Balloons/Jugs VS tips

mannyc · 08-05-2007, 11:34 PM

Do you guys find that your tip rods get hit more often than the ballon/jug/buoy lines? I find almost all my hits/fish come on my tip rods. I usaully fish 2 tips and 3/4 balloon/jug/buoys but I am considering fishing 3/4 tips hopefully getting more hits. Does anyone fish more tip rods than balloon/jugs/buoys? The only problem I see are tangles but if I spread them out it should not be a problem.

RiskTaker · 08-06-2007, 12:04 AM

Manny:

From my observations, we seem to get more hits on lines that are actively/recently being worked.

Yes, the tip rods appear to get more action; however, we check these lines twice as often due to the convenience factor. But is it because there is more action on these, or the possibility that we most often fail to recognize subtle activity happening to the jug lines, afterall, those lines have the biggest line bends in them? We find stripped hooks on the jugs more often. So how do you interpret this? Good action but no reaction; fishing on credit slows things too. Maybe just as many opportunities but less overall hookups.

To justify the effort to get out there fishing, I will always prefer to have a couple of jugs out, plus 3 tips if you have the boat for it. Consider your fore and aft as the weighted tip lines and run one flat line in the center if you have sufficient wind vector to pull that line out to the edge of your U/W swordlight. That will give you an optimal 3-D separation, by distance apart and depths. 3 more balloons and you have 6 lines in the water: and this is plenty to have a nicely varied spread. Fishing more lines than that and you will be working your butt off, just like Capt. Ollie.

Happy fishing and good luck on getting a quad someday, with a crew of 3.

Jesslyn · 08-06-2007, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RiskTaker

or the possibility that we most often fail to recognize subtle activity happening to the jug lines,
.

BINGO i believe we have a winner

mannyc · 08-06-2007, 08:29 AM

I thought that was the case on the jugs so I switched to buoys and I have more success on those. But I'm will be doing that 3 up, 3 down.

billspilingup · 08-06-2007, 09:04 AM

I think the distance the bait is from the swordlight or hydroglow also plays a part. I think swords act like dolphin around a piece of flotsam and hang out for a while just outside of the light. The tip rods, at least on my boat, are fished right around the edge of the light, generally less than 100ft down - perfect position for a sword to pick them off without having to reveal himself to the other baits in the light by charging up to the boat.

Another idea to think about. With the SE wind we all prefer to fish, as our boats and lines drift north, the boat drifts across swordfish before our jug baits do. Because they are closer to the boat, tip rods are the first baits a swordfish encounters when we drift over his head.

Flatsfish B · 08-06-2007, 03:02 PM

Work your float rods! Reel them reel fast and tight for 50 feet it rises the bait up, then free spool them back.

I get equal, i say this because it is very streaky. I have gone 3-4 trips with fish hitting only a tip rod then the next 4 trips only a float.

Another Grand · 08-06-2007, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flatsfish B

Work your float rods! Reel them reel fast and tight for 50 feet it rises the bait up, then free spool them back.

For whats its worth, this is a great tidbit of information Barry shared with you

A lazy fisherman is not a fisherman, he is a boater

RiskTaker · 08-06-2007, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mannyc

I thought that was the case on the jugs so I switched to buoys and I have more success on those. But I'm will be doing that 3 up, 3 down.

So Manny, are you saying that you switched over to hard balls, or bullet buoys etc., instead of a potential breakaway jug or balloon?

I also agree that you can work the balloon lines by crankng them in a good 50 feet or more. My bait is typically about 60 ft. back from the weight: so depending on how fast your Speed over Water is, you can get a fair amount of bait lift and settle back by using this technique. If you can do this every 15 minutes and check your baits every hour on the jugs, there is no way you will not a fair amount of action on the jug lines too. Sometimes you just simply get tight!

CAPTINMITCH · 08-06-2007, 03:34 PM

For what it's worth, I fish all tip rods with release clips. Virtually impossible to miss the bite that way. Then again, I'm with Professor O, in that I generally don't like to fish over 5 rods anyways.

Nick C · 08-06-2007, 03:43 PM

3 tips and 4 floats here... just keep em moving

quack quack · 08-06-2007, 03:46 PM

look guys we got a hit on the far jug!!

Nick C · 08-06-2007, 03:47 PM

hahahahahahaha

RiskTaker · 08-06-2007, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quack quack

look guys we got a hit on the far jug!!

Lucky thing it hit the far jug instead of the shallow tip line.

mannyc · 08-06-2007, 05:26 PM

That is one serious hit.

Barry thanks for the info. I just started moving my tip rods about every 20 min and that helped alot, but I never thought to move the jug/balloon rods.

weekendbender · 08-06-2007, 06:04 PM

I have caught fish on the initial deploying of the lines only occassionally but more often on the retrieve (when I have pulled them in to reset). I have mixed thoughts on Balloons in general as they may slow you up on clearing them. If you have a strong fish or if someone did too good of a job wrapping on the balloon with a rubber band. I prefer floats with release clips instead of balloons and I go with light drags on the tips. I made a bunch of floats from pool noodles and pvc. I cut them into the size that works and luckily the top of the jug turned out to be the perfect size to slip in the glow stick. They have worked out pretty good for me so far. With the clips it is best to floss on your line at pre measured depths where you want your float clip. From my experience I prefer 5 lines when out with friends trying to bust some cherries and tournament time a max of 7 but preferrably 6. If the tips get hit you got to be Johnny on the spot or you may end up with a tangle.

If have been out of town for a while. Has the bite picked up at all?

mannyc · 08-06-2007, 09:16 PM

I don't us balloons, difficult to identify a bite. I actually made buoys (pvc with floats from a dive shop). I don't find them to be a problem. I think Barry gave the best advice.

Good luck to all.

The bite is slow right now. May be the water temp.

mannyc · 08-06-2007, 09:17 PM

QQ, you so crazy!

Square Grouper · 08-07-2007, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flatsfish B

Work your float rods! Reel them reel fast and tight for 50 feet it rises the bait up, then free spool them back.

I like it

Beerman · 08-07-2007, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Another Grand

For whats its worth, this is a great tidbit of information Barry shared with you

A lazy fisherman is not a fisherman, he is a boater

Headfirst?????

Nick C · 08-07-2007, 01:51 PM

He works that pivot bait like the best of them...

08-05-2007, 11:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
mannyc Hooked Up Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: West Palm Beach Boat: Cobia 214cc Posts: 332	Balloons/Jugs VS tips Do you guys find that your tip rods get hit more often than the ballon/jug/buoy lines? I find almost all my hits/fish come on my tip rods. I usaully fish 2 tips and 3/4 balloon/jug/buoys but I am considering fishing 3/4 tips hopefully getting more hits. Does anyone fish more tip rods than balloon/jugs/buoys? The only problem I see are tangles but if I spread them out it should not be a problem. __________________ Manny

08-06-2007, 12:04 AM	#2 (permalink)
RiskTaker Grander Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pompano Beach, Florida, USA Best Catch: Had one once, then she took the boat away Posts: 1,978	Yes, the tip rods appear to get more action; however, Manny: From my observations, we seem to get more hits on lines that are actively/recently being worked. Yes, the tip rods appear to get more action; however, we check these lines twice as often due to the convenience factor. But is it because there is more action on these, or the possibility that we most often fail to recognize subtle activity happening to the jug lines, afterall, those lines have the biggest line bends in them? We find stripped hooks on the jugs more often. So how do you interpret this? Good action but no reaction; fishing on credit slows things too. Maybe just as many opportunities but less overall hookups. To justify the effort to get out there fishing, I will always prefer to have a couple of jugs out, plus 3 tips if you have the boat for it. Consider your fore and aft as the weighted tip lines and run one flat line in the center if you have sufficient wind vector to pull that line out to the edge of your U/W swordlight. That will give you an optimal 3-D separation, by distance apart and depths. 3 more balloons and you have 6 lines in the water: and this is plenty to have a nicely varied spread. Fishing more lines than that and you will be working your butt off, just like Capt. Ollie. Happy fishing and good luck on getting a quad someday, with a crew of 3.

08-06-2007, 08:29 AM	#4 (permalink)
mannyc Hooked Up Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: West Palm Beach Boat: Cobia 214cc Posts: 332	I thought that was the case on the jugs so I switched to buoys and I have more success on those. But I'm will be doing that 3 up, 3 down. __________________ Manny

08-06-2007, 03:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
Flatsfish B Hooked Up Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Boca Boat: 2300 Keywest Best Catch: 77'' pumpkin Occupation: Sales supervisor Posts: 682	Work your float rods! Reel them reel fast and tight for 50 feet it rises the bait up, then free spool them back. I get equal, i say this because it is very streaky. I have gone 3-4 trips with fish hitting only a tip rod then the next 4 trips only a float. __________________

08-06-2007, 03:43 PM	#10 (permalink)
Nick C Grander Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: 900-1600' of water Boat: 25' Bluewater(Rough C's) Best Catch: est. 120lb Tarpon on 16lb tippet(fight time was 12 min) Occupation: Squid rigger Posts: 2,221	3 tips and 4 floats here... just keep em moving __________________ "Put your buoys out... we're comin' in HOT!"

08-06-2007, 09:04 AM	#5 (permalink)
billspilingup Hooked Up Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lighthouse Point Boat: 31' Ocean Master Best Catch: 300lb & 200lb back to back daytimers Posts: 507	I think the distance the bait is from the swordlight or hydroglow also plays a part. I think swords act like dolphin around a piece of flotsam and hang out for a while just outside of the light. The tip rods, at least on my boat, are fished right around the edge of the light, generally less than 100ft down - perfect position for a sword to pick them off without having to reveal himself to the other baits in the light by charging up to the boat. Another idea to think about. With the SE wind we all prefer to fish, as our boats and lines drift north, the boat drifts across swordfish before our jug baits do. Because they are closer to the boat, tip rods are the first baits a swordfish encounters when we drift over his head.

08-06-2007, 03:34 PM	#9 (permalink)
CAPTINMITCH Hooked Up Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 399	For what it's worth, I fish all tip rods with release clips. Virtually impossible to miss the bite that way. Then again, I'm with Professor O, in that I generally don't like to fish over 5 rods anyways.

08-06-2007, 03:46 PM	#11 (permalink)
quack quack Old Salt Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: lake worth Best Catch: 25lb codfish 5 yrs old first hanger Posts: 5,004	look guys we got a hit on the far jug!! __________________ Either we can be a part of the solution or we can be the victims of a decision.

08-06-2007, 03:47 PM	#12 (permalink)
Nick C Grander Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: 900-1600' of water Boat: 25' Bluewater(Rough C's) Best Catch: est. 120lb Tarpon on 16lb tippet(fight time was 12 min) Occupation: Squid rigger Posts: 2,221	hahahahahahaha __________________ "Put your buoys out... we're comin' in HOT!"

08-06-2007, 05:26 PM	#14 (permalink)
mannyc Hooked Up Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: West Palm Beach Boat: Cobia 214cc Posts: 332	That is one serious hit. Barry thanks for the info. I just started moving my tip rods about every 20 min and that helped alot, but I never thought to move the jug/balloon rods. __________________ Manny

08-06-2007, 06:04 PM	#15 (permalink)
weekendbender Hooked Up Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ft. Lauderdale Boat: Contender 25' Twin 200 Yamis Best Catch: Never enough Occupation: 401k Sales Posts: 140	I have caught fish on the initial deploying of the lines only occassionally but more often on the retrieve (when I have pulled them in to reset). I have mixed thoughts on Balloons in general as they may slow you up on clearing them. If you have a strong fish or if someone did too good of a job wrapping on the balloon with a rubber band. I prefer floats with release clips instead of balloons and I go with light drags on the tips. I made a bunch of floats from pool noodles and pvc. I cut them into the size that works and luckily the top of the jug turned out to be the perfect size to slip in the glow stick. They have worked out pretty good for me so far. With the clips it is best to floss on your line at pre measured depths where you want your float clip. From my experience I prefer 5 lines when out with friends trying to bust some cherries and tournament time a max of 7 but preferrably 6. If the tips get hit you got to be Johnny on the spot or you may end up with a tangle. If have been out of town for a while. Has the bite picked up at all? __________________ A man's got to believe in something, I believe I'll go fishing.

08-06-2007, 09:16 PM	#16 (permalink)
mannyc Hooked Up Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: West Palm Beach Boat: Cobia 214cc Posts: 332	I don't us balloons, difficult to identify a bite. I actually made buoys (pvc with floats from a dive shop). I don't find them to be a problem. I think Barry gave the best advice. Good luck to all. The bite is slow right now. May be the water temp. __________________ Manny

08-06-2007, 09:17 PM	#17 (permalink)
mannyc Hooked Up Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: West Palm Beach Boat: Cobia 214cc Posts: 332	QQ, you so crazy! __________________ Manny

08-07-2007, 01:51 PM	#20 (permalink)
Nick C Grander Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: 900-1600' of water Boat: 25' Bluewater(Rough C's) Best Catch: est. 120lb Tarpon on 16lb tippet(fight time was 12 min) Occupation: Squid rigger Posts: 2,221	He works that pivot bait like the best of them... __________________ "Put your buoys out... we're comin' in HOT!"

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Attaching Weights and Balloons	Relentless33	Rigging Corner	88	09-20-2007 05:44 PM
jugs or ballons?	chaos	Rigging Corner	23	10-27-2006 08:48 AM
Jugs??	andylrd	Swordfishing	11	05-11-2005 08:37 PM
Do you prefer Jugs? Check this out.	RiskTaker	Rigging Corner	17	12-03-2004 07:23 PM
Balloons or Jugs by forum member "Vinnie"	Mike	Swordfishing	1	12-15-2003 09:22 AM