Rod, Reel And Gear Ratio Selection For Plastic Worms And Jigs?!

[GreedyLotus]

hey guys new here. hopefully im posting in the right place.

im looking at buying a new setup for fishing some soft plastics (worms) and jigs.

looking for anybodys opinion on what is the best combination of rod (lengths), reel (gear ratios), and line that will be best for this technique. 

i know there is really no (best) rod, reel, just really someones personal opinion that they like.

but ive been fishing these techniques with a abu garcia black max (6.4.1), abu garcia vengeance rod (6'6 medium) and some

berkley 12lb mono.

from the little bit of research that ive done this setup is not that great for jigs or worms.

been seeing people using like 50 lb braid for these techniques. got a little confused on why so heavy?

but i may try this out on this next setup. looking at buying some good brands like quantum rod, reels.

or some better reels from abu garcia. dont really care for there rods.

 

please give me some opinions on the what you guys like to use.

ill only be fishing this setup out of a boat casting to the bank in heavy cover, moss etc.

 

[MrSwimJig]

First welcome to the forums.

 

Secondly, what kind of price range are you looking at?  Their are plenty of great products at all different price ranges.

[BrettD]

I like to use a 7:1 reel and a 7' mh extra fast rod for soft plastics and jigs. I use 40# powerpro I used to use 20# but had a issue with the line digging into the spool.

[lmbfisherman]

I like to use a 7:1 reel and a 7' mh extra fast rod for soft plastics and jigs. I use 40# powerpro I used to use 20# but had a issue with the line digging into the spool.

What he said and one reason why you use 50# lb test for baitcasters. Braid also adds extra sensitivity for bottom contact techniques.

[The Next KVD]

Welcome!!

 

It all depends on your price range.

 

For the most part that particular reel will do the job just fine.  However if your looking for something a little bit nice yet not break the bank I'd get either a Shimano Citica G7 ($100-129 depending on where you find it) or a Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier with a 7.1:1 ratio (On sale right now for $79!).  I just got a Pro Qualifier and I like it thus far but unfortunately we still got 2 feet of ice so I'm not quite sold on it as I have no on the water test to compare to.

 

I use 10-12lb P-Line 100% fluorocarbon but if your not use to fluorocarbon, P-line CX Premium is a good alternative.  I don't care for braid for bottom baits because it has no sensitivity when there is any amount slack in the line.  Fluorocarbon or a good copolymer  will transmit bites on semi slack line because it sinks.

 

As far as the rod,  I use a St.Croix Legend 7' Medium which is a high end rod.  Anything from St.Croix, Shimano (Compres and up), GLoomis are good quality rods.  For the cover your describing I'd go up to a 7' MH rod from any of these manufactures.

[Teal]

Hey and welcome.

First off how come you feel that your Black Max and Vengence are not the best for that technique?

A 6'6" - 7'0" M / MH rod and a 6.3:1 reel are pretty standard for worms and jigs. The vengence and max are not the best quality rod/reel on the market but if its what you can afford then it can certainly fit the bill. Alot of guys on this site use the Black Max and the Vengence an$ Vendetta rods.

IMO, a 6'6-7'0 M rod is great for worms and jigs as long as you dont plan on anything heavier than 3/8 or so. I have a 6'6M rod that use for skipping docks withs worms, light jigs, senkos ect... i like a M action worm rod, i can really skip alot better with a lighter action.

If you plan on being able to use heavier stuff then a MH might be good too.

8-14 line is pretty standard. My line is choosen based on the cover and water clarity in my lakes. Thats something your going to have to figure out. As a rule of thumb, i always use as light of line as i can get away with.

I use 30lb braid on most of my. Worm/jig/spinner bait rods...with leaders from 8-14 lbs.

On my dock skippin rod i mentioned above, it is lined with straight fluoro, 12lb test

I use braid because my three local lakes are Full of vegetation, rocks, and boat docks..

I could get away with 20lb braid, but again its a personal choice...20lb braid tends to dig into my casting reels...

If you starting using flouro or a braid/fluoro combo along with tungsten weights, it will great improve the sensitivity that you have. Braid/fluoro/tungsten is a game changer.

[GreedyLotus]

thanks for the replies guys just what i was looking for.

my price range is about $250 to $300 max. which i know i can find something descent for that price.

thats one problem on my black max is anything over 3/8 the reel will not put up with.

also have had alot of trouble over running my spool alot with the black max.

had a AG revo winch running fluoro and a skeet reese 7'0 rod and dialed it in once and never over ran the spool once.

but is it pretty common to use about #20 fluoro as a main line and the same line as a leader on a c-rig.

im thinking that will be the best deal.

thinking of going with a 7:1 reel and a 7'0 mh rod with #20 fluoro. sound about right?

anybody tried the AG revo sx and is there a 7:1 gear ratio for that reel?

[motodmast]

If i were you, i would get this.

Rod- *** *** black 7'1 or 7'3 MH

Reel- lews speed spool tournament 7.1-1

Line- 17lb or 15lb of some nice fluorocarbon.

That would put your total right around $275-300 and would be a awesome jig/worm setup for you.

[motodmast]

And for you reel over running on its self, just practice casting it ALOT and dont forget to adjust the spool tension knob each time you tie on a new bait. Look up Glenn's videos on the top.of this section about how to setup/ cast a casting reel. Its very helpful!!

[GreedyLotus]

Thanks motodmast. I like seaguar line. Kinda looking into some other brands of line like Berkley 100%.

Just a lot of brands to choose from when it comes to reels and rods here at the local bass pro.

[MrSwimJig]

For 250 to 300 you have a lot of choices.

 

Lots of great rods in the $100 dollar range and some great reels in the 150 to $200 dollar range

 

The Revo SX does come in 7.1:1 ratio, but I would spend the extra money and get a Revo STX in the 7.1:1 ratio and get a Veritas rod of your choice and probably go with 15lbs Yo-Zuri hybrid line.

[GreedyLotus]

Is that 15# fluoro? @ Mr swim jig

[Teal]

What i use for a general purpose rod is a Powell Endurance 723 7'MH. I actually have two.

i have them both paired with Lews Tourney pro.

Retail, the Powell is 170.....Rippin Lips posted a thread with info for a tackle shop that is selling them 100a bucks or so.

The Lews Tourney PRo retails for 199.99 but can easily be found for 150 or less on E Bay.

The lews tp is a LIGHT high quality reel for an exceptional price (even if you had to pay full retail, its one of the best values out there)

[Teal]

Heres the link to the thread with the info on the Powell rods sale that Adam posted.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/114975-powell-rod-special/

[MrSwimJig]

Is that 15# fluoro? @ Mr swim jig

Its a Hybrid Copolymer line.

[GreedyLotus]

I'll check em out teal.

To be honest I have never heard of a copolymer line Mr swim jig. Lol

I'm pretty noob with line

[BrettD]

Mono would be my last choice for a worm/jig line my first choice would be braid followed by flourocarbon.

[ChiCityBasser]

My setup is a custom made 7"3" MH/F rod from RodTech fishing with spiral wrapped guides along with a Quantum Accurist 7.1:1 reel with 15# braid. The setup is light and sensitive

[Mike L]

I'm finding that I like floro better for bottom contact plastics baits.

 

I've started useing 20# Invisix for heavy cover and 15 # for more open areas.

If i'm punching I'll use my Jig set up which has 50# braid

 

I fish both with 7 :1 reels on 7 ft MH/F rods.

 

Mike

[The Rooster]

For 250 to 300 you have a lot of choices.

Lots of great rods in the $100 dollar range and some great reels in the 150 to $200 dollar range

The Revo SX does come in 7.1:1 ratio, but I would spend the extra money and get a Revo STX in the 7.1:1 ratio and get a Veritas rod of your choice and probably go with 15lbs Yo-Zuri hybrid line.

There's great reels in the $100 range, too. And even the $80 range when the PQ is on sale, which it currently is.

[GreedyLotus]

Yea just get so lost on what line I should really go with, Fluoro or braid and what lb.

Might just buy some braid and fluoro and try em both. Yea waste of money but, how else can I figure out what I will like. Actually have only fished braid once on a buddies rod for a few minutes didn't know the difference then though. What is a basic lb I can start with with fluoro and braid?!

[The Rooster]

With braid on a baitcaster, I'd get 50 pound. The diameter of it should be similar to 12 pound mono, which keeps it from digging in on the spool. Sure, you probably won't need 50 pound test strength but you'll really appreciate it when big moe comes along and slurps up your jig. You know that line ain't breakin'! If you go with smaller pound braid, the line can dig in on the spool from being a smaller diameter and cause some issues when casting. Smaller braids are for spinning rods, like 20 pound or so. 50 pound braid won't affect your cast either like 50 pound mono. It will fly off the reel with any weighted lure and make nice long casts. Braid is noisy though, which is why I stopped using it. In the past, it's been hard on some rod line guides that weren't made for it. Ate them up. Most rods today can take it though, but I'd still get a quality rod to be sure. Nothing cheap cheap.

With fluoro, I'd get 14 pound or more for a MH jig/worm rod. I use 12 pound on medium rods for 1/4 oz crankbaits and some lighter worm throwing situations with smaller weight sinkers, or weightless plastics even. I go up a size or two on line for jigging deeper waters or tossing larger plastics with heavier sinkers.

[BrettD]

What rooster said but I use 40# braid.

[GreedyLotus]

sounds good ill try em both out. now just make the right decision on a rod and reel?

like i said before im gonna get a 7:1:1 gear ratio reel just dont know what a the right one is for me. looking at a quantum kvd reel.