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Sato’s Double Hooks
This is the pre-rigged double hook from Anglers Support Service (ASS), just as how Sato Sensei makes then with Pike hooks from Decoy with PE20 with Fluoro core. Available at 1026 yen.

ASS Double Hooks
This is the economy version by ASS, available at 598 yen. The hooks are ASS original with the hole in the eye. The assist line is knotted to the hooks, not a PR knot like the Sato’s Double Hooks.

Angler’s Support Service has been out of business. These products are no longer available.

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Sato Sensei came up with this technique of slow pitch jigging in order to get contacts in the time of the day when the fish is slow and no one else is getting fish. Everything had to be fine tuned. But on the other hand, he wanted to be ready for a big game with the remarkably light tackle he uses. He’s examined every tiny little details for finesse and power.
And that is how he constantly catches the most fish, in a good day or a bad day. He says 90% of the difference is in preparation.

SPJ uses a double hook system.

Double, not single, because we want to use the light wired hooks that can penetrate easy. Because a lot of times fish bites when the jig is swimming or falling on its own. That’s the time the line doesn’t have tension and we don’t know the contact. We want the good penetration so that the jig can hook the fish without us striking. Also the heavy wire would interfere the jig’s natural movements.

The assist line has fluoro line running through PE braided.

Slow pitch utilizes a lot of small actions and falling actions. The jig moves up and down a lot. The firmness of the fluoro cored PE assist line keeps the hooks from tangling with the leader. Yet, it’s flexible enough to be swallowed by fish easily.

We put on a double hook on the head and also on the tail.

Fish always try to bite on the head of the prey. The head is not where the humans paint the eye on the jig. To fish, it’s the front of the movement. When the jig is uplifting, fish bites on the head of the jig. When the jig is falling, fish bites on the tail of the jig.

Slow pitch Jigging Principles

Sato Sensei’s principles about the line system are like this;

  • The light PE that doesn’t stretch gives more control of the jig.
  • Use less metal parts in your system as possible.
  • Use lighter line and less metals when you want contacts.
  • Always use the smallest and the toughest knots.
  • It improves the jig’s falling performances when you have hooks on the flat side of the jig.
  • Hook setting does change the jig movements. See it for yourself at the shallow water.
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The double hooks came out of these ideas. The hooks are positioned as pointing inward to each other. When one hook catches the fish, the other also catches the fish too, hopefully one on inside the lip and one on the outside. When you hook a fish like that you’ll never unhook it, because the physics work in a way that the fish fight away only to result in hooking deeper and completely. Even when you don’t hook like that, 2 hooks assist each other, sharing the burden of fish fight. And we have 4 hooks total. It means you can use light-weight fine hooks which are easier to be swallowed. Once one hook finds the fish, the others will find some places to hook, eventually “hugging” the fish.

But the problem I see is that you can hardly release your catch. A lot of times fish get deep wounds. You need to take home and eat it.

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Hope the information helps you! Good luck!