Jig rod?

[QUOTE=cooter 33;469062]How do you like the ardent 700? Can you still cast with that reel?[/QUOTE]


It was a little weird at first, but yes you can. Sometimes the line will dig in if you get hung up and the next time you cast it will not work properly, but for the most part it works good. If you backlash it, however, it is screwed. You will probably have to put new line on it if that happens.

For my heavier jigs I use a 6' 10" mh Team Daiwa rod made for jigging with 20# fluoro line on an XPS Pro Qualifier baitcaster. For lighter applications I like my XPS Prolite finesse set-up. Its an XPS 6' 6" ML Prolite rod and a Prolite Finesse baitcaster that will cast a light jig a country mile. I use 10# fluoro on this set-up, so I try not to get it too deep into the dense stuff. Both of these rods/reels were very affordable, running about $170 for the Prolite and about $190 for the TD/Pro Qualifier. Good luck with whatever you go with.

If your looking to save some money and still have a nice quality rod look into the new rods by Abu Garcia, the Vendetta and the Veritas, are both great rods and the sensitivity is great. I prefer the 7'0 Med Hvy, or the 7'0 Hvy action depending on the size of the jig. Shimano also has a new rod out that is supposed to compete with the Garcia rods, i think even slightly cheaper.

Anybody use the Duckett heavy rods? Was going to maybe get one (need a heavy rod for jigs as well) but haven't seen anyone mention them

I have been using a 7'2" MH Cumara for most of my jig fishing for a couple years. I like it, but Im stepping up to a Heavy crucial. The new crucials have the same blank as the cumaras did.

I use the St. Croix Mojo Bass 7' medium action for my jig rod & love it. It has the split grip handle and the rod tip is sensitive yet I have no problem getting a good hook set with it. Best part is you can get this rod for $100.