Salas 7X Light Surface Iron Jigs

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's 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 drives yellowtail crazy.

At 3.5 oz and 6.5 inches, the 7X sits in a 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 — critical when yellows are being picky or water temps are running on the cooler side. 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 are this versatile.

Hand-cast and hand-painted by Matt Salas right here in Southern California, every 7X comes out slightly different — that's not a flaw, it's the point. The imperfect finishes and slight weight variations are part of what gives this jig its character on the water. Don't expect flawless factory paint. Expect a fish-catching iron built by someone who actually fishes.

Where it shines

• Yellowtail around Catalina and the Channel Islands kelp structure
• Kelp paddy fishing from La Jolla to Ensenada and beyond
• Coastal kelp forest edges when fish are pushing bait to the surface
• Baja sessions targeting yellowtail, dorado, and tuna on the iron

Rigging notes: Fish it on 30–50 lb fluorocarbon depending on conditions. In clear, calm water off Catalina or the islands, drop to 30–40 lb for more natural action. In Baja or around structure, don't be afraid to go heavier. Hook is pre-attached — ready to fish out of the package.

Made in Southern California. Proven from San Diego to Cabo.