Last summer I requested some Tungsten jigs from two jig manufacturers , and was sent a batch of 60gm test models from the first company. A few months later the second company sent a couple 80gm and 100gm models. Both sets were painted but lacking the tough clear coat to make them puncture proof, and some were eye-less. I had a feeling they’d work, purely due to their small size, and resemblance to tiny bait fish.
The 60gm jigs came through just about every time I tried them off the kayak, catching fish as small as moana, and as large as ulua and kahala. They were so easy to fish because they got down to the bottom quickly, even in current, and didn’t have much resistance as I jigged them back up. As a control, I switched back to a lead jig of the same weight in the middle of a hot bite, and didn’t get a single hit.
These are some jacks that went wild for the compact jigs.
Wanted to see what these jigs could do in the hands of a jigging pro, so I passed a couple of the little 60gm jigs to Capt Erik. One day at the buoys the pelagics were showing on the sonar but not taking trolled lures. Capt Erik and his dad started with larger lead jigs that had caught fish in the past, but those jigs were ignored. So they dropped the little 60gm jig down and KABLAM! Shibi and aku fought over them and the guys had to stop fishing and drive away because they caught enough for their ohana. The tuna had tiny bait fish in their stomachs and the jigs had perfectly matched the hatch.
Thanks for making this video Capt Erik!
Tried the 80gm and 100gm jigs a couple times off the kayak and like them because they are heavier and get down faster when I’m fishing deep but I haven’t landed anything on them yet. I broke off two ulua and unbuttoned what felt like a small uku. These bigger jigs don’t look as eye catching as the 60gm jigs from the first company, but they still hooked fish. All this has convinced me that compact jigs dropped on hungry fish will get bit!
I ordered a small batch of 80gm and 100gm jigs from the first company with a few 60gm jigs thrown into the order. The production finish, with glow in the dark stripes exceeded my expectations. Almost too beautiful to fish, and coated with a tough sealant. I’m selling these at “friends and family” pricing to guys that catch fish and take great pictures. 🙂
Stay tuned to hear how effective those jigs are, from cliff, kayak and boat. Mahalo.
Update: Check out how well the tungsten jigs worked for Coach Haru here!
Erik says
Thanks for letting us test those out! It was perfect timing that you gave them to us because that day the fish wanted that size lure and the density helped us to get to the correct depth quicker so we could drop down more times on each drift. What a blast on the medium gear. Thanks Scott!
Scott says
Thanks for the video that legitimizes the little Tungsten jig! Hope the new glow in the dark jigs work even better!
-scott
Aloha, do you have a name/link where I can get these? Are they available locally on Oahu?
Great blog!
Mahalo
Hi Pete,
I don’t believe there are any tungsten jigs for sale in the tackle stores in Hawaii. After trying some Daiwa and Little Jack tungsten jigs from Japan, I had some made to my specs from an Asian tungsten company. Jigs similar to these 80g and 100g units sell for $25 on upwards in Japan. I’m trying to sell them at a much more reasonable price. Right now, some friends are trying them out to make sure the paint job holds and they catch fish.
I’ll send you an email to see if you’re interested in purchasing a few.
Mahalo,
Scott