Finesse Jig Rod

[Scotty58]

I've been wanting to get a set up just for finesse jigs. I'm talking mainly 3/8 oz ball head jigs. I'm thinking for a rod maybe a 7' medium rod with moderate action. Of course a 7:1 reel and probably 15lb test Berkeley 100% flouro. What do you guys think? Does the rod sound like the right one for finesse jigs? Thanks!

[roadwarrior]

No, moderate action is for treble hooks, not single hooks and especially not for jigs.

MF or MXF is what I would recommend.

[ChrisWi]

M/Xf or MH/F would be my choice. Got myself a Powell Max 723 and it should be great for light to moderate wire jigs.

[rangerjockey]

I have 2 rods I use for 5/16-3/8. One is a NRX 853 the other is a Denali Noirwood 843.Both are MH, remember when you add a speed craw or whatever trailer you like it's going to be close to 1/2 oz.

Personally I use 10lb.sniper on the finesse jigs.

[kickerfish1]

Personally I feel like finesse jigs are generally lighter than 3/8 oz. A 3/8 oz jig can be casted and fished quite well on just about any MH fast of extra fast rod. If you plan on using the same rod for lighter jigs as well look at Medium fast or extra fast. If you think it would be 3/8 or heavier look for a MH fast or extra fast.

Unless you are going under 3/8 oz I would fish these on casting gear and for lighter jigs a medium spinning rod would be good. For line I would think 10-12# floro or braid equivalent would be adequate. 90% of my jig fishing is done with 12# line.

[Fishes in trees]

To echo what was written in earlier posts, 3/8 oz i kind of heavy as finesse jigs go.  Add a trailer and the bait gets heavier.  Depending on what kind of trailer, you could make a 3/8 oz jig kind of flutter down rather than sink like a stone.  Regardless, if I'm throwing 3/8 oz jigs,  I want at least a MH rod with a fast or extra fast tip.   Currently I have a 7'2" Fenwick Aetos or a 7' Kistler for these chores.   For a more finesse bait casting presentation, look at something like a 6'10" Falcon Eakins Jig Special.   That rod is on the lighter side of MH, with quite a bit of tip in the rod.  It throws 3/16 and 1/4 oz jig heads with some sort of plastic real well.  (I tend to use the 1/4 oz Brewer Head and a 5" paddle tail worm).

 

Using a 3/8 oz jig, I am unlikely to go lighter than 14 or 15 lb line.   3/16 or 1/4 oz I am ok going down to 10 lb abrazx.   Whatever finesse presentation you decide to go with, get a reel that is as light as possible.  I use a Curado 50 on my Eakins Jig rod, and a Curado 200 on my heavier jig rod.  When I can afford another 50 size reel, I will swap it out on one of my jig rods.

[Jrob78]

I only throw the lightest of jigs on a medium power rod.  Not all rods are created equal and powers vary across the board but I generally always go with a MH or H (regardless of maker) for jigs over 1/4 oz.   As for action, always use a fast or x fast for jigs.  It will be hard to get a solid hookset with a moderate action.  For a 3/8 oz jig, I use a 7' MH/F.

[new2BC4bass]

To echo what was written in earlier posts, 3/8 oz i kind of heavy as finesse jigs go.  Add a trailer and the bait gets heavier.  Depending on what kind of trailer, you could make a 3/8 oz jig kind of flutter down rather than sink like a stone.  Regardless, if I'm throwing 3/8 oz jigs,  I want at least a MH rod with a fast or extra fast tip.   Currently I have a 7'2" Fenwick Aetos or a 7' Kistler for these chores.   For a more finesse bait casting presentation, look at something like a 6'10" Falcon Eakins Jig Special.   That rod is on the lighter side of MH, with quite a bit of tip in the rod.  It throws 3/16 and 1/4 oz jig heads with some sort of plastic real well.  (I tend to use the 1/4 oz Brewer Head and a 5" paddle tail worm).

 

Using a 3/8 oz jig, I am unlikely to go lighter than 14 or 15 lb line.   3/16 or 1/4 oz I am ok going down to 10 lb abrazx.   Whatever finesse presentation you decide to go with, get a reel that is as light as possible.  I use a Curado 50 on my Eakins Jig rod, and a Curado 200 on my heavier jig rod.  When I can afford another 50 size reel, I will swap it out on one of my jig rods.

 

 

I have the same Aetos.  How do you feel it compares to other rods you have used for jigs?  I haven't used mine for any bottom contact baits yet since it has only been used where I practice my casting, and I prefer not to lose lures when I know my chances of catching a fish is about zero.  Therefore I use a lure I don't need to worry about losing......a spinnerbait.

 

A friend has the XF model and absolutely loves his and will re-tie lures rather than use a different rod that is already set up.

[gardnerjigman]

Falcon ha a great finesse jig rod in the lowrider line up

[deep]

Go easy on the pound test unless you're fishing a lot of cover- in which case I'd try other jigheads anyway. 12# Tatsu is what I use for 3/8 to 1/2 oz horizontal jigs. It seems that has the same diameter as 8# trilene. Medium to medium-heavy power is fine depending on your tastes, I like fast action. Rod length and reel speed depend on your personal preferences.

[Bluebasser86]

I fish mine on 7' MH/XF with 10-15 pound fluorocarbon and a E7 Curado. 

[mjseverson24]

I use a 7' M/F Abu Verdict with a Daiwa T3-B 8:1 and 10 lb segar invisx. This has been a great combo for me using very light jig set ups.

 

Mitch

[Angry John]

I am left wondering if you are looking for a rod for 3/8ths and above or a light weight rig.  3/8ths is my point where both medium and medium heavy work well depending on cover.  If your looking at heavy cover then the line should be braid as the weeds will mask the line and it will not matter.  If your in open water then the medium and the flouro should be a good match.  Some people like to flip and punch with flouro but i dont like the managment issues with very heavy flouro in the 20+LB range.

[Scotty58]

I live in Illinois so the lakes around here are usually always a little dirty if not muddy that's why I try not to go smaller than 3/8. I've got a setup I use for flipping 1/2 and 3/4 jigs. There's one lake around where I live that has thick vegetation. Most of the other ones just have laydowns and docks. Have never really considered going lighter than 3/8 but maybe I should?

[Blues19]

I have looked for a finesse jig rod, but I have never been able to figure out if I wanted a M or MH.  Using jgs from 3/16-3/8. I would think a Medium would be good, but then I look at the idea of sticking that trailer on there. How much more weight does it put on there? Is a 3/8 oz jig with a trailer too much for a Medium rod?

[kickerfish1]

I live in Illinois so the lakes around here are usually always a little dirty if not muddy that's why I try not to go smaller than 3/8. I've got a setup I use for flipping 1/2 and 3/4 jigs. There's one lake around where I live that has thick vegetation. Most of the other ones just have laydowns and docks. Have never really considered going lighter than 3/8 but maybe I should?

There are a few advantages of lighter jigs over heavier jigs:

 

1. Their fall rate is much slower making them appear to move and fall more naturally

2. They work well for shallower lakes and working depths under 10 feet

3. Generally they snag up less than a heavier jig

 

The downside is in casting distance if you fish deeper they aren't a great choice for that either.

 

To me  a 3/8 oz jig is a good compromise or all around jig for everyday situations. I probably have the most in this weight range.

[Arv]

Personally I'd be looking at a medium heavy for jigs at 3/8oz. Once you add the trailer you're looking at the upper end of most medium power rods. I'm more comfortable with more rod for jigs at 3/8

[JGBassinAL]

IMO I would go with a medium heavy if you are choosing between medium heavy and medium. I throw my 3/8 oz jigs on a heavy/mod-fast if I am around lay downs or docks like you mentioned you would be fishing.

[Scotty58]

I appreciate all the input guys! i looking on tackle warehouse and liking the look of the Falon Lowrider 6'10" MH/F finesse jig rod. That and i really like the *** rods. I just recently got a bass pro micro guide crankin stick for my medium depth crankbaits so have to buy a reel for it then i think im gonna work on getting the Falcon rod.

[War Eagle 44]

Although I only have one Falcon rod their finesse jig rod would've been my suggestion as well. I've really enjoyed and been impressed with my Falcon so I feel very confident recommending them. I've always wanted their finesse jig rod but for some reason I just never pull the trigger. I think you've made a very good decision and don't forget to let us know how you like it.

[lmbfisherman]

I will hammer it down further.  MH/F definitely.  If you go with a Moderate tip, even though I wouldn't recommend it...I'd use braid as mainline with a flouro leader.