Jig Setup Question

[joshc23]

I just bought a 7'H/MF rod for Jig fishing that's rated for 1/4 - 1 ounce and had a few questions.

 

First, I am looking for a reel that will probably throw 3/8 - 1/2 ounce most of the time, but may throw 3/16 and 1/8 if needed.  I was looking at the Shimano Core 50 for the lighter weight to be able to flip and pitch it better.  Should I go for the 100 or the 50? Or is there other reels you would recommend.

 

Also, what line should I put on it?  I will mostly be jig fishing rock and timber, but some grass from time to time.  Should I do straight braid, or back it with braid and put FC leader? 

 

What pound and brand line would you suggest?

 

I am looking to get into jig fishing, and wanted a dedicated setup for it.

[FlipnLimits]

Josh

 

1/8 is really small and you may have a problem with a 100 sized reel.  However, you will not do well with 1/8 sized baits on that rod either.  You may need two setups.  I'd go with the 100 because most times you'll be throwing 1/4 to 3/4oz jigs.  I'm a Shimano fan so I'd stick with that.  

 

You can use a FC leader with braid but why?  I have been jig fishing for decades, 2.5 to be exact, and have never used a leader of any kind.  Heavy mono or FC for me.  Ever try to break 25# mono?  The stuff is tuff!  Retie every now and then, you won't need braid at all.  I guess I'm just old school.

 

FL

[gripnrip]

I will jump on the line topic.  I use 50 to 65 pound braid with an occasional flouro leader around rocks.  If I am in standing timber, 25 pound flouro gets the nod.  IMO mono can be used as well.  The only draw back to mono is you re-spool more often.  

 

Taking care of your line is a must.  Braid can last a long time.  I get 5 to 7 years out of my braid, 2 out of flouro, and if I use mono it gets re-spooled once a year.  

[buckeye_bass66]

If you're looking for a reel to flip or throw jigs I would go with the Quantum Accurist with the higher 7.0:1 ratio. It's $99 where I'm at but it's worth the money. And line wise if you're willing to spend the money go for 17lb Seaguar Tatsu IMO it is the best flouro I have thrown to date. Throw flouro on every type of cover except for vegetation. Seaguar makes a tournament grade braid that cuts right through grass and pads

[jbsoonerfan]

The Core 50 is a great reel. I would opt for the 50 over the 100. I don't always throw jigs, but when I do, I use 65lb braid with a 17lb Fluoro leader.

[flippin and pitchin]

I won't comment on line, that is a personal preference issue.  Here's something to consider when choosing any reel. How much line do I need to accommodate the line diameter and the length of the expected casts you will make. If you run a 50 series reel and need the line capacity, your out.  If you run a 100 series and don't need all the line, your are safe. Reels are generally rated at 12 pound test.  Make it 20 and your capacity is reduced dramatically. Something to think about.

[bass1980]

I fish thick vegetation and usually go 50lbs just because I use the same line for frogs and punch so I buy a bulk spool of power pro. It's diameter is the same as 12lb mono. According to the 50 series you can put 85 yards of 12lb mono on it. At 85 yards I will never need to cast a jig that far, not that you could spool 85 yard with a jig anyways unless I'm doing something wrong. I usually pitch them but sometimes will have to cast but never needing to bomb them. 50 series is the bomb for people like me with smaller hands. However I did just get a chronarch ci4+ and even at being a 150 it feels almost as small. I really like the small profile of that reel.

As for 1/8 oz, the 50 series is good with light lures but that may be at the lowest limit of the reel capability but it's really going to be the rod that gives you problems. A MH rod just can't load that light of a lure. 1/4oz with trailer IMO would be the smallest I would throw with that rod.

[mjseverson24]

Personally I would go with the Daiwa T3 or T3-B and upgrade the bearings to hawgtech or bocas. The 8:1 ratio is awesome for picking up line in a hurry, and the T-wing is perfect for pitching jigs(this is what I use for light jigs and it is sweet.). For line I like either a Floro or a Hybrid, especially if I am fishing wood and rocks.

 

Mitch 

[John G]

You need to remember that an advertised 1/8oz jig is probably going to weigh in the neighborhood of around 3/8oz with a hook, skirt and trailer. I would get the Core 50 all day long over the 100. One thing a Core 50 has over the 100 is bearing in the knobs. The 50 has 4 and the 100 has 0. I think that you will be fine of line capacity with the 50 especially if you use braid.

[roadwarrior]

I have both and prefer the 50 size. I have been experimenting with both direct tie

braid and fluoro leader, but my preference is straight Tatsu #20.

[mprestonSEK]

I prefer to use 50lb braid with a 17 or 20lb fluorocarbon leader when throwing jigs around wood and rocks. I use Original Power Pro for braid and Seaguar Red Label as my leader material. As for helping you pick between the 50 and 100 size Core, I'm not much help there.  If it were me, I would go for the 50.

[Brian Needham]

the core 50 will be fine, especially if you are pitching and flipping a lot..... I had a core 50 on a casting jig set up and I still had plenty of line.

 

15# of quality flouro will be fine.

[Tywithay]

If I am near rocks or timber, it's 100% fluoro, 100% of the time. I've tried braid around rocks and it just frays and eventually gets sliced after a while. A good fluoro with some abrasion resistance, like shooter, and I rarely even retie unless a fish runs my line around a rock.