

Greetings from RI. I prefer a spinning outfit here because I can get the jig down faster. Love these vids.

[@deezn5778]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing whats a good spinning rod for fluke and buck tails up to 6 ounce and ty ?

[@CapeCodCanalFishing]

I thought the orange came form the rust of the structure there on

[@GeorgeShields]

I think what happens is not that the color comes off of the structure that is there. I think that the fish have a tendency to take the color of their surroundings, somewhat like we know flounder do. In this case there might be some rusted metal there and the fish changes to match that color. I have a tog video where there is a lot of white on the bottom and there were two fish in a row caught from that spot that were very light colored.

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

I almost always catch my fish off wrecks here in NJ. I had always thought the orange color was the actual rust coming off the wreck. ??

[@GeorgeShields]

Watch my video from this spot in the video, and notice the color of the bottom and then the coloration of the fish that comes into the scene. kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4imkImAZ6mDpMkm54s Then watch this part of the video and look at how light colored the fish is that came up from that spot. There was one fish caught just before this one that was just as light colored. I have never seen tog (BLACKfish) this light colored. kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4imkImAZ6mDpMkm5s

[@GeorgeShields]

If you notice the fish that you catch with the rust color, that color will not rub off. If you keep the fish alive on the boat it will probably change color. When the fish dies, it will lose that color as all fish do when they die. That is why I think they change their color to match the surroundings. But then again, I am not a fish biologist.

[@kylebryer1111]

Have you ever caught sheepshead up your way?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

No, but I hear this technique works for those too.

[@kylebryer1111]

John Skinner Fishing it sure does I miss Newport Ri but the sheeps In Florida keep me happy I keep meaning to get some of these jogs of yours and then forget

[@kylebryer1111]

Nomad damoN no I grew up there and am in Florida now. Never caught them there

[@kylebryer1111]

Nomad damoN yes sir Appears also that the scup and sheepshead are closely related

[@longislandforester859]

When is it not a good time to use jigs?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Deep with fast current.

[@longislandforester859]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing thank you.

[@BrawlRobloxAndGo]

I'll need to book with the jigging Jerk!

[@surferdude-ll2qu]

👍👍👍

[@janiceborland2576]

Never saw a black fish with red markings?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I don't recall seeing them 30 years ago. Definitely not as many as we see now.

[@slmed87]

I always assumed it was rust from a wreck they were in

[@PatrickDustman]

Great video, that was amazing. SurvivalAustria

[@dannydanielsnyc]

Were you on top of a shipwreck?

[@billkuhl4051]

Blackfish is a brand of clothing