Pro Talk: Bay Anchovy Sand Eel Jigs for Rhode Island Bonito & Albies

We spent 15 minutes on the phone with Capt. Jim Barr to discuss jigging for Rhode Island bontio & albies with the Hogy Epoxy Jig Lures. Here's what we learned... 

Capt. Jim Barr
Website: www.skinnywaterchartersri.com

Location: Near shore waters from Sakonnet Point, Rhode Island to Fishers Island, New York. Narragansett Bay, Little Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island Southcoast Salt Ponds

Tides: Moving water is key, but primarily ebbing tides, however individual preferences vary depending on the location, tide stage, time of day and moon stage.

Approach: Locating fish is primarily visual in this fishery. Looking for signs of breaking fish, surface bird activity and using sonar to mark fish and bait pods.

Bait Selection: SI Epoxy Jigs

Why This Bait? Half of my charters are fly fishing where matching the bait and attractor patterns are key. For my light tackle angling matching forage is key if fish are keyed in on one predominant bait, such as Albies/Bonito on Bay Anchovy and Stripers on various sizes of sand eels. Changing up the size of the bait and retrieval speeds and action are often key.

Colors: Pink, green, mackerel, black and bone are all great colors. When sight fishing make sure the angler can see the jig. I prefer Bubble Gum in most water conditions.

Retrieve: Fishing the SI Epoxy Jig is simple. Use a fast retrieve while using occasional rod tip twitches. It’s hard to work the lure too fast!

Outfit

Rod: Most spinning rods are medium to heavy action, in 7-8 foot lengths. I use primarily Offshore Angler (Bass Pro) spinning and bait casting rods due to my being on the Pro Staff of Bass Pro, and therefore attempting to promote their products when possible. Actually the Offshore Angler Inshore Extreme rods are quite good.

Reel: Shimano Saragosa’s, Quantum Cabo PT’s and Smoke PT’s , and Penn Spinfisher V’s

Line: A mix of Ande Backcountry and Berkley Trilene Big Game monofilament, and Bass Pro XPS-8 Advanced Braid

Leader: Offshore Angler Extreme Fluorocarbon Saltwater Leader