Pulley Ridge Light on the Yankee Capts

kilsong

I fished on the Yankee Capts on a short notice while I was fishing in Florida to test new Black Hole surf rods.

After catching a few drum using the new surf rods, I headed for Key West. On the way to Key West, I tried tarpon using new Black Hole surf rods unsuccessfully at night. 

There were 23 anglers on the 3 days Pulley Ridge Light trip on the Yankee Capts out fo Key West. Surprisingly I could count at least 8 guys who used light Slow Pitch jigging rods on the most of the trip.

I used economic version of 6'8" Black Hole Charter Special Slow Pitch jigging rod with IRT 500 and 600 spinning reels and JM PE3 conventional reel.

I found Alex and his friend used out 5'8" Black Hole Cape Cod Slow Pitch rods along with other brand rods.  It was a good opportunity to observe different models of slow pitch jigging rods.

I got only one blackfin tuna for a day.  But my luck changed after dark.

By 10 pm, I switched to 6 oz Al Gag jig with soft bait. Instantly I hooked up a monster grouper, but I couldn't stop it. Eventually I lost the big grouper as it went into structure.

I used my reliable 8 oz flat hammered diamond jig.  And I fought 3 grouper and one nice mutton within 30 minutes. 

I was tired and I went sleep as I expected good bites daytime. That was my mistake.  I woke up at dawn and I had constant bites with grouper and mutton.  But I lost three big grouper while fighting and landed 4 small mutton snapper all on 8 oz flat hammered diamond iig by pounding bottom slowly.

Strangely when sun came up, I lost touch and I couldn't get any more bites while other angles get grouper bites on jigs here and  there.

I was expecting another good night bites, but we came home after 4;30 pm as wind picked up.

But I was ,more than happy to have 10 plus fight with grouper and mutton on jigs.

Here is my observation.

Some use really light and soft slow pitch jigging rods.

It might be more fun to fight big fish with such light rods, but I feel they need a little heavier and beefier rods to handle bigger fish effectively and efficiently.

Here is a video of action of 5'8" Black Hole Cape Cod Slow Pitch jigging rod with 210 g jig in 300 ft.  As you see in the video, the rod tip action is proper.

And the rod is capable of landing tuna upto 100 lb tuna or 80  lb AJ or yellowtail.

https://youtu.be/gmDbdDbiDFo

and fighting with the technique

https://youtu.be/bVZFlnD5n9Q

kilsong

Here is a picture of 70 lb -80 lb AJ caught by Ray Rekehs, rod builder in Florida using 6'3" custom Black Hole Cape Cod Slow Pitch jigging rod on the Pulley Ridge trip two - three years ago. There were only Ray Rekehs, Bryan Diez and myself who used slow pitch jigging rods on the trip.

[URL=https://s2.photobucket.com/user/ksong/media/BHslowpitch/20170121_161612_zpsktcu81ig.jpg.html][IMG]https://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y2/ksong/BHslowpitch/20170121_161612_zpsktcu81ig.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

The second observation is they use 4 hooks on a jig for slow pitch jigging.  

In my opinion four hooks are too many.  

I prefer to use one big hook or two small hooks. You can use on the head of a jig or bottom of a jig depending on your preference. I prefer to use hooks at the bottom of a jig for bottom fishing. 

[URL=http://s2.photobucket.com/user/ksong/media/2019/20190227_073412_zpsifkgks1x.jpg.html][IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y2/ksong/2019/20190227_073412_zpsifkgks1x.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

It is a pain to untangle lines when using 4 hooks and it is dangerous when you unhook from fish.  I always believe fish find hooks and attack them. 

The third observation is they use glow jigs invariably.  

I tested glow jigs and non glow jigs for 40 years and I still rarely don't see the difference whether I fish tuna, grouper or snapper at night. 

I used non-glow 8 oz hammered diamond jigs at night and I believe I had hit  more than any other anglers who use glow jigs that night. 

I feel fish has sense to detect the movement of jigs even in complete darkness,

Android77

Great video right to the point and didn't have to here one dude or bro.

kilsong

Another observation is the Yankee Capts uses huge sea anchor. 

The first day was pretty rough, but I could use only 8 oz jig in 250' 300' thanks to the sea anchor.  

Thanks Capt Greg and crew for the wonderful trip. They work hard.

Yankee Capts

Thanks for posting!!

Greg

Kokosing Lover

Using sea anchors has become a lost art.

kilsong

Can you give me direction how to edit my post ?
I am told to click next to my avitar, but nothing is shown. 

privateer19

Hit the little Gear icon on the left and EDIT will pop up in the menu. Great post.

kilsong

privateer19 said:

Hit the little Gear icon on the left and EDIT will pop up in the menu. Great post.

I got it. Thanks. . 

Jack Hexter

kilsong  I know you favor Black Hole rods, but do you have any experience with or an opinion of the Tsunami Slimwave rods.  I'm very impressed with the power of this rod for such a light stick

kilsong

I haven't touched the rod. As long as you like it, it is good for you.
I believe many different models of slow pitch jigging rods will be flooded into the market. Some are quality rods and some are cheap mass production rods. Like cars, you are entitled to choose a rod. 

Here is a picture of massive dogtooth tuna caught using 5'8" Black Hole Slow Pitch jigging rod.

privateer19

Jeez Louise that's a stud.....

Taboo

Dogtooth is a  Bucket list fish for me.
Beauty