Shimano Butterfly Jig
Specifications |
Type |
Metal Jig |
Colors/Patterns |
62
available |
Lengths |
3
1/2" - 9" |
Sizes(weight) |
2oz
- 7oz |
Styles(design) |
2
(Regular, Long) |
MSRP |
$14.99 - $24.99 |
Impressions:
So just what are Butterfly
Jigs, and the technique “Butterfly Jigging?” These are called Butterfly jigs
because of their butterfly-like fluttering action.
“From its start in the early ’90’s, where anglers in Japan fished depths down to
500 feet for bluefin tuna with the first generation of super lines coupled with
fluorocarbon shock leaders, Shimano’s product development staff has closely
watched this revolutionary change in deep water jigging,” said Ben Secrest with
Shimano. “Our counterparts at Shimano Japan created a new lure design we call
the Butterfly jig, and combined with the right tackle, the complete system -
rod, reel, line, leader and jig – increases sensitivity to detect bites and
offers anglers an exciting new way to catch finicky fish.”

Meet Shimano's new lure...the
appropriately named "Butterfly Jig"
Secrest adds
that from field testing in U.S. waters, from amberjack, snapper, grouper and
kingfish off the Florida Keys and Gulf Coast waters, tuna and stripers in the
northeast, or off the West Coast for yellowtail, tuna, calico bass or rock fish,
the Butterfly Jigging System has proven to have a better fish catching
percentages than those anglers using live bait. “Even fishing heavily-pressured
area such as close in wrecks found off the Florida Keys, we’ve been able to hook
and land numerous big amberjacks, groupers and cobia, “said Secrest, “while
those drifting live bait near us struggled to get a bite.”

Butterfly Jigs are sold in
protective bags and retail for $14.99 to $24.99 each depending on size and style
Design: The system
makes us of shorter, more powerful rods, high speed
and power reels, aggressive action jigs – and the use of braided line,
fluorocarbon leaders and free-swinging hooks, all designed to be manageable and
light enough for all-day fishing.

Butterfly jigs are best fished
with a super responsive rod like Shimano's own Trevala rods
The system
includes Shimano’s new Trevala jigging rods, eight conventional and three
spinning rods with actions designed so anglers are acutely aware of the
irregular action of the Butterfly jigs. This is not just another vertical
jigging setup, and being able to detect exactly what the lure is doing each and
every time you pull up on the rod is key to successfully fishing this technique.
Complete Rig
for Butterfly Jig Tests |
Rod |
Trevala TV66M |
Reel(s) |
Calcutta 300TE, Trinidad TN20. Curado 300DSV |
Line |
40
lb. P-Line Spectrex |
Shimano is
currently offering 62 Butterfly jigs in the system, two styles in various colors
and sizes. For jigging combinations, anglers can pair the Trevala rods up with
Shimano’s new Torsa 16N or Trinidad 16N and 40N narrow-spool conventional reels,
or larger size Stella and Sustain spinning reels. All these reels have
high-speed retrieves needed to work the jigs properly, comfortable handles, and
the power to move big fish. Of course if these reels are overkill for your
application a Calcutta TE or even the brand new Curado 300 DSV will also fit the bill nicely for an
ultralight salt combo.

Start by casting downwind
So what
about hooks? Unlike traditional jigs that sport a treble hook at the base of the
jig the Butterflys jigs are designed to use stinger hooks at the top of the
lure. This allows the lure to flutter naturally and has the added benefit of not
hanging up when jigging heavy structure. Exclusively designed and developed for
Shimano’s Butterfly Jig System, Owner Hooks offers its Dancing Stinger hooks in
1/0 up to 7/0 with Technora fabric loops, and 3/0 and 5/0 for wire loops.

Notice the 3-D shaped design which
creates a spiral darting action on the retrieve
Completing
the system is Shimano’s new Butterfly Jig Storage Bag, with slots to store up to
40 jigs, Baysteel saltwater fishing multi-tools with features including a unique
two-step split-ring opener, and Shimano’s new Leader Wheel Dispensers to
organize the fluorocarbon leaders needed.

The regular jigging action is a
tight circular motion
Real World Test: To
test the Butterfly Jigs we decided to target the more aggressive Rockfish
species inhabiting our coastline. We rigged up with a Trevala rod and a Calcutta
300TE spooled with PowerPro. We used genuine Owner Stinger hooks throughout the
tests.

The top of the jig features a long
ring for the stinger hooks