Jig Questions.....

[bass1980]

Searched and searched but didn't find much info so I'm asking. 3/8oz and 1/2oz jigs seems to be the most common used. Which do you prefer and why?

 

Also Rod lengths for Jigs. I'm getting another rod for Jigs and can't decide if I want 7'1 or 7'3. What lengths of rod do you prefer and why?

 

Just wanting to hear some suggestions since I'm about to load up on $100 of jigs and two dedicated Jig rods. I normally fish shallow so no deep jig fishing setup for me yet.

 

Thanks.

[bass1980]

Crap.....I just realize I posted two question with one about fishing tackle and one about equipments. MODS, feel free to move it to the best forum. I would rather have it in equipment since I am more interested in the Rod length question but if you feel like it belongs here that's fine too. Posting at 1:35am half a sleep doesn't do any good. Sorry.

[roadwarrior]

You're fine, the general topic is jigs.

 

Both 3/8 and 1/2 are fine. 3/8 is probably the most popular size,

but I prefer 1/2 oz for better casting distance.

 

Your rod length can be whatever you like. The key characteristics

are a firm tip and stout blank. For comparisons use the G.Loomis

MBR844C as a standard.

 

These are other traditional jig rods I own: Pinnacle DHC5-761CAMHFS,

G. Loomis BCR854 and St. Croix LEC70MHF.

 

For swim jigs a MBR842C. For hair jigs I like spinning tackle: LES70MF.

 

 

 

[rockchalk06]

RW makes some good points. Just to add, I like the 1/2oz for distance and the extra weight to keep the jig pegged on the bottom. It blows 20-30 plus on average 80% of the year here and the extra weight makes it nice to shake the jig on the bottom. I have been making some 3/4oz jigs lately too for when its really bad.

 

I will drop to a 3/8oz jig if I want a slow fall or its a dead calm day. I also only use 3/8oz with hair jigs. Keeps everything nice and small for the cold weather.

 

As for rods I like long but not too long. 7'4" on my pitching set up and 7'3" on my hairs and swims. I think the 7'3"-7'4" gives you that extra ump when you need to bomb a cast and it helps when you need to set the hook. The extra length moves more line. Its also not so long and cumbersome that it wont fit in the cab of my truck or get tangled up trying to cast from the bank

 

I want a mean backbone, slow tip. I use a Dobyns DX745 as my pitching stick and Dobyns Champion 733/Hairs 735/swims.

[mjseverson24]

personally I like the lighter jigs I use 1/4 oz about 60% of the time 3/8 30% and heavier the other 10%. In Minnesota most lakes unless you are fishing a rocky area the main forage is bluegills, perch, and shiners or some type of minnow. I think the lighter jigs more accurately depict a falling baitfish with the slower fall. the only down side to these lighter jigs is the ability to pitch them is a little more difficult, but i believe they work better for the lakes I fish. For the rod I use 7'2" shimano compre M/XF for the 1/4 oz and less jigs, I use a 7'2" MH/F Compre for 3/8 oz and for 1/2 oz and up I have a 8' st. croix mojo flipping stick, for football jigs I use a 7'6" gander mountain GSX tournament rod. these rods work well for these applications i think the length depends on how accurate you want to be compared to how long you want to cast. 

 

Mitch

[Toeshots]

I favor 1/2 oz jigs most of the time but will downsize to 3/8 or 1/4 oz to slow down the fall when the bite is tough. I am throwing the 1/2 and 3/8 oz jigs on a 7' MH/F St. Croix Avid and the 1/4 oz on a 7' M/F Avid. Anything lighter than 1/4 oz will be on a 6'9" M/XF Fenwick Elich Tech Smallmouth spinning rod.

[Jon G]

I will almost always use 1/2 oz jigs with the only exception being swim jigs which i like in 3/8 oz. I like jigs in a 1/2 oz like others have said for casting distance as well as to keep it on the bottom. I like swim jigs in 3/8 oz because with that weight i can really manipulate it in the water column. For rods I like a 7"1 or a 7"3 MH but I think the most critical part in a jig rod is you want a fast tip or in some cases even an extra fast.

[aavery2]

If you are spending 100 dollars on jigs, you can afford to get several different weights,  they are all usable in different situations, and 1 weight in not always better than the other.      As far as rods go, I recommend you spend your money wisely and get the most sensitive rod that you can afford, IMO this above everything else is the most important aspect of serious jig fishing.   2 average to good rods will pale in comparison to one outstanding rod.

[Arv]

I use mostly 1/4 to 1/2oz but I will go up to 3/4. It all depends on depth and fall rate to me. I prefer a longer rod, a dobyns dx744 is what I use now. I feel like I can get better hook sets with the longer rod.

[Arv]

If you are spending 100 dollars on jigs, you can afford to get several different weights,  they are all usable in different situations, and 1 weight in not always better than the other.      As far as rods go, I recommend you spend your money wisely and get the most sensitive rod that you can afford, IMO this above everything else is the most important aspect of serious jig fishing.   2 average to good rods will pale in comparison to one outstanding rod.

Also, x2 on this post.

[Craiger12]

I pretty much only throw 1/2oz now. If I want to go lighter I will usually switch to a shakey head for more of a finesse approach. I have some 3/4oz football head jigs for holding bottom in deeper water, but I rarely throw them. I usually always have a 1/2oz brush/alien head jig tied on.

[Craiger12]

As for a rod, I agree with much of what has been said. I like a long stout rod to help with hook sets, especially now that I fish straight fluorocarbon and not braid. I use a Dobyns DX784ML. I love the length/action of it for jig fishing, but sometimes wish I had a little more power. I really wish Dobyns would make a DX785ML. I would be all over it.

[bass1980]

Hey guys thanks for the reply. Just needed some quick advise because I just went to buy a 7'3 *** ***. I have some buddies down in California that's uses only Dobyns DX and NRX and they said the *** is on par with those two for sensitivity. I really wanted the 7'1 but they didn't have in stock, only the 7'3. I have a 7'1 *** and it just balances better than a 7'3. I guess after researching all night I decided to go back and grab the 7'3 ***. Paired with my CH51E it doesn't balance as well as a 7'1 like I figure but I guess I can live with it. I don't have massive Popeye forearm so I'm always looking for a lightweight great balancing setup.

As for jigs with the lakes I fish it's hard to find rock bottoms. I usually fish 5 feet or less depth. Working on getting better at 8-15 feet. Lakes up here aren't the deepest. I already have some 3/8 and 1/2 jigs, and will buy both. I just wanted to understand more of why people use what because I'm going to order more of one or the other depending on what I feel like I will use more. I am getting very confident on jig fishing from last year and want to be better this year.

[WRB]

Searched and searched but didn't find much info so I'm asking. 3/8oz and 1/2oz jigs seems to be the most common used. Which do you prefer and why?

 

Also Rod lengths for Jigs. I'm getting another rod for Jigs and can't decide if I want 7'1 or 7'3. What lengths of rod do you prefer and why?

 

Just wanting to hear some suggestions since I'm about to load up on $100 of jigs and two dedicated Jig rods. I normally fish shallow so no deep jig fishing setup for me yet.

 

Thanks.

Explain shallow? Are you casting or pitching your jigs.

The weight of the jig should be selected to generate strikes from bass and then be able to detect the strikes and get a good hook set. The shoreline cover can be heavy or sparse, the water clear or off color, you may be fishing docks, lay downs, weed beds, etc., etc.

The rod length needs to be comfortable for you to fish and keep in touch with what the jig is doing, handle the bass after you get a good hook set.

Tom

[Munkin]

Rod length preference has to do with the height of the angler in my experience. At 6' I like rods that are 6'9" to 7'3" for flippin/pitchin anything shorter or longer just does not feel right. As for jig weight I use 1/2oz a lot because the starflash skirts are bulkier and slow the rate of fall down too much for a 3/8oz.

 

Allen

[WRB]

The jig I make and fish 90% of the time weighs 7/16 oz. Awhile back I weighed some popular over the counter jigs and was surprised to learn none of the jigs weighed their listed package weights, all the 3/8 & 1/2 oz were heavier by a least 1/8 oz. You may think you are fishing a 3/8 oz jig and it may weigh over 1/2 oz, less trailer!

Tom

[bass1980]

So as far as jig weight is the only reason why you guys change up weights is the rate of fall and casting?

[aavery2]

Easier too feel and keep in contact with in deep water

[Catt]

#1: Rate of Fall

#2: Thckness of cover

#3: Never because of water depth

Y'all ever heard of the "One Ton Jig"?

Google it

[Bankbeater]

I like to work the 3/8 size over the top of submerged vegetation.  I doesn't sink and get tangled up.  I jump it across the weeds just like fishing it on the bottom.

[senile1]

I use 1/2 and 5/8ths the most in warmer months but occasionally a fast falling 3/4 or 1 oz jig is the ticket.  I will also use 3/8s with larger or smaller trailers depending on what I am trying to do with the rate of fall.  I use 1/4 and 5/16ths the most when water temperatures dip into the low 40s and on down into the 30s, though the trailer size can vary, again depending on what rate of fall appears to get bites.

[cdaggett]

Almost all I fish is jigs. I use everything from 1/4oz up to 1oz. I would think that you would want at least a 7'3". Personally, I love my 7'6" flipping stick because of the leverage it gives me, the accuracy with pitching, casting distance, and hook setting from a distance.