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I need a jig rod guys, but I have no idea what I want. There are so many rods out there I can't decide what I want. I dont jig fish much so I dont wanna spend an arm and a leg. Looking at Kistlers, but dont know anybody who has them. Any help is much appreciated. Thanks.
First, we need to know what kind of jig you will be throwing. Casting jig, flippin jig, football jig, finesse jig?
There are many different actions that can suit the applications you are wanting.
I have 3. First, Shimano Crucial 6'10"H fast action for flippin jigs (3/8 - 1oz.). Also, Shimano Cumara 7'2"M extra fast action for casting jigs (1/4 - 1/2oz). Lastly, Shimano Cumara 7'2" MH extra fast action for football jigs (3/8 - 1oz).
A good all around rod is the Shimano Cumara 7'2"MH fast action. You can downsize line if you need to, and the rod still has a limber tip to accommodate for lighter lines.
I'm sure some other guys will have more inputs as well........
Cumara 7'2 (extra fast tip)can't be beat as far as jig rods are concerned for all around use.
I was in the same shape as you (had a thread above yours) ... Was looking at Loomis IMX, GLX, Cumara, St. Croix
I think I have found a winner ... Custom made 7' Heavy (G Loomis IMX blank), I am pretty excited about
Having other rods that I have fished jigs with, I would suggest a lengthier rod, hence the reason I am moving to the 7' as oppossed to a 6'6''
If you are looking for a good, inexpensive rod I have a St. Croix Mojo 6'6'' Jig N' Worm rod that I like, it is a MH but I havent had any trouble with it, but I texas rig more with it than I jig with it
I agree with what was said above about depending on the jig. Heavy cover jigs have a thick weedguard and heavy wire hook so you need a at least a heavy action rod and the longer the better to get through the guard and drive the thick hook in. A good hookset for this kind of jig is more about about how much line you can move through the water. Same principal for long casts, which is typical if your fishing open water or really clear water, the more line you can move the better. I use a 7' heavy and a 7'6" heavy for these apps. Finesse jigs have a lighter weedguard and usually a medium wire hook. I use a 7' MH fast for this.
See what you think about a Shimano Clarus. $69.99/lifetime warranty. I have several 7'6" jig rods & this is a very good rod for the money.
I have 3 Loomis rods 2 7' HM IMX rods that I use for jigs and worms and 1 8' GL2 heavy rod that I use for flipping. All of these rods are spiral wrapped and are excellent.
Currently I am building 3 American Tackle rods. They are lighter and I was told that they are more sensitive. I will let you know when I get a little on the water experimentation.
I don't think there is that much difference between Loomis and Shimano now that they bought Loomis out.
I did hear that Gary Loomis is starting his own line of rods again real soon. How much truth there is to that I don't know. I hope this helps. Ryan
[QUOTE=Shimano4Life;398736]First, we need to know what kind of jig you will be throwing. Casting jig, flippin jig, football jig, finesse jig?
There are many different actions that can suit the applications you are wanting.
I have 3. First, Shimano Crucial 6'10"H fast action for flippin jigs (3/8 - 1oz.). Also, Shimano Cumara 7'2"M extra fast action for casting jigs (1/4 - 1/2oz). Lastly, Shimano Cumara 7'2" MH extra fast action for football jigs (3/8 - 1oz).
A good all around rod is the Shimano Cumara 7'2"MH fast action. You can downsize line if you need to, and the rod still has a limber tip to accommodate for lighter lines.
I'm sure some other guys will have more inputs as well........[/QUOTE]
All excellent choices...went through the same problem myself this past fall. I ended up with a Falcon Cara T7 finesse jig special, b/c I throw a lot of 1/4 & 3/8 oz. jigs. But something else to consider is how hard your hook set is (compared to at least a few people) and what line you use. I prefer flouro for jigs, but if you have a heavy hookset, watch heavy action rods. The slightest defect in your line will cause a break. I use a MH action usually with 17 lbs. flouro (depending on conditions) b/c of invisibility. I'm sure there are some guys on here that prefer braid--little stronger, just doesn't blend as well IMO. Typically I'd say MH with flouro, H with braid. But either way, definetly get something with a fast tip--looking for backbone in the jig rod.
I would suggest a BPS Carbonlite rod (on sale right now for either $80 or $90)--guys I work with at BPS really love it. There's also an American Rodsmith rod I actually just looked at today at A2O in Clarksville, IN, that's like $80 too. Looked and felt great, but didn't really need one. Hope this helps a little.
G Loomis GLX, you'll never put it down. Although it is high dollar, I think you get what you pay for
Find yourself a rodbuilder to build you a rod on a St. Croix 5C70MHF rod blank, have him do what is called a spiral wrap and use 3.5mm Micro running guides. It will be very light and extremely sensistive. I have two and love them for both casting and pitching jigs. You can buy this rod as a factory rod but it's not as light or as sensitive as the custom built one.