Split rings, swivels and hooks for jigging & popping
It is easy to get caught up in the numbers when choosing split rings, swivels, treble hooks and assist hooks. We have made it simpler here. The guide gives you a good foundation for jigging, popping and stickbait fishing and shows which sizes and products we usually recommend for different PE classes.
These are general guidelines. Line, drag power, lure size, fish species and destination always affect how heavy-duty your tackle needs to be.
- Heavier is not always better. Choose what is sufficient for your fishing, not automatically the largest size.
- Weight matters. Hooks and split rings that are too heavy can affect the action of poppers and stickbaits.
- Match the entire setup. Line, drag, lure, leader, hook and terminal tackle should work together.
- We recommend a swivel + split ring. This is the rigging we use ourselves for this type of jigging, popping and stickbait fishing.
Quick guide
PE4–6 Jigging: 150–200 lb / approx. 68–91 kg split ring
PE6–8 Popping & Stickbait: 180–250 lb / approx. 82–113 kg split ring
PE8–10 Heavy GT: 250–300+ lb / approx. 113–136+ kg split ring
For this, we choose a heavy-duty swivel with at least equivalent strength, preferably with some extra margin.
Choose according to your fishing
If you want to avoid considering every small component, we have put together three simple basic setups. Click the package and the recommended products will be added directly to the cart.
PE4–6 Jigging
For speed jigging and heavier vertical fishing for species such as amberjack, dogtooth and tuna.
In the package: split ring + swivel + assist hook
Decoy R-5 Split Ring Heavy Class #9
200 lb / approx. 91 kg
Shout! Powerful BB Swivel 412PB #5
288 lb / approx. 131 kg
Shout! Heavy Spark Hard Gap Assist Hooks 4/0
5/0 is better suited to larger jigs
Add the jigging package to the cart
A good basic setup for PE4–6. Depth, current, jig size and fish species can affect the choice.
PE6–8 Popping & Stickbait
For larger poppers and stickbaits when targeting GT, tuna and similar species in tropical waters.
In the package: split ring + swivel + treble hook
Decoy R-5 Split Ring Heavy Class #10
250 lb / approx. 113 kg
Shout! Powerful BB Swivel 412PB #5
288 lb / approx. 131 kg
Decoy Treble Y-S22 4/0–5/0
Y-S23 6/0–7/0 or Curve Point 31 4/0–6/0 for larger lures
Alternative hook: Shout! Curve Point Treble 31 4/0–6/0
Add the popping package to the cart
The package contains Y-S22 4/0. If you are fishing larger lures, choose the package with Y-S23 7/0 .
PE8–10 Heavy GT
For really large poppers and stickbaits when the fishing gets heavy and the target is GT or another large tropical fish.
In the package: split ring + swivel + heavy-duty treble hook
Decoy R-5 Split Ring Heavy Class #11
300 lb / approx. 136 kg
Shout! Powerful BB Swivel 412PB #6
412 lb / approx. 187 kg
Decoy BIG Treble Y-S23 7/0–10/0
Curve Point 31 6/0–7/0 or Kudako 6/0–7/0 are alternatives
Alternative treble hook: Shout! Curve Point Treble 31 6/0–7/0
Add the Heavy GT package to the cart
The package contains Y-S23 7/0. If you want to use a double hook, choose the package with Short Double Kudako 7/0 .
What strength should I choose?
The table is a simple starting point. Strength is given in both lb and the approximate corresponding weight in kg.
| Fishing | PE | Split ring | Swivel | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lighter jigging | PE2–4 | 80–130 lb / approx. 36–59 kg | 100–180 lb / approx. 45–82 kg | Smaller jigs and lighter saltwater fishing |
| Jigging | PE4–6 | 150–200 lb / approx. 68–91 kg | 180–300 lb / approx. 82–136 kg | Speed jigging, amberjack, dogtooth, tuna |
| Heavy jigging | PE6–8 | 180–250 lb / approx. 82–113 kg | 250–350 lb / approx. 113–159 kg | Heavy tropical jigging |
| Popping / stickbait | PE6–8 | 180–250 lb / approx. 82–113 kg | 250–350 lb / approx. 113–159 kg | GT, tuna and larger surface lures |
| Heavy GT | PE8–10 | 250–300+ lb / approx. 113–136+ kg | 300–400+ lb / approx. 136–181+ kg | Large poppers, stickbaits and heavy GT popping |
The stated strength in lb and kg describes the component's strength and should not be read as the recommended fish weight. A 200 lb split ring does not mean that it is intended for a 200 lb fish.
Frequently asked questions about split rings, swivels and hooks
Here are some of the most common questions we receive about terminal tackle for jigging, popping and stickbait.
Which split ring should I choose for jigging?
For PE4–6 jigging, approximately 150–200 lb / approx. 68–91 kg is a good general level. For heavier PE6–8 fishing, we prefer to go up to 200–250 lb / approx. 91–113 kg.
Decoy R-5 #9 rated at 200 lb is a good all-round choice for PE4–6 jigging.
Which split ring should I choose for popping and stickbait?
For PE6–8 popping, we normally use around 200–250 lb / approx. 91–113 kg. For really heavy PE8–10 GT popping, we go up to 250–300+ lb / approx. 113–136+ kg.
Decoy R-5 #10 rated at 250 lb is well suited to PE6–8, while #11 rated at 300 lb is suitable when the fishing gets really heavy.
Do I need both a swivel and a split ring?
For this type of fishing, we at Outside Travels recommend both a swivel and a split ring. This provides a strong connection, reduces twisting and makes it easy to switch between jigs, poppers and stickbaits.
We prefer to choose a swivel with a higher stated strength than the split ring.
Is a stronger split ring always better?
No. Heavier components are also larger and heavier. Especially on stickbaits and poppers, split rings and hooks that are too large can affect the lure's balance and action.
Therefore, choose sufficient strength for the fishing, rather than automatically choosing the largest model.
What does 200 lb on a split ring mean?
It is the product's stated strength. 200 lb is approximately 91 kg. This does not mean that the split ring is intended for a fish weighing 91 kg.
The entire rig must work together: line, leader, knots, swivels, split ring, hook and drag pressure.
How do I choose the right treble hook size?
The hook should match the lure's size, weight and balance. A hook that is too small can result in poorer hook-ups, while one that is too large and heavy can alter the lure's action.
For smaller and medium-sized poppers and stickbaits, we use, for example, Decoy Y-S22 3/0–5/0. For larger GT lures, we move up to Decoy Y-S23 6/0–10/0 or Shout! Curve Point Treble 31 in heavier sizes.
Decoy or Shout - which treble hook should I choose?
Both are built for heavy saltwater fishing, but the hook's weight and shape affect how it performs on a particular lure.
Decoy Y-S22 is a good choice when you want to keep the hook weight down. Decoy Y-S23 is a step up for really large and heavy GT lures. Shout! Curve Point Treble 31 is a good heavy-wire option for larger poppers and stickbaits.
If you are unsure what suits your particular lure, contact us and we will be happy to help.
Which assist hook should I choose for jigging?
The size depends primarily on the jig size and the fish you are targeting. For much of our PE4–6 speed jigging, Shout! Heavy Spark 4/0 works well, while 5/0 is better suited to larger jigs and heavier fishing.
Can I use the same terminal tackle for jigging and popping?
In some cases, but we preferably size the equipment according to the fishing method. Jigging and popping put different strain on the equipment, and the size and weight of the lures vary considerably.
That is why we prefer choosing the right split ring, swivel and hook for each setup rather than using the heaviest-duty solution for everything.
I am going on a fishing trip – how do I know exactly what I need?
Destination, target species, lure size, PE rating and how hard you fish all affect the choice. If, for example, you are heading to Madagascar, the Maldives, the Andamans or another destination with heavy tropical fishing, we will be happy to help you put together the entire setup.
Contact us before your trip and we will review your rod, reel, line, leader, lures, hooks and terminal tackle together.
Our recommended sizes
Decoy R-5 Split Ring Heavy Class
#8 – 150 lb / approx. 68 kg
#9 – 200 lb / approx. 91 kg
#10 – 250 lb / approx. 113 kg
#11 – 300 lb / approx. 136 kg
Decoy Treble Y-S22
3/0 – smaller poppers and stickbaits
4/0 – medium-sized lures
5/0 – larger surface lures
Decoy BIG Treble Y-S23
6/0 – smaller to medium-sized poppers and stickbaits for heavy tropical fishing
7/0 – a great all-round size for tropical GT fishing
8/0 – large poppers and stickbaits
10/0 – very large lures, more niche
Shout! Curve Point Treble 31 Hooks
Heavy-wire treble hook for popping, stickbait and big game fishing for species including GT and tuna.
1/0 – 4.3 g
2/0 – 5.3 g
3/0 – 7.1 g
4/0 – 9.2 g – a great all-round size for medium-sized poppers and stickbaits
5/0 – 10.8 g – larger surface lures
6/0 – 13.0 g – large poppers and heavier tropical fishing
7/0 – 16.2 g – very large lures and heavy big game fishing
Hook weight is important. Always match the hook size to the lure's size, buoyancy and balance.
Shout! Powerful BB Swivel 412PB
#4 – 266 lb / approx. 121 kg
#5 – 288 lb / approx. 131 kg
#6 – 412 lb / approx. 187 kg
Shout! Heavy Spark Hard Gap Assist Hooks
4/0 – smaller and medium-sized speed jigs
5/0 – larger jigs and heavier PE4–6 fishing
Shout! Short Double Kudako Hooks
6/0–7/0 – larger poppers and stickbaits for heavy GT- and tuna fishing.
Not sure what you need?
These are general guidelines. The exact size depends on lures, line, drag power, target species and destination. If you are heading off on a fishing trip or want to make sure your tackle works well together, get in touch and we will help you put together the right setup.