What size flat fall for Rockfish?

[King Saba]

So I love eat those tasty critters as much as the next guy, but I don't prefer the traditional bait and wait approach for the fish. What size do you guys reccomend for the flat falls? I want to have my basis covered for the depths that I'll hit. I was thinking 120g for 200' and 160g for 300'. Is that too light?

And, any suggestions for colors? I've done well on rockfish with orange jigs in the past, but I haven't seen any particularly orange versions even for the knock offs. Thanks!

[YakDout]

Try the lucanis

They are smaller and heavier.

[octico]

I have caught quite a few large reds on the 160g at 180 feet depending on the current. This is what I do drop it to the bottom 10 hard cranks drop and repeat. It doesn't always work, but if there is a large one done there you will get bit.

I have much better luck with squid.

[Phishphood]

Is rockfishing down here much different than join northern CA?

[jruiz]

Originally Posted by YakDout

Try the lucanis

They are smaller and heavier.

I agree, a lucanis type jig is far superior for rockfish than a flat fall.

[GabeReal]

Originally Posted by octico

I have caught quite a few large reds on the 160g at 180 feet depending on the current. This is what I do drop it to the bottom 10 hard cranks drop and repeat. It doesn't always work, but if there is a large one done there you will get bit.

I have much better luck with squid.

^^x2

I've caught with the lots 100g model last winter till current picked up... wasnt courageous enough to put heavier flat fall because they start getting pricey above 100gs and with how scarce they were last summer I was hoarding every single one of them and guarding them with my life.


Gonna try lucanus this season...

[King Saba]

Originally Posted by octico

I have caught quite a few large reds on the 160g at 180 feet depending on the current. This is what I do drop it to the bottom 10 hard cranks drop and repeat. It doesn't always work, but if there is a large one done there you will get bit.

I have much better luck with squid.

Interesting. I figured the jig would get more bites considering the action that it gives off. Is 160g a good weight for that depth? It seems a little heavier than necessary since jigs usually sink faster than sinkers.

Originally Posted by GabeReal

^^x2

I've caught with the lots 100g model last winter till current picked up... wasnt courageous enough to put heavier flat fall because they start getting pricey above 100gs and with how scarce they were last summer I was hoarding every single one of them and guarding them with my life.


Gonna try lucanus this season...

How did the 100g size work for you? I'm mainly looking for a size that will attract the attention of medium sized rockfish.

[King Saba]

Originally Posted by YakDout

Try the lucanis

They are smaller and heavier.

I do have a couple lucanus. I've gotten fish on them in the past, but I wouldn't say they're fish killers that was on party boats though. Maybe it'll be different from a kayak.

[octico]

Originally Posted by King Saba

I do have a couple lucanus. I've gotten fish on them in the past, but I wouldn't say they're fish killers that was on party boats though. Maybe it'll be different from a kayak.

I have had very little luck with the lucanus.

[Hunters Pa]

I have done well with the Promar/ahi Assault jigs. I like the mackerel pattern but some prefer the red. Haven't used their new line yet. They use good (Mustad) hooks though, better than stock hardware on a lot of jigs

[GabeReal]

Originally Posted by King Saba

Interesting. I figured the jig would get more bites considering the action that it gives off. Is 160g a good weight for that depth? It seems a little heavier than necessary since jigs usually sink faster than sinkers.



How did the 100g size work for you? I'm mainly looking for a size that will attract the attention of medium sized rockfish.

I've used 100gm flat falls only a couple times for rockfish with good results....Last time I used it for rock fish, I was on a cattle boat. I was having way more fun than the dropper loop and squid guys.That day I caught a few tiny chili peppers (not much bigger than jig), nice sized boccacios and couple nice reds ... It was during slack tide so current was minimal.... I also hooked into either a lingcod or maybe small yt that day... lost it...

My review/2 cents
The pros; catches all size of rock fish, maybe "by-catch" a yt if lucky, was a little worried the double hooks would snag structure but wasnt the case.. Minimal effort to work lure, I let it fall to bottom, pump rod and crank at med speed for about 5 to 8 cranks got hit on fall or retrieve.. best of all its fun!!

The cons: since the 100gms are relatively light jig for rockfish it will take a while to "flutter" to bottom, especially if fishing deep, when current picks up, the jig will often flutter away from the spot you are targeting. I was getting bit almost every drop, but once current picked up it slowed bigtime...If you are rock fishing in tight quarters like an over packed cattle boat, the flat fall will sometimes tangle someone on decent. Lastly, the paint on the jig is not durable, it will chip off after a few times of bouncing off rocks. I hired a nail polish painting specialist (my 7 y/o daughter lol) to paint clear gloss on one to see if helps. Hooks are easily removable as well..

*Disclaimer: I've only used 100gms in Sardine on Cattle boat for rockfish, never from my yak, so my experiences with them are limited. But I hope I answered your question.

Good Luck!

[King Saba]

Originally Posted by octico

I have had very little luck with the lucanus.

You sure you're fishing it right?

Originally Posted by Hunters Pa

I have done well with the Promar/ahi Assault jigs. I like the mackerel pattern but some prefer the red. Haven't used their new line yet. They use good (Mustad) hooks though, better than stock hardware on a lot of jigs

I've heard of these too. Thanks. I'll consider them too.

Originally Posted by GabeReal

I've used 100gm flat falls only a couple times for rockfish with good results....Last time I used it for rock fish, I was on a cattle boat. I was having way more fun than the dropper loop and squid guys.That day I caught a few tiny chili peppers (not much bigger than jig), nice sized boccacios and couple nice reds ... It was during slack tide so current was minimal.... I also hooked into either a lingcod or maybe small yt that day... lost it...

My review/2 cents
The pros; catches all size of rock fish, maybe "by-catch" a yt if lucky, was a little worried the double hooks would snag structure but wasnt the case.. Minimal effort to work lure, I let it fall to bottom, pump rod and crank at med speed for about 5 to 8 cranks got hit on fall or retrieve.. best of all its fun!!

The cons: since the 100gms are relatively light jig for rockfish it will take a while to "flutter" to bottom, especially if fishing deep, when current picks up, the jig will often flutter away from the spot you are targeting. I was getting bit almost every drop, but once current picked up it slowed bigtime...If you are rock fishing in tight quarters like an over packed cattle boat, the flat fall will sometimes tangle someone on decent. Lastly, the paint on the jig is not durable, it will chip off after a few times of bouncing off rocks. I hired a nail polish painting specialist (my 7 y/o daughter lol) to paint clear gloss on one to see if helps. Hooks are easily removable as well..

*Disclaimer: I've only used 100gms in Sardine on Cattle boat for rockfish, never from my yak, so my experiences with them are limited. But I hope I answered your question.

Good Luck!

Thanks! That's what I'm aiming for, some sport when going for rockfish.