Two soft lures. A different kind of bite.

A double soft lure in a strong current can excite horse mackerel. Let it fall diagonally down in a curve, keeping a little tension.

The small fish near the surface begin to behave differently. A larger horse mackerel seems to sense the commotion—the promise of food—and rushes upwards like a young amberjack, shoving the small fish aside to take it.

Sometimes it keeps going right to the surface and runs like a dolphinfish. This really has happened. Horse mackerel can be remarkable when they decide to act.

It changes your picture of ajing: a forceful take on a large, appetising-looking lure. A handmade lure works well too. I cut a soft flounder lure lengthways and reshape it. The hits on that can also be spectacular—like fishing for much more powerful pelagic species.

There is an excitement here that goes beyond the little twitches usually associated with ajing.

Rigging the two lures

The photographs show a double soft lure on a Split Shotter #6. The main lure is a Brilliant (L); the second is an Aji Caro Swamp. The leader is absent in these photographs, but in practice I tie it on first.

1. Insert the hook into the main lure for about half the usual distance, then bring it out. Photo 1.
2. Do the same with the second lure. Photos 2–4.
3. Turn the hook over so that it points back towards the main lure. Photo 5.
4. Stretch the main lure down slightly and insert the hook. Photo 6.
5. Push it further in to complete the rig. Photo 7.