Inshore fishing is one of the best forms of fishing. This is because you get to catch fish in areas of the water where the fish is easily accessible.
One of the most effective jigs for inshore fishing is the flair hook jig. The flair hawk rig is reliable for targeting fish like snook, redfish, tarpon, grouper, black, as well as black drum. This jig is an excellent choice for fishing passes, inlets, jetties as well as bridges.
In this article, we are going to discuss everything that you need to know about using the flair hawk jig.
Flair Hawk Jig Colors
In fishing, the color of your jig or bait is important when it comes to matching the hatch. You want your jig to blend seamlessly in the water while still being obvious for the fish to see.
Determining the best flair hawk jig color to use is dependent on the water clarity. The water clarity is usually affected by the tide. As such, it is important that you know to read the tidal charts.
During periods of an incoming tide, the water comes from the ocean or gulf, thereby providing clear water. Therefore, in cases of an incoming tide, it is best to go with a natural-looking jig color. The best natural-looking jig colors are tan, white, and brown.
In periods of an outgoing tide, the water comes from bays, estuaries, and inshore rivers, causing it to be dirty, murky, and muddy. When dealing with dirty and unclear water, you need your flair hawk jig to be bright and flashy. This will help you to get the attention of the fish. Some of the best colors for this are chartreuse, orange, pink, and yellow.
The time of the day also matters when you are choosing a flair hawk rig color.
If you are fishing at night time, you want a bright color that can catch the attention of the fish. However, if there is lighting, such as a full moon, and the water is clear, then a natural-looking jig works just fine.
If there is no lighting and the water is murky, it is better to use a bright jig. It is best to have both natural-looking and bright-colored flair hawk jigs, as they work for different fishing conditions.
Flair Hawk Jig Size
Choosing the best flair hawk jig size depends on two things which are depth and current.
If you are snook fishing or fishing for other inshore species, the fish are usually at the bottom of the water. As such, you need a jig that can get to the bottom.
You also want a jig that can withstand the current. Therefore, it is best to go with a jig between the size of 1.5 oz to 4 oz. On a regular day, a 2 oz jig gets the job done. However, on days with strong currents, the jig has to be between 3 to 4 oz. It is best to go with multiple flair hawk jigs of different sizes.
Start with the 1.5 or 2-oz jig, and if it reaches the desired depths, you can switch to the 3 or 4-oz jigs to go deeper.
Flair Hawk Jig Tackle & Rigging
Your tackle has to be suitable and complete for it to be effective. You need your rod, reel, and leader, in order for your flair hawk jig to be efficient.
It is best to have a light tackle and heavy tackle for different fish sizes. For a lighter tackle, a 7’10 rod works well with a 30 lb braided line and 30 -60 lb leader. For larger fish, it is best to use a heavier tackle. An 8’ fishing rod with a 40 – 50 lb braided line and leader works perfectly.
It is important to get your knots right in order to avoid troubles when casting. A double uni knot is great for connecting your line to the leader, while a non-slip loop knot can connect the jig to the leader.
Flair Hawk Jig Fishing
Now that we have highlighted the best flair hawk jig color, size, and tackle, we can proceed to discuss how to fish a flair hawk jig. We will use snook fishing as a case study for the purpose of this article.
Snook is one of the most common fish species, which makes it a top choice for most fishermen.
Flair Hawk Snook Jig Fishing In Inlets
Inlets are characterized by deep waters and strong currents, making a flair hawk jig the best tool for fishing them. Getting your jig to the bottom is key to catching snooks that are located in inlets. The best trick for this is to cast your jig up the current and let it bounce back to you.
The best jig colors for fishing snook in inlets are white, pink, and chartreuse. White is great for clear water, while chartreuse is better suited for muddy water. The perfect jig size depends on the size of the snook that you are hoping to catch. You can use a jig with a size anywhere from 1.5 to 4 oz.
Flair Hawk Snook Jig Fishing In Bridges
Bridges are excellent locations for fishing for snook, for two significant reasons. They usually have great lighting and a conducive current for fishing. In addition to this, most anglers focus on inlets, thereby giving you more room to target fish.
You can use the fishing technique used for inlets, and for fishing bridges. Simply send your jig up the current and move it back to you. Make sure to bounce your jig off the bottom in order to avoid snags.
Just like with inlets, the color of your jig should depend on the condition. Use natural-looking jigs for clear water and bright jigs for murky waters.
Flair Hawk Snook Jig Fishing In Spillways
Spillways are great for fishing snook in summer and fall. During this period, the rain floods canals and rivers in places like Florida, causing the spillways to be open.
Once the spillways are open, fish such as shiner, bluegills, and shrimp are released into the brackish waters. This causes big predators like tarpon and snook to enter the spillways to feed on these prey. This gives you an opportunity to catch the big fish in the spillways.
The best time to catch them is early morning and late afternoon, particularly if the spillways are not lighted. For lighted spillways, you can target the snook at night time. To catch snook in spillways, simply cast your line into the outflow and let your jig bounce off the bottom.
Best Water Temperature for Snook Fishing
Water temperature is a crucial factor in snook fishing due to its anatomy. Snook are cold-blooded animals, and they cannot regulate their body temperatures by themselves.
Instead, they rely on the water temperature to regulate their bodies. This is why it is important to factor in the water temperature whenever you are fishing for snook.
Target snook during periods of cold temperatures, as snook feed actively at this point.
Making Use of Smell for Snook Fishing
One mistake that most snook fishermen make is failing to utilize smell when fishing for their favorite species. Snook have a strong sense of smell, which they use to smell their environment. This is why it is important to target the snook using smell.
You can add scents to your flair hawk rig, which will cause the snook to swallow your rig. You can purchase scents from a tackle shop to use with your flair hawk rig.
Conclusion
The flair hawk rig is one of the most effective rigs around. It is, however, important that you use it properly to enjoy your fishing exercise.
After settling on a location to fish, choose the fish species that you are targeting. This will help you to make the right choices of jig size and color. Check the tidal charts to be sure if an incoming tide or outgoing tide is to be expected.
An incoming tide will cause clear water, which necessitates the use of natural-looking jigs. An outgoing tide, on the other hand, causes murky water and it is best to use flashy jigs at such times. Make sure to use the right gear for the best results.
Overall, practice all safety measures, and wear protective gear when fishing.
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