Best Jigging Rod

[Wurch1]

I'm in the market for a new jigging rod. I use mostly 1/8-1/2 ounce jigs in rivers and lakes. I would like the price to be no higher than $100.00. Idealy, a G-Loomis would be great, but they want 200 bucks and I'm just a poor college student. I would appreciate any ideas.

[Osprey]

Quarrow makes some nice rods at a decent price. They have a good selection of actions as well. Some of the Bass Pro XPS rods are pretty nice too. If your vertical jigging I'd go with a med.-med./hv. action 6'-6'6" spinning rod. Before you buy anything I'd try to pick one up and hold it with a reel that weighs the same as the one your going to be using on it. I feel that the way a rod balances has alot to do with how sensitive it will feel. Personaly I don't like a rod thats too front heavy. It takes some of the feeling out of a bite and it's also tiring to hold up. Picking a new rod is one of those things that you just can't tell some though. My partner hates my rod and I don't like his much. I guess it's each to his own or what you get used to.

Good luck in your search

"Osprey"

[Reels]

Take a look at the St. Croix Premier. Good sensitve rod with good hook setting backbone. Right around $90 I think.

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[SLIPKNOT]

I would look at gander mountain's IM-8 series. They are very nice rods and right now you can get them for around $45. A 6'6" med action should do the job for you. Good luck!

[John]

More good reasonable options would be the Berkley Series One jigging rods, or Bass Pro's Walleye Angler jigging rods, both under $100.

[tj1n]

My favorites under $100 for jigging:

BassProSeries HM85 - $99

BassProSeries HM54 - $55

Scheels Outfitter -
Best - $150
Second - $100
Third - $60 (All three of these rods use St. Croix blanks.)

These rods are very comparable in each price range. I'd go with the one that you can buy closest to your region just for ease of purchase and warranty. For this reason I use the Scheels series. I have one of the BPS HM85 rods and like it very well and is very easy to balance as the handle is prefitted with threads for weights.

Good Luck, oh an by the way Scheels has their big sale coming 5/5/02

Travis J.

[LIZRD]

yep, i agree 6' med. or 6'6" med./hvy st.croix good rods
i have a couple bass pro rods and like them, most graphite
rods are heavy to the front so yea the balancers in the handle
work great.

[River_eye]

I use a St. Croix Avid rod, but they are a bit pricey. I've tried the Series 1 rods by Berkely and they impressed me so much I almost regretted not buying one instead of the St. Croix.

[brian1785]

Where can you find the Berkely Series One rods? Are they sold in catalogs like Cabelas or do you have to order them from the factory?
Thanks.

[SUPERTROLLER]

Berkley Lightening Rod Classic is a Gary Roach signature Seies rod for 50.00, or a Fenwick HMX for 60.00. Both are very good rods for the money. I own one of each and have never been dissapointed.