NJ Saltwater Fisherman Forums
NJ Saltwater Fishing Reports and Information => Tips, Tricks and Things to Consider => Topic started by: Bucktail on July 06, 2009, 01:18:21 AM
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The topic of fluking with bucktails seems to be a very popular one on this site. I recently received a PM asking, "What is a 'stinger hook' and how do you rig one?"
So, I thought I'd try to show you my way of rigging it. I've tried a couple of other ways, but this one seems to be the easiest and most hassle free.
First, let me say that I love fishing bucktails and other types of jigs. I have caught many different species of fish on them in both saltwater and freshwater - in the U.S. as well as in Canada and Mexico. So, I have a ton of confidence in them!
But, I'm certainly no expert. There are a lot of anglers (and many here on this site) that can out-fish me all day long with a bucktail. So I would encourage others to please add to this post and describe (with pictures if possible) how you rig a stinger on your bucktails.
What it is:
A stinger hook is a second (or sometimes third or fourth) hook that is rigged behind the main hook of the jig. It is often called a "trailer" hook. It's main purpose is to catch short striking fish.
The Assist:
As I noted above, I have tried a couple of different stingers on my bucktails. Slipping the eye of a Siwash hook over the hook on the jig (similar to a trailer hook on a spinnerbait) was one method. Tying a short length of mono from one hook to the other was another. Then, a few years ago, (just before the Shimano Butterfly jigs were introduced) a couple of companies started marketing "assist" hooks. These were made to add hook at the top of a vertical jig (such as a Crippled Herring or diamond style jigs). Their purpose was to catch those fish that attacked the head of the jig. When Shimano introduced their Butterfly system in the U.S. the assist hooks were all that was used on them.
What they are:
For the most part an assist hook is a "live bait" hook to which is tied a short loop of Kevlar. A piece of shrink tubing is then secured over the knot to protect it from fraying. (Pic. #1)
How to use them:
Attaching them is simple. And because they are not rigid like a Siwash or O'Shaughnessy hook, they tend to allow freer movement of the bait(s). All you have to do is form a loop in the Kevlar (Pic. #2), slip it over the hook and pull tight! (Pic. #3)
Dressing the bucktail:
Having two hooks on the jig allows for more ways of baiting up. A long, fresh strip bait of bunker, bluefish, mackerel, sea robin belly, etc. can be used. Hook the fat end of the strip on the hook of the jig and position the stinger hook towards the middle. You want to rig it so it lays straight and doesn't cause the strip to bunch up.
I like to use two separate pieces of bait on the jig. When rigged correctly the two baits will swim just as well as a longer strip bait and give the illusion of a larger baitfish. However, using two baits eliminates the problem of the larger strip bait from bunching up, spinning, tangling, etc.
A couple of spearing, chovies or shorter strips of squid can be used. My favorite bait is a couple 4" Gulp! Swimming Mullets. I put one on each hook. Although it doesn't look like much on dry land, when it's pulled through the water those little curly tails make the jig come alive! (Pic. #4)
Colors:
My two favorites for fluke are chartreuse (Sorry Capt. Joe! Better put your shades on! ;D) and white. I will also throw pink on occasion. But chartreuse and white are my confidence colors when it comes to fluke.
So there you have it. I hope that many of the bucktailers out there will chime in with your own methods and preferences on stinger hooks. Good luck! t^
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Great post and Info TT^
Thats why you da Bucktail ;D
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Thanks for the info!! slt
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looks good. I like having both hook in a huge smelt for short bites.
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Good tip! I never thought of using those assist hooks as a stinger.
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I have been catching just as many on a short (3-4") rigged hook about 16" above the bucktail-usually put a schpearing or schmelt on it- hadn't used that setup in awhile til Hunter2 Eddie tied one up for me the other week....
thanks for the suggestions all! Good topic Bob!
will try the trailer hook again next time too
can never have too many short fluke....
WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA hhppy
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Great write-up Bucktail t^
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Great post. Thanks Bucktail.
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Great info Bucktail!
TT^
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I have been catching just as many on a short (3-4") rigged hook about 16" above the bucktail-usually put a schpearing or schmelt on it- hadn't used that setup in awhile til Hunter2 Eddie tied one up for me the other week....
thanks for the suggestions all! Good topic Bob!
will try the trailer hook again next time too
can never have too many short fluke....
WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA hhppy
whs All my fish have been caught like WB on the 1/4 oz spro above my 3 oz spro... gonna try that assist though t^
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Bucktail, Nice job and good info. chrz
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Great Info Bucktail
I found 120 mono with a loop and crimp
I have found this to provide the least fouled baits. The Premaid one are better for jigs but a little flexible leaving the bait to foul or you long strip to fold over
will take pic Tomorrow
Plus a lot cheaper
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I've been catching almost everything on a 1/2 oz teaser too.
IMO it's a case of "match the hatch". A 1/2 oz Spro with a 3" swimming mullet is a great spearing imitation.
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Bob,
Dig the spro assist with gulp. Looks like a fluke killer. Going to give that set a run through the paces.
Thanks t^
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Got to try that instead of attaching my stinger hook with mono. No knots to tie and done in seconds. t^ Thanks for the tip Bucktail. <'((((><
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Thanks Bob. Thats the first time I have seen that rig. chrz
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Just stopped in my local WaWa before and noticed The Fisherman had an article about stingers for fluke fishing. Of course NJSWF beat them to it! ;D
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TT^
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Bucktail,
I tired responding to your PM but your in-box is full (hey, that sounds kinda dirty)
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Bucktail,
I tired responding to your PM but your in-box is full (hey, that sounds kinda dirty)
Sorry man. Its all cleaned it out now.
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thanks for the tip, been reseaching this for a while and it was right here all the time!
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I had bunch of short strikes in a row the other day. They bit off the back of the Gulp right behind the bucktail hook every time.
I'll definitely be adding this trick to my bag next time out.
t^
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Sharing a little trick I have used and seen other Captain's also using. It simply involves using fish hose air line or surgical tubing that can be bought fairly inexpensively. Cut a small piece of the tube and slip over the eyelet of the hook you want to use as a trailer/stinger. Slide the jig hook through the tubing/eyelet and slide down on to the bend area of the hook to position. I have yet to see a hook slide off or be bitten off this way. For the larger sized jigs you will need at least a 6/0 (Mustad or other brand) to slide over the hook barb. You can bend the barb down but I feel that impacts the effectiveness of the jig hook itself. This set up works well with larger size GULP, whole squid, fluke belly and salmon belly strips and even as individual bait holders(spearing, squid strips, etc)
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Cool trick t^
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t^
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t^
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Gonna give that a try ;)
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Can't wait for the season to turn on full swing. Plenty of teasers and assist style stingers ready to compliment the bucktails. Also have the stingers attached with flex hose.