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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[snakemonkey]

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

[jacobzacharski]

Amazing video skinner caught my first black fish thanks to you

[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.

[KEPTIFISHING]

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

[richardnigrelli]

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

[chrisbodner]

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.

[johnsweeney]

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

[dantheman]

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!

[architectjk]

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

[johnradomskijr]

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.

[lornehargis]

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

[dingfishing]

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

[halkman]

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

[MichaelP]

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

[dukoh]

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

[marcomizrahi]

Really great and informative video. Thank you John

[mv]

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

[derekalexander]

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

[Reaper-mnym]

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

[MrTalmaguer]

Thank you for the tips and keep up the good work