Center Drag Reels

[TVMan]

I'm thinking about getting an abu-garcia CD4 center drag spinning reel. Will use it for jigging. Good Idea?....
Also, what should I look for in a good walleye jigging rod, one that will balance well with the cd4. (Length, action, power, etc.)...feel free to post a rod model number/manufacturer (I like st. croix.)

thanx

[TVman]

(add to my "cd4" post)
I also like berkley lightning rod classic or signiture series....can you recommend these for jigging?

[eyedoktr]

Be sure to check the reel on the rod you will be using it on. I looked at the center drags and what kept me from buying one was the weight.....they're heavy. I ended up with the Shakespeare Catera and love it. It even has one more ball bearing than the CD-4.

[Jim O]

I think that the center drags generally give you more drag disc and better life than a rear drag. I am not certain, but it would be worth asking your sales people.
Jim Ordway

[waterfowler]

I think you're gonna have a hard time finding a rod that balances well with this reel. It is extremely heavy compared to other reels with the same line capacity. I would go to a store and hold that reel along with any 2000 series shimano and you'll notice a large weight difference.

Rods, I would go with a St. Croix avid 7' medium with a fast tip for throwin jigs. If you never throw anything heavier than 1/4, go with the medium light. IMHO.

[Dunn]

The CD-4 Reel works just fine for jigging and with the 7' St. Croix Avid rod it works great for vertical jigging and pitching jigs. The weight is a bit heavy and it is hard to find a rod that balances perfect with these reels, but the quality of the reel itself is great, and you just might have to settle for a slightly unbalanced rod/reel combo. The 7' St. Croix Avid with the CD-4 is unbalanced, but not much at all. To the point where it's hardly noticable.

Good luck,
----------------
Marshall J. Dunn
Bluewater Research, Inc.
(OffShore Release)
N.P.A.A. # 701

[chadk66]

I'll agree with the above posts on the weight of the reel. But one thing to consider is where the weight is located on the real. The center drags weight is all in the center of the reel right on the center of gravity. Therefore while fishing I have no problem with the balance or weight when attached to a rod. I have mine teamed up with a Berkley Serios one 6' medium action rod for jigging and think it is a pretty good pair. However, I do like my fin-nor reals better overall. Excellent drag and are very light weight for casting.