Jig equipment question

[Clark Stewart]

I'm going tomorrow to fish Weiss Lake in Northeast Alabama to help my wife's uncle practice for the FLW (BFL) tourney up there on Saturday.

I'm gonna try to build a little confidence in jig fishing tomorrow simply because Weiss has a bottom pretty much devoid of slop (the main reason I seldom fish a jig).

I've got an old Eagle Claw rod that used to be 7'6" that I inherited from my late grandfather. The tip was broken when I go it so it's closer to 7'3" or so. It's a broom handle but still has a nice flex to it. Strange thing about that rod is that it has gold lettering that looks hand drawn that denotes the weights and types of line to throw. It does say "wright and mcghill on it" Was this thing a custom of some sort? Also has a hand drawn Eagle simple to the logo they use now. I don't know may be junk. I think Eagle Claw made better stuff back then I don't know. It's easily almost 30 years old but still feels like a quality rod. Just my opinion. Seems like a quality rod. I'm gonna swap out the reel for a 6.3:1 and spool it with 50# powerpro braid. That's 15# diameter line.

Should I go ahead and put a 12 or 15# fluro leader on it, or will straight braid to the hook be ok? Weiss is always either muddy or stained. Never clear.

As far as jigs go I'm open to suggestions. I bought a whole plano box full of custom jigs off of ebay in just about any natural color combo imaginable, so tell me what ya'll recommend as far as head shapes and weights. I just finished reading JoeS' writeup on how he fishes jigs and am stoked to try it out. I plan on using rage tail craws for the trailers. Maybe tip the edge of the claws with some chartreuse JJ's magic. I don't know. Any opinions are appreciated.

[roadwarrior]

I don't know if your rod is worth fishing,

but sensitivity is EVERYTHING to

fishing a jig.

I recommend 1/2 oz, solid black stand-up

jig with a blue craw trailer (Baby Paca Craw

or Rage Tail Craw).

8-)

[K_Mac]

Clark I don't know anything about the rod, and I haven't had enough experience with braid to comment on the braid/leader question. I think water clarity would determine that for me.

With that said, if the rod feels good to you, use it. Water clarity and depth will determine the color and weight, and cover/structure the type of jig. A football jig in rocks works well. Grass/brush something like a Booyah Boo jig works better. A 3/8 or 1/2 oz Boo jig in Green/brown is where I would start with the info given.

I would look for rocks/gravel banks near deep water. Secondary points this time of year would be a good starting spot (with the info given). If you can find where grass and rock come together in these spots,  even better. Good luck. 8-)

[Clark Stewart]

I think I might make that rod a frog rod where sensitivity doesn't matter!

I don't have any other heavy action rods, but several if not all medium heavy rods that I guess I could use. One is an all-star 7 footer that might fit the bill. We'll see. Thanks for the tips

[Paul Roberts]

You can tie direct -use a Uni-knot, a clinch may slip on a big one.

Any earth tone will work. If it's low visib conditions I like black. If it's high vis I go paler and more tranclucent -I have liked green pumpkin or a dark watermelonish sorta thing in my bluegill-rich waters.

W&M did make some high end rods back when -I had a Blue Diamond for a long while. And they apparently have just re-entered that space. If the rod is graphite it'll be a good jig rod. But be aware some early graphites had breakage issues -notably the Blue Diamond series. If it's glass it may still make a decent jig rod, you just have to play closer attention for anything funny, and watch your line. Hope the bass are aggressive and will whomp that jig -that always helps .

Jigging triggers: splashdown (under low vis conditions), the fall (be ready to adjust speed), accelerations on the swim, and bumping stuff -bottom (and other hard stuff) in particular.

[Gangley]

W&M was more known for their fly rods than anything, and their fly rods were very nice and expensive in the 40's and 50's.  They were partnered with Granger and made some rods that now resell for over a grand in excellent shape.  Their casting rods were nice as well and were sold through Eagle Claw for sometime.  If you take the reel off the rod, you will see the Eagle Claw brand on the rod where the reel sits.  They are nice rods, and if you take care of it, it should last a long time. 

[roadwarrior]

The rod is broken and has lost all of it's original

action:

"I've got an old Eagle Claw rod that used to be

7'6" that I inherited from my late grandfather.

The tip was broken when I go it so it's closer to

7'3" or so. It's a broom handle..."

[Clark Stewart]

The rod is broken and has lost all of it's original

action:

"I've got an old Eagle Claw rod that used to be

7'6" that I inherited from my late grandfather.

The tip was broken when I go it so it's closer to

7'3" or so. It's a broom handle..."

Remind me to swing by your trash can next time you break a rod tip 

[roadwarrior]

I guess that didn't come across too well.

Let me try again:

The rod can be used for some applications,

but its characteristics are now significantly

different.

[Clark Stewart]

I guess that didn't come across too well.

Let me try again:

The rod can be used for some applications,

but its characteristics are now significantly

different.

Hehe. You make me laugh monster man. 

[Hammer 4]

I agree with Kent, heck, there have been times jig fishing, that I didn't even know that a fish had inhales my jig, till I started reeling to change positions of the jig. So yep, sensitivity is key, as is backbone if your flippin in heavy cover..that's why I love using braid..

[Big Bait Fishing]

since your fishing stained water , i would start out fishing straight braid with NO leader . that way you will get a little more sensitivity from your line/rod set-up. if you think you need to be a little stealthier , put on a 15-17 lb. flouro leader . by the way , 50 lb. Power Pro dia. is equivalent to 12 lb. mono .