Blues19 Posted January 1, 2015 Posted January 1, 2015 I just put in an order for quite a few hair jigs and really not sure what to throw them on. I am assuming it would be better to throw them on spinning gear, and I am looking to get a new spinning set up. Any suggestions of Rod power and action. And maybe suggestions of specific rods? What about reel size? Line? Thanks pals Quote
Arv Posted January 1, 2015 Posted January 1, 2015 What size are the jigs? I've used everything from a ML spinning rod to a MH casting rod depending on the jig. 1 Quote
Super User smalljaw67 Posted January 1, 2015 Super User Posted January 1, 2015 What size hair jigs? I ask because it will make a big difference as to what you use. I make my own hair jigs for the cold water season and the ones I tie are normally 1/16oz up to 3/16oz and they are made on light wire hooks so I use a 7' M-F rod with a 200 size reel and 6lb mono. The rod I use is a medium but it has a very light action and it lets me get a little more distance on my cast. If I'm fishing the river for smallmouth I'm using the same reel and line but my choice is a 6'6" M-F because I'll be casting to wintering holes that are 10' and less in depth and I don't need to make a super long cast to hit the area. 1 Quote
Blues19 Posted January 1, 2015 Author Posted January 1, 2015 The jigs i got were 3/16 oz and 1/4 oz. I will probably go and get some more that are 1/8 oz. Dont really do a lot of Winter fishing, but plan on using them in high pressured waters, middle of the summer, and cold fronts. Just want to add another tool to the arsenal. Quote
Super User Team9nine Posted January 1, 2015 Super User Posted January 1, 2015 There is a lot of variability between different brands of rods and reels as pertains to size, power, and action, but in most cases, if you start with a medium/fast action rod and a 2000-2500 sized reel, you'll be just fine for the majority of you hair jig fishing. As to length, I tend to stick with something between 6' to 6'6" in most cases because I feel I have more control of the bait/action with the slightly shorter rod, though there are those who like longer. -T9 1 Quote
Arv Posted January 1, 2015 Posted January 1, 2015 I'd go either M or ML spinning rod, depending on the manufacturer. Otherwise you need to get a pretty finesse specific bc set up. Of all the gear I have used, I would use a Dobyns DX742sf as far as spinning stuff goes (I sold that though). I still have a DX703sf that I would use now. I have a DX742c paired with a Shimano Aldebaran BFS that I would also have no problem using either. Are you planning on putting a trailer on your hair jigs? Some I do (like the NSCB hairjig), some I don't. That would obviously change a lot as well. 1 Quote
Blues19 Posted January 1, 2015 Author Posted January 1, 2015 I'd go either M or ML spinning rod, depending on the manufacturer. Otherwise you need to get a pretty finesse specific bc set up. Of all the gear I have used, I would use a Dobyns DX742sf as far as spinning stuff goes (I sold that though). I still have a DX703sf that I would use now. I have a DX742c paired with a Shimano Aldebaran BFS that I would also have no problem using either. Are you planning on putting a trailer on your hair jigs? Some I do (like the NSCB hairjig), some I don't. That would obviously change a lot as well. Thats another thing, hahaha. When do you decide you need a trailer on it and when do you not? I really havent used them much. The one time I used them was about 3-4 years ago at night, i used a black hair jig without a trailer and caught 4-5 fish quick before i lost it. I got the punisher jigs. I thought if i did put a trailer on it, it would probably be a small 3" beaver type bait. Quote
Super User Team9nine Posted January 1, 2015 Super User Posted January 1, 2015 Thats another thing, hahaha. When do you decide you need a trailer on it and when do you not? I really havent used them much. The one time I used them was about 3-4 years ago at night, i used a black hair jig without a trailer and caught 4-5 fish quick before i lost it. I got the punisher jigs. I thought if i did put a trailer on it, it would probably be a small 3" beaver type bait. Simple - start one way and let the fish tell you what they prefer. Generally speaking, I'll use a trailer when I want more bulk (warmer water, stained water, low light, etc.) or a slower fall rate. I tend to not use a trailer if I'm fishing deeper water, clearer water, colder water, or need a faster retrieve cadence. Also, I tend to use a trailer more for largemouth, but not so much for spots or smallies. Nothing is set in stone though. Let the fish tell you the answer to that question out on the water. If you're not getting bit one way, try the other. -T9 1 Quote
Arv Posted January 1, 2015 Posted January 1, 2015 T9 pretty much said it. For me I let the amount of hair on the jig dictate how quick I will put a trailer on as well. I have the Punisher jigs you just got in 1/4 oz and (I think) 1/8 oz. To me, they have hair where I won't lose conficence in them quickly w/o a trailer. The North Star jigs I will typically just start off with a small trailer like an SK Baby Rodent. My NSCB hair jigs are also 3/8oz. Ultimately, again like T9 said, let the fish decide. 1 Quote
Super User QUAKEnSHAKE Posted January 2, 2015 Super User Posted January 2, 2015 Ill use 8' ML/M, 7'6" M/F spinning for 3/8 under. Use 7'6" ML/MF, 7' M/F & 7' MH/F casting for 1/4-3/8-1/2 hair jigs. Havent used trailers ever. If you have pike in your waters well pike like them too. Quote
OntarioFishingGuy Posted January 2, 2015 Posted January 2, 2015 I use a 7' ML/F Avid spinning rod with 6lb P-Line Floroclear in open water with 1/8 to 3/16 oz jigs. If I am ripping them through weeds, I go to a 6'6'' M/F Avid spinning rod with 10lb Power Pro braid and a 12lb fluorocarbon leader. Any less than 1/8 oz, a light power trout rod is perfect. 2000/2500 size spinning reel on the ML/F, 2500/3000 size on the M/F. Quote
Super User Dwight Hottle Posted January 2, 2015 Super User Posted January 2, 2015 In my opinion there is only one trailer for a hair jig and that is a live minnow. Fish it naked or sweeten with live bait. 1 Quote
Super User Jeff H Posted January 2, 2015 Super User Posted January 2, 2015 I have used black Uncle Josh #101 pork frog on black hair in the past and done well. It's been a long time since I tied any up and used them!! Quote
Super User kickerfish1 Posted January 2, 2015 Super User Posted January 2, 2015 Once you get down to a 1/4 oz and under with or without added trailer weight you are looking at almost a finesse casting setup which can expensive in a hurry. A reel with a finesse spool to begin with or one that would accept an aftermarket spool will be needed for those 1/8 oz jigs and of course the right line and rod. There fore from a cost standpoint it may be best to opt for a good quality spinning outfit for these. Smalljaw is spot on with a Medium Fast action spinning rod for that weight range even though you can fish them on ML / Fast rod. It also may depend on the hair jig manufacture and what type of hook they used. Some of them with the light wire hooks and little or no weed guards should be fished easily on the ML / fast spinning rod. It seems to me at times that getting a good "positive" hook set with a "bigger hair jig" on the ML / Fast rod can be difficult and I will miss a few more fish than I typically do as it takes longer for the rod to get into the backbone. I would lean toward any 2500 series Shimano Reel for a Medium spinning rod and you could go down to to a 1000 series reel if you went with a ML rod as the balance should be better for the most part (Thinking Stradic FJ series reels with respect to weight and balance). For line I like 8# Tatsu or Sniper though some guys do the braid / leader thing but it is just not for me. Did you have a given budget on the Rod / Reel for the hair jigs? That may narrow the suggestions down to something more manageable. Quote
Super User SirSnookalot Posted January 2, 2015 Super User Posted January 2, 2015 I tie up my own fresh water jigs, usually 1/8 oz. primarily for peacocks but I use them for LMB too. I use ul, light and ml spinning, reels match the rod. These set ups work well for 5-6# fish and smaller. Quote
Super User Oregon Native Posted January 2, 2015 Super User Posted January 2, 2015 Tie a lot of small hair for smallies in 1/16 and 1/8. No trailer needed. 7 foot lighter action rod with a Diawa 1300 SS. Ten pound yellow PP and a six pound leader........it's money Quote
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