DIAMOND JIG

Lures don’t get much more basic than this chrome-plated chunk of metal. One key to its effectiveness is that it imitates a variety of baitfish, from squid to herring. The lure’s flat, reflective sides catch the light and draw the attention of predators, which are also attracted to its erratic action. You can find diamond jigs in different sizes and adorned with everything from bucktail to rubber tubes. While the latter work well in certain situations, such as when sand eels are prevalent, a plain jig rigged with a single hook usually does the job nicely.

Half- to one-ounce diamonds work well in situations where peanut bunker, silversides, juvenile herring and butterfish are on the menu and the depth is less than 20 feet. Medium jigs in the two- to four-ounce range are great for targeting fluke and sea bass in moderate depths (20 to 40 feet) and current, while jigs of six to eight ounces do a good job of imitating larger squid, bunker and herring in deeper water and heavy current.

Fishing a diamond jig is pretty straightforward. You can cast and retrieve them parallel to the surface when fish are feeding in the upper part of the water column, or you can drop them straight to the bottom and jig them vertically. For fluke, sea bass and other bottom fish, simply hop the jig over the bottom using short, sharp six-inch lifts of the rod tip. Make sure the lure taps bottom on every drop by letting out more line as you drift along.

When jigging for striped bass in a deep rip, free-spool the jig to the bottom, engage the reel and take five to ten quick cranks of the reel, then free-spool the jig back to the bottom again. Be sure to keep your thumb on the spool as the jig flutters downward, as many fish will hit it on the drop. If you feel a tap or a hesitation of the jig’s descent, clamp your thumb down on the reel spool and lift sharply.