How To Retrieve Shrimp Jigs On Nearshore Reefs For Grouper, Cobia, & More
- By: Luke Simonds
- on
Tons of questions have been coming in asking how to retrieve shrimp jigs on nearshore reefs.
I recently had an incredible day crushing nearshore cobia with Insider Member Tony Prescott.
It’s THIS easy!!!
How To Retrieve Shrimp Jigs On Nearshore Reefs [VIDEO]
Equipment Used
Here’s what was used in the footage shown in this video:
- Lure: Power Prawn USA – Original
- Rigging: Hoss Weedless Football Jigheads
- Rod: St. Croix Legend Tournament 7’6” MH power
- Reel: Daiwa BG 3000
- Line: PowerPro – 30 lb
- Leader: Ande Mono – 30 lb
For this demonstration, I was fishing in 30 feet of water with the 3/4 oz. Hoss Weedless Football Jighead with the Power Prawn USA shrimp lure.
The first step is to cast out the shrimp jig, preferably up current so the lure is moving with the water during the retrieve.
Be sure to give the lure enough time to fall all the way down to the bottom.
At this point, it’s all about bouncing the shrimp up and down off the bottom.
You may notice the fishing rod tip stays pointed up during the retrieve.
The objective is for the shrimp lure to pop off the bottom and gently glide back down.
If you drop the rod tip, the lure will drop straight down without a natural glide.
Most of the strikes happen on that slow glide back down to the bottom.
Once you feel the strike, set the hook and let the battle begin!
Everything eats a shrimp and if your lure’s presentation is natural and appealing, you’ll constantly trigger strikes over reefs.
As you retrieve the shrimp lure closer to your vessel, you can start to lower your rod tip just a bit.
You’ll end up high-sticking the rod if you continue as you were before.
Hoss Weedless Football Jigheads
The new Hoss Weedless Football Jigheads have been performing shockingly well on nearshore and offshore reefs.
You don’t NEED live bait or cut bait to fish the reefs – artificial shrimp jigs work great too!
This is something new to those fish down at the bottom and it naturally triggers a curious reaction to eat.
Furthermore, there aren’t that many weedless jigs out on the market to choose from.
So we designed our own!!
Conclusion
Fishing nearshore reefs is so much fun because you really don’t know what will bite the end of your line!
You can avoid potential snags and get the right presentation in the best spot with these Hoss Weedless Football jigs.
Head over to our online tackle shop and pick up the gear you need to reel in some GIANTS on nearshore reefs.
Do you use a different type of retrieve out on nearshore reefs?
Please go ahead and share down in the comments section!!
Get Hoss Weedless Football Jigheads
Get Power Prawn USA Shrimp Lures
Finding The Fish Help
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Luke – How are you tying that on? Non slip loop know or something else?
Thanks for the technique on retrieving really appreciate it
Thanks for the tip, got to try this one out. As always tight lines, Luke!
So you can do the same thing in deeper waters
Thanks for the advice and video. We are going to try this next time out and I let you know how we do. Tight Lines Harvey
Great tips Luke!
Great video, Luke!
I just ordered a selection of BOSS EWG swing jigs… they’re just like the HOSS…
Coincidence?
https://www.fishingskirts.com/product-category/boss/boss-swing-jig/
The one difference is that you can order the BOSS jigs painted.
The bass world has a lot of swinging football jigheads. I tested a bunch of them over the past year, and just couldn’t find one that had hooks strong enough to handle big redfish while having the right shape to hold the Power Prawn lures well without damaging them.
The ones you linked look pretty nice, but the reason I used a different hook shape for ours is because the soft plastic lures get torn more and more when the bend of the hook shank for the keeper section is over 90 degrees. So although the model you linked will surely work just fine for catching some fish, any soft plastic made from plastisol will not last as long after getting pushed over a sharp bend like that.
As for colors, we have plans to add that feature for ours soon.
Cool beans!!!!
Hey Luke, would you recommend attempting to use the Brazilian Power Prawn if the lures keep getting destroyed by mackerel, puffers, etc. that are down there?
Also, were you using a loop knot as always, or instead a snug knot like the Orvis since the jig already has that moving football head?
Yes, the Brazilian Power Prawns will work well with these Hoss Weedless Jigheads too. You’ll just need to cut the two tabs off of the front so they don’t slow down the descent on the way down to the bottom.
Yes, I use a loop knot with these lures so they can have more freedom of motion in the water compared to what a snug knot provides.
Note: Although the head of this swings, I recommend rigging the Power Prawns far enough up the hook to rest snugly against the head so it doesn’t swing in the water… this will help it catch as many fish as possible before it gets torn up from abuse. Also, it skips much better when the head is help in place by the lure (huge benefit for dock fishing).
Great video as always Luke!! The Power Prawn is the real deal!! 🔥🔥🔥
Thanks for making time to post the nice comment!
Nice! Thanks for the tips on retrieve. It can make all the difference!
Thanks for making time to post the nice comment Todd!