Rockfish Lures

I was curious for the last 10 years my goto lures for rockfish has been shrimp flies and Lancer jigs. Always have been successful with them. What is other people using for there goto rockfish lures. Thought maybe I would try something different.

One of my top producers is a long (probably 6-8") pink curly tail worm, almost like you'd use for bass, on a two oz jighead. I usually paint the jighead pink to match. Gotten a number of lings with it too.

Also, 3 oz  Pucci flat jig is hard to beat.

For rockfish I troll around with a green or blue swimbait on a 2oz jig. For lings I use a Lancer or homemade torpedo lures.

I don't target rockfish all that much, but when I do, I use 1 or 2 oz P-Line Laser Minnow jigging spoon. Mark a school on the depthfinder, drop the jig, and give it 1-foot "pops". Rockfish gobble it up. This is for when the water is warmer than 50 degrees.

When the water's really cold (under 50 degrees), the rockfish can get finicky on lures. In those situations, mooching a red label herring or anchovy through them will fill a limit. Downsize the bait, slow the presentation.

That's a pretty cool lil swimbait,  can I ask what brand it is?

Big Hammer swim baits or Sluggo's

my favorite was the 6" Fish-Field Pacific Chovy Body in blue, but it got shredded last time. Like Clayman I troll until I find a school of blacks, then stay with it for quick limits.

Homemade butterknife jig with assist hook.
They usually run 1-2oz.

Rockfish, ling, and cabs all attack.
Just drop to desired depth, lift the pole tip to give them a 1-3 foot rise, let it flutter and dart back down in complete random patterns.

A couple of really nice things with these.  Fish can't leverage the hook out of there mouth like they sometimes will with molded weighted jigs.  Second, the jig itself makes a really convenient handle for hoisting the fish into your lap.

Nice. Going to get me some butter knives. Goodwill....

Those are some.nice looking  knife jigs!

I have made some heavier by drilling a hole in the bottom and adding like a 4 ounce sinker. Wouldn't  flutter that way. Affed a rubber worm onto the assist hook. Easy to bang on the bottom. Has caught a few fish. I like yours better.

I've recently had good success with the Mustad Zippy jigs.  They're pretty reasonably priced, and are a lot of fun when you get into school with them.

I've recently had good success with the Mustad Zippy jigs.  They're pretty reasonably priced, and are a lot of fun when you get into school with them.

Those look great. And they say they're for tuna too. Imagine casting into a school of albacore and getting hammered. Oh baby! 

Nice. Going to get me some butter knives. Goodwill....

Goodwill is exactly where I get mine.

Just be sure to check the handle. There are A LOT of hollow handled butter knives.  You want the solid handles.

A trick I discovered for drilling the blade area where I attach my ring into, is to heat it cherry red and drill it. Drills like butter.  If you don't, you may be there a long while and kill some bits in the process.

Watch some videos on making your own assist hooks as well.  Pre made assist hooks can get spendy. 

Great tips, Insayin. I'm going to make some. Thanks

I love those butterknife jigging spoons!!! Stocking this idea in the vault for winter garage projects. Where did you get the reflective stickers?

I wonder if you could use a cheese knife for a kokanee sized spoon? (Halfway joking but kind of not joking)

Idea for the hollow knives - fill the voids with molten lead so that you could fish them a little deeper?

Thanks for the inspiration!!!

--Steve