Hogy Tuna Playbook V1.1

TUNA PLAYBOOK Fish Smart.

Fish Simple.

Fish Hogy.

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CASTING

FISH SMART. FISH SIMPLE. FISH HOGY.

HOGY TUNA CASTING PLAYBOOK CASTING | WALK & GUN

RUN & GUN

BAIT IMITATORS

GEAR GUIDE

BLIND CASTING Seeing that you are in an area with bait and feeding tuna, you are already 75 percent of the way to success. The ideal time to blind cast is when you are in a defined area with lots of life. Here’s a few scenarios where it makes sense.

3 BEST BETS BLIND CASTING

Tuna Epoxy Jig: Best used for long range, fast retrieves near the surface. Keep rod tip up for surface skip, or rod low for side to side wobble.

WATCH VIDEO

TUNA EPOXY JIG

Slider: Good for fishing the swing, windy conditions and covering ground throughout peak periods of tide. Hold the rod at 45 degrees to let the slider's slow wobble do the work. Vary retrieve speed, accelerate on missed strikes.

CHARTER GRADE SLIDER

Harness Jig: The best option when Sand Eels or Half Beaks are the primary forage. Fast, twitching retrieve, or rip and drop for explosive strikes.

TUNA HARNESS JIG

BOAT BLIND CASTING APPROACH 1

Scattered feeding fish in a defined area: If they are active, they will find your lure sooner or later and your time will have been better spent with lures in the water than out of the water while you run around looking for obvious signs

2

Scattered finicky fish: Boat traffic is the top reason fish get spooky. If this is the case, it is time to go stealth mode.

3

Acres of feeding fish: Why risk spooking the fish? Just cast and wait your turn.

WALK & GUN The slow approach is the ideal way to target tuna and is usually associated with good fishing where there are numerous schools and plenty for everyone.

3 BEST BETS WALK & GUN

Tuna Epoxy Jig: Best used for long range, fast retrieves near the surface. Keep rod tip up for surface skip, or rod low for side to side wobble.

WATCH VIDEO

TUNA EPOXY JIG

CHARTER GRADE SLIDER

TUNA HARNESS JIG

Slider: Good for fishing the swing, windy conditions and covering ground throughout peak periods of tide. Hold the rod at 45 degrees to let the slider's slow wobble do the work. Vary retrieve speed, accelerate on missed strikes.

Harness Jig: The best option when Sand Eels or Half Beaks are the primary forage. Fast, twitching retrieve, or rip and drop for explosive strikes.

WALK & GUN APPROACH When: This is a great approach when there are a number of fish breaking in a wide area.

1

Keep it slow and easy. No need for hard running. Idling up to a school at 10 knots or less is ideal. There is no need to hurry in this situation as there are plenty of scattered feeds and they are popping up and down. If you go slow and happy, you might not even get to the school before seeing fish.

The main goal is to be slow and deliberate to keep from spooking fish as you close in on the distance.

2

Approach slowly when a nearby school pops up.

HOGY TUNA CASTING PLAYBOOK CASTING | WALK & GUN

RUN & GUN

BAIT IMITATORS

FISH SMART. FISH SIMPLE. FISH HOGY.

GEAR GUIDE

RUN & GUN There is a time and place for running and gunning but great care needs to be taken not to spook fish or disrupt other fisherman. Running and gunning is appropriate in situations where there are widely scattered fish that would otherwise not be accessible without motoring.

3 BEST BETS RUN & GUN

TUNA EPOXY JIG

CHARTER GRADE SLIDER

TUNA HARNESS JIG

Tuna Epoxy Jig: Best used for long range, fast retrieves near the surface. Keep rod tip up for surface skip, or rod low for side to side wobble.

Slider: Good for fishing the swing, windy conditions and covering ground throughout peak periods of tide. Hold the rod at 45 degrees to let the slider's slow wobble do the work. Vary retrieve speed, accelerate on missed strikes.

WATCH VIDEO

RUN & GUN APPROACH

Harness Jig: The best option when Sand Eels or Half Beaks are the primary forage. Fast, twitching retrieve, or rip and drop for explosive strikes.

1

To many people, running and gunning is the name of the game but it is highly disruptive to tuna. Tuna and bait fish get very spooked by loud hull noise, engines screaming and changing RPM’s with boats running through schools. Unfortunately, this happens way too often, even when there are plenty of fish. Resist the temptation to charge around if unnecessary. It will be tempting to cover lots of ground but will work to your disadvantage unless you can truly get on top of the fish.

2

You’ll want to count how long the fish are staying up feeding for. If they are up for only 3 or 4 seconds, you won’t have a chance unless you are already on scene. The magic number is 10 seconds. If they are up for 10 seconds consistently, it’s time to motor.

FISH SMART. FISH SIMPLE. FISH HOGY. Many pros carry fewer different types of lures but higher quantiles of each. Why? They bring the lures that work for their particular methodology and use a systematic approach to the various situations they may encounter. (+backups)

CAPT. MIKE HOGAN OWNER - HOGY LURES

The Hogy 3-Step Casting System A Fast Skippy Retrieve: This is a tip-up, fast-crank retrieve. Great for imitating fleeing sea herring, half beaks and mackerel. This is the preferred retrieve to breaking fish or blind casting in calm water when you know fish are in the area.

Steps: Cast out, collect line.

Point the rod at a 45-degree angle and increase reeling speed and rod tip height simultaneously.

As you reel, twitch your rod back sporadically. This will cause your Epoxy Jig® Lure to pop in and out of the water simulating a fleeing bait fish.

B Tip Down Method: Reel-Reel-Reel-Pause / Reel-Reel-ReelPause. I like to alternate this retrieve with the skippy retrieve. It is similar in that it is a very high-speed retrieve but opposite in the sense that your rod tip is pointed low –literally in the water. This will allow you to have a very high retrieve speed without breaking the surface. Another variation I include with the retrieve is sporadic “stalls”. I will randomly pause for three seconds and immediately pick back up. This will often draw a strike.

C Drop and Reel: This retrieve starts with the medium subsurface retrieve but this time, you will introduce long pauses for up to a minute to let your bait settle as deep as 30’ before reeling again. This is an excellent retrieve for finicky fish. The Hogy Epoxy Jig’s® Lure relatively lightweight allows for a slow decent, which mimics a wounded or recently killed bait fish. The drop can also put your lure in the strike zone of suspended fish you may be marking on your fish finder. I like to try different “start-again” retrieves after the drop.

Sometimes I will start slow while others are a hard start. I will switch over the course of one cast.

HOGY TUNA CASTING PLAYBOOK CASTING | WALK & GUN

RUN & GUN

BAIT IMITATORS

COMMON FORAGE IMITATORS When tuna are keyed in on large mackerel, herring, half beaks, bunker, and sand eels, it's time to break out the big baits. Knowing where to start when certain forage is present can be confusing. Let's break it down.

BIG BAIT BREAK DOWN

Sand Eels: When tuna are keyed in on large sand eels, the Hogy Harness Jig and Tuna Epoxy Jig shine. Long imitative profiles closely match the common baitfish. Olive patterns are preffered.

HARNESS JIG

Mackerel: One of the tuna's favorite forage species. These large baitfish are best imitated using the Harness Jig & Charter Grade Slider. Green patterns are preffered.

CHARTER GRADE SLIDER Half Beaks: These overgrown ballyhoo are common in late summer. Often seen showering on the surface, the Charter Grade Slider and Tuna Epoxy Jig imitate the elongated profile. Silver or Purple patterns are preffered.

Herring: Large oceanic herring are easily imitating a variety of presentations. We recommend the Harness Jig and Charter Grade Slider in Silver, Bone or Blue patterns.

TUNA EPOXY JIG

Pogy: These giant baitfish are a top forage for very large tuna. Imitate the profile with Harness Protail Paddle Swimbaits and oversized Charter Grade Sliders. Silver, Bone CHARTER GRADE SLIDER and Bunker colors are recommended.

When tuna are keyed in on micro-forage, it's time to downsize your tactics and presentations to match the hatch. Here's our top producers for targeting tuna on small baits, that "just won't eat".

SMALL BAIT BREAK DOWN

Micro Sand Eels: Small, metal Sand Eel Jigs are perfect for long range casting with tuna tackle. Steady burn retrieves or a twitch and drop action near the surface will produce when others fail.

Tiny Squid: Tuna love squid fry and often ignore any presentation that doesn't closely imitate these gum drop cephalopods. The Charter Squid Plug is a great imitator.

Baby Hake: Tuna will roll and gulp feed through massive schools of baby hake schooling on the surface. These tiny groundfish are often under 2" long and make for difficult fishing. Our top choice is upgrading a small Anchovy Epoxy Jig with a small assist hook for sub-surface twitching.

SAND EEL JIGS

CHARTER SQUID PLUG

MICRO EPOXY JIG

Butterfish: Tuna gorging on butterfish can make for exciting surface action in early to mid-fall. These 3" - 6" baitfish are easily imitated using our 6.5" Protail Paddle.

Peanut Bunker: When Peanut Bunker pour our of the back bays and estuaries into coastal waters, bluefin usually aren't far behind. Match the hatch with small 2.5" - 4" Peanut Jigs to easily imitate these abundant baitfish.

PROTAIL PADDLE

PEANUT JIGS

FISH SMART. FISH SIMPLE. FISH HOGY.

GEAR GUIDE

HOGY TUNA CASTING PLAYBOOK CASTING | WALK & GUN

RUN & GUN

BAIT IMITATORS

FISH SMART. FISH SIMPLE. FISH HOGY.

GEAR GUIDE

TUNA CASTING & JIGGING PREP TIPS I will often switch back and forth between casting and jigging throughout the day but if I were limited to bringing only two rods, I would bring one jigging and one casting outfit. I feel very strongly that multiple outfits rigged and ready to go will up your catching count. For starters, there are so many different situations on the water that anglers encounter. I may switch from top water casting to sub surface to fast jigging to slow jigging, all over the course of an hour.

If you think about it, a versatile angler uses a rod, reel and lure collection the same way a golfer uses a bag full golf clubs. A driver is a driver, an iron is an iron and a putter is a putter. Each club category has its own set of responsibilities from the longest game to the shortest game and furthermore.

I grew up trolling for tuna and I am not comfortable without at least eight set-ups when I leave the dock.

With this collection, I have a rod rigged for every casting and jigging method described in this section.

Sometimes, you only have one 30 second widow for the whole day over 100+ miles of cruising. A successful angler has every situation prepared and the right outfit at an arm’s length.

CAPT. MIKE HOGAN OWNER - HOGY LURES

CAPT. MIKE'S CASTING SETUPS 1

PRE-TRIP PREP TIPS Start Fresh: I rig up each of these outfits the night before heading out with fresh leaders and newly inspected lures.

Variety of Colors: You’ll notice the variation of colors, lengths, weights and even leader size on my outfits. This collection has a selection for every situation.

Variety of Leaders: Big leaders for big fish, small leaders for smaller or more finicky fish. I have a variety of sizes on my rod collection plus plenty of extras on board.

Variety of Colors: Who can see the whole line up of baitfish in a single trip? I bring greens for mackerel, bones, silvers, violets and blues for half beaks, butterfish and herring. Olives for sand eels and pinks for squid and as an attractor color.

Variety of Lure Types: I have a variety of lure types; top water plugs, mid-level Hogy Epoxy Jig Lures, unweighted soft plastics and deep and mid-level soft plastics and metals.

Ready To Swap: Now just because I leave for a trip with the combinations doesn’t mean I’ll return to the dock with the same rigging. I fish with a progressive system. I will start slowly and swap out lures as one starts to work better than others or if I identify specific bait patterns and fish sizes. If one lure is super hot, I might even switch them all over to serve as quick replacements for break-offs. I bring even numbers of every lure so I am ready for a run on one color.

2

7.5-8’ Heavy Spinning Rod: I like to have a heavy setup in the mix for big plugs, heavy jigs, and weighted soft plastics. This rod can cast heavy lures up to 6ounces. This rod will also do double duty for groundfishing on a slow day in the tuna grounds.

Action: Moderate Power: Heavy Reel Size: 18000 - 20000 class.

Lure Sizes 3oz to 6oz Typical Line: 100lb Braid Leader: 60” of 130lb Fluorocarbon Leader

7’ Medium-Heavy Spinning Rod: A sightly lighter outfit is perfect for targeting smaller class tuna.

This is our favorite gear for throwing smaller jigs, plugs and topwaters when fish are feeding on micro-forage.

Action: Moderate Power: Medium Heavy Reel Size: 8000 - 14000 class.

Lure Sizes 2oz to 4oz Typical Line: 60lb Braid Leader: 60” of 80lb Fluorocarbon Leader

TROUBLE SHOOTING TUNA

CHARTER GRADE

SUBSURFACE SLIDERS

THE BITE

Surface feeding tuna keyed in on larger half-beaks, butterfish & sand eels.

THE CHALLANGE

Surface foaming tuna can be ultra finicky when keyed in on specific baitfish. Matching the color and profile of available forage will produce significantly more bites on a consistent basis. When fish are spread out and showing in singles and doubles. The Charter Grade Slider can be blind casted to quickly cover ground and locate actively feeding fish.

THE SOLUTION

Simplicity is key. Charter Grade Sliders offer excellent side to side kicking action on a steady retrieve. Occasional stop and pause can be imparted when fish follow without committing.

Charter Slider

Subsurface Swimmer.

HEAVY THUMPING PROTAIL PADDLES

THE BITE

Scattered tuna feeding on butterfish.

THE CHALLANGE

Tuna feeding on butterfish can be notoriously picky and tough to catch. Long range casts & imitative bait profiles are necessary for success.

THE SOLUTION

Offered in a variety of casting weights and sizes, the Pro Tail Paddles offer an ideal casting package for imitating butterfish. With casting weights available to 6oz, the Pro Tail Paddle can be casted on XH Tuna Spinning Tackle.

Heavy Duty VMC rigging is suitable for tuna upwards of 200lbs. Cover ground quickly with fan casting techniques on a fast steady retrieve.

Protail Paddle

Heavy Thumping Action.

TUNA RIGGED EPOXY JIGS

THE BITE

Fast moving tuna chasing surface baitfish schools.

Actively pursuing schools underway is necessary.

THE CHALLANGE

When tuna are seen breaking on the surface, but always out of casting reach. Long range casting lures are necessary to put fast moving fishing into range.

THE SOLUTION

The Tuna Rigged 4oz Epoxy Jig offers incredible casting distance and accuracy on heavy tuna spinning outfits.

The Tuna Epoxy Jig offers an excellent side to side kick on a steady retrieve, aiding to quickly cover large swaths of productive water when tuna are moving fast. The Epoxy Jigs through wired construction and 4X VMC Treble Rigging offers superior strength for large Bluefin.

Hogy Epoxy Jig®

Ultra-Imitative Jig.

FISH SMART. FISH SIMPLE. FISH HOGY.

ALL PURPOSE

HOGY EPOXY JIGS®

THE BITE

Bottom grubbing tuna keyed in on large sand eels.

THE CHALLANGE

When you’re marking tuna down deep on the fish finder but seeing limited surface activity. A fast sinking, imitative sand eel profile produces picky fish.

THE SOLUTION

The Tuna Harness Jig’s hydrodynamic profile and heavy weight is ideal for reaching depths of 180’+ in heavy current and varied sea states. The long tapered UV Infused Speed Tail offers an imitative sand eel profile perfect for tuna keyed in on oceanic sand eels. Ideal for slow-pitch style jigging retrieves, the Harness Jig offers incredible action with short 1’ - 2’ jigging motion.

Tuna Harness Jig

Sand Eel Imitator.

TUNA RIGGING GUIDE Three Basic Casting Retrieves (All Species)

FISH SMART. FISH SIMPLE. FISH HOGY.

TUNA RIG LIKE A PRO Everything comes down to a solid connection when target trophy tuna. Here's how to rig your own bullet proof leader to lure connections. c r im p " y o u r a r p ie . t n i a "P a sh w it h b la c k

CRIMPED LOOP CONNECTION

The best rigging connection on heavy leaders 80# and up.

(A) Fast Skippy Retrieve: This is a tip-up, fast-crank retrieve. Great for imitating fleeing sea herring, half beaks and mackerel. This is the preferred retrieve to breaking fish or blind casting in calm water when you know fish are in the area.

(B) Reel-Reel-Reel-Pause / Reel-Reel-Reel-Pause: I like to alternate this retrieve with the skippy retrieve. It is similar in that it is a very highspeed retrieve but opposite in the sense that your rod tip is pointed low –literally in the water. This will allow you to have a very high retrieve speed without breaking the surface.

(C) Drop and Reel: This retrieve starts with the medium sub-surface retrieve but this time, you will introduce long pauses for up to a minute to let your bait settle as deep as 30’ before reeling again. This is an excellent retrieve for finicky fish.

Three Basic Jigging Retrieves (All Species)

.5" Bla ck Ch a fe L o 13 0 # op F lu o r o Lea 1.3mm der A lu m in u m C r im p

Swivel 220# Crane Ring lit Sp 4 1.

220#

KNOTTED CONNECTION

For rigging with light leaders 80# and less.

Swivel 220# Crane Ring lit Sp 4 220# 1.

80# Fluoro not + Palomar K

OFFSHORE RIGGING

Tackling the largest of offshore gamefish requires a keen eye to details and perfection in rigging technique. Hogy's full lineup of offshore terminal rigging allows you to quickly build or repair your offshore presentations.

(A) Slow Jigging: We think slow jigging is the most effective way to jig with softbaits.

WHEN: This is a go to technique when fish are consistently hanging at a certain depth or are slow to commit. HOW: Drop the the lure to the desired depth (likely where you are most consistently marking fish) and work the bait as slowly as possible. You can even dead stick a softbait by putting the rod in the holder and use the boat’s rocking motion to work the lure. WHY: This method will best utilize the slow undulating action of the soft plastic and will also keep the lure in the strike zone.

(B) Twitch Jigging: Works well with Hogy Epoxy Jig Lures and slender metals that imitate sand eels AND softbaits WHEN: Targeting a specific depth with scattered fish.

HOW: Drop the lure to the desired depth and “twitch” the jig with a series of sharp and rapid jigs, almost as if to “twitch” the jig. WHY: This method will create vibrations and commotion caused by your lure’s twitching motion. Will help draw attention to your lure.

(C) Fast Jigging: Fast jigging is best used with heavy metals that sink fast. WHEN: Targeting fish across a wide spectrum in the water column, HOW: Drop the lure to bottom and work it back up by reeling quickly while imparting jigging motions with the rod as the lure comes up. Once close to the surface, drop and repeat. WHY: This method will cover all levels in the water column, create commotion and will elicit a reactionary “FOMO” strike by a predator.

PRO TIPS: CRIMPING

1.Reduce crimp visibility by coloring with a black sharpie marker.

2. Eliminate unnecessary break offs by leaving a 1/16" flange along crimp edges when crimping 3. Measure line diameter to crimp size. Improper pairing of line to crimp size will greatly reduce strength and reliability 4. Use the proper style chafe gear for connections.

Black Chafe for leader loops. Stainless Chafe for hook connections.

JIGGING

HOGY TUNA JIGGING PLAYBOOK FAST & SLOW JIGGING

TWITCH JIGGING

FISH SMART. FISH SIMPLE. FISH HOGY.

STRUCTURE & SEARCH + DROP

FAST JIGGING Fast jigging is associated mostly with metals The bites tend to be more aggressive but you need to also pay careful attention to bites on the drop.

3 BEST BETS

Teaser Assist Sand Eel Jig: Our top choice for imitating mackerel throughout the water column.

FAST JIGGING

SAND EEL JIG

Harness Tuna Jig: Tuna love sand eels, the Olive Sand Eel Jig offers the perfect profile for imitating a variety of sand eel sizes.

TUNA HARNESS JIG

HOGY EPOXY JIG

The 4oz Hogy Epoxy Jig is an ideal “fast” jig in depths under 180 feet of water. This lure will make commotion on the drop and come “alive” with just a medium retrieve speed, allowing for adequate time “in play” before reaching the surface.

BOAT FAST JIGGING APPROACH 1

Drop to the bottom or below targets identified on fish finder. Engage and reel quickly while jerking the rod - cranking fast a furiously to the surface.

2

Drop back and repeat.

SLOW JIGGING The best jigging technique for fishing with soft baits, often underutilized. It’s a great technique for fish you see on the fish finder that “won’t bite anything”.

3 BEST BETS SLOW JIGGING

TUNA HARNESS JIG

EPOXY JIG

FLUTTER PITCH

BENEFITS

Tuna Harness Jigs: a very natural option for slow jigging as they offer tremendous action at the slowest speeds, regardless of the shape. Paddle tail versions will thump with short sweeps of a rod tip. Eel tail versions body’s will quiver even when left in the holder at drift.

WATCH VIDEO

The Hogy Epoxy Jig: The light body design results in a slow and fluttery decent to the bottom. As 4oz Epoxy Jig require very little effort to fish in under 180’ of water while slow jigging.

Flutter Pitch Jig: This jig has a “flattened” design and a latitudinal center of gravity which allows for even the heaviest of versions great action at slow speeds as it shifts its center of gravity in current. The flutter Pitch Jig is ideal at the deepest of tuna depths in heavy current. Larger sizes imitate herring, pogies and mackerel.

1. You’re able to stay in a key strike zone for a very long time.

2. Natural and subtle movements used to present a slow and easy bait for a lazy tuna to eat is a method that is deadly, especially with a softbait tail.

3. An easy technique for inexperienced guests on your boat

SLOW JIGGING APPROACH 1

Drop to a specific depth that you are targeting.

2

Slowly raise your rod tip and let the lure fall slowly.

3

Every few moments, change the depth by 10-feet using slow cranks, and repeat the slow jig method.

4

Drop back to the bottom and repeat.

HOGY TUNA JIGGING PLAYBOOK FAST & SLOW JIGGING

TWITCH JIGGING

FISH SMART. FISH SIMPLE. FISH HOGY.

STRUCTURE & SEARCH + DROP

TWITCH JIGGING Twitch jigging is a variation of the Slow Jig with the only difference being a series of sharp fast twitches in the rod.

It’s almost like you are vibrating the lure with rapid rod tip twitches. This technique works particularly well with the Hogy Sand Eel Jig. Its long, slender profile responds with a lot of jerking rod tip motions. The huge benefit of this technique is that you can really dial in a certain depth. This is a useful method when “sniping” fish you have identified on the fish finder.

3 BEST BETS TWITCH JIGGING

TUNA HARNESS JIG

SAND EEL JIG

EPOXY JIG

Tuna Harness Jig: Long tails on eel bodied softabaits quiver all the way through the tip of the tail. Our top sand eel imitator. Not ideal option when numerous dogfish are in the area.

Sand Eel Jigs: The sand eel jig is a tough duty sand eel imitator. What this lure lacks in finesse is made up for in its ability to sink quickly, stands up to dogfish and rig in a variety of conf.

Epoxy Jig: Hogy Epoxy Jig’s light body design results in a jig that is highly responsive to twitch jigging. Ideal in depths 180’ and under.

WATCH VIDEO

TWITCH JIGGING APPROACH 1

Drop to a specific depth that you are targeting.

2

Twitch your rod with fast, short movements.

3

Every few moments, change the depth by 10-feet and repeat.

4

Once you have too much line out from the boat drifting away from your lure, reel in and repeat.

FAST JIGGING BENEFITS You’re able to stay in a key strike zone for a very long time.

Faster motions might trigger a reaction strike.

Allows metal lure depth and softbait action.

DEAD STICKING If you are drifting for an extended period while blind casting, it’s often a good idea to drop a softbait down deep and park it in the rod in the holder.

It’s truly embarrassing to think about how effective this technique is as compared to all the energy and efforts anglers put into fooling tuna.

While dead sticking you are literally just putting the rod in the holder and letting the boat do EVERYTHING. This is 100% a soft bait method as the plastic is flexing with each rock of the boat.

HOGY TUNA JIGGING PLAYBOOK FAST & SLOW JIGGING

TWITCH JIGGING

FISH SMART. FISH SIMPLE. FISH HOGY.

STRUCTURE & SEARCH + DROP

SEARCH & DROP With the recent developments of fish-finding technology, this technique is becoming more and more popular. In this technique, you are literally cruising around looking for targets to drop on. Search and Drop is the most tactical variation of jigging in that the captain and crew work hand in hand ready to coordinate the drop. Each angler is poised and ready for the drop at a moment’s notice.

WATCH VIDEO

Go-To Hogy Imitations: If you are dropping on fish that you are marking on the fish finder, you'll want to get the lure down as quickly as you can to catch the fish while it is still close to being under the boat.

Tuna Harness Jig: I like eel tail softbaits for tactical drops, as you don't want the "parachute" effect of a paddle to slow you down.

Sand Eel Jig: This highly imitative sand eel jig is ideal for jigging when sand eels are present. The bait is so long and slender, it has incredible action with hardly any rod movement. A simple rise and fall of the rod tip is deadly.

BENEFITS 1. Pinpoints finicky fish.

2. The steady RPM’s of the boat will not spook the fish.

3. Covers ground while still being able to study topwater and fish finder.

CAPT. MIKE'S SPINNING GEAR Spinning Rod & Reel Pros: Many anglers find spinning rods better for slow jigging or with a method with log sweeps to be easier.

Able to belt out a cast if necessary.

More sensitivity with lighter jigs.

Spinning Rod & Reel Cons: Much more work to fight a fish.

Spin Reel Jigging: The rod is a powerhouse and very light.

Rod: St. Croix Mojo MJJS58XMF 5′ 8″: I have caught a number of tuna close to 300lbs with this rod. I fish this rod most often with a 6oz Hogy Harness Jig or 6oz Hogy ProTail Paddle and it casts those lures surprisingly well in a pinch.

Reel: Shimano Stella 20000: This reel is a workhorse. This reel has a large line capacity and a beefy drag system. I am on my 4th season with my Stella 20000 and together, they have caught (and lost!) dozens of Bluefin, some pushing larger than 300lbs.

Line/Leader: I use 130lb Jerry Brown hollow-core on my jigging reels. A lot of anglers will use 100lb, but I like the extra beefiness of the 130lb, especially if you need to hand line a big fish at boat side. For jigging, I like long 30’ wind on flouro leaders. I typically jig with 130lb fluorocarbon leader, but I will go as high as 175lb if I am breaking off fish or as low as 100 if I think the fish are being finicky.

Connection: I prefer loop-to-loop connecting wind-on leaders over a knot between my braid and flouro due to the reliability and how easy it is to swap out leaders. I often go up and down in size and I also frequently put new leaders on.

SEARCH & DROP APPROACH 1

Identify an active area.

2

Find a happy cruising speed, maybe 8-knots for searching.

3

Have anglers holding their rods at all times, ready to free spool their lure at a moment’s notice.

4

Along with watching the electronics, constantly look for changes in the water and be ready to cast at any water that looks “pushed” or otherwise altered.

CAPT. MIKE'S CONVENTIONAL GEAR Conventional Rod & Reel Pros: I would hands down much rather fight a fish on conventional gear with a two-speed reel. You can strap into a harness and more easily use your legs to fight fish.

The torque nature of a convectional reel is better suited for jigging heavy metal of very high speed jigging.

Jiggers on party-head boats can rest the rod on the rail to fight big fish.

Double duty as blue water trolling rod.

Conventional Rod & Reel Cons: Harder for some anglers to work a conventional rod, especially with slow jigging soft plastics.

Spin Reel Jigging: The rod is a powerhouse and very light.

Rod: TZC-59MHSB-SR 5’9″: Last year was an epic year for jigging BIG BFTS off Chatham. Although I have always been a spinning guy as I like the rod action better for jigging soft plastics, it is hard to Ignore how much easier on your body conventional gear is when you can strap into a harness and have a different leverage angle.

Reel: Shimano TAC25 with 100lb hollow core. The drag system is comparable to a Shimano TIAGRA 80 but paired with the rod above, the outfit weighs less than a wire line trolling outfit. I can carry my entire spread to the boat in one trip. I have trolled for tuna up to 300lbs in deep water with this set up and have had zero issues.

Line/Leader: Same as spinning outfit.

Connection: Same as spinning outfit.

TROUBLE SHOOTING TUNA

SAND EEL JIGS

HIGHLY IMITATIVE

THE BITE

Open water Tuna feeding on plumes of Sand Eels in various levels of the water column.

THE CHALLANGE

Tuna bucket feeding on dense sand eel schools. Matching the size, shape and color in a highly imitative fashion is essential if you want to compete.

THE SOLUTION

The Sand Eel Jigs have simplified the challange of "matching the hatch" by offering a variety of lengths, weights and imitative colors that shine when stripers are keyed in on sand eels. While the Hogy Sand Eel Jig is designed for all speeds, it's particularly deadly at high speeds zipping through all levels of the water column.

Sand Eel Jig

Durable Sand Eel Imitator.

FLUTTER PITCH

SLOW PITCH & TWITCH

TUNA EPOXY JIG SLOW FLUTTER

FISH SMART. FISH SIMPLE. FISH HOGY.

HARNESS JIGS

MATCH THE HATCH

THE BITE

THE BITE

THE BITE

THE CHALLANGE

THE CHALLANGE

THE CHALLANGE

Finicky Tuna feeding on various finfish.

When Tuna on keyed in on herring, scup and butterfish the flutter pitch jig offers an imitative profile and excellent slow flutter fall action.

THE SOLUTION

The Flutter Pitch Jigs are perfect for working the lower to mid-water column for finicky tuna. Using a simple lift, reel and fall on slack line kicks the Flutter Pitch Jig into action! Erratic flutter fall action triggers bites from finicky tuna feeding on larger baitfish species. Attractive teaser assist hooks add extra attraction when the bite gets tough!

Flutter Pitch Jig

Tuna keyed in on suspended sand eels, mackerel & herring.

When tuna are feeding in the upper water column, but not busting on the surface the bite can be downright tough to get dialed in! With a variety of colors, the Epoxy Jig can easily imitative a variety of baits.

THE SOLUTION Tuna Epoxy Jigs are best worked with a slow, twitch jigging or dead sticking retrieve. We've found the jigs excellent during flat calm conditions where suspended tuna get super finicky and don't seem to commit to traditional presentations.

Make sure to adjust your leader size and drop down in lb. test as the bite gets tougher.

Hogy Epoxy Jig

Deep Water Flutter Fall Action. Upper Water Column Flutter.

Scattered tuna feeding on large sand eels in open water.

When tuna are targeting big sand eels in open water, you'll need up up-size your offering.

THE SOLUTION

Specialized tuna Harness Jig softbaits are ideal for imitating large to jumbo sized sand eels. Work this lure on a lift and drop retrieve, paying close attention for any bites on the drop. If you find yourself greeted with finicky tuna on big bait, slow twitching a tuna Harness Jig in the midwater column is a sure-fire way to get bit. Easy to swapout Harness Speed Tails make replacing the soft bait quick and painless when dogfish are a nuisance.

Harness Jigs

Big Bait Imitators.

TROLLING

HOGY TUNA TROLLING PLAYBOOK MIKES' 100% SPREAD

FIELD TECH

CAPT. MIKE'S 100% SPREAD

TACKLE

FISH SMART. FISH SIMPLE. FISH HOGY.

GEAR

Capt. Mike's Bait Ball Spread

Introduction: It’s hard to beat the jack-in-the-box magical surprise of an outrigger popping, a rod folding in half and a screaming reel, seemingly out of nowhere. While I do love a gold old fashion day of trolling, there are times where it is really your only option when tuna are scattered or lazy. Why? Well, the extremely obvious first answer is that trolling covers ground while fishing but the second and more salient answer is that a very well-executed “BAIT-BALL” pattern will bring the tuna to you!

The 100% Everyday Spread: I fish the same Bluewater spread anytime, anywhere. I love the efficiency of a dialed-in spread, one that you have full command of. I know from past experience it looks sexy, that it works, just how it swims, I know where it goes in the wash, how fast to fish it in any sea condition. I know how the spread does on turns, literally EVERYTHING ABOUT IT. This familiarity allows me to focus on finding fish, not tinkering with lures. Simple. Set it and forget it.

Bait Ball Effect: I have two variations of “everyday” spreads. One for larger boats WITH outriggers, and one for smaller boats WITHOUT outriggers. Either way, I am trying to accomplish the same thing: a big juicy bait-ball dancing behind my boat! I like MOST of my lures to match in size and profile with a couple of audible options.

WATCH VIDEO

Capt. Mike's No Outrigger Spread

OUTRIGGER SPREAD WITH Outriggers: For me, trolling with outriggers is ideal as they allow me to fish a couple more rods and with larger spreader bars, namely the Hogy Flexibars that I designed for this spread specifically to pulse and dance just on the edge of the wake on light trolling rods. I just LOVE a bunch of big, lightweight spreader bars loaded with smaller bulb squids. A spread with 5 Hogy Flexi-Bars bars can be fished in Bluewater anytime, anywhere from Cape Cod to Key West and is ultimate simulation of a GIANT BAIT BALL. My secret weapons are the two Hogy Harness Jigs flanking the inside bars a few feet under the surface, simulating a few vulnerable baits lost from “the pack.” Lastly, my third component is WWB (way way back) Center rigger with a floating bird bar is targeting tuna that missed the spread and may be suffering from FOMO.

WATCH VIDEO

NO OUTRIGGER SPREAD WITHOUT Outriggers: This spread is essentially the same as above but consists of 4 smaller FLOATING bird bars with larger bulb squids. I use the larger squids in this situation to increase visibility to offset for potentially fewer rods and a smaller footprint. I fish the same Hogy Harness Jig Flatlines.

IMPORTANT NOTES 1. Both spreads fish well fast or slow and in any sea condition.

Typically: calm = fast, rough = slow.

1. Floating Bird bars can often remain “out” while battling fish. It never ceases to amaze me how maybe “drifting” bars get hit.

2. Two Hogy Harness jigs, one in each corner for two reasons. (1) Tuna maybe attracted to commotion of big bars but want something small, essentially making the bars a series of billboards. (2) When lines are clear and tuna still battling, Hogy Harness jigs and be fished vertically by an extra angler. Often with great success!

3. If you get a hit, accelerate an extra 2 or 3kts and count to 30! I’d say 40% of the time this move will induce another strike.

WATCH VIDEO

FISH SMART. FISH SIMPLE. FISH HOGY.

HOGY TUNA TROLLING PLAYBOOK MIKES' 100% SPREAD

FIELD TECH

TACKLE

GEAR

HOW TO BREAKDOWN THE BITE

REPORTS

Gather Intel: If you have good reports, start there. Find out: Time of day of last known bite? - Time of slack tide?

- Was bite best at slack tide? - What bait were they feeding on? - What is the wind direction and speed that day? -Did they move over the course of the day?

Replicate as much as possible and work from there.

Adapt to the new days’ conditions. Many times, the playbook remains unchanged, but many times, a new day in the same spot calls for a few small adjustments to fully capitalize. If the fishing is not happening, look at what has changed.

Flexibility: A report just tells you where they were yesterday. Tuna move fast and the ability to find your own fish is often needed. The fish may have moved only 10 miles but if you are too hung up on “the spot” you’ll miss valuable time sniffing around to find your own fish.

TIDES

Moving Tide: If you know what time the fishing was good yesterday, consider adjusting for the timing of today. Often, the bait, and consequently tuna, move with tide over the cycle. The fishing can move as many as a couple of miles over a couple of hours of fishing. Use this same concept to address fishing slow down. The fish may have moved with the tide.

Current Speed: Let’s say you are marking tuna and/or bait and they are toward the bottom in 300’. Knowing your current speed is important as it will help you select lure weight and size, line type, and boat speed to get down there. Strong currents can also help point to where the fish might end up over the course of the tide. Baitfish often work their way down tide.

Slack tide is often the best time for peak tuna fishing.

During this time, the bait will rise to the surface and this is when the action can really heat up, especially for topwater action. Big moon periods have the shortest tides and are often considered less desirable. A note here; tides can be difficult to look up offshore. Once you identify slack and record it, you’ll be able to extrapolate future times by adding about 50 minutes per day and four hours per tide cycle.

WATER

Funky Water: Nervous water, boils, or even rip lines that may pen baitfish, making them vulnerable to tuna.

BIRDS

Radar: If you have high power radar, you can use it to find birds. Most units today have “bird mode” but if yours doesn’t, you can tune yours by turning the gain all the way up and removing the clutter.

Size: For starters, bird size will likely tell you what size bait you’re dealing with. Any birds, including stormy Petrels, are a good sign. But the bigger birds, such as Shearwaters, Gannets and Large Gulls are usually a great sign and tend to be the best indicators of tuna.

Activity: You’ll want to identify birds intentions. The Holy Grail is tightly vertexing birds with lots of aggressive contacts with the water. What is happening here is a predator(s) is pushing up bait, allowing the birds to capitalize on the distracted and easily accessed bait. Slightly lower on the spectrum is lots of birds diving, in a fairly defined area. The bigger the bird better. Lastly, the weakest of the bird activity is a series of terns “kissing” the water. This often occurs from terns feeding on very small bait without any help from predators below.

Loitering: A bunch of birds “hanging” out can be a good sign, meaning that something just happened and they are waiting for it to happen again. It could also mean they are just hanging out or a dragger went by. Who knows! One way to test this is to approach the birds. If they are annoyed but try to stay close, that’s a good sign.

If they simply take off, they can be written off.

BAIT

WIND

Direction: Did it change from yesterday?

If so, where might that wind direction have pushed the fish over the night? Did it change to the East or Northeast? Still seeing marks? Well that just stinks, because that wind kills fishing! In that case, you might be better off grinding it out where you know the fish are. You’ll be in the same boat in any other spot!

Migrating fish: Are fish following the general direction of the wind? Ask yourself if the past day-to-day variations on where they were was consistent with the prevailing wind direction. If they are moving with the wind, use this Intel to project where you might start.

TIME OF DAY

Twilights: Early morning fish and sunset fish tend to be far more aggressive.

Light: On dark, rainy, or foggy days, tuna often feed closer to the surface throughout the day. Sometimes switching to a darker lure for greater contrast in low light will help increase the lure’s visibility.

WHALES

Do you see bait on the surface? On the finder? That’s a good sign. Is bait clustered? If so, it might mean the school is in defense mode. Lots of bait “paving” the finder could also be a good sign, but could also mean a lot of bait but no predators. This is a good time to rethink the birds. The birds are pretty good at knowing where the bait is. Do you see birds loitering and bait?

That’s a pretty good sign. What do you know about the bait? What kind is it? If you don’t know species, is it big or small? Packed? Scattered? Answers to any of these questions will guide you.

Whales aggressively bubble feeding are a good sign that sand eels are in the area.

You know there’s bait to hold tuna.

Cruising whales are less “telling.”

TROLL SCAN

If fish are holding deep and not coming to the surface spread. One highly effective technique is "Trolling Scanning" using the weighted Harness Jig. When marking fish while trolling, take the boat out of gear for up to 2 min allowing the bait to sink to depth, then return to trolling speed.

TROLL SCAN FOR TUNA HOLDING DEEP

Slicks: Fish-made slicks often mean something is getting eaten. Hopefully by tuna. If you are marking bait, see birds AND slicks, you’re three-quarters of the way there. Investigate the slicks for marks.

Targets/Breaking Tuna: If you see targets and nothing else, you’re in pretty good shape. If you see targets and all of the above, you’re in great shape! And breaking fish! Well, enough said.

Water Temperature: Bluefin are associated with cooler and tends to be more bait driven as opposed to gulf stream-based Yellowfin, albacores, etc. where the temp. breaks are the Holy Grail. Pay close attention to temp breaks.

RECOMMENDED LURE: 6OZ OR 8OZ HARNESS JIG

FISH SMART. FISH SIMPLE. FISH HOGY.

HOGY TUNA TROLLING PLAYBOOK MIKES' 100% SPREAD

FIELD TECH

TACKLE

GEAR

THE HOGY BAIT BALL SPREAD 123 SIMPLE + SMART LINE UP

FLEXI-BAR SQUID BARS

These days, I primarily fish large spreader bars rigged with small 6” bulb squids, even in the Canyons.

Our small 6” squids represent common offshore forage, matching: squid, sand eels, mackerel, sea herring, the list goes on…

These teeny squid squids are obviously MUCH lighter when compare to larger versions or “machine” style lures so they can be fished on large bars for greater presentation with minimal drag and still used on lighter gear.

Small Squids on flexible bars can be trolled faster, allowing for more ground to be covered.

Our Hogy Flexi-Bars because the ultra-light bar pulses with wave action rather than tumble, allowing for rougher trolling or higher speeds in calm water. They are quite light in terms of drag and they can be fished on as little as 20lb. class gear or even tuna spinning rods.

A flexible bar will pull the baits through the wave, giving the presentation an unbeatable lifelike action.

BIRD BARS

30 MIN SEARCH PATTERN

I like to fish the bird bar way, way back for a variety of reasons.

The bird function of the bar allows the bar to swim well without outriggers, which is important when fished further back. The commotion can add attraction because it is far away from the boat's wake, also an attraction.

The bird bar will float, so if you back off, you can leave the further back bar out while you fish the fish and avoid tangles.

You can see where the bird is. It is so far back, it may be difficult for other boats to know where your lure is, including you!

Military “RECON”: (the process by which you collect information about your target) tactics can be used while tuna fishing to increase your chances of finding them. Here is my classic 30-minute search pattern which should provide enough time and range to investigate all the “tells”* in an area. (See page 2). Best search patterns consider sea conditions, life, and bottom structure. In rough seas you'll want to consider a zigzag pattern to accommodate for a smoother ride, while in calmer waters a more linear approach like above will work better.

BIRD BAR SURFACE SPLASHER

COLOR MATCHING SPREAD AMBER = SQUID GREEN = MACKS OLIVE = SAND EEL RAINBOW = ATTRACTOR SHRIMP = OFF COLOR PINK = ATTRACTOR SILVER = HERRING / BUTTERFISH

HARNESS JIGS

The Harness jigs have become my ALL TIME favorite flat line clip lure and have permanently replaced cedar plugs on my boat. I fish harness jigs on each flat line clip, about 5-10 feet in front of each of my closest spreader bars.

Swim in and out of the wake and have the appearance of a confused, lone baitfish.

Ability to be dropped down and jigged while fighting a fish. This has resulted in dozens of hookups on my boat over the years and why I like the lightness of my rod and reel combo so much.

It’s easy enough to switch gears and jig.

Will avoid tangles when fished near or under a spreader bar as they reside a few feet under the surface.

Ultimate sand eel hedge. If tuna are keyed in on sand eels, Hogy Harness jigs are almost impossible to beat. The bars I OL

FLEXI-BAR SQUID BAR BAIT BALL EFFECT I OL

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HARNESS JIG FLAT LINE SAND EELS OL

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HOGY TUNA TROLLING PLAYBOOK MIKES' 100% SPREAD

FIELD TECH

TACKLE

CAPT. MIKE'S OUTFIT Shimano Talica 25 (Reel) Terez TZC59MHSP-SR (Rod) I love this sized outfit because it is light and fun on school tuna but absolutely has enough power to land big eye tuna in the Canyons. The outfit is easy to use and will even switch-hit as an “ok” jigging rod in a pinch. This size rod is so light I can even carry an entire spread’s worth to the boat in one trip, something you cannot do with classic 30s or 50s.

FISH SMART. FISH SIMPLE. FISH HOGY.

GEAR

TUNA RIG LIKE A PRO Everything comes down to a solid connection when targeting trophy tuna. Here's how to rig your own bulletproof leader to lure connections.

CRIMPED LOOP CONNECTION p The best rigging connection r im ie . c r on heavy leaders 80# and up. ou h arp y s " in t it h a a "P w ck 220# Crane Swivel b la 220# 1.4 Split Ring

Trolling Terminal Tackle for Tuna eL

oop

af ader Line/Braid/Mono Combo: p Ch c k r o L e C r im a l o 425 yards of 80lb. Hollow Core Spectra Backing and 100 yards of 80lb. Mono Top 5" B .

F lu in u m # Shot via spliced loop to the hollow-core braid that will last for years.

1 3 0 A lu m KNOTTED CONNECTION mm Spider hitch or Bimini to make a loop in the mono to easily connect a wind-on 1 .3 leader.

For rigging with light leaders ro lu o n o t 80# and less. #F K 80 m or Wind-On Leaders: Wind-on leaders are as they collect less weed, flow through a la +P guides nicely (compared with knots). With tuna, the lighter the fluorocarbon, the more likely you are to get hit but you must weigh the breaking strength OFFSHORE RIGGING compromise. 80lb on finicky days and 130lb when the action is hot.

Tackling the largest of offshore gamefish requires a keen eye to detail and perfection in rigging technique. Hogy's full lineup of Leader Length: The longer the leader, the better as tuna do not like seeing the offshore terminal rigging allows you to quickly build or repair braid to fluoro connection. your offshore presentations.

30-foot leader for trolling.

Flouro Leaders: Tuna have such keen eyesight and fluoro results in more tuna over the course of a season.

Fluoro gets dirty. Keep alcohol wipes and wipe leaders throughout the day. I am always amazed at how dirty leaders get.

Connection: My general rule of thumb is that I tie directly with a loop knot at 60lb. and below. I crimp line for connections above 80lb. If the lure I’m using doesn’t have a built-in swivel, I’ll connect it to the leader via a 220lb ballbearing swivel.

Hogy Connections: Hogy Flexi and Bird Bars: Via Ball Bearing Swivel crimped directly to top shot.

Flat Line Clip Harness Jig: Jig crimped directly to Top Shot.

PRO TIPS: CRIMPING

HOW TO FIGHT AND LAND A TUNA CONGRATULATIONS, NOW WHAT? Step-by-Step instructions:

1.Reduce crimp visibility by coloring with a black sharpie marker.

2. Eliminate unnecessary break-offs by leaving a 1/16" flange along crimp edges when crimping 3. Measure line diameter to crimp size. The improper pairing of line to crimp size will greatly reduce strength and reliability 4. Use the proper style chafe gear for connections. Black Chafe for leader loops. Stainless Chafe for hook connections.

1. The angler picks up the rod, faces the fish and lets it run.

2. The crew clears the decks. The angler advises how much line is on the reel 3. Many anglers will be startled by how much line is coming off the reel at this point. It’s ok. Let it run. Let the fish tire.

4. Once the run is complete, idle toward the fish slowly while the angler puts more line on the reel while maintaining pressure. If you can put the line back on without idling, do it. The fish will tire more quickly. The goal is to get as much line back on the reel without letting the fish rest too much so that it can make another big run.

5. Be ready for the fish to swim toward you. If this happens, reel as fast as you can. Sometimes this change in direction can be so aggressive that the captain will assist you by re-positioning the boat.

6. As the fight gets closer to the boat, it will become more vertical. If you are on a center console, work the fish aft, preferably the corner where the captain can easily step aside to assist. Pick the upwind side of the boat, this will prevent drifting over the fish.

7. Tuna will make big circles that will get tighter as the fish gets closer to the boat. Let the fish run a little while it is swimming away from the boat and collect line as it circles back around. Now is the time to put extra pressure on the fish. You want extra pressure but you don’t want to break off the fish.

8. As the fish gets close, the angler is responsible for advising line position relative to “anything bad,” which includes the fish swimming under the boat or line hitting trim tabs, swim platforms, or engines. It’s the captain’s responsibility to listen, watch for himself and be ready to re-position the boat. There are often many boat adjustments needed near the end game to avoid trouble. Usually, this only entails driving a circle around the fish and keeping the fish at the most ergonomic position on the aft quarter of the boat.

9. As the fish gets very close to the boat, it will likely freak out a bit and with a burst of adrenaline, it will likely rip more line out.

JIGS

PLUGS

SOFTBAITS

Three Basic Casting Retrieves (All Species)

OFFSHORE

RIGGING VIDEOS

TUNA RIG LIKE A PRO Everything comes down to a solid connection when target trophy tuna. Here's how to rig your own bullet proof leader to lure connections. c r im p " y o u r a r p ie . t n i a "P a sh w it h b la c k

CRIMPED LOOP CONNECTION

The best rigging connection on heavy leaders 80# and up.

(A) Fast Skippy Retrieve: This is a tip-up, fast-crank retrieve. Great for imitating fleeing sea herring, half beaks and mackerel. This is the preferred retrieve to breaking fish or blind casting in calm water when you know fish are in the area.

(B) Reel-Reel-Reel-Pause / Reel-Reel-Reel-Pause: I like to alternate this retrieve with the skippy retrieve. It is similar in that it is a very highspeed retrieve but opposite in the sense that your rod tip is pointed low –literally in the water. This will allow you to have a very high retrieve speed without breaking the surface.

(C) Drop and Reel: This retrieve starts with the medium sub-surface retrieve but this time, you will introduce long pauses for up to a minute to let your bait settle as deep as 30’ before reeling again. This is an excellent retrieve for finicky fish.

Three Basic Jigging Retrieves (All Species)

.5" Bla ck Ch a fe L o 13 0 # op F lu o r o Lea 1.3mm der A lu m in u m C r im p

Swivel 220# Crane Ring lit Sp 4 1.

220#

KNOTTED CONNECTION

For rigging with light leaders 80# and less.

Swivel 220# Crane Ring lit Sp 4 220# 1.

80# Fluoro not + Palomar K

OFFSHORE RIGGING

Tackling the largest of offshore gamefish requires a keen eye to details and perfection in rigging technique. Hogy's full lineup of offshore terminal rigging allows you to quickly build or repair your offshore presentations.

(A) Slow Jigging: We think slow jigging is the most effective way to jig with softbaits.

WHEN: This is a go to technique when fish are consistently hanging at a certain depth or are slow to commit. HOW: Drop the the lure to the desired depth (likely where you are most consistently marking fish) and work the bait as slowly as possible. You can even dead stick a softbait by putting the rod in the holder and use the boat’s rocking motion to work the lure. WHY: This method will best utilize the slow undulating action of the soft plastic and will also keep the lure in the strike zone.

(B) Twitch Jigging: Works well with Hogy Epoxy Jig Lures and slender metals that imitate sand eels AND softbaits WHEN: Targeting a specific depth with scattered fish.

HOW: Drop the lure to the desired depth and “twitch” the jig with a series of sharp and rapid jigs, almost as if to “twitch” the jig. WHY: This method will create vibrations and commotion caused by your lure’s twitching motion. Will help draw attention to your lure.

(C) Fast Jigging: Fast jigging is best used with heavy metals that sink fast. WHEN: Targeting fish across a wide spectrum in the water column, HOW: Drop the lure to bottom and work it back up by reeling quickly while imparting jigging motions with the rod as the lure comes up. Once close to the surface, drop and repeat. WHY: This method will cover all levels in the water column, create commotion and will elicit a reactionary “FOMO” strike by a predator.

PRO TIPS: CRIMPING

1.Reduce crimp visibility by coloring with a black sharpie marker.

2. Eliminate unnecessary break offs by leaving a 1/16" flange along crimp edges when crimping 3. Measure line diameter to crimp size. Improper pairing of line to crimp size will greatly reduce strength and reliability 4. Use the proper style chafe gear for connections.

Black Chafe for leader loops. Stainless Chafe for hook connections.

HOGY LURES TUNA PLAYBOOK