Looking for your thoughts on a new jigging rod?

[slipbob]

I have been using a 7' ML Cabela's XML rod for a few seasons now which has been very good but I am looking at picking up a similair Fenwick HMG or maybe a St. Croix premier rod to try this spring. I use the rod for casting jigs from shore with a 1000 Stradic spooled with 6lb Fireline and don't want to spend more than maybe a $120 due to the fact that rods get broken easily climbing on rocks and up and down banks. Just wondering which rod you might think is the better option between the HMG or Premier or maybe another suggestion in that price range for a 6'6" or 7' ML. Thanks in advance for any input!

[slipbob]

I have been using a 7' ML Cabela's XML rod for a few seasons now which has been very good but I am looking at picking up a similair Fenwick HMG or maybe a St. Croix premier rod to try this spring. I use the rod for casting jigs from shore with a 1000 Stradic spooled with 6lb Fireline and don't want to spend more than maybe a $120 due to the fact that rods get broken easily climbing on rocks and up and down banks. Just wondering which rod you might think is the better option between the HMG or Premier or maybe another suggestion in that price range for a 6'6" or 7' ML. Thanks in advance for any input!

[K Gonefishin]

I have a 50 gift card from LL Bean and am also looking at a St Croix Premier in the 6'6 medium action, 2 piece, any thoughts on this rod??

Just going to use it for jiggin reef walleye and perch fishing maybe be used 10-15 times per year.

[K Gonefishin]

I have a 50 gift card from LL Bean and am also looking at a St Croix Premier in the 6'6 medium action, 2 piece, any thoughts on this rod??

Just going to use it for jiggin reef walleye and perch fishing maybe be used 10-15 times per year.

[REELMAN]

walleye angler rods from bass pro are a outstanding jiggin rod for the $$$$$$$$

[retire55]

I have two St Croix jigging rods. One is a one piece Legend Tournament (TWS66MLF) while the other is a one piece Premier (PS60MLF). Both are great rods. For pure vertical jigging, I prefer the Premier set up with a Stradic 1000 spooled with 8/3 Fireline.

[walleyehunterCO]

If I were you, I would go one step up into the Avid series. Those rods have a Lifetime warranty. Taken care of within 7-10 days. The Premiers have a 5 Year warranty. I have been fishing with the Avid rods for a while. They are great jigging rods. I stepped up this year to the Tourney Legends. Just got them today. Can't wait to use them.

[icedog]

For the two rods mentioned, the HMG is lighter and more sensitive so that would be my choice. Fenwicks medium light action would be what you want. I agree with the above poster about not going with the premier and bumping up to the Avid, but even at that I own both and would still go with the fenwick.

[icedog]

I forgot to mention other rods. With the advent of superlines many rods now have excellent sensitivity compared to rods of even 7 or 8 years ago. The bass pro shops line is a very good value and a quality product. The shimano compre series has really improved and their 6'3" may be a nice compliment to your stradic reel. Even scheels brand name top of the line rods were on sale last time I was there for $99 and that was a fantastic deal. So look around and get a feel for the balance of your setup and you'll find one you like.

[slipbob]

Thanks much for your input icedog and everyone else. I decided to try the Fenwick 7ft HMG ML one piece rod for $130! Ordered it from Cabela's this morning and the nice thing with them is I can always exchange it later on if I don't like it and try something else. The funny thing is I'll spend $180 on Tekota's to troll with but I just can't bring myself to spend that much on a rod. I have broken way too many rods over the years and there's nothing like hitting the rear power window switch of the car when you park at your fishing spot only to realize your $130 rod is sticking out of it and you hear that little crunch :banging:

[Master Angler]

You should also take a look at the new MagTouch rods from Cabela's. I have fished mine a couple times this year already and am amazed at how sensitive they are.

[AAN]

I have FEnwick, G Loomis, IMX and a number of other rods. for the last two years I have consistenly gravitated to the Fenwick Techna AV when I'm in difficult situations. For the money I think they are the best. I know several pros that use them and some aren't even sponsored by a rod company including Fenwick. But if you want to go to the $300 amount, I would say my St. Croix Legend Elite is tops even over my G Loomis for sensitivity.

[vlad]

I use a St.croix avid avs66lf with a stradic 1000 and 4lb p-line fluorocarbon for finicky colorado reservoir walleyes. You cant beat St.croix rods, I just wish they would do customs...

[extreme1]

Fenwick makes a good stick and I am sure you will be happy with it. Most of these other guys are right thou...St. Croix makes awesome sticks. I own around 15 rods and 10 of them are Croix's. All of them are good, but like other said, the Legend elite's are awesome...I think I can feel the fish thinking about biting with these rods :). Most other sticks are also made in China...which turns me off.

[slipbob]

I received my Fenwick a while ago and I'll get a chance to try it out soon when our walleye season opens here in NY this coming Saturday. Like you said the only thing that I don't like is the "Made in China" label on it but it was in my price range for a shore fishing stick and if I don't like it I'll send it back to Cabelas and exchange it for something else.

[pike50plus]

Diawa Light series rods:

TL-631-3FS M F 6'3" 1 6 - 14 1/8 - 3/4 6

Finesse Spinning Jig Head
TL-701-3FS M F 7' 1 6 - 14 1/8 - 3/4 7
TL-721-2FS

[alluma1]

I did not like the Premier rods. I have a Fenwick HMG that is Better then my Premier. I like my avid rod the best. That is more Money However.