The One Lure You Need in Your Tackle Bag Right Now: The TMF Epoxy Jig

If there is one lure that belongs in every Cape Cod fishermen's tackle bag right now, it is the TMF Epoxy Jig.

Late August is when the Cape's inshore waters can come alive with fast-moving schools of small bait—and when bonito, false albacore and striped bass can become completely locked onto that forage. When fish are feeding on tiny, shiny baitfish, having a lure that closely matches the profile, flash and movement of the real thing can make all the difference.

That's exactly where the TMF Epoxy Jig excels.

The Mighty Fish Epoxy Jig is built around a lead core and durable epoxy coating, giving it an excellent size-to-weight ratio. The result is a compact, highly reflective baitfish imitation that casts extremely well while maintaining a natural action in the water. The 3/8-ounce version is just 2.5 inches long—an ideal profile when fish are feeding on small forage.

Late-Summer Fish Are Keyed on Small Bait

August on Cape Cod is all about the bait.

Sand eels, silversides, bay anchovies, rain bait and other small forage can concentrate along rips, beaches, points, inlets and current seams. And when predators find those bait schools, the action can turn on in a hurry.

Bonito are already showing themselves around the Cape in late summer, while false albacore season can begin creeping into the picture as August progresses. Cape Cod albie guides note that the arrival of false albacore has traditionally been associated with early September, but fish have increasingly been showing up as early as late August.

Striped bass can get in on the same small-bait buffet.

That means one lure can potentially put you in position for three of Cape Cod's most exciting gamefish.

Why an Epoxy Jig Is So Effective

The beauty of an epoxy jig is that it gives you the casting distance and versatility of a metal while maintaining a much more natural baitfish appearance.

The TMF Epoxy Jig features a reflective finish, 3D eyes, an epoxy coating, through-wire construction, a saltwater split ring and a VMC 4X treble hook.

More importantly, it has the right combination of small profile and casting weight.

That's a huge advantage when you're trying to reach a school of breaking bonito or albies that is 50, 75 or even 100 yards away.

The fish don't care how pretty your tackle box looks. They care whether the lure looks like something they are already eating.

And late-summer baitfish are often small, slender and highly reflective—the exact situation where an epoxy jig becomes a go-to weapon.

For Bonito: Don't Be Afraid to Burn It

When bonito are feeding aggressively, speed is your friend.

Cast beyond or across the feeding fish, get the lure into the strike zone and start a fast, steady retrieve. Bonito are built for speed, and a fleeing baitfish imitation can trigger an immediate reaction.

If the fish are deeper, let the TMF Epoxy Jig sink before starting your retrieve. If they're on top, keep it moving quickly just beneath the surface.

And when you see a school breaking, don't spend five minutes deciding what to throw.

Cast first. Figure it out later.

Bonito blitzes can disappear almost as quickly as they appear.

When the Albies Show Up

This is where having an epoxy jig already tied on becomes especially important.

False albacore can be incredibly selective when they're feeding on tiny bait. You may see fish everywhere—birds working, bait spraying and albies crashing—yet they refuse larger plugs and conventional metals.

That's when matching the hatch becomes critical.

A small epoxy jig can imitate the rain bait, silversides, sand eels and other small forage that albies are targeting. Epoxy-style jigs are widely used specifically because they combine a small baitfish profile with excellent casting ability.

Try a fast retrieve when fish are aggressively feeding. If they are following without committing, experiment with a slightly slower presentation, a few twitches or a brief pause.

Sometimes the difference between getting refused and getting smoked is simply changing the retrieve.

And Don't Forget the Stripers

The TMF Epoxy Jig isn't just a bonito and albie lure.

Striped bass can become just as focused on small bait during late summer. When bass are feeding on sand eels, silversides or other small forage, a compact epoxy jig gives you another way to match what they're eating.

The TMF Epoxy Jig is specifically designed for a wide range of saltwater species, including striped bass, bonito and false albacore.

That versatility is what makes it such a valuable lure to have ready.

You might start the morning looking for bass and suddenly find yourself surrounded by breaking bonito. A little later, a school of albies may show up.

One lure. Three major gamefish.

Keep Several Colors Ready

Late-summer fish can become surprisingly selective about color when they are feeding heavily on one particular bait.

That is why it's smart to carry several TMF Epoxy Jigs rather than betting everything on one finish.

Silver and natural baitfish patterns are excellent starting points when you're trying to imitate silversides, sand eels and other reflective forage. But don't be afraid to experiment with colors such as pink when the fish are looking for something different.

The goal isn't simply to throw a lure that looks good to you.

The goal is to find the color that looks like dinner to the fish.

The Late-August Tackle Bag Essential

There are plenty of great lures for Cape Cod in August.

But if you forced us to pick one lure to have tied on right now, the TMF Epoxy Jig would be very high on the list.

It casts a long way. It has a compact baitfish profile. It produces plenty of flash. It can be fished quickly or slowed down. And most importantly, it can imitate the small forage that bonito, albies and striped bass are feeding on right now.

Keep one on a light spinning rod.

Keep a few extras in different colors and weights.

Watch the birds. Watch for nervous water. Watch for bait spraying.

Because when the surface suddenly erupts with a school of bonito or albies, you don't want to be digging through your tackle bag trying to decide what to throw.

You want to make the first cast.

Get Your TMF Epoxy Jigs at Goose Hummock

The TMF Epoxy Jig is available through The Mighty Fish and at the Goose Hummock Shop.

Late August is prime time to have them ready.

Bonito. Albies. Stripers. Small bait. One deadly little package.

If you're heading out on Cape Cod this week, make sure a TMF Epoxy Jig is in your tackle bag—and preferably already tied to the end of your leader.