Flat fall is more of a flutter type jig that gets it's action by dropping through the water column and is designed to be bit on the fall. Flat side are a speed jig that get much of their action from on a fast erratic retrieve and in theory should get bit just as much or more on the retrieve than on the fall when the fishermen gets the technique dialed in.

Most of the tuna jig guys are talking about flat sides when they reference butterfly jigs.

 

Flat fall is more of a flutter type jig that gets it's action by dropping through the water column and is designed to be bit on the fall. Flat side are a speed jig that get much of their action from on a fast erratic retrieve and in theory should get bit just as much or more on the retrieve than on the fall when the fishermen gets the technique dialed in.



Most of the tuna jig guys are talking about flat sides when they reference butterfly jigs.

Perfect description!

 

The "bite" is usually a bit more pronounced with a flat-side. The sudden stop of the flat-side feels pretty darn good compared to feeling the change in the line from just letting the flat fall fall.

 

They are two very different jigs.

I call the Flat Fall a one-dimensional no brainer catch fish in free spool jig. Albacore like the heavier 160g jigs because they swing back and forth on the fall, rather than fluttering as they fall. Put a Flat Fall on a rod/reel combo you can cast reliably (for beginners this is a spinning reel), cast it out there and leave it in free spool until you feel the bump. Close the bail, reel like mad and you are on. Shimano designed this symmetrical jig to work on the fall hence the name.

The Flat Side jig has more than one dimension. The best sizes are 112g, 140g and 168g for albacore. They catch tuna on the fall, casted horizontally, retrieved near the surface and they perform the best vertically below the boat. Send it down to the depths where the tuna are below the boat and when the angler pumps and cranks his rod rhythmically, they work back toward the boat upward in a side to side walk the dog action that tuna cannot resist. Killer colors are pink/blue/purple/black.

There are a lot of nuances in fishing them, but all in all the Shimano Flat Side is the most effective iron jig I've ever used.

 

Awesome. Thanks for the replies.

When you are dropping a jig is there a rule of thumb for how long to let it drop for a specific depth? In other words, if the fish are showing at 50 feet you don't want to drop to 30 and thinking you are at 60.

 

Awesome. Thanks for the replies.



When you are dropping a jig is there a rule of thumb for how long to let it drop for a specific depth? In other words, if the fish are showing at 50 feet you don't want to drop to 30 and thinking you are at 60.

I use metered line. Berkeley tracer braid. Lots of different brands. Plus the electronics are dialed so good that you can watch your iron going down and stop the drop once you get below your target. Or you can guess! Different weights and styles very on sink rate.

 

15 seconds straight down will get you approximately 100'.

Dial your electronics so you can see the iron.

 

Teton,

I know you are sponsored by Shimano, but was wondering if you've had tuna success with the fish field jigs?

Thanks,

Sal

 

Yes. I'm sponsored by Fish-Field as well and their jigs work great too.

Technique in vertical jigging is the most important factor.

Vertical jigging is not yo-yo jigging and it's not like surface iron. Each of these approaches have their own sweet spot.

The fish field jigs are great and they are designed as vertical jigs-they have an oblong shape where the lower end is heavier on one side. They come up through the water column side to side and tuna can't stand that.

 

You might want to try some Tady 9 or Tady A1 jigs as well, these are great Yo-Yo irons

 

Yes I agree, vertical jigging is quite different than Yo-Yo jigging, or using surface jigs that are made with light weight Aluminum. The geometry and swim signatures of these different jigs are quite different as well. Jigging is a lot like golf, were you need an assortment of jigs to address different fishing situations.

 

I can't agree more.

The bite changes every day and sometimes every hour. You need the assortment of different presentations to cover as much as you can.

 

A good example of a situation were a surface iron is good choice to go with:

You see jumpers off the bow, cast out a Tady 45 or a Salas 6x in front of the jumpers, let it sink for a few seconds and then start reeling in at a medium steady pace or fast pace, be ready to get slammed by a tuna. Tons of fun.