[Torskman]

New to this website and have been really impressed with the wealth of knowledge by all. I came across a pic with a tile and a jig. What's your recommendation for tilefish jigging - teaser set up, etc? I'm on the Viking trip in March and have been loading up on fluke bellies, etc. but would rather put the effort into the jig arsenal. I used to be a mate in SHB and I never saw tiles come up on that fancy Japanese jig. Looks like a top assist hook only? I'm using 65 lb Braid with 30' of topshot (60 lb). I don't know how you can reach bottom with a 16 oz jig in 500 feet. Thanks!

 

[fishfinder13]

tiles

As you said most people prefer bait for tiles.
I believe in the pic you posted there was some sort of bait the jig was tipped with?
But i wouldn't doubt you could jig one up.
Probably any sort of jig would work down that deep.
I would guess that it would be mostly the movement in the jig then the type of jig.
If you do decide to jig and are not successful and other folks are succeeding on bait i would switch to bait.

 

[KILSONG]

It seems tilefish prefer baits though you can jig them. Anyway, we jig not because to catch more, but because it is fun and challenging though jig fishermen outfish bait fishermen sometimes though.

The particular tilefish in the picture was caught an heavy jig sweatened with a strip of fluke belly strip. I am not sure the movement of jig or the strip of bait attracted the tilefish.
However tilefish hit jigs without sweatening with bait as evidenced by the catch on Shimano's flat-side jig in the picture below.

-52 pound tilefish caught on Flat-Side jig.

This post edited by KILSONG 08:18 AM 02/19/2008

 

[DandJfish]

Jigging Tiles

You can jig Tiles. But you need the right conditions. On most 2-3 day Viking tile trips you will be lucky if you have the right conditions on maby one of those days (if your really lucky). Thats why we mostly use bait, which is in reality a more effective approach. But if you are a true jigging fan you will need "flat calm seas" or at the very least wind against tide conditions if you are to have any success at jigging tiles. 80 lb braid with a 50-65 ft topshot of 60 lb test will be sufficient. We have also had good success at jigging Wreckfish, with the above mentioned conditions of course.

 

[KILSONG]

Depending on the areas you fish, you can catch tile fish with 10 - 12 oz jigs as current is not big issue and they fish relatively shallow water in 400 ft. As far as I know the Viking fish pretty deep for tile fish. Look at the 52 lbs tilefish picture. He caught the big tilefish with only 7 oz jig.

 

[Habjo]

I have caught them on jigs fishing for pollock on the wrecks, just the usual jig and tube setup like a 10 ounce jig and the tube of your choice. Of couse bait fishing was alot quicker but that wasn't the point.


habjo

 

[Torskman]

Thanks to all for the great advice! Conditions will warrant technique and guess the kitchen sink tackle inventory will once again be transported. Looking forward to meeting folks soon to wet some lead or bait (oops, this is a Jigging forum).

Thanks again - Steve