Salas Lures

When the yellowtail aren’t on the surface — when they’re holding deep on a hard-bottom spot off the back side of Catalina, stacked on a bank out of Point Loma, or pinned to structure at the Coronados — you stop throwing surface iron and you drop the 6X. This is the yo-yo iron West Coast anglers have trusted for decades to get down to the fish and trigger a reaction bite on the way back up.

At 6.4 oz and 6 inches, the 6X Heavy is the middle weight of the Salas yo-yo lineup and the one most local anglers end up fishing most. It has enough mass to hold vertical in real current without being the anchor that a 9.8 oz PL-68 becomes on a light setup. If you own one yo-yo iron and you fish Southern California, this is usually the one.

The 6X also carries the widest belly of any yo-yo iron Salas makes at 1 1/4 inches. That extra width is what gives it a broader flash profile on the retrieve — more surface catching light as it comes up, which matters when you are trying to pull a fish off the bottom from a distance.

Every 6X is hand-cast and hand-painted in Southern California, so each one comes out a little different. The slight finish and weight variations aren’t flaws — they’re the mark of an iron built one at a time.

Where the 6X Heavy shines

• Deep yellowtail holding on hard bottom, banks, and high spots
• The back side of Catalina, the Coronados, and offshore banks
• Reaction bites on fish marked deep that won’t come up for surface iron
• Moderate to strong current where a lighter iron gets swept off vertical
• Bonito and barracuda that crash a fast-cranked iron

Which Salas iron should you throw?

The 6X Heavy sits in the middle of the yo-yo range. Step down to the Jr weights for shallower water and lighter current; step up to the 7X Heavy or PL-68 for deep banks and heavy conditions.

Width is measured at the belly, the jig’s widest point. Every Salas iron is hand-cast and hand-painted, so weights and dimensions vary slightly between units.

6X Heavy or 7X Heavy?

The 7X Heavy is 8.1 oz and 6 3/8" long but narrower at 1 1/8". The 6X Heavy is 6.4 oz, slightly shorter at 6", and wider at 1 1/4". In practice the 6X is the everyday local yo-yo iron and the 7X Heavy is what you reach for when depth or current beats it. If you are buying your first full-weight yo-yo iron for Southern California day trips, start with the 6X.

Specifications

Because each jig is hand-made, weight and dimensions vary slightly unit to unit.

Hooks and options

Salas irons are typically rigged with a heavy-duty treble hook. On the 6X Heavy, the Chrome Single Hook option ships with a single hook and a bare plated finish instead, and is priced separately from the hand-painted colors.

A single hook is easier to remove, does less damage to fish you plan to release, and causes fewer tangles on a crowded rail. A treble gives more points of contact on a fish that strikes short. Neither is universally better — it comes down to how and where you fish.

Picking a color

Down deep, light is scarce and contrast matters more than fine detail. High-contrast and bright patterns generally out-produce subtle ones on the yo-yo.

This jig is offered in a wide color range and availability changes constantly. Check the option menu above this description for what we can ship right now.

How to fish it

Drop it straight down — to the bottom, or to the depth where you are marking fish. The moment it lands, wind as fast as you can turn the handle and keep winding all the way to the boat. Do not pump the rod. Speed is what triggers the bite, and most strikes come partway up rather than at the bottom.

At 6.4 oz the 6X holds vertical better than the Jr weights, so you keep contact in current instead of drifting off the spot. If the jig feels like it is fluttering or vibrating oddly, it is spinning rather than swimming — usually twisted line or an uneven retrieve.

Recommended gear

• Rod: 7–8 ft fast-taper jig rod with real backbone for pulling fish off structure
• Reel: High-speed conventional, 6:1 or faster — retrieve speed is the technique
• Line: 40–65 lb depending on how deep you are fishing and how heavy the structure is
• Leader: 40–50 lb fluorocarbon; go heavier around rocks and hard structure

Pro tips from the shop

• If you only buy one Salas yo-yo iron for local fishing, make it this one. It covers the widest range of local conditions.
• A slow reel costs you fish. Yo-yo is a speed technique and gear ratio matters more than most anglers expect.
• Watch your line on the drop. Yellowtail eat it falling, and the only tell is the line going slack early.
• The wide belly throws more flash than the narrower irons. That is an advantage in dirty water and a liability when fish are spooky — go narrower if the wide profile is getting refused.
• If you fish a crowded rail or release a lot of fish, the single hook option is worth a look.

Common mistakes

• Winding too slowly. The opposite problem from surface iron. If your arm is not tired, you are going too slow.
• Pumping the rod. Wind steadily with the rod low. Pumping creates slack and kills the action.
• Light drag over structure. A yellow that gets its head down will find the rocks. Lock up and turn it early.
• Fishing it on surface iron tackle. A moderate-action iron stick has neither the backbone nor the retrieve speed this technique needs.
• Packing it away wet. Rinse in fresh water and dry it fully before it goes back in the bag.

Frequently asked questions

Complete the setup

• Salas 6X Jr Heavy — 4.8 oz compact version for shallower water
• Salas 7X Jr Heavy — 4.8 oz, longer and slimmer profile
• Salas 7X Heavy — 8.1 oz for deeper banks and heavier current
• Salas PL-68 Heavy — 9.8 oz, the heaviest iron in the line
• Shop all yo-yo jigs  |  Shop yellowtail lures  |  Shop all Salas

When yellowtail are boiling around a kelp paddy off Catalina, pushing bait along the Channel Islands kelp lines, or chasing sardines through the La Jolla canyons, the Salas 7X is what goes on first. This is not a trendy jig — it has been earning its spot in SoCal tackle bags for over 50 years because it does exactly what a surface iron needs to do: casts a country mile, lands flat, and swims with a side-to-side kick that yellowtail cannot leave alone.

At 3.5 oz and 6 3/8 inches, the 7X Light sits in the sweet spot that works equally well on the iron rods of a full-day sportboat or off the bow of a private boat drifting into a Baja kelp paddy. The offset hips give it a slower, wider kick than a straight-body iron — which matters when yellows are picky or water temps are running cool. When the fish want a fast burn, you can speed it up. When they want it lazy, you can slow it down. Few surface irons cover that much range.

Every 7X is hand-cast and hand-painted in Southern California, so each one comes out slightly different. Small variations in finish and weight are normal and expected — this is not factory-perfect paint, and it was never meant to be.

Where the 7X Light shines

• Yellowtail working Catalina and Channel Islands kelp structure
• Kelp paddy fishing from La Jolla to Ensenada and south
• Coastal kelp edges when fish are pushing bait to the surface
• Calico bass over shallow kelp and boiler rock
• Baja sessions on yellowtail, dorado, and surface-feeding tuna

Which Salas iron should you throw?

The 7X Light is the standard-size surface iron. If you want a smaller profile for picky fish, drop to the 7X Jr. If the fish are deep and won't come up, you want a yo-yo iron instead.

Width is measured at the belly, the jig’s widest point. Every Salas iron is hand-cast and hand-painted, so weights and dimensions vary slightly between units.

Worth knowing: the 7X Light and 7X Heavy share the same 6 3/8" body. Same silhouette in the water, very different sink rate — one stays up top, one gets down. Anglers who like the 7X profile often carry both.

Specifications

Because each jig is hand-made, weight and dimensions vary slightly unit to unit.

Picking a color

Color matters less than presentation on the iron, but it matters. Match the bait first, then adjust for light and water clarity.

Color availability changes constantly. Check the color menu above this description for what we can ship right now.

How to fish it

Cast it as far as you can, let it settle for a beat so it lands flat, then start a slow, steady wind with the rod tip low. You are looking for a wide, lazy side-to-side roll — not a fast wobble. If the jig is spinning or tracking flat, you are winding too fast. Slow down until you feel the kick load up on the rod tip.

On a full-day boat, work the kelp edges and the shady side of a paddy first. Let the jig sink deeper before you start the retrieve when fish are showing under the surface rather than boiling on top.

Recommended gear

• Rod: 8–9 ft moderate-action surface iron stick
• Reel: Conventional narrow-spool jig reel in the 200–300 class
• Line: 30–50 lb mono or a mono top shot — mono’s stretch protects against pulled hooks on a head-shaking yellow
• Leader: 30–40 lb fluorocarbon in clear, calm water off Catalina or the islands; heavier around Baja structure

Pro tips from the shop

• Slow is almost always the answer. Most anglers new to the iron burn it back way too fast. If you are not sure, wind slower.
• Let it land flat. Feather the cast at the end so the jig hits the water sideways instead of nose-first — it starts swimming immediately instead of tumbling.
• Fan your casts around a paddy instead of hitting the same lane. Yellows often sit on one specific side of the shade line.
• Carry the same color in two shades of brightness. When the bite dies on one, the other frequently restarts it.

Common mistakes

• Winding too fast. Kills the side-to-side kick and turns the jig into a spinning tube.
• Fishing straight braid to the jig. No stretch means pulled hooks on the head shake. Run a mono top shot.
• Setting the hook like a bass fisherman. Keep winding and let the rod load. Swinging on the bite pulls the iron away from the fish.
• Reaching for the 7X Light when the fish are deep. A 3.5 oz surface iron will not get down. Switch to a yo-yo iron.
• Rinsing and packing it wet. Rinse in fresh water and let it dry fully before it goes back in the jig bag.

Frequently asked questions

Complete the setup

• Salas 7X Jr Surface Iron — smaller 2.1 oz profile for picky fish and small bait
• Salas O Pop — 3.2 oz with a concave face for surface commotion
• Salas 7X Heavy Yo-Yo — same body, 8.1 oz, for when fish hold deep
• Salas 6X Heavy — the classic deep yellowtail yo-yo iron
• Shop all surface irons  |  Shop all Salas

At 4 5/8 inches, the 6X Jr Heavy is the shortest iron Salas makes — and at 4.8 oz it carries that weight in a noticeably stouter body than anything else in the line. That combination is the entire reason to own one. When yellowtail are eating something short and thick rather than long and slender, a compact iron matches the meal in a way a 6-inch jig cannot.

It is also, along with the 7X Jr Heavy, the lightest yo-yo iron Salas offers. That makes it a sensible first yo-yo jig. You do not need specialized deep-water tackle to fish it, and it works the moderate-depth high spots and ridges where a lot of the best local yellowtail bite actually happens — not just the deep offshore banks.

The technique is speed. Drop it to the bottom or to the marks, then wind as fast as you can turn the handle, all the way back to the boat. The short, heavy body holds its swimming action at that speed instead of spinning out. Most bites come partway up, from fish that follow the flash and commit.

Know the ceiling: 4.8 oz will get swept in ripping current or serious depth. When that happens, step up to the 6X Heavy, 7X Heavy, or PL-68.

Every 6X Jr Heavy is hand-cast and hand-painted in Southern California, so each one comes out slightly different. Small variations in finish and weight are normal and expected.

Where the 6X Jr Heavy shines

• Yellowtail keyed on short, thick forage rather than long baitfish
• High spots, ridges, and hard bottom in moderate depth
• Day trips out of San Diego, Long Beach, and the local islands
• Light to moderate current, where a heavy iron is overkill
• Bonito and barracuda that crash a fast-cranked iron
• Anglers buying their first yo-yo iron

Which Salas iron should you throw?

The 6X Jr Heavy is the most compact iron in the lineup and ties for the lightest yo-yo. Go heavier as depth and current increase.

Width is measured at the belly, the jig’s widest point. Every Salas iron is hand-cast and hand-painted, so weights and dimensions vary slightly between units.

6X Jr Heavy or 7X Jr Heavy?

This is the most common question we get on Salas yo-yo irons, because both jigs weigh exactly 4.8 oz. Weight is not the difference — profile is. The 6X Jr Heavy is 4 5/8" and stout. The 7X Jr Heavy is 5 3/8" and slimmer. Pick the 6X Jr Heavy when fish are on shorter, thicker forage, and the 7X Jr Heavy when they are on longer baitfish like sardine and mackerel. If you fish local yellowtail and want one of the two, the longer 7X profile is the more common all-around pick; the 6X Jr Heavy is what you add when the standard profile stops working.

Specifications

Because each jig is hand-made, weight and dimensions vary slightly unit to unit. Chrome and Chrome Blue Holo Back are plated finishes offered as separate options and are priced differently from the hand-painted colors.

Picking a color

Down deep, light is scarce and contrast matters more than fine detail. High-contrast and bright patterns generally out-produce subtle ones on the yo-yo.

This jig is offered in a wide color range and availability changes constantly. Check the color menu above this description for what we can ship right now.

How to fish it

Drop it straight down — to the bottom, or to the depth where you are marking fish. The moment it arrives, start winding as fast as you can turn the handle and keep winding all the way up. Do not pump the rod. Speed triggers the bite, and most strikes come partway up rather than at the bottom.

If the jig feels like it is fluttering or vibrating strangely, it is spinning rather than swimming — usually twisted line or an uneven retrieve. Keep the wind constant.

Recommended gear

• Rod: 7–8 ft fast-taper jig rod with enough backbone to turn fish off structure
• Reel: High-speed conventional, 6:1 or faster — retrieve speed is the technique
• Line: 40–50 lb for this weight class; heavier only if the structure demands it
• Leader: 40 lb fluorocarbon is a sensible default in clear water

Pro tips from the shop

• Carry this alongside the 7X Jr Heavy, not instead of it. Same weight, different profile — switching between them is a real adjustment when the bite stalls.
• A slow reel costs you fish. If you own one high-speed reel, this is what it is for.
• Watch your line on the drop. Yellowtail eat it falling, and the only tell is the line going slack early.
• The short body makes this a good choice on windy days when you want a compact jig that drops fast without going up in weight.

Common mistakes

• Winding too slowly. The opposite problem from surface iron. If your arm is not tired, you are going too slow.
• Pumping the rod. Wind steadily with the rod low. Pumping creates slack and kills the action.
• Assuming it is heavier because it is stouter. It is 4.8 oz — tied for the lightest yo-yo iron in the line, not a deep-water tool.
• Light drag over structure. A yellow that gets its head down will find the rocks. Lock up and turn it early.
• Packing it away wet. Rinse in fresh water and dry it fully before it goes back in the bag.

Frequently asked questions

Complete the setup

• Salas 7X Jr Heavy — same 4.8 oz, longer and slimmer profile
• Salas 6X Heavy — 6.4 oz when you need more depth and current
• Salas 7X Heavy — 8.1 oz for deep banks and heavy structure
• Salas PL-68 Heavy — 9.8 oz, the heaviest iron in the line
• Shop all yo-yo jigs  |  Shop yellowtail lures  |  Shop all Salas

The 7X Heavy is the same jig as the 7X Light in every dimension that matters — 6 3/8 inches long, 1 1/8 inches at the belly, the identical offset-hip 7X silhouette that has been catching West Coast yellowtail for over fifty years. The only difference is that it weighs 8.1 oz instead of 3.5. Same shape in the water, more than twice the mass.

That is the entire design idea, and it is a good one. Fish that recognize and eat the 7X profile on the surface will eat the same profile at depth. When the yellows are stacked 150 feet down on a hard-bottom high spot instead of boiling on a paddy, you are not asking them to accept a different shape — just the same one, delivered deeper and moving faster.

At 8.1 oz in a relatively narrow 1 1/8" body, the 7X Heavy is the most current-cutting iron in the Salas lineup short of the PL-68. Weight without extra width means it drops fast and holds vertical when the 6X Heavy starts sliding off the spot. This is the iron for deep banks, hard current, and the days when lighter jigs never reach the zone.

Every 7X Heavy is hand-cast and hand-painted in Southern California, so each one comes out slightly different. Small variations in finish and weight are normal and expected.

Where the 7X Heavy shines

• Deep yellowtail stacked on banks, high spots, and hard bottom
• Strong current where lighter irons get swept off vertical
• The Coronados, offshore banks, and out toward long-range grounds
• Deep-holding tuna that will chase a fast-cranked iron
• Anglers who already fish the 7X Light and want the same profile at depth

Which Salas iron should you throw?

The 7X Heavy is the second-heaviest iron in the line. Step down to the 6X Heavy for everyday local depth; step up to the PL-68 only when conditions genuinely demand it.

Width is measured at the belly, the jig’s widest point. Every Salas iron is hand-cast and hand-painted, so weights and dimensions vary slightly between units.

7X Heavy or 6X Heavy?

The 6X Heavy is 6.4 oz in a 6" body that is wider at the belly (1 1/4"). The 7X Heavy is 8.1 oz in a longer but narrower body (6 3/8" × 1 1/8"). More weight in less width means the 7X Heavy drops faster and fights current better; the 6X throws a broader flash. Most local anglers own the 6X first and add the 7X Heavy for the deep, hard-current days.

7X Heavy or PL-68?

The PL-68 is 9.8 oz and 7 1/2" long — heavier and substantially bigger. The 7X Heavy gets you most of the depth capability in the familiar 7X profile. Go PL-68 when you are on a long-range trip or facing conditions that beat 8.1 oz.

Specifications

Because each jig is hand-made, weight and dimensions vary slightly unit to unit.

Picking a color

Down deep, light is scarce and contrast matters more than fine detail. High-contrast and bright patterns generally out-produce subtle ones on the yo-yo.

Color availability changes constantly. Check the color menu above this description for what we can ship right now.

How to fish it

Drop it straight down — to the bottom, or to the depth where you are marking fish. The moment it lands, wind as fast as you can turn the handle and keep winding all the way to the boat. Do not pump the rod. Speed is what triggers the bite, and most strikes come partway up rather than at the bottom.

At 8.1 oz you get down fast and stay vertical, which is exactly what you want when current is running. The tradeoff is that a full day of cranking 8 oz is real work — this is a jig you deploy when conditions call for it, not one you throw all day for fun.

Recommended gear

• Rod: Fast-taper jig rod rated for heavy iron, with the backbone to turn fish off deep structure
• Reel: High-speed conventional, 6:1 or faster, with the line capacity for deep drops
• Line: 50–65 lb for deep water and heavy structure
• Leader: 50 lb fluorocarbon as a sensible default; heavier around hard structure

Pro tips from the shop

• If you already fish the 7X Light on the surface, this is the most intuitive yo-yo iron to add. Same shape, same confidence, different depth.
• A slow reel costs you fish. At this weight, gear ratio and cranking power both matter.
• Watch your line on the drop. Yellowtail eat it falling, and the only tell is the line going slack early.
• Do not default to it. On calm days in moderate depth, the 6X Heavy will out-fish it simply because you can work it longer without wearing out.

Common mistakes

• Fishing it when you don’t need it. 8.1 oz is a lot of jig for moderate depth and light current. Match the weight to the conditions.
• Winding too slowly. The opposite problem from surface iron. If your arm is not tired, you are going too slow.
• Pumping the rod. Wind steadily with the rod low. Pumping creates slack and kills the action.
• Undersized rod. A rod that will not handle 8 oz turns every drop into a fight with your own tackle.
• Packing it away wet. Rinse in fresh water and dry it fully before it goes back in the bag.

Frequently asked questions

Complete the setup

• Salas 7X Light — the same 6 3/8" body at 3.5 oz, for surface fishing
• Salas 6X Heavy — 6.4 oz, the everyday local yo-yo iron
• Salas PL-68 Heavy — 9.8 oz, the heaviest iron in the line
• Salas 7X Jr Heavy — 4.8 oz for moderate depth and lighter current
• Shop all yo-yo jigs  |  Shop yellowtail lures  |  Shop all Salas

At 4.8 oz, the 7X Jr Heavy is the lightest yo-yo iron in the Salas lineup. That makes it the one most anglers should start with. Yo-yo fishing does not always mean 300 feet of water and a screaming current — a lot of the best yellowtail yo-yo bite happens over high spots, ridges, and hard bottom in moderate depth, and that is exactly where a 4.8 oz iron belongs. It gets down without overshooting the zone, and you can crank it back on tackle you already own.

The retrieve is the whole technique. Drop it to the bottom or to the meter marks where fish are showing, then wind as fast as you can turn the handle. The 7X Jr Heavy holds its swimming action at that speed instead of spinning out, and that fleeing, flashing profile is what makes a deep yellowtail commit. Fish that ignored bait all morning will turn and eat a fast-cranked iron.

Know the ceiling: at 4.8 oz this is not a heavy-current or long-range jig. If you are fishing deep banks, ripping current, or a long-range trip, step up to the 6X Heavy, 7X Heavy, or PL-68. The Jr Heavy is a day-trip yo-yo iron, and it is very good at that job.

Every 7X Jr Heavy is hand-cast and hand-painted in Southern California, so each one comes out slightly different. Small variations in finish and weight are normal and expected.

Where the 7X Jr Heavy shines

• Yellowtail holding on high spots, ridges, and hard bottom in moderate depth
• Day trips out of San Diego, Long Beach, and the local islands
• Fish marked below the surface that won’t come up for surface iron
• Light to moderate current, where a heavy iron would be overkill
• Bonito and barracuda that crash a fast-cranked iron
• Anglers new to yo-yo fishing who don’t own dedicated heavy gear yet

Which Salas iron should you throw?

The 7X Jr Heavy is the entry point into yo-yo fishing — the lightest of the four yo-yo irons. Go heavier as depth and current increase.

Width is measured at the belly, the jig’s widest point. Every Salas iron is hand-cast and hand-painted, so weights and dimensions vary slightly between units.

7X Jr Heavy or 6X Jr Heavy?

This is the question we get most, because both are 4.8 oz. The difference is profile, not weight. The 7X Jr Heavy is longer and slimmer at 5 3/8" × 1". The 6X Jr Heavy is shorter and stouter at 4 5/8" × 1". Match the bait: pick the 7X Jr Heavy when fish are on longer forage like sardine and mackerel, and the 6X Jr Heavy when they are on something shorter and thicker. If you are undecided, the longer 7X profile is the more common all-around choice for local yellowtail.

Also worth knowing: the 7X Jr Heavy and the surface-iron 7X Jr share the same 5 3/8" body. Same silhouette, 4.8 oz versus 2.1 oz. One drops, one stays up top.

Specifications

Because each jig is hand-made, weight and dimensions vary slightly unit to unit. Chrome is a plated finish offered as a separate option and is priced differently from the painted colors.

Picking a color

Down deep, light is scarce and contrast matters more than fine detail. Bright and high-contrast patterns generally out-produce subtle ones on the yo-yo.

Color availability changes constantly. Check the color menu above this description for what we can ship right now.

How to fish it

Drop it straight down — to the bottom, or to the depth where you are marking fish. As soon as it hits, start winding as fast as you can turn the handle and keep winding all the way to the boat. Do not pump the rod. Speed is what triggers the bite, and most of the strikes come partway up, not at the bottom.

If you feel the jig vibrating oddly or fluttering, it is spinning instead of swimming — usually a sign the line is twisted or the retrieve is uneven. Keep the wind steady and constant.

Recommended gear

• Rod: 7–8 ft fast-taper jig rod with enough backbone to pull fish off structure
• Reel: High-speed conventional, 6:1 or faster — retrieve speed is the technique
• Line: 40–50 lb for this weight class; heavier only if the structure demands it
• Leader: 40 lb fluorocarbon is a sensible default in clear water

Pro tips from the shop

• A slow reel will cost you fish. If you own one high-speed reel, this is what it is for.
• Expect the bite on the way up, often in the middle of the water column. Keep winding through it.
• Watch your line on the drop. Yellowtail will eat it falling, and the only tell is line going slack early.
• Start with Scrambled Egg if you have no other information. It has been the default deep yellowtail color here for decades.

Common mistakes

• Winding too slowly. The opposite problem from surface iron. Yo-yo is a speed technique — if your arm is not tired, you are going too slow.
• Pumping the rod. Wind steadily with the rod low. Pumping creates slack and kills the action.
• Buying it for deep, heavy-current spots. At 4.8 oz it will get swept. Move up to the 6X Heavy, 7X Heavy, or PL-68.
• Light drag over structure. A yellow that gets its head down will find the rocks. Lock up and turn it early.
• Packing it away wet. Rinse in fresh water and dry it fully before it goes back in the bag.

Frequently asked questions

Complete the setup

• Salas 7X Jr — same 5 3/8" body at 2.1 oz, for surface fishing
• Salas 6X Jr Heavy — same 4.8 oz, shorter and stouter profile
• Salas 6X Heavy — 6.4 oz when you need more depth and current
• Salas 7X Heavy — 8.1 oz for deep banks and heavy structure
• Shop all yo-yo jigs  |  Shop yellowtail lures  |  Shop all Salas

At 2.1 oz and 5 3/8 inches, the 7X Jr is the lightest iron Salas makes. That is the whole point of it. When the fish are keyed on small bait, when the water is flat and clear and they are looking at everything twice, or when you are throwing at calico over shallow kelp on light line, a full-size iron is simply too much jig. The Jr gives you the same proven 7X shape in a profile that finicky fish will actually eat.

The light weight changes how it fishes. It sinks slower, so it stays in the strike zone longer over shallow structure without hanging up. It swims with a tighter, quicker kick than the 3.5 oz 7X Light. And it is far more forgiving on lighter line and lighter rods — you do not need a full-size iron stick to throw it properly.

Be clear on the tradeoff: 2.1 oz will not cut wind and will not reach a boil at distance. On a breezy afternoon or when you need to reach the far side of a paddy, step up to the 7X Light. The Jr is a finesse tool, not a distance tool.

Every 7X Jr is hand-cast and hand-painted in Southern California, so each one comes out slightly different. Small variations in finish and weight are normal and expected.

Where the 7X Jr shines

• Calico bass over shallow kelp, boiler rock, and hard bottom
• Picky yellowtail that have refused a full-size iron
• Small bait — anchovies, small sardines, and micro forage
• Flat, clear, calm water where a big jig looks wrong
• Light-line and light-tackle setups, including smaller rods
• Barracuda and bonito working small bait on the surface

Which Salas iron should you throw?

The 7X Jr is the lightest option in the entire Salas lineup. If you need distance or wind-cutting weight, move up to the 7X Light. If the fish are holding deep and won't come up, you want a yo-yo iron instead.

Width is measured at the belly, the jig’s widest point. Every Salas iron is hand-cast and hand-painted, so weights and dimensions vary slightly between units.

Note the pairing: the 7X Jr and the 7X Jr Heavy share the same 5 3/8" body. Same profile, 2.1 oz versus 4.8 oz. One stays on top, one drops. If you like how the Jr shape looks in the water, the Heavy is the deep-water version of it.

Specifications

Because each jig is hand-made, weight and dimensions vary slightly unit to unit.

Picking a color

Match the bait first, then adjust for light and water clarity.

Color availability changes constantly. Check the color menu above this description for what we can ship right now.

How to fish it

Cast it, let it settle for a beat so it lands flat, then wind slow and steady with the rod tip low. You are looking for a wide, rolling side-to-side kick. If the jig is spinning or tracking flat, you are winding too fast — slow down until you feel it load the rod tip.

Because it is light, the Jr sinks slowly. That is an advantage over shallow kelp and boiler rock where a heavier iron would drop into the stringers and hang up. Let it sink longer when fish are showing below the surface, and keep it high and moving when calico are up in the canopy.

Recommended gear

• Rod: 7–8 ft moderate-action rod — you do not need a full-size iron stick to throw 2.1 oz
• Reel: Conventional in the 100–200 class, or a matched spinning reel
• Line: 20–40 lb mono, or braid with a mono top shot for stretch
• Leader: 20–30 lb fluorocarbon in clear water; heavier if you are pulling calico out of heavy kelp

Pro tips from the shop

• This is the jig you reach for after the full-size iron gets refused. Same spot, same cast, smaller profile — that switch alone restarts a lot of dead bites.
• Slow down. Light irons are easier to over-wind than heavy ones because you feel less resistance.
• Fish it over the kelp canopy, not through it. The slow sink is what lets you keep it above the stringers.
• Do not fight the wind with it. If you are struggling to reach fish, that is the 7X Light’s job.

Common mistakes

• Buying it for distance. At 2.1 oz this is the shortest-casting iron in the Salas line. Buy it for the profile, not the range.
• Throwing it on a heavy iron stick. A rod built for 6–8 oz will not load with 2.1 oz. Match the rod to the jig.
• Winding too fast. Kills the kick and turns the jig into a spinning tube.
• Straight braid to the jig. No stretch means pulled hooks. Run a mono top shot.
• Packing it away wet. Rinse in fresh water and dry it fully before it goes back in the bag.

Frequently asked questions

Complete the setup

• Salas 7X Light — 3.5 oz full-size surface iron for distance and wind
• Salas O Pop — 3.2 oz with a concave face for surface commotion
• Salas 7X Jr Heavy — same body, 4.8 oz, for when fish hold deep
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The PL-68 is the end of the line — 9.8 oz and 7 1/2 inches, the heaviest and by a clear margin the longest iron Salas makes. Nothing else in the lineup comes within an inch of it. This is the jig you bring when depth, current, or the size of the fish beats everything else in your bag.

Two things happen when you go this big. The obvious one is that it gets down and stays down: at 9.8 oz in a relatively narrow 1 1/8" body, the PL-68 cuts current and holds vertical where an 8.1 oz 7X Heavy starts sliding. The less obvious one is profile. That extra length is a genuinely bigger silhouette in the water, which matters when fish are eating full-size mackerel or larger forage — you are matching a bigger meal, not just fishing deeper.

This is a specialist. On a calm day over a local high spot it is more jig than the situation calls for, and you will wear yourself out cranking it. Bring it for the deep banks, the hard current, and the long-range trips where the alternative is not reaching the fish at all.

Every PL-68 is hand-cast and hand-painted in Southern California, so each one comes out slightly different. Small variations in finish and weight are normal and expected.

Where the PL-68 shines

• Deep banks and offshore high spots where lighter irons never reach the zone
• Hard current that sweeps 6–8 oz jigs off vertical
• Long-range trips and extended offshore runs
• Deep-holding tuna that will chase a fast-cranked iron
• Trophy yellowtail on structure that demands heavy tackle
• Days when fish are on larger forage and a bigger profile matters

Which Salas iron should you throw?

The PL-68 is the heaviest and longest iron in the line. If you are not fighting depth or current, one of the lighter yo-yo irons will fish better simply because you can work it longer.

Width is measured at the belly, the jig’s widest point. Every Salas iron is hand-cast and hand-painted, so weights and dimensions vary slightly between units.

PL-68 or 7X Heavy?

The 7X Heavy is 8.1 oz in a 6 3/8" body — not far behind on weight, but a meaningfully smaller profile. The PL-68 adds 1.7 oz and a full inch of length. If your problem is purely depth, the 7X Heavy handles most of it. If your problem is depth and current, or the fish are on big bait, the PL-68 is the honest answer. Most anglers buy the 7X Heavy first and add the PL-68 for long-range and extreme days.

Specifications

Because each jig is hand-made, weight and dimensions vary slightly unit to unit.

Options, hooks, and pricing

Salas irons are typically rigged with a heavy-duty treble hook. Some options ship with a single hook instead — on the PL-68, those options say so in the option name. Pricing varies between configurations, so check the option menu above this description for what is current.

Anglers pick a single hook for easier unhooking, less damage to fish they intend to release, and fewer tangles in the rail on a crowded boat. A treble gives more points of contact on a short-striking fish. Neither is universally better — it comes down to how and where you fish.

Picking a color

The PL-68 usually fishes deep, and down there light is scarce. Contrast and glow matter more than fine detail.

Color availability changes constantly. Check the option menu above this description for what we can ship right now.

How to fish it

Drop it straight down — to the bottom, or to the depth where you are marking fish. The moment it lands, wind as fast as you can turn the handle and keep winding all the way to the boat. Do not pump the rod. Speed triggers the bite, and most strikes come partway up rather than at the bottom.

At 9.8 oz you get down quickly even in current, which is the whole reason to fish it. The tradeoff is real: cranking this weight repeatedly is hard work, and most anglers get fewer drops per hour with it than with a 6X Heavy. Pick your moments — drop it when you are marking fish rather than searching blind.

Recommended gear

• Rod: Heavy fast-taper jig rod rated for 8–12 oz, with the backbone to turn fish off deep structure
• Reel: High-speed conventional, 6:1 or faster, with the capacity and cranking power for deep drops
• Line: 50–80 lb depending on depth, current, and how heavy the structure is
• Leader: 50–60 lb fluorocarbon; go heavier around rock and hard structure

Pro tips from the shop

• Do not fish it blind. Drop it on marks. At this weight you get a limited number of good drops before you are gassed.
• Undersized gear ruins it. A rod that will not handle 9.8 oz makes every drop a fight with your own tackle.
• Watch your line on the drop. At this weight fish frequently eat it falling, and the tell is line going slack early.
• Glow finishes benefit from a few seconds under a light before the drop.
• If you fish a crowded rail or release a lot of fish, the single tuna hook options are worth the difference.

Common mistakes

• Buying it as your first yo-yo iron. Start with a 4.8 or 6.4 oz jig. The PL-68 is a specialist for depth and current, not a general-purpose iron.
• Fishing it in moderate depth. It will catch fish, but a lighter iron works better and you will last longer.
• Winding too slowly. Yo-yo is a speed technique. If your arm is not tired, you are going too slow.
• Pumping the rod. Wind steadily with the rod low. Pumping creates slack and kills the action.
• Packing it away wet. Rinse in fresh water and dry it fully before it goes back in the bag.

Frequently asked questions

Complete the setup

• Salas 7X Heavy — 8.1 oz, the step down for deep water without extreme current
• Salas 6X Heavy — 6.4 oz, the everyday local yo-yo iron
• Salas 7X Jr Heavy — 4.8 oz for moderate depth and lighter current
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Every other iron Salas makes is a variation on weight. The O Pop is the one that changes the shape. It has a concave, cupped face on the nose — and at 1 3/8 inches across the belly it is the widest body in the entire Salas lineup. Those two things together mean it does something none of the others do: it pushes water.

That matters when yellowtail and dorado are up on top and competing. A standard surface iron catches their eye with flash and a side-to-side kick. The O Pop adds noise and surface disturbance to that — a bulge and a splash that pulls fish from further away and triggers the competitive grab. When there are fish everywhere but nothing is committing to a plain iron, this is the jig that changes the answer.

At 3.2 oz it sits between the 7X Jr and the 7X Light. That is a comfortable weight on standard iron tackle, and the wide body means it casts a little differently than a narrow jig of similar weight — it catches more air, so expect slightly less distance than the 3.5 oz 7X Light in a headwind.

Every O Pop is hand-cast and hand-painted in Southern California, so each one comes out slightly different. Small variations in finish and weight are normal and expected.

Where the O Pop shines

• Surface-feeding yellowtail busting bait on top
• Dorado around kelp paddies and floating structure
• Competitive, boiling fish where noise draws a crowd
• Choppy or textured water where a plain iron gets lost
• Bonito and barracuda in a feeding frenzy
• Days when fish are showing but refusing a standard surface iron

Which Salas iron should you throw?

The O Pop is the only Salas iron with a popping face. Everything else in the line is a weight and profile choice; this one is a different presentation entirely.

Width is measured at the belly, the jig’s widest point. Every Salas iron is hand-cast and hand-painted, so weights and dimensions vary slightly between units.

O Pop or 7X Light?

They are close in weight — 3.2 oz against 3.5 oz — so this is not a weight decision. The 7X Light is the standard surface iron: narrower body, longer casts, classic side-to-side swim. The O Pop trades a little casting distance for surface commotion. Throw the 7X Light first; switch to the O Pop when fish are up and competing but not eating a plain iron.

Specifications

Because each jig is hand-made, weight and dimensions vary slightly unit to unit.

Picking a color

Because the O Pop works on surface disturbance as much as appearance, color matters a little less here than on a plain iron. Match the bait, then adjust for light.

Color availability changes constantly. Check the color menu above this description for what we can ship right now.

How to fish it

You have two retrieves, and both work.

As a surface iron: cast it, let it settle, then wind slow and steady with the rod tip low. The cupped face makes it push a small bulge of water as it swims — more disturbance than a standard iron, same basic rhythm.

As a popper: keep the rod tip up and use short, sharp downward snaps between winds. Each snap makes the face grab water and throw a splash. Pause after the pop — fish frequently eat it while it sits still.

Start with the straight wind. If fish are boiling and ignoring it, switch to snaps. On a busy surface bite the noise is often the difference.

Recommended gear

• Rod: 7–8 ft moderate-action surface iron rod
• Reel: Conventional in the 100–300 class, or a matched spinning reel
• Line: 30–50 lb mono or a mono top shot — stretch matters on a surface strike
• Leader: 30–40 lb fluorocarbon in clear water; heavier around structure

Pro tips from the shop

• Pause after the pop. A lot of the bites come on the stall, not the snap.
• Carry one alongside a standard iron. The O Pop is a change-up, not usually the first jig on.
• The wide body catches air on the cast. Keep it low and flat into a headwind.
• Do not set the hook on the splash. Wait until you feel weight, then keep winding.

Common mistakes

• Fishing it deep. At 3.2 oz with a cupped face, this is a surface tool. It is not a yo-yo iron — if fish are holding down, switch to a yo-yo weight.
• Popping constantly. Too much noise pushes fish off. Mix pops with straight winding and pauses.
• Swinging at the boil. Surface strikes look dramatic and are easy to pull. Keep winding and let the rod load.
• Straight braid to the jig. No stretch means pulled hooks on a violent surface grab. Run a mono top shot.
• Packing it away wet. Rinse in fresh water and dry it fully before it goes back in the bag.

Frequently asked questions

Complete the setup

• Salas 7X Light — 3.5 oz standard surface iron for distance and classic action
• Salas 7X Jr — 2.1 oz for small bait and picky fish
• Salas 6X Heavy — 6.4 oz yo-yo iron for when fish hold deep
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