by RustyBarnacle007 » Mon Aug 04, 2008 11:33 am
I also saw all the press on the Lucanus system. We bought three for bottom fishing on the Southern Oregon coast. Unfortunately Melton Tackle didn't have anything larger than the 100gm version available at the time of purchase and that was not enough to get the jig to the 80ft. bottom with our fast current conditions. We tried using the drop weight technique that they recommend, but found it hard to feel the bottom when you hit with your dropper weight.
The jigs are painted like Ferrari's (truly beautiful) and seem like they would catch fish, but the pricetag is very high and the thought of losing a $24 jig on a random rock pile almost brings tears to your eyes. I've altered some 8oz poured lead ling cod jigs by cutting off the main hook, attaching 5" squid skirts and tying my own 5/0 stinger hooks with 60lb dacron with amazing success for lings, rock cod, cabezon, etc. And the best part is if you lose one (or four) they only cost about $3.50 each and you feel a lot more confident banging the bottom to stir the pigs up from the depths.
I am taking the Lucanus jigs out on my upcoming Albacore tuna trip this weekend out of Charleston, OR and I'll give you an update as to how they worked.
Tight lines.