What Kind Of Rod For Is Best For Jigging

[fishandhunt1]

I am looking for imput on the best rod and reel setup for jigging with 1/8 to 1/4 oz. jig heads. I fish below Gavins point dam and Pickstown. I have done very little jigging so I am open for any suggestions. I like Lindy Riggen and Bottom bouncing but not much on jigging. Thanks in advance for the help. I want to spend about $150 for the setup. Larry

[Beach]

I use a Shimano Sahara 1000 on a St. Croix 5'6" Meduim power, fast action PS56MF. Mostly vertical jigging in anywhere from 15' of water to 40'. Always does the trick. Get feel from the rod. Hope this helps. :D

[Keith Kavajecz]

Since you will most likely be vertical jigging below a dam, you will want to use an very sensative rod. I consider river fish as "samplers". As things drift by they suck them in their mouths, sample them and then either eat it or spit it. A bite happens very quickly and you have to react quickly to get a hookset. That said, I would choose at least an IM-8 rod (45 million modulus), the more modulus the lighter the rod and the more sensative the blank. Combine that with a small, lightweight reel (something in a "10" size). Lastly I use no stretch Fireline 6-2 (6 pound test, 2 lb diameter). Because it is no stretch you will have much greater sensativity, but the no stretch will also make it a little harder to fight in the fish without tearing the jig out of it's mouth, for that reason I use a Medium Light action rod. If you want to use mono (say 6XL), then I'd go with a medium action. In the Walleye Angler Signature series of rods - from Bass Pro - the WX60MLJS rod - 6 foot medium light action IM8 will run you 69.99, add on a Plueger Supreme PSP10F reel for 69.99 and you have a great river jigging combo.

Good Walleye Fishing

Keith Kavajecz

[Johnnie Candle]

I would go with the Series one by Berkley. Try a 6 foot rod, medium light. Put a new Abu Garcia Ascent reel on it and for $139 you will have an unbeatable combo.

This is the combination I used at the PWT Championship last fall and I loved it. Give it a try,

Keep the line tight,

Johnnie Candle

[Heye5]

I like a 6' to 61/2' ft. med. action rod with a fast tip and a spinning reel spooled with either hi-vis mono or fireline. Infinite anti-reverse is a plus for the reel. Get the most sensitive rod you can find in your price range and get a reel that balances well with it.

Heye5

[mnjimcarp]

661 fiber max rod by "Fig Rig". www.figrigrods.com this is a 6'6" rod that has very fast action for baits in the 1/16 to 3/8 oz. size.
check out the site and call or email kevin with your questions and orders. i like the 1000 size shimano reels for this rod. good fishing. jim c

[eyeswon]

I use a 6ft6in GL3 Lomas . Works for me..

[s.f.]

keith is so right when he so well describes the river fish as "samplers", therfore needing optimum sensitivety from the rod to your hands. i use the the wristsaver rods with the st. croix blanks that meet the "kavajejcz standard". even better, these rods have an aluminum core in the handle that resonates even more subtle strikes than the other rods on the market that have the blank run through the handle. and of course, the revolutionary wristsaver design puts your grip of the rod and comfortable position of your hand/wrist in the best fish detecting position that exists with spinning rods.
now, how's that for a commercial!? try it! you'll like it...
www.wristsaverrods.com

#49

[rich]

One that catches fish.

[s.f.]

i never had a fish bite on the rod yet...what color works best?lol lol

#49

[tj1n]

I prefer the fenwick HML in 6' med light action with fireline 6lbs/2lbs. diameter. I also spend alot of time on this same river system and the bite is minimal so you've got to have sensitivity with a quick hook set. The rod is important, but the combo can make all the difference make sure whatever rod you decide on, you combo it with the right reel.

Travis J.

[Cangl]

An option you might consider if your fishing serious weight and current 1/2 ounce and above would be a short medium to medium heavy baitcaster with a reel with a flipping switch, when alot of transom steering by hand is going on or quick bottom drops the switch keeps the drop to a one handed deal. On the other hand Flipping switches with trolled rigs can put fish in the boat. Seen days where I'd double up just by pushing "back" at trailing fish, when the reel would reingage it set the hook for me, doubles mind you and never taking the rods out of the holders.

[walleyechieftain]

more i'd spend. a lot more. find a good fishing hole and the rod and reel dont matter. it's the touch....just the touch...a soft....6 inch lift...any lug....and back it up with a slow steady lift.....who needs a 150 dollar r&r?

[Slacker]

The longer the rod you can get away with, the better off you will be in my opinion.

Inevitably (and desirably), you will have slack line when jigging. A long rod takes up that slack quicker.

I like a 6'6" St. Croix, ML, for most jigging but go with a 7'6" Steel Head rod for deeper fishing.

With verticle jigging, you can get away with a shorter rod because the slack can be pick up within a split second if you kind of shadow the jig down with the rod tip on its descent.

good fishing