pitching rod

[matt a.]

What do you all use for pitching 1/8 th to 1/4 oz jigs? Was thinking something in the 6'6" range and medium light with a fast to extra fast tip. Does that wound about right....any other sugestions?

[KHedquist]

Mono or superline? Mono medium power St Croix Avid superline same rod but ML action 6 1/2' good length, either action, I would lean Sf tip

Kirt Hedquist NPAA #292 aka moreyes <'{{^}}< http://www.walleyecentral.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=106750

[Mattman]

6'6", 1/16 - 5/16 ounce rated, Fast action.

I'd step up to extra fast if a blank were available.


Matt Davis

Better to have and not need than to need and not have!

[matt a.]

Thanks, will be used with mono and one of those two St. Croix was exactly what I was thinking.....just don't have any around to see which I prefer.

[Seabass77]

I use a 6'3' croix m ex-fast and a 6'6" ML Croix fast for my jig fishing. I use the 6'3" for 3/8 and heavier. I love the 6'6" for pitching and just jigging in general. Great all around rod. Double duties well for rigging, bobbers, cranks, whatever.

[REW]

Matt,
All of the suggestions are great.
However, don't overlook the possiblity of using a "Light" action rod.

Especially in the higher modulus rods - like the Loomis GLX or the St. Croix Legend elite, the rods that are marked as "light" have an action that is similar to a medium light in other brands or models.

If you have problem in getting a good hook set, you will either have to go to a heavier action rod, or using a braid or super non stretch line.

A light action rod is particularly good for those days when the fish are really in a negative mood. i.e. with the light action rod, you will have the sensitivity as well as visual movement of the tip to see and sense those extremely tenative and very very very light bites.

The other thing to remember, for those very light biting fish - if you have a problem in setting the hook - you can do what we call lindy jigging. i.e. if you are using a very light action rod, and get a very very light bite - do the hesitation hook set. i.e. a count of 1-10 depending on the negative action of the fish. This will allow the fish to inhale the bait deep enough for a good hook set.

Take care
REW

[duckbutter]

I agree with REW on using lighter action rods for lighter jigs. When our bite slows and the fish are more tentative, we seem to have more success going smaller to 1/8 and even 1/16 oz jigs, and you need a light tipped rod to get more hookups. I have tried medium action rods with the lighter jigs, and I seem to get as many hits, but I think the fish can feel the resistance better with the stiffer tip. I have also noticed that using lighter jigs with bigger hooks results in more hookups.