Jigging Rods

[Kevin/CO]

OK, well I am not yet looking at a brand or model of rod but I am looking for characteristics that a good jigging rod should have, so help me out here guys.

[SkeeterBoy]

Kevin; My jigging rods are 5'9"-6' medium actions and both have extra fast tips. I feel the exra-fast tip gives me a better hook set. Brand name? Fig-Rig. Exceptional rods...Good luck...SkeeterBoy

[PJM]

Kevin

I do alot of jig fishing and I have used G-Loomis rods for years and had very good luck with them. They make a couple models a 721 and a 722. The 721 has a softer tip and the 722 is a stiffer tip. Both rods are 6ft and I like the 721 for lindy rigs. They have them is IMX and GL3 I believe still. The rods have a good warranty if you brake one.

[PJM]

Kevin

I do alot of jig fishing and I have used G-Loomis rods for years and had very good luck with them. They make a couple models a 721 and a 722. The 721 has a softer tip and the 722 is a stiffer tip. Both rods are 6ft and I like the 721 for lindy rigs. They have them is IMX and GL3 I believe still. The rods have a good warranty if you brake one. I like a stiffer tip when jigging a 1/4 jig because with a softer tip to me it dosen't feel like you are moving it. I do alot of rip jigging.

[PJM]

Kevin

I do alot of jig fishing and I have used G-Loomis rods for years and had very good luck with them. They make a couple models a 721 and a 722. The 721 has a softer tip and the 722 is a stiffer tip. Both rods are 6ft and I like the 721 for lindy rigs. They have them is IMX and GL3 I believe still. The rods have a good warranty if you brake one. I like a stiffer tip when jigging a 1/4 jig because with a softer tip to me it dosen't feel like you are moving it. I do alot of rip jigging.

[PJM]

Kevin

I do alot of jig fishing and I have used G-Loomis rods for years and had very good luck with them. They make a couple models a 721 and a 722. The 721 has a softer tip and the 722 is a stiffer tip. Both rods are 6ft and I like the 721 for lindy rigs. They have them is IMX and GL3 I believe still. The rods have a good warranty if you brake one. I like a stiffer tip when jigging a 1/4 jig because with a softer tip to me it dosen't feel like you are moving it. I do alot of rip jigging.

[PJM]

Kevin

I do alot of jig fishing and I have used G-Loomis rods for years and had very good luck with them. They make a couple models a 721 and a 722. The 721 has a softer tip and the 722 is a stiffer tip. Both rods are 6ft and I like the 721 for lindy rigs. They have them is IMX and GL3 I believe still. The rods have a good warranty if you brake one. I like a stiffer tip when jigging a 1/4 jig because with a softer tip to me it dosen't feel like you are moving it. I do alot of rip jigging.

[Todd_NE]

Kevin,

There is no one perfect rod, but usually two will get you buy.

My preference is to have one 5'6" - 6' rod (I use mainly 5'9"). Shorter rods give you more "conrol", and move the jig less on the sweep. I like a soft tip, extra fast action, and good backbone - typically a medium or medium lite action in most manufacturers repertoire. This rod is for my 1/8-5/8 oz jigging in 5-30 feet, good all around rod.

The second rod would be longer (6'6"-7') with a similar action. This for me would be used in deeper water where a better hookset, control, and leverage is needed.

A third rod for me is a small "lite" rod that is short and soft that I use for small jigs in very cold water. More subtle movement and more "give" to the fish.

Your decision also can be influenced by superlines. I would recommend a softer rod for fireline, etc. I've found the St. Croix Avids to be great mono rods and actually use older Premier's for fireline - my preference regardless of cost.

A big factor for me is the type of handle. I reallllllly prefer thin handled rods, I can't stand a real thick handle, I find them uncomfortable. You may also experiment with balance weights to keep the rod "neutral" in your hands. Handle length is also a personal preference, I like short handles.

good luck

todd

[eyepopper]

Kevin,

I concur with everything Todd sez, except I prefer a long handle on my jiggin' rods. A long handle, when supported by the forearm, will give you more leverage during a hookset, dealing with snags, and while fighting whoppers. Additionally, it helps keep the wrist from getting sore during a marathon day on the water.

[Hunter]

I use a 6'spinning rod with stiff lower end, and very sensitive tip, early in the year. Early may I change to a baitcasing rod that was made for casting muskie baits 6'6 very stiff with a pretty sensitive tip. I find it easier to make small lifts with this rod. This extra stiff rod hasnt hurt my fishing, I believe this rod is the reason I can Know tell when my stinger pops out. There is not one perfect rod, it is what is most comfortable to you, and what is comfortable for you may not be for someone else. When you go to buy a new rod, ask to put the same type of reel on you use. If they wont let you do it, go somewhere else.

[Jim K]

I've jig fished the Mississippi River for many years. For me it's been my bread and butter presentation.

Years ago Cabala's sold a rod called "Eazytouch",it was excellent. The most important characteristic of this rod was that it had an extremely limp tip, yet about a foot down it became very stiff. This enabled me to see (looking at the rod tip) or feel the lightest of bites BEFORE THE FISH FELT OR SENSED ME, and THAT is the most important part of jig fishing. With the stiff part of the rod I could then set the hook with real authority.

I think Cabala's discontinued the rod because they probably had many tips break off, but the idea was supurb.

What I'd suggest is, take any inexpensive rod of your choice, as long as it's stiff, and attach a very sensitive ice fishing rod (cut the handle off) by wiring (I use wire fishing line) and taping (black electricians) them together. (I'm sure there's plenty of purist that are now groaning but.....). I've done this, and it works! I'd be hard pressed to jig fish any other way. Notice, I didn't say anything about what the rod blanks should be made of, and that's because it just doesn't matter.

It doesn't look real pretty but it diffinately out produces normal rods.

Good luck!

[delgue]

Hunter, Wow, what a great idea.
-- Winter bites on the river are often way way soft, i once jigfished side by side with 2 guys,one had a Loomis 720,i and the other had a loomis 721-all used 1/8 or 1/4 oz bucktails with minnow,skill or concentrationlevels being equal,the 720 outfished us nearly 2 to 1--to get a feel for what a topofline jig pole feels like, and the seemingly small difference(but big difference) in models, go to a store where they have those particulare Loomis models, rig em up with a few feet of line,put on a 1/4 or 1/8 oz jig, its not the same as on the water,but you can feel the diff. Theres alot of good jig rods out there, you dont have to spend Loomis money to get them,Bass Pro has the extreme series for less than $70 bucks, St. Croix makes a great series of jig rods-on and on, ive caressed a FigRig at a number of shows, but i got too many rods as it is.--and now, heck, ive got lots of poles too stiff for light jigging, but no more! Im gonna tape on some ice fishing rods to em-i will bet there is a science to that too! Hunter save me a learning curve, exactly how do You attach that ice pole? too bad this site doesnt support diagrams-:)

[Delgue]

Oops, i meant Jim K, credit where credit is due--Jim what pools do you fish?

[Jim K]

Delgue,
I started fishing Pool 2 in 1987. I live 10 minutes from the ramp. What a fishery it was! It's not any thing like it use to be, but I can still stumble accross an eye or two. The last couple years I've fished area lakes, what a fun puzzle Lake Minnetonka is.

Anyway, there's nothing special about attaching an ice fishing rod. When the thought dawned on me, all I could find in the house was some old fishing wire, after overlapping the rods by about a foot (this leaves about a foot for jigging) I wrap the wire about 10 times and twist about 5 times, make it tight. Do this in about 4 different spots. Wrapping with tape helps keep the rod from twisting and also keeps your line from getting caught in the wire.

You can experiment with how sensitive an ice fishing rod you want to use. The one I use now (I think it's ultralight) works best with an 1/8oz jig. A 1/4oz'r puts a pretty fair bend in the tip when just hanging.

Your right about using an old rod you have laying around (We all have them). Mine was an old Abu Garcia cheapy that I first started fishing with. Works great!

Hope this helps. Good luck!

[delgue]

That is excellent--im gonna rig up a couple for next weekend and crappie fishing to test it out.