Jacks

I'm coming in May and usually target flounder and spanish. I have never caught a jack though. What should I have rigged up to try and catch one when they come around the pier?

[font=comic sans ms][size=12pt]When the Jacks and Bulls attack the pier in a feeding frenzy, just take off your flip flop, put it on the hook and toss it out there amongst ‘em and it will be fish on!
Well it’s almost that easy. When they are fired up they will hit jigs, cigs, Gothcas and Yo-Zuri’s to mention a few

Heck I can even catch 'em even when I am trying not to. :poke1:

Thanks Fin! Is 200 yds of 12 lb test enough or should I use one of my larger rigs (280 yds. 15 lb. test) for jacks?

[font=comic sans ms][size=12pt] I have won and lost with light tackle. With 15# you can get it to the gaff for sure. I usually don't bring 'em up unless they are holding on to one of my good Yo-Zuri’s

[quote author=TUCK link=topic=2980.msg27097#msg27097 date=1364251739]
Thanks Fin! Is 200 yds of 12 lb test enough or should I use one of my larger rigs (280 yds. 15 lb. test) for jacks?
[/quote]

Fin's right about when they come boiling through in a mood to feed. Have picked up an old shriveled up LY from the deck that was not much more than a skeleton with skin on it and chunked in the middle of em and hooked up. As to line (if you don't mind my jumping in), I'd say that's pretty marginal. A big jack bent on Cuba can peel line off in a hurry. Plus, they are a heavy load coming in. Unless you are confident of your ability to work your drag, I'd go with the bigger rig. Much better chance of getting one to the gaff.

X3 When they're feeding, just about anything hitting the water is likely getting eaten.

Jacks are pound for pound one of the best tug-a-wars to be had... Freight train with no brakes and wide open throttle.
280+ yards of 15-20# line will do just fine if you have your drag set properly when they hit and make their first run.

Since they're very seldom eaten, most won't gaff them unless you've a nice lure in'em or plan on using them as shark bait later.
It is better to pop them off so they have a good chance to live to fight another day.

Jacks are one of my favorite fights, a couple of big Jacks will have you hollering "Uncle!"

Steel leader or not?

All mine have been caught while targeting Kings, so I've always had a wire leader.

Never seemed to matter what kind of leader to me, I like using ling jigs personally, I use 80lb mono leader for them, but like fin said, a flip flop will probably work :headbang:

Problem with artificials is that when a big wad of them comes through, it's not unusual for 6 or 7 folks to hook up at one time. [size=14pt]Invariably,[/size] some yayhoo with braid will hook up on one end and not follow his fish. Then you end up with tight braid cutting across tight mono, ears, hands, and everything unfortunate enough to be in its way. Hot knife through butter. Thus one of the dislikes of braid on the pier by a lot of folks. Results in the occasional sharp knife accidentally bumping into said tight braid. :spank:

[quote author=divedeep link=topic=2980.msg27117#msg27117 date=1364257083]
Problem with artificials is that when a big wad of them comes through, it's not unusual for 6 or 7 folks to hook up at one time. [size=14pt]Invariably,[/size] some yayhoo with braid will hook up on one end and not follow his fish. Then you end up with tight braid cutting across tight mono, ears, hands, and everything unfortunate enough to be in its way. Hot knife through butter. Thus one of the dislikes of braid on the pier by a lot of folks. Results in the occasional sharp knife accidentally bumping into said tight braid. :spank:
[/quote]

Then guess you need to make sure that mono doesn't accidentally bump my braid :poke:

I do enjoy putting the head on a jack.. One of my favorite fish to catch off of the pier

If you ever caught a big shellcracker bream in about 20 foot of water on ultralight tackle and said, "I wonder what they would be like if they grew to 30 pounds." Catch a big Jack and you will know. Same wide body turned sideways in the water never give up fight with 30 to 40 pounds of attitude. Prepare to get tired.

If your using heavy cobia tackle,lock down the drag and try not to give them an inch.That's my idea of having fun,catching one in less than five minutes,not playing tug-a-war for an hour on king tackle.

[quote author=Peaches link=topic=2980.msg27131#msg27131 date=1364262774]
[quote author=divedeep link=topic=2980.msg27117#msg27117 date=1364257083]
Problem with artificials is that when a big wad of them comes through, it's not unusual for 6 or 7 folks to hook up at one time. [size=14pt]Invariably,[/size] some yayhoo with braid will hook up on one end and not follow his fish. Then you end up with tight braid cutting across tight mono, ears, hands, and everything unfortunate enough to be in its way. Hot knife through butter. Thus one of the dislikes of braid on the pier by a lot of folks. Results in the occasional sharp knife accidentally bumping into said tight braid. :spank:
[/quote]

Then guess you need to make sure that mono doesn't accidentally bump my braid :poke:

I do enjoy putting the head on a jack.. One of my favorite fish to catch off of the pier
[/quote]

You'll note I said, "some yayhoo" - I fish with it too occasionally, but some folks DO know how to follow their fish across the pier. I fish with it in those scrums out of self defense.

[quote author=john g link=topic=2980.msg27141#msg27141 date=1364294742]
If your using heavy cobia tackle,lock down the drag and try not to give them an inch.That's my idea of having fun,catching one in less than five minutes,not playing tug-a-war for an hour on king tackle.
[/quote]

After locking down your drag and tryin' to hoss in that big jack, go on over to J&M Tackle and get yourself a new reel. Or, if your grip is not good enough, a new rod and reel. If you're lucky, your line will break. If you're not heavy enough, you may just flip over the rail and be gone forever. They say there's one called Moby Jack that's dragging a couple of empty kayaks around behind him, rods in the holders and reels locked down... :poke:

[quote author=T-wagon link=topic=2980.msg27143#msg27143 date=1364296288]
[quote author=john g link=topic=2980.msg27141#msg27141 date=1364294742]
If your using heavy cobia tackle,lock down the drag and try not to give them an inch.That's my idea of having fun,catching one in less than five minutes,not playing tug-a-war for an hour on king tackle.
[/quote]

After locking down your drag and tryin' to hoss in that big jack, go on over to J&M Tackle and get yourself a new reel.
[/quote]

Umm. I'm guessing you know that JohnG is J&M and you're just making a joke? just askin....

[quote author=john g link=topic=2980.msg27141#msg27141 date=1364294742]
If your using heavy cobia tackle,lock down the drag and try not to give them an inch.That's my idea of having fun,catching one in less than five minutes,not playing tug-a-war for an hour on king tackle.
[/quote]

first one I ever caught from the pier was that way....never left the pier and the school went on....not huge but fun....I remember the young then Gainer saying about it's size (18lbs) if it was bigger....but I didn't care and it wasn't lighter king tackle ....then, I really didn't know the difference, but learned as the years went on....now if there is a school approaching I will grab the cobia rod and jig, but sometimes those few come and you never see it, while king fishing.....but they sure are fun one way or the other.....man I am missing the spring trip more and more. [img width=61 height=50]http://i50.tinypic.com/o59l6f.gif[/img]

A year or two ago a jack was swimming on the bar and when he got close to the pier Tater threw a jig on it and when the fish ate he said "time me". Well three minutes and some odd seconds later that fish was sitting on the deck.

[quote author=john g link=topic=2980.msg27141#msg27141 date=1364294742]
If your using heavy cobia tackle,lock down the drag and try not to give them an inch.That's my idea of having fun,catching one in less than five minutes,not playing tug-a-war for an hour on king tackle.
[/quote]

:headbang: +1, I got 30lb backcountry on my 706 with 300yrs of braid back up, that combined with my 908 Seeker ling rod makes for a HOSS combo

[quote author=divedeep link=topic=2980.msg27144#msg27144 date=1364300445]
[quote author=T-wagon link=topic=2980.msg27143#msg27143 date=1364296288]
[quote author=john g link=topic=2980.msg27141#msg27141 date=1364294742]
If your using heavy cobia tackle,lock down the drag and try not to give them an inch.That's my idea of having fun,catching one in less than five minutes,not playing tug-a-war for an hour on king tackle.
[/quote]

After locking down your drag and tryin' to hoss in that big jack, go on over to J&M Tackle and get yourself a new reel.
[/quote]

Umm. I'm guessing you know that JohnG is J&M and you're just making a joke? just askin....
[/quote]

Yes, that would be a joke. John G noted that the "lock down the drag" is for "heavy cobia tackle". Even some of the new powerful reels have drag systems that other reel components cannot withstand when locked down. I tightened down on a barracuda once to handle it better near the pilings, and the barracuda 'ate' my Shimano Baitrunner. Shimano was very good and sent me a new reel for a small shipping charge and return of the old reel. Be sure your tackle will take it when you lock down the drag. If you're small, get somebody to hold on to you so you don't get 'jacked' over the rail. ;)

[quote author=rodbuilderESM link=topic=2980.msg27148#msg27148 date=1364304102]
[quote author=john g link=topic=2980.msg27141#msg27141 date=1364294742]
If your using heavy cobia tackle,lock down the drag and try not to give them an inch.That's my idea of having fun,catching one in less than five minutes,not playing tug-a-war for an hour on king tackle.
[/quote]

:headbang: +1, I got 30lb backcountry on my 706 with 300yrs of braid back up, that combined with my 908 Seeker ling rod makes for a HOSS combo
[/quote] Listen to T-wagon buddy,a 706 will not hold up tight lining. And what I should have said is grab the spool not lock down the drag.

Man I would never and have never lock down on a 706, sorry, I ment 760 slammer, I will lock that one down, I just put my 706 on my ling rod, and cupping a 706 is the only real drag I put on it, even if it is a tough reel, I just won't risk it

I just hate it when it's a good king day and a school of Jacks come through and you don't know it till it's too late...

I can't justify buying a cobia set up seeing I only get to come down there once or twice a year. So I'll just have to take my chances with what I've got. 8 ft. Beach Runner BR1220s80ct with a Shimano Soccorro 8000F spooled with 15 lb Big Game mono.(Purchased at J&M by the way.) DD you don't have to worry bout my braid cutting you off cause I don't like braid, not even for backing. Maybe I don't know how to spool it or something cause it always seems to slip on itself and get all bunched up on the spool. Since I don't fish for kings I don't think I need the extra line capacity braid would give anyway.

I'm not particularly worried about it. I was just making a general comment about something that is occasionally an issue. As to the braid - it has to be spooled tightly or it will collapse on itself. Had that happen when I spooled up once by myself and JohnG set me straight when I took it in to get it redone. Never had it happen with small rigs, only big ones that get hammered by a big fish pulling on heavy drag.

On Okaloosa Island Pier in the early '80s, ten jacks in the #20-#30 lb. class got hooked all at once. The lucky gentlemen, all locals, started to dip and weave, moving their lines on fish that were scattering in all directions. Back then , they called it " The Dance ". It was great fun to watch ten hook-ups and ten catches. A memory that will last forever. BTW, I didn't show up to fish, just a googan walking out on the pier.

[quote author=TUCK link=topic=2980.msg27191#msg27191 date=1364336261]
I can't justify buying a cobia set up seeing I only get to come down there once or twice a year. So I'll just have to take my chances with what I've got. 8 ft. Beach Runner BR1220s80ct with a Shimano Soccorro 8000F spooled with 15 lb Big Game mono.(Purchased at J&M by the way.) DD you don't have to worry bout my braid cutting you off cause I don't like braid, not even for backing. Maybe I don't know how to spool it or something cause it always seems to slip on itself and get all bunched up on the spool. Since I don't fish for kings I don't think I need the extra line capacity braid would give anyway.
[/quote]

I like tying about a foot of mono to the spool, then splicing the braid to the mono, either that or double sided tape on the spool

[quote author=rodbuilderESM link=topic=2980.msg27220#msg27220 date=1364345535]
[quote author=TUCK link=topic=2980.msg27191#msg27191 date=1364336261]
I can't justify buying a cobia set up seeing I only get to come down there once or twice a year. So I'll just have to take my chances with what I've got. 8 ft. Beach Runner BR1220s80ct with a Shimano Soccorro 8000F spooled with 15 lb Big Game mono.(Purchased at J&M by the way.) DD you don't have to worry bout my braid cutting you off cause I don't like braid, not even for backing. Maybe I don't know how to spool it or something cause it always seems to slip on itself and get all bunched up on the spool. Since I don't fish for kings I don't think I need the extra line capacity braid would give anyway.
[/quote]

I like tying about a foot of mono to the spool, then splicing the braid to the mono, either that or double sided tape on the spool
[/quote]

No need for double sided tape, masking tape works just fine, or tephlon ..

[quote author=Peaches link=topic=2980.msg27222#msg27222 date=1364345817]
[quote author=rodbuilderESM link=topic=2980.msg27220#msg27220 date=1364345535]
[quote author=TUCK link=topic=2980.msg27191#msg27191 date=1364336261]
I can't justify buying a cobia set up seeing I only get to come down there once or twice a year. So I'll just have to take my chances with what I've got. 8 ft. Beach Runner BR1220s80ct with a Shimano Soccorro 8000F spooled with 15 lb Big Game mono.(Purchased at J&M by the way.) DD you don't have to worry bout my braid cutting you off cause I don't like braid, not even for backing. Maybe I don't know how to spool it or something cause it always seems to slip on itself and get all bunched up on the spool. Since I don't fish for kings I don't think I need the extra line capacity braid would give anyway.
[/quote]

I like tying about a foot of mono to the spool, then splicing the braid to the mono, either that or double sided tape on the spool
[/quote]

No need for double sided tape, masking tape works just fine, or tephlon ..
[/quote]

+1 on about 30 yds of Teflon. Don't know if J&M carries it but Bass Pro and any other store that sells fly fishing supplies have it.
I wonder if a couple/three wraps with plumber's thread tape would work. [s]Isn't that made of Teflon[/s]? Googlefu says yes, pipe thread is made of PTFE (material Teflon is made of). Would be a whole bunch cheaper than Teflon line I would think.

[quote author=divedeep link=topic=2980.msg27225#msg27225 date=1364346296]
[quote author=Peaches link=topic=2980.msg27222#msg27222 date=1364345817]
[quote author=rodbuilderESM link=topic=2980.msg27220#msg27220 date=1364345535]
[quote author=TUCK link=topic=2980.msg27191#msg27191 date=1364336261]
I can't justify buying a cobia set up seeing I only get to come down there once or twice a year. So I'll just have to take my chances with what I've got. 8 ft. Beach Runner BR1220s80ct with a Shimano Soccorro 8000F spooled with 15 lb Big Game mono.(Purchased at J&M by the way.) DD you don't have to worry bout my braid cutting you off cause I don't like braid, not even for backing. Maybe I don't know how to spool it or something cause it always seems to slip on itself and get all bunched up on the spool. Since I don't fish for kings I don't think I need the extra line capacity braid would give anyway.
[/quote]

I like tying about a foot of mono to the spool, then splicing the braid to the mono, either that or double sided tape on the spool
[/quote]

No need for double sided tape, masking tape works just fine, or tephlon ..
[/quote]

+1 on about 30 yds of Teflon. Don't know if J&M carries it but Bass Pro and any other store that sells fly fishing supplies have it.
I wonder if a couple/three wraps with plumber's thread tape would work. Isn't that made of Teflon? Would be a whole bunch cheaper than Teflon line I would think.
[/quote]

I was actually referring to the plumbers tape..iv had no problems
With it

Gott-cha