How to Make Assist Hooks for Jigging Tuna

It's easy to make custom assist hooks that are perfect for your favorite tuna jigs and the size of the tuna you're targeting. In this video, OTW editor Jimmy Fee goes through the step by step of making a strong, reliable assist hook for bluefin, yellowfin, and bigeye tuna with kevlar cord and VMC Wide Gap Live Bait Hooks.
0:00 Introduction
2:00 Why Make Your Own Assist Hook
3:54 Supplies for Making Your Own Assist Hooks
6:48 Why Use Assist Hooks for Tuna Jigging
8:19 Choosing a Hook Size and Cord Length
9:39 Tying the Hook to the Cord
11:39 Adding the Shrink Tube
14:22 Adding the Solid Ring
Tackle:
VMC Assist Hook (Sizes 9/0-13/0) - www.rapala.com/vmc/hooks/salt...
Kevlar Cord - www.amazon.com/emma-kites-Bra...

[@imeyouthem9303]

Thorough and well explained. Thanks for taking the time to put this video together.

[@OnTheWaterMedia]

Thanks for watching!

[@leonardogranados2733]

Excellent tip: hot water instead of direct source of heat that can burn the kevlar. Thanks for sharing

[@OnTheWaterMedia]

Thanks for watching!

[@viper2788]

Thanks for sharing! I had questions about that same amazon kevlar cord but this video explains it well. Lots of really long videos on assist hooks but this one nails all the points quickly. Hot water is genius!

[@OnTheWaterMedia]

Glad it was helpful!

[@HWCism]

Nice explanation, thanks

[@richardreich4660]

I would suggest you tie directly to the solid ring. The second split ring and swivel are possible points of failure. Good video, thank you.

[@pompanomike8704]

I think the reason he doesn't tie directly to the solid ring is that he wants to be able to swap assist hooks out and match them the size of hook/length of cord to the jig, without having to cut the line every time (with this set up, you just need split ring pliers to swap out the jig and/or the assist hook). The other reason is that he would need to do away with the swivel. The alternative to this is to loop the assist hook cord direct to the swivel. You'd still have to cut the line to swap out your hook.

[@DBinCT]

Great video! Well explained

[@OnTheWaterMedia]

Thank you!

[@crowman5936]

Great instructions.

[@420_FISHING]

Excellent video! Going to try make some myself…

[@ShragaMiFishingForTheSoul]

Thank s for this useful video What is the diameter/weight of the Kevlar cord you are using in the video?

[@sab35263]

Excellent video, can you please do a video on the rod you use?

[@oo4595]

Would you still recommend using these hooks in size 7/0 and 5/0 hooks for smaller jigs? For BFT in the 60lbs plus range ? Thanks in advance.

[@pompanomike8704]

You;'re not catching 60 lb tuna East of Chatham. They are 100lb plus.

[@bryanamenta5137]

Whoever is editing these videos, skip the background music. Very distracting.

[@pompanomike8704]

it's funny we spend all this money on name brand reels, rods, swivels, hooks, lures, split rings, solid rings. But then we buy no-name kevlar cord on Amazon from emma kits, china. I wonder if this is the weak point ???