Baitcaster For Vertical Jigging?

[Heye5]

I am considering trying a baitcast outfit for vertical jigging and would like opinions on what works. I'm thinking of going with a left hand crank reel although I'm right-handed and will be holding rod in right hand simply because I am more comfortable setting the hook that way and am used to left hand retrieve of spinning reels. I would like to spool with fireline and would be jigging anything from 1/8 to maybe an ounce. I'm not real familiar with baitcast features. What should I look for in a reel? Any brand preferences?
Also what action, length, and tip do I need in a rod? Hard for me to tell what I'm getting when rod description just says "medium action". Will be doing most jigging from bow of boat (1750 fishhawk) Any input muchly appreciated.
HEYE5

[Dutchman]

I've found that a spinning reel with infinate anti reverse works best for me with this type of application. Baitcasters seem to get fouled up with super light jigheads. I like a 6'-6'6" medium rod with a fast tip. Just my preference...


" Fishing is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope "

[Terry/JNR]

This is the best way to verticle jig. The one thing thats important for this set up is not just a baitcast reel, but a flippn' reel. The use of the flippin switch will alow you to keep the jigs in the depth you want with one hand operation. As with any reel, to come up, you have to turn the handle. It's easy to learn how to turn the handle on your knee if you 2 handed jig, or you're eating lunch. Unfortunatly, Shimano doesn't make a good one any more, but Quantum and Diawa still do. I like to use a 7ft medium or medium light action rod with Power Pro 10/2 line. You can also use the same outfit for longline trolling but you'll want to use a little heavier line. I use 6/20 powerpro.

[CJHughes]

You are on the right track , Left hand is a must also flippin is nice. I don't use fireline , I jerk to hard and it is hard on your shoulders . 8 lb mono wotks for everything but strippers . I use a Falcon 7ft with a fast tip but most of the time I don't jig anything heavier than 1\2 oz . The left hand reel will keep you from switching hands after you set the hook and the flippin reel will enable you to set the hook with the release of the thumb. I would go with the smallest and lightest reel you can get you don't need much line . I vertical jig in less than 4 ft of water for walleyes , man what a fight when you hook anything over three pounds that shallow.

[Heye5]

Spinning gear w/infinite anti-reverse is what I've been using, guess I should have stated that in my post. I just find it somewhat a pain to constantly have to open the bail to keep contact with bottom and close it to gain the advantage of the infinite anti-reverse again. This frustration compounds when trying 2 rods at once. Plus I sometimes find myself saying "I probably should have set the hook" on one rod or the other a day late and a dollar short. Guess I am kind of a klutz with the two things at once deal.
Thanks for the reply.
Heye5

[youngeye]

A good baitcaster for vertical jigging is that SHIMANO CASTAIC, it has a flipping switch and the real is also a good caster if you choose to use it this way. I also use this real for bottom bouncing as it has the flipping feature.

Youngeye
IA

[steve(WY)]

Although I love and have collected a number of Diawa PS2-5B's in left hand crank - they have been discontinued. Low profile Quantum's in lefty can be found on sale for $40 -$80. I do a lot of three way pulling and heavy vertical jigging in spring with this type of reel on a fairly stiff rod. After the spawn, I switch the reel to a softer tip rod for pulling bouncers and flat lining. The Quantums perform pretty well as casting reels for cranks and such/bass fishing. No need to fall for the Shimano hooplah. I own a big bucket full of bait casting type reels(including Shimanos) and am speaking from firsthand experience

[Esox7]

I have had good success with the garcia 5600 w/ thumbar. It comes in right or left hand retrieve with 3.8/1 or 6.3/1 retrieve.The 6.3/1 is great for picking up slack line. Esox7.

[Cangl]

Info Dutchman gave you on baitcasters and light jigs is correct to use lighter jigs stay with the spinning set up and the reel underneath. The baitcasters come in real handy when your swinging a lot of lead, a "steak" or both. The switch should be easy for you to find and use even if you should leave it locked the whole season, I prefer the push/slide lever, ABU, Diawa and there are others out there. A good size thumbar is essential you will be using it alot.
A pistol grip is nice also especiaaly with short 5.5 to 6ft rods and quick wrist action. You can rest a longer handle up your fore arm with the reel upside down also but I find that uncomfortable and a pain to find the handle. Medium to Medium heavy action rod with .5 ounce on up is slick.

[SUPERTROLLER]

I've got a couple Diawa's for vertical jigging, casting, and pulling bouncers. Make sure you get the flipping switch on whatever brand you buy. Make sure it has a thumbar release. Right or left hand is totally your preference. I also like a long handle rod to lay along my forearm when constantly working the heavier weights for jigging spoons that we use most often. (Hopkins spoons) This style of handle will work best in a rod holder if using it with bouncers too. When vertical jigging, use only one rod. We used to be two rod users too but found it was far more important to fish one rod well than two rods like a Chinese fire drill. Adjusting two rods over drastically changing depths seemed to distact us from the job at hand. What we do instead is drag a deadstick bait instead so we can keep two rods in the water when allowed. We catch just as many/(few?) as we did before.

[steve(WY)]

The Garcia's are great reels, but a bit heavy. I prefer the low profile types

[Nofish]

Howdy Heye5,

Shhhhhhhhhhhhh! Youre givin away secrets!!! LOL!

Yes, a baitcaster is great for verticle jigging. Depth control is much easier than with spinning equipment.

Get a reel with a flippin switch. When the depth increases, you touch the thumb bar/button and drop out a little line. Remove your thumb and the spool is already engaged.

If the bottom comes up you may be able to take up line just by rolling the spool with a finger. Fast depth rises means you will still have to crank in some line.

I generally use baitcasters with heavy jigs and 3 ways.

Have fun...........R

[Tbone]

Do you guys notice any increase in wrist fatigue? I actually use a baitcaster about half the time, but I have never been as comfortable holding it as with a spinning model.

[steve(IL)]

I agree w/ supertroller about fishing one rod well is better than fishing two poorly - but would add this. Use your bowmount TM to follow contours/try to keep yourself at the same depth. Doing so accomplishes a few things: 1) prevents constant changes to line length 2) teaches you the shape of the basin/river bend/pool/etc - helps you identify pockets 3)lets you be scientific - work 7'-9' first, then 9'-11' and so on.

[Cangl]

With a shorter rod you get less fatigue, but as for fatigue with me its not that much of a matter I as of yet have not noticed it. The wrist snap is real nice and that's were the "loads" become a problem especially when you get that bugger 4-5 off bottom and it goes right back down and downstream. But that's a problem I can deal with ;) Cork grips are the warmest also, and only the 5.5 and 6fts offer them. This is a one hand deal with the left hand on the troller it can get pretty hairy and we still stay on the fish.

[FJH1]

Go with spinning. I've experimented with baitcasters and unless you are using very heavy jig heads it's tough to get the line to pay out as nicely as with a spinning reel.

Best Regards,

FJH

[SUPERTROLLER]

Hey Cowboy, what's with the Ill. designation behind your name? Thought you were a full fledged Cowboy out in Wyoming now? Did you go through another job change and I've just missed it?

[HEYE%]

Hey,NOFISH.....
The secrets I give away and $1.50 might..might get you a beer during happy hour! Appreciate the input I'm getting from all you folks on this. Guess it's something Im just going to have try to satisfy my curiosity. You get this bug and it won't go away. Also never tried PowerPro. Well, there goes the budget again!
HEYE5

[Heye5]

Oops
Reply to NOFISH should have Said HEYE5 not HEYE%. Told you I was a klutz!
HEYE5

[FJH1]

When we need more line out we just pull some off the spool against the drag instead of opening the bail. You should see (or hear) a tournament on the Illinois River sometime, people constantly ripping line against the drag. Believe me it works great, much easier than opening the bail, and more precise (you don't let out TOO much line).

Best Regards,

FJH

[T-Mac]

Yeah, I agree, Dutchman,... and they don't balance as well either. On the plus side, however, I have been able to feel fish smacking the jig on the drop as I was getting back down to the bottom after a "reel up" better than I can with a spinning reel with an open bail letting the jig back down. (You know... like when you can't really watch the line closely, all the way back down after re-baiting or unhooking a fish...for whatever reason).