Jig Fishing On Spinning Gear

[KYBassin']

You always see guys flippin and pitchin jigs using baitcasting gear...but can you effectively use spinning gear for jig fishing? Pros or cons?

Thanks

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

If the tackle is heavy enough, yes. I prefer baitcasting tackle for the heavier (1/2oz> / 12# line>) tackle but spinning can work. If I flip to cover with a spinning setup I'll open the bail with the line roller on the bottom so when you close the bail the line doesn't have to loop over the top of the spool.

[KYBassin']

If the tackle is heavy enough, yes. I prefer baitcasting tackle for the heavier (1/2oz> / 12# line>) tackle but spinning can work. If I flip to cover with a spinning setup I'll open the bail with the line roller on the bottom so when you close the bail the line doesn't have to loop over the top of the spool.

Ok. My set up would be a 6'6" medium rod and 30 lb Power Pro. So I guess as long as I stay to jigs under 1/2 oz I should be ok?

[0119]

Do it all the time for inshore saltwater fish, in mangroves and Brazilian Pepper.  Works great, since spinning lets you use lighter jigs and have a more natural rate of fall.  

[KYBassin']

Do it all the time for inshore saltwater fish, in mangroves and Brazilian Pepper.  Works great, since spinning lets you use lighter jigs and have a more natural rate of fall.

Makes sense. I know you mentioned inshore saltwater, so I'm not sure if that makes a difference, but what kind of set up do you use?

[MCS]

Yep I used to do it a lot when I didn't use baitcasting. I have a 6'6" MH carbonlite with 30# braid, she works with any thing under a 1/2 oz in light to moderate cover. And I am with 0119, the angle and rate of fall are better another plus is you can flip the bail closed with the left hand.Sam (who I haven't seen post in a while) spoke of using spinning gear to do this, we chatted a little about it before I really tried it.

[smalljaw67]

Ok. My set up would be a 6'6" medium rod and 30 lb Power Pro. So I guess as long as I stay to jigs under 1/2 oz I should be ok?

 

For myself, a 1/4oz and heavier is casting gear but I do use a 6'6" medium power, fast action spinning rod with 8lb copolymer line to make short side arm casts to docks with small 1/8-3/16 finesse jigs, I think 30lb braid is too much for a medium spinning rod even though it is thin, go with a medium heavy if you use line that strong. You can do a lot of different things with a 6'6" rod and at one time it was considered a long rod, pitching and flipping is better with a longer rod because you have more reach but if you are good at feathering the line or know how to make short side arm cast with the 6'6" spinning rod you can get the baits where they need to be and do it softly and be effective.

[KYBassin']

For myself, a 1/4oz and heavier is casting gear but I do use a 6'6" medium power, fast action spinning rod with 8lb copolymer line to make short side arm casts to docks with small 1/8-3/16 finesse jigs, I think 30lb braid is too much for a medium spinning rod even though it is thin, go with a medium heavy if you use line that strong. You can do a lot of different things with a 6'6" rod and at one time it was considered a long rod, pitching and flipping is better with a longer rod because you have more reach but if you are good at feathering the line or know how to make short side arm cast with the 6'6" spinning rod you can get the baits where they need to be and do it softly and be effective.

30 lb braid is too much for my set up? Why?

[Tywithay]

30 lb braid is too much for my set up? Why?

A medium powered spinning rod isn't really made to handle 30lb line. It's more of a finesse type setup. You'll be ok if the drag is set proper. If you lock it down, you run the risk of breaking your rod. A 6'6" medium rod doesn't really have the nuts to handle pitching and flipping jigs, in my opinion. Most people use 7'-7'6" MH-Heavy rods, depending on weight of the jigs, and the nastiness of the cover.

[Felix77]

Ok. My set up would be a 6'6" medium rod and 30 lb Power Pro. So I guess as long as I stay to jigs under 1/2 oz I should be ok?

 

A medium rod is a bit light but you can get away with it.  For spinning I use at least a MH (6'6" pr 7') Remember to set your drag tight otherwise you won't get the jig hook penetration you need.

[0119]

Makes sense. I know you mentioned inshore saltwater, so I'm not sure if that makes a difference, but what kind of set up do you use?

My idea of heavy isnt most folks idea of heavy.  The heaviest I use is MH and its more to force snook away from barnacle ridden roots/branches than to handle thick mats or heavy baits.  I use a 3000 size spinner and 10 or 12lb. mono with a 20-30# mono leader.  Its really the only application I do entertain braid for and I unlike the other guy find 30# power pro super slick fine with spinning reels in the 2500-3000 size.  No loss in distance, less wind knots.  I also use 30# braid with med. rods with no loss in performance.

[KYBassin']

A medium powered spinning rod isn't really made to handle 30lb line. It's more of a finesse type setup. You'll be ok if the drag is set proper. If you lock it down, you run the risk of breaking your rod. A 6'6" medium rod doesn't really have the nuts to handle pitching and flipping jigs, in my opinion. Most people use 7'-7'6" MH-Heavy rods, depending on weight of the jigs, and the nastiness of the cover.

Well I definitely don't want to break my rod, but I've been using 30 lb braid for a while now without issue. Now I haven't used it for jig fishing so I guess we'll see.

[SirSnookalot]

Spinning is very versatile, I feel I can do anything with one.  A saltwater inshore fisherman does not even think about whether a jig can be used or not, they just do it.   I don't even know any one that has a b/c.

If I'm fishing water's edge like a beach med rod and 15# is my standard set up, fishing from height like a jettie or fast current I use a mh rod and 20# braid.  Don't think it's all open water, at times the sea weed is very thick and matted.

[aceman387]

I fish 1/8-5/16 jigs on my 7 ft medium/fast tip legend elite. As for braided line I use 10 and 15 lb braided line.I use spinning setups for everything.

[LMB KING]

[bassin is addicting]

i've used spinning for everything up until the last year.  still use spinning for 90% since i'm not comfortable yet with the bc.

 

i throw jigs up to 3/8oz on 2 of my spinning setups.  a 7ft mh Veritas and a 7ft mh BP Extreme both paired with a Pflueger Supreme and 20lb braid.  never had any problems..

[HeavyDluxe]

It's more than possible, just takes practice.  I fish exclusively with spinning gear, and start jig fishing seriously last year.  

 

The biggest difference I can see is that you lose a little 'spool control' with spinning gear, so you have to be more accurate with your cast.  That is, you can't brake the speed of the cast by thumbing the reel on spinning gear like you can on baitcasting.

 

Have fun!

[KYBassin']

I'm going to give it a try. We'll see how it goes.

[Arv]

I'll throw 1/8 and 3/16, maybe 1/4 oz on a ml spinning rod. Anything heavier is going on a casting rod for sure.

[KYBassin']

I'll throw 1/8 and 3/16, maybe 1/4 oz on a ml spinning rod. Anything heavier is going on a casting rod for sure.

Cool. What kind of line do you use?

[Arv]

Cool. What kind of line do you use?

15 or 20# braid. If I need a leader I'll go either 8 or 10# fc. The hooks are not heavy wire hooks on the jigs I throw on this rod either.

[jignfule]

i've used spinning for everything up until the last year.  still use spinning for 90% since i'm not comfortable yet with the bc.

 

i throw jigs up to 3/8oz on 2 of my spinning setups.  a 7ft mh Veritas and a 7ft mh BP Extreme both paired with a Pflueger Supreme and 20lb braid.  never had any problems..

I think that is the key. I have a friend that uses a spinning setup for jigs and does quit well with it. I on the other hand feel awkward and uncomfortable flippin and pitchin without a heavy b/c setup.