Breakaway Gear Used in Boca Grande Pass
Hooks Used
These are representative examples of hook sizes and styles researchers observed during the tarpon catch-and-release mortality study in Boca Grande Pass from 2002 to 2004.
Breakaway Jig
A representative example of a rig used by anglers practicing the artificial breakaway jig fishing method observed during the tarpon catch-and-release mortality study in Boca Grande Pass from 2002 to 2004. Heavy monofilament lines (80- or 100-pound test) and short 40- or 50-pound monofilament leaders were tied directly to “J” or circle hooks (shown here is an 8/0 circle hook), with a small cable tie attaching the jig head and plastic shad tail to the hook. The average leader length on breakaway jig rigs observed during the study was 3 feet. The small cable tie was used so that the jig would break away from the hook when angling a tarpon.
Close Up of Breakaway Jig
This image depicts a representative example of artificial bait referred to as a breakaway jig, which was one of the two gear types compared during the tarpon catch-and-release mortality study in Boca Grande Pass from 2002 to 2004. Jig heads typically weighed 4 to 6 ounces. Red jig heads were the most common color used, but anglers also used yellow, white and nonpainted lead jig heads. Size and color patterns of the plastic shad tails also varied.
Breakaway Jig with Ruler
This is an example of a breakaway jig head and plastic tail, shown with a ruler for scale, commonly used for tarpon fishing in Boca Grande Pass from 2002 to 2004, as observed by researchers during the catch-and-release mortality study.
Rigging Kit
This packet of artificial baits and rigging gear, which is available for purchase at many tackle stores, is representative of artificial breakaway gears observed during the tarpon catch-and-release mortality study in Boca Grande Pass from 2002 to 2004.
Live Bait Breakaway Rig
A representative rig used by anglers practicing the traditional live-bait fishing method observed during the tarpon catch-and-release mortality study in Boca Grande Pass from 2002 to 2004. Main lines were typically Dacron, or other braided line, tied to a swivel. Leaders were long (11 feet on average) and made of heavy 100- to 130-pound test monofilament or wire, as depicted here. Leaders were attached to forged “J” hooks (example shown is a nonforged 7/0 “J” hook). Lead sinkers were attached directly to the swivel using copper wire rigged in a way that would break away when angling a tarpon.
Live Bait Swivel
This representative example shows how anglers typically attached the Dacron line, wire leader and copper wire to the swivel during traditional live-bait fishing in Boca Grande Pass from 2002 to 2004.
Live Bait Sinker
A representative example of an 8-ounce lead sinker rigged to break away while angling tarpon using live-bait fishing methods in Boca Grande Pass from 2002 to 2004. The lead sinkers (commonly 6 to 8 ounces) were threaded onto a piece of copper wire that had one end secured tightly to the bottom eye of the swivel and the other wrapped loosely around the leader so the lead weight would break away when angling tarpon.