When it comes to jigging, the choice of assist hooks can significantly impact your success. Whether you’re targeting kingfish, bluefin tuna, or snapper, assist hooks are key in securing the catch. With so many configurations available—single assist, twin assist, top sets, and bottom sets—it can be tricky to figure out which setup is best. In this guide, we’ll break down the basics of these configurations to help you understand when and why to use each one.
What are Assist Hooks?
Assist hooks are either single or paired hooks attached to metal jigs via short lines, usually made from high-strength materials like Kevlar. Unlike traditional hooks that attach directly to the jig, assist hooks hang from a flexible cord, giving the hook more freedom to move. This design improves hook-up rates by allowing the hook to move naturally with the jig.
Types of Assist Hooks: Single vs. Twin Assist
- Single Assist Hooks: These feature one hook attached to the jig, usually at the top eye. Single assist hooks, especially with heavy-duty hooks and cords, are commonly used for mechanical jigging, particularly when targeting strong species like kingfish. They’re durable enough to handle large fish on their own without needing much movement.
- Twin Assist Hooks: Twin assist hooks come with two hooks, rigged either just at the top or at both the top and bottom of the jig. These hooks are connected with softer, more flexible cords. Twin hooks are great for slow-pitch jigging, where fish often strike as the jig flutters down. The twin setup increases your chances of a successful hook-up, especially in styles where the fish hits on the fall.
Top-Only vs. Top-and-Bottom Assist Hook Configurations
- Top Assist Hook Only: This is a common configuration where the hooks are positioned at the top of the jig, right where fish tend to strike—the head. In mechanical jigging, the jig moves vertically through the water, with the top always acting as the “head” of the bait. Since fish typically strike the head, a top-only assist hook setup is ideal for mechanical jigging, especially when chasing species like kingfish.
- Top and Bottom Assist Hooks: In slow-pitch jigging and deepwater jigging, the jig flutters down horizontally, mimicking a distressed baitfish. Fish can strike from different angles, and either side of the jig could act as the head during its fall. That’s why using both top and bottom assist hooks increases your chances of hooking up. The bottom hooks give you more opportunities to catch fish that hit the jig’s body or tail. Plus, this configuration helps control the jig’s flutter, making it more effective in slow-pitch jigging.
When to Use Different Configurations
- Top-Only with Single Assist Hook: Best for mechanical jigging.
- Top-Only with Twin Assist Hooks: Ideal for micro jigging, super light jigging, and shore jigging.
- Top and Bottom with Twin Assist Hooks: Perfect for slow-pitch and deepwater jigging
By understanding these assist hook setups and when to use them, you’ll be better prepared to increase your jigging success on the water.
FYI, see the zoom-up photo below on how I rig the jig to the leader. We can cover this topic in a future post.
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