Catching Tautog (Blackfish) with the Innovative Jig-Rig

November 2024

Seasoned Tautog anglers know there are two main methods of catching these great gamefish:  the standard jig or the standard rig.  With the increased popularity of the Tautog as a gamefish anglers have developed many variations of rigs that anglers have developed including:

• High-Low rig – A common choice for shore anglers, this rig features a lead sinker that can be easily swapped out for a different size. 
• Single-hook rig – A good all-around choice, this rig can be used with a fluorocarbon leader and a 4/0 hook. 
• Double-hook rig – This rig can be used to fish larger baits or two smaller baits at once but may not be ideal in strong currents. 
• Belmar rig – A good choice for adjusting to the structure you’re fishing; this rig allows you to adjust the distance from the bottom that your leader hook is tied in. 
• V Rig – Snafu rig – This rig is good for fishing whole crabs. 

While these rigs are proven, the team at ThrillFishing has developed an innovative Jig-Rig that combines the best attributes of jigs and rigs. The Jig-Rig has significantly improved our Tautog catches this fall season.While these rigs are proven, the team at ThrillFishing has developed an innovative Jig-Rig that combines the best attributes of jigs and rigs. The Jig-Rig has significantly improved our Tautog catches this fall season.

Meet the Jig-Rig

The Jig-Rig combines the flexibility of a jig with increased bait visibility and extra scent of a rig.  It is similar to the single hook rig, but instead of a sinker as the weight at the bottom you use a loop and a standard blackfish jig.   The benefits of the Jig-Rig are as follows:

• Flexibility to change the weight on the jig so you can fish multiple types of current conditions
• Increased bait visibility from a standalone jig by having a one hook bait just suspended off the bottom.
• Higher scent dispersion as you have both on the bottom crab and suspended crab baits.

It is best to use half crabs with the legs removed on each of the hooks.  This minimizes the water impact and allows the Jig-Rig to sink and maintain contact with the bottom structure.  While the Jig-Rig would hand up on rocks, in our testing it can be freed from hangs easily by bouncing the line up and down.

How to Tie the Jig-Rig

The Jig-Rig is tied as follows:

1.  Tie a blackfish jig to the end of the rig with your favorite knot – Palomar, Uni-knot, etc.
2. Above the jig tie a strong enhanced loop knot with at least 6 windings to assure a strong, no slip connection.
3. Cut the loop knot near the main line so you have a longer leader to tie the upper hook.  The length should be long enough so when the jig-rig is held up the upper hook should be 3 inches  above the jig.
4. Tie a swivel to the top of the jig-rig to finish it up.

Related ThrillFishing articles on the best fishing knots:

• Master the Art of Fishing: Top Ranked Fishing Knots
• Master These 11 Essential Fishing Knots