Tuna Season Starts Here — Gear Up for Jig & Pop Success

Jigging and popping for tuna isn’t new, but it’s come a long way. What started as a rough-around-the-edges approach for thrill seekers has evolved into one of the most technical, rewarding, and downright addictive ways to fish. And thanks to advancements in braided line, reels, rods, and rigging—it’s never been more accessible.

In this guide, Captain Jack Sprinkle breaks down the full system: from rod and reel selection to rigging tricks and lure swaps that’ll save your fingers (and your gear). If you’re looking to gear up for tuna this season—whether it’s local bluefin or a warm-water trip—you’ll find everything you need right here at Saltwater Edge.

What Is Jig & Pop (Really)?

At its core, jigging and popping is big-game casting. Think heavy spinning gear, braided line, topwater stickbaits, and vertical jigs dropped on marks and worked through the column. It’s fast-paced and physical—more X-Games than Olympic archery—and it demands precision from your casting, gear, and rigging.

What sets it apart is how close and personal the connection is. You’re not trolling. You’re not chunking. You’re locked in, rod in hand, chasing surface feeds and mid-column marks. And when it all comes together—when that tuna boils on your stickbait or crushes your jig on the drop—there’s nothing like it.

The Gear Breakdown

Reels:
This is where it starts. You need a reel that can hold a few hundred yards of 65–100 lb braid and put out serious drag—think 30–50 lbs and smooth. Captain Jack’s go-to lineup:

• Saragosa SW: Workhorse. Budget-friendly, durable, tons of drag.

• Twin Power SW: Mid-tier with Shimano’s Infinity Drive for more torque and better control.

• Stella SW: The gold standard. Sealed, smooth, and built to take a beating season after season.

Rods:
Rod selection depends on whether you're jigging or casting (or both). Here’s the breakdown:

• Jigging rods are shorter (under 6') and parabolic to give you leverage in a vertical fight. Think Jigging World Silver Bullet and Shimano Grappler

• Popping rods (popping rods) are longer—7'6" to 8'+—and built to launch heavy plugs without blowing up your shoulders. Grappler Casting and Ocea Plugger Full Throttle are proven options.

Look for Spiral X and Hi-Power X in Shimano’s blanks—they reduce twist, lighten the load, and still hold up under max pressure.

Line & Leaders

Most setups run 65–80 lb braid, though some bump up to 100 for trophy fish or heavy cover. Jack’s favorite is PowerPro Depth Hunter for the color change every 25 feet (great for jigging) and hollow-core braid if you're doing wind-onsor splicing.

Leaders? Fluoroall the way. Shorter (2–4 ft) for topwater, longer (15–20 ft) for jigging. Pre-made wind-ons or knots like the FG, PR, or GT all work—just be sure they’re 100% solid. A good pair of line pullers makes a huge difference when cinching.

Rigging Smarter

One of the most helpful tips: use a barrel swivel to a split ring (Jack likes a size 3 Kroc with Owner Hyper Wire #9) to create a quick-change terminal system. Way safer and more durable than a traditional snap swivel, especially when you’ve got big fish twisting up at the boat.

Bonus tip: Wrap a rubber band around the plug and reel handle to keep hooks from flopping around while running. It saves your leader, your guides, and your reel grip—and speeds up your next cast.

Jigs, Stickbaits & Poppers

• Jigs: Speed jigs, slow-pitch, soft plastics like RonZs—match the bait and the depth. Jigs like the Shimano Shimmerfall or Butterfly Monarch are go-tos for vertical action.

  

• Stickbaits: Best all-around tuna plug. Work with a long sweep and a pause.

• Poppers: Big plungers that make noise and move water. Use with long, strong sweeps—short pops don’t cut it for tuna.

Upgrade hooks and hardware as needed. Jack prefers BKK Raptors and ST-66s, but singles can work too—especially for fish you plan to release.

Final Thoughts

Getting into jig and pop isn’t cheap. But once you’ve got your system dialed, it opens up a whole new way to chase big fish—both here in the Northeast and around the world.

Whether you're just starting out or looking to upgrade your kit, we’ve got everything you need to get it done right. Stop in or shop online—we’ll help you get rigged and ready.