Many years ago when we first began bonefishing, Ned did some research on lures for bonefish. He found what was called a Capt. Phillips Wiggle Jig that advertised to catch bonefish. Hard to find (back then and even harder now) he eventually found a source and ordered them in various sizes and colors. It was basically a wedge shaped (arrow), lead headed hair jig. We got the idea to modify them to be more "bonefish" friendly. After removing everything, I started to tie them in bonefish patterns "de jour" such as a mantis shrimp, spawning shrimp, and bonefish junk plus the other standards like the gotcha and crazy charlie. Being a little heavy (needed for a spinning rig) they tended to spook a fish evey now and then. However Ned had developed this backhand cast over the years fishing on the left side of the bow while I fished on the right. That along with honing his equipment (rod, reel, and line) has produced a long accurate cast the drops quietly in the water, and what happened was amazing. Over and over again we watched bonefish hopscotch each other trying to get his jig as it emitted little puffs of sand while being retrieved.
Years later the "wiggly jig" (as the Bahamians' call them) has caught everything from barracuda to triggerfish, snapper and yellowtail, and even stingrays and sharks.
The "wiggly jig" has been used in Keys, the Bahamas, and Belize (several Permit and snook fell prey ), everywhere we have been. I hear that they, or something similar, can be purchased online now.
Many years ago when we first began bonefishing, Ned did some research on lures for bonefish. He found what was called a Capt. Phillips Wiggle Jig that advertised to catch bonefish. Hard to find (back then and even harder now) he eventually found a source and ordered them in various sizes and colors. It was basically a wedge shaped (arrow), lead headed hair jig. We got the idea to modify them to be more "bonefish" friendly. After removing everything, I started to tie them in bonefish patterns "de jour" such as a mantis shrimp, spawning shrimp, and bonefish junk plus the other standards like the gotcha and crazy charlie. Being a little heavy (needed for a spinning rig) they tended to spook a fish evey now and then. However Ned had developed this backhand cast over the years fishing on the left side of the bow while I fished on the right. That along with honing his equipment (rod, reel, and line) has produced a long accurate cast the drops quietly in the water, and what happened was amazing. Over and over again we watched bonefish hopscotch each other trying to get his jig as it emitted little puffs of sand while being retrieved.
Years later the "wiggly jig" (as the Bahamians' call them) has caught everything from barracuda to triggerfish, snapper and yellowtail, and even stingrays and sharks.
The "wiggly jig" has been used in Keys, the Bahamas, and Belize (several Permit and snook fell prey ), everywhere we have been. I hear that they, or something similar, can be purchased online now.