For fishing threadfin in HK (jigging) offshore, what is the best pe for line and the best leader weight, hook size and weight to use

Question

FishGPT · Accepted Answer

**Offshore threadfin jigging in Hong Kong (early winter)** is a blast, but it’s all about dialing in line, leader, and jig size for current and depth. Here’s a practical setup that works well in HK waters and can be tuned on the day.

- **Main line (PE):** use a braid in the range **PE2.5–PE3.5**. That’s roughly a 20–40 lb class braid. If you’re fishing in strong current or deeper water and you expect bigger fish, you can push to **PE4** (60–80 lb class) for extra control and abrasion resistance. The rule of thumb: lighter for quicker jig falls, heavier for rough seas and bigger fish.

- **Leader:** go with a fluorocarbon leader in the **60–80 lb** range (roughly 0.8–1.0 mm diameter). Length about **1.0–1.5 m**. In calmer, clearer days you can drop to 40–60 lb, but HK offshore often has occasional heavier bites or sharp structure, so 60–80 lb is a safer default.

- **Jig weight (and hook setup):** threadfin are not monsters, but you’ll want a jig in the **120–260 g** range depending on depth and current:
  - For ~40–80 m with a mild current: start at ~150–180 g.
  - For 80–120 m or stronger current: go 200–260 g.
  - If you’re using assist hooks on your jig, pair the jig with a stout assist rig sized roughly **2/0–4/0** depending on jig size: use **3/0–4/0** for mid-range jigs (150–180 g), and **4/0–5/0** for heavier jigs (200–260 g).
  - If you’re fishing a standard jig with a single hook, look for a hook size around **#2/0–#3/0** on 150–180 g jigs, and **#4/0–#5/0** on 200–260 g jigs.

- **Rigging tips:** use a solid, clean connection between PE and leader (FG or Uni-to-FG) and ensure your jig’s assist hooks are secure. A simple two-hook setup (one assist on each side) can improve bites on finicky threadfin.

- **Tactics for early winter in HK:** water tends to cool and bite windows can tighten. Elevate your chances with:
  - A steady, rhythmic jigging cadence: lifts of 15–30 cm followed by a 2–3 second pause to let the jig flutter.
  - Keep line tension consistent on the lift; don’t let the jig free-fall uncontrolled in strong currents.
  - Fish around color changes, structure, and drop-offs where threadfin school up, especially during tides when currents swing.
  - Dawn and dusk can be productive, but don’t overlook the middle of the day if the current is moving and the jig has a good action.

- **Practical setup cheat sheet:**
  - Main: PE2.5–3.5 braid
  - Leader: 60–80 lb fluorocarbon, 1.0 m +
  - Jig: 150–260 g depending on depth/current
  - Hooks: Assist hooks 3/0–5/0 or plain hooks 2/0–5/0 depending on jig and method

- **Video to learn rigging:** [How I rig a jig! #fishing #fish #boat #jigging](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiLOdORwyqY)

- **Recommended tackle (in this thread):**
  - [Dr.Fish Weighted Swimbait Hooks](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C6JTZXXN?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) – great for adding a stout assist or replacing a damaged hook on a jig
  - [TRUSCEND Easy Catch Swimmax](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GP1DL4K?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) – versatile swimbait/lure that can cover jigging-style presentations when the bite is soft
  - [Rapala Bass Boom Box](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DSJQV65C?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) – curated lures for bycatch or alternative jigging heads when conditions demand something different

- **Weather note (early winter):** HK winter waters can drop bite windows and push fish deeper. If you’re seeing slow jigging, try deeper jigs, longer pauses, or switch to a heavier jig with a slightly slower sink rate. Stay flexible and watch the current—news tides often flip the bite fast.

If you want, I can tailor this by exact depth and typical current you’re seeing on your day out, and I’ll adjust line/leader/jig sizes accordingly. Tight lines and steady lifts, mate! 😎🎣

🎣 Offshore waters, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China

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