Make Your Own Assist Hooks

Crafting your own Dyneema assist hooks for bluefin and yellowfin tuna jigging setups can be both rewarding and cost-effective. It's all about tailoring your gear to the specific demands of the fish and the fishing conditions. Here’s a detailed guide to help you create the perfect assist hooks for your next trip.

Why Dyneema?

Dyneema is a high-strength, low-stretch fiber that’s perfect for assist hooks. Its durability and abrasion resistance make it ideal for standing up to the powerful strikes and abrasive mouths of tuna. Plus, Dyneema is incredibly light, which ensures that your jig maintains its natural action.

Materials You’ll Need

• Dyneema cord
• Quality assist hooks (sizes 5/0 to 11/0, depending on target species and jig size)
• Solid rings
• Heat shrink tubing
• Flash material (optional)
• Scissors
• Lighter

Single vs. Double Hooks

Single Assist Hooks

Single assist hooks are great for simplicity and reducing tangles. They are easier to rig and can be highly effective, especially in clear water where subtlety is key. I’ve found single hooks particularly useful when planning to release my catch. Having a single hook simplifies dehooking a large bluefin tuna boatside, reduces the change for getting hooked myself, and increases chances of a successful release.

Double Assist Hooks

Double assist hooks increase your hooking potential, especially when tuna are feeding aggressively. They offer a better chance of a secure hookup, which can be crucial when dealing with slow bites, or when using long jigs. When fish are not agressively feeding, they are not making agressive strikes reducing the chances of a solid hook set. Adding a second assist hook can help improve those odds.

Additionally, when using very long jigs, or jigs that flat fall, it is important have to hooks to increase hook up odds. On flat fall jigs, they often are eaten on the drop when the hook is above the jig. This reduces the odds of a solid hook up so adding a second hook here can be helpful. Also, fo just long jigs in general, it is helpful to have to assist hooks with one slightly longer than the other in ensure that more of the jig body is "covered" by hooks.

Determining the Length of Assist Hooks

The length of your assist hooks should be based on the length of your jig. Ideally, the assist hook should sit about half-way up the body of the jig, not too long to tangle with the mainline, and not too short to impair the hook-up ratio. A good rule of thumb is to make the length of the assist cord about one-third to one-half the length of your jig. For instance, if you are using a 9-inch jig, the assist hook cord should be around 3 to 4.5 inches.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Assist Hooks

1. Cutting the Dyneema: Measure and cut a length of Dyneema cord. The length depends on your jig and target species, but a good rule of thumb is to cut it about 1.5 times the length of the jig.
2. Attaching the Hook:
   • Thread the Dyneema through the eye of the hook, ensuring it sits snugly.
   • Fold the Dyneema over the shank of the hook and make a simple overhand knot around the shank.
   • Pull tight to secure the hook, ensuring it doesn't slip.
3. Attaching the Solid Ring: Pass both ends of the Dyneema through a solid ring. This ring will attach to your jig and mainline. For single hook set ups, tie a strong knot, such as a double overhand or a figure-eight, and pull it tight. For double hook setups, simply push a loop through the solid rind and feed the hooks through it.
4. Heat Shrink Tubing: Cut a piece of heat shrink tubing to cover the knot and the base of the hook eye. This protects the knot and keeps the Dyneema from fraying. Use a lighter to shrink the tubing carefully, making sure not to burn the line.
5. Optional Flash/Fly: Adding flash material can increase the attractiveness of your jig. Tie a small amount of flash or a fly to the base of the hook before adding the heat shrink tubing. This little extra can make a big difference, especially in low-light conditions.

Sizing the Hook

Choosing the right hook size is crucial. For bluefin and yellowfin tuna, you’ll generally want hooks in the 5/0 to 11/0 range. The size of the hook should correspond to the size of the jig and the size of the tuna you’re targeting. For example, use a 3/0 hook with smaller jigs for yellowfin, and go up to a 7/0 for larger jigs aimed at bluefin.

In my experience, it's better to err on the side of larger, stronger hooks when targeting bluefin. These fish are incredibly powerful and can easily bend or break lighter hooks. I learned this the hard way when a massive bluefin bent out my undersized hook, and I've been using heavy-duty options ever since.

For hook style/brand, I prefer the Mustad Live Bait hooks between 7 and 11/0.

Adding Flash/Fly to the Hook

Adding flash to your assist hook can make a big difference, especially in clear water or when the fish are feeding on smaller bait. To do this, tie a small piece of flash material or a fly onto the hook shank before securing the heat shrink tubing. This creates an enticing flash in the water, mimicking the scales of a baitfish.

From personal experience, adding a bit of flash has turned a slow day into a productive one. Once, while jigging for yellowfin, the added flash on my assist hooks seemed to be the key to enticing bites when nothing else worked.

Conclusion

Making your own Dyneema assist hooks allows you to customize your gear precisely to your needs and the demands of the fishery. By paying attention to details like hook size, single versus double hooks, and adding flash, you can significantly increase your chances of a successful trip. Plus, there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of catching a big bluefin or yellowfin on a rig you made yourself. Happy fishing!