Most Sensitive Jig Rods

[PABassFish007]

Hello everyone,

 

With Icast 2018 in the past, and holiday deals rolling out, I am looking to buy 2 new rods and reels.  I am looking to get 1 baitcasting setup for jigs and 1 spinning setup for texas rigging.  I am more concerned about getting the baitcasting setup first but am looking for suggestions on the best rods and reels with the best SENSITIVITY under 250. Taking suggestions on the spinning setup too. Lets hear it! 

[Stephen B]

Are you referring to a rod and reel combined price under $250? 

[Joshua van Wyk]

If you want a rod and reel under $250 you'll probably be best off with getting a Daiwa Fuego off Ebay or Amazon for <$60 and getting a dobyns champion xp 734 from American legacy fishing.  They have a 20% off sale on all dobyns rods and you can get an additional 10% off if you sign up for their newsletter.

[Stephen B]

I'd recommend a SLX reel, Origin A paired with a Curado, Zodias rod. Should be close to your budget. 

[GReb]

You can get a kistler mag 2 for $135 right now after using the additional 10% off code. Then pair that up with a tatula ct or Lews mb. 

[PABassFish007]

I was thinking about 200 for the rod itself. And maybe 100 or so for the reel... are these some of the most sensitive rods available? I have heard great things about the avids, any opinions om those?

[TBAG]

1 hour ago, PABassFish007 said:

I was thinking about 200 for the rod itself. And maybe 100 or so for the reel... are these some of the most sensitive rods available? I have heard great things about the avids, any opinions om those?

I have several Avids and they're great, plenty of others will agree. Lots of sales going on in the next few days too, I'd also look at a Dobyns or Kistler. I think I'm going to go with a Kistler for a new jig/texas rig rod. I'm currently using an Avid.

[Sam]

PA, your question is simple but your answers will be personal and all over the map.

 

First, it is up to you to decide what you want in a rod. I have G. Loomis rods that I love because they are very light and sensitive. I also have a David Fritts Speed Stick Cranking Series Rod that I love for crankbaits, lipless crankbaits, Chatterbaits and spinnerbaits. I use the Fritts Speed Stick all the time and keep the G. Loomis for tournament fishing along with the Fritts Speed Stick.

 

As you can imagine, there is a very large price differential between G. Loomis rods and my Fritts Speed Stick.

 

May I suggest you visit the American Legacy Fishing site as mentioned by Joshua, Tackle Warehouse site, and contact Tom at Delaware Valley Tackle for his input. Read what they have penned about each rod they sell and what Tom suggests. Then, take this information and apply it to other rods you are interested to narrow down your search.

 

As for a jig rod, there are "rod specific application" rods in the marketplace and you can consider purchasing one designed for jig fishing and Texas rigs, only.  Just be sure to look at the rod's parameters to make sure they are within the line test and bait weights you use the most, including the Texas rig's weights weight. NOTE: G. LOOMIS HAS ROD SPECIFIC RODS FOR DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS, TOO.

 

I also suggest putting the reels of your choice on each rod in the store and see how they feel in your hands. This will give you a good feel of the rod's action, weight, and if the length is good for you.

 

As for the most sensitive rods, you have to understand that there are no set standards rod manufacturers use which means one brand's sensitivity rating is in no way parallel to another brand's sensitivity rating. You can read the BS about all the rods in the market and drive yourself nuts. You will have to do your own research, along with what the guys post for you to consider (which will vary per individual) to narrow down your search.

 

This is another fun and challenging thing to do in the bass fishing industry: find the one rod and reel combo that you will love and use for many years into the future.

 

So I can give you what I like (BPS Extreme medium heavy rods that I use all the time, including tournaments but are no longer manufactured and my G. Loomis rods for tournaments) for Texas rigged applications and a heavy rated rod by All Star for jig fishing.

 

As for reels, too many gear ratios to discuss for too many applications. Just make sure the line test matches with the rod's line test parameters and you like the reel's size. Note if it fits in your hand comfortably.

 

Once again, you have asked a valid and simple question. The problem you will have is with the information you will receive to consider.

 

Good luck on your rod purchase and let us know what you decide to purchase.

 

Happy Thanksgiving.

[Dr. Watson]

On 11/21/2018 at 12:07 AM, GReb said:

You can get a kistler mag 2 for $135 right now after using the additional 10% off code. Then pair that up with a tatula ct or Lews mb. 

I'm sorry to thread Jack the OP, but where did you find that deal? Been wanting a rod with an NFC blank, but there always super expensive. That's doable though.

 

Edit: nevermind I just got a KLX for $140 off Kistler's website. Looking forward to putting that NFC reputation to the test. Dangit now I gotta find a reel?

[GReb]

6 hours ago, Dr. Watson said:

I'm sorry to thread Jack the OP, but where did you find that deal? Been wanting a rod with an NFC blank, but there always super expensive. That's doable though.

Kistlers website. They are $150 plus MY10PERCENT gets it to 135

[Hulkster]

I am a Loomis and St. Croix fanboy, so I would say for that budget either a St. Croix Avid or 2018 model G. Loomis E6X (not the first generation which are not as good as the updated 2018 models). 

[WRB]

The Sense O Meter lies between your ears and starts at your fingertips.

Tom

[Catt]

Lot of great jig rods at that price point ?

 

Denali N3 Series 

Falcon Cara T7

iRod Air Series 

Lew's Pro Mark Rose Ledge Series 

McCain Hi-Performance Premium Series

 

You wouldn't be disappointed by any of these!

[MickD]

As stated above, there is no objective way of evaluating sensitivity, so what you are dealing with here are opinions, not facts.  The CCS frequency measurement is probably as close as one can get to objective data, but no one answering the question has the data.  If they did they would offer it.   

 

I'm not saying the rods suggested are not good, sensitive, rods, but which is the most sensitive?  It's all opinion.

 

The best you can do, in my opinion, is to buy the rod with the "most premium" blank material (whatever that is) and the smallest, lightest guides.   Finding guide weights is no piece of cake, but titanium micros or Pac Bay Minimas are probably as light as it gets.

[Falkus]

I always spend top dollars for a Jig as bottom contact. 

 

Thats why I got the NRX 803c (light duty as texas rig) and 873CCR (Heavy Texas Rig/jigs)

[Mobasser]

You might take a look at Shimano rods. They seem to get overlooked by many guys, but are very good for the money.

[LonnieP]

Kistler Helium 3. A little over your budget at 215 at the sale price but well worth it 

[PABassFish007]

Ive heard lots on Dobyns as well? Anyone have an opinion here

[iabass8]

On 11/21/2018 at 5:06 AM, PABassFish007 said:

I was thinking about 200 for the rod itself. And maybe 100 or so for the reel... are these some of the most sensitive rods available? I have heard great things about the avids, any opinions om those?

No, the 200$ range isn't part of the most sensitive rods available but they're still good rods. 

[Jason Penn]

sensitivity is important to me for bottom contact rods, comfort is just as important. i have a couple of rods that have split reel seats on them that are a tad more sensitive than the steez xt rods i primarily use, but the daiwa reel seats are just my favorite, so i stick with them.

[Catt]

19 hours ago, iabass8 said:

No, the 200$ range isn't part of the most sensitive rods available but they're still good rods. 

 

That's funny right there ?

[iabass8]

24 minutes ago, Catt said:

 

That's funny right there ?

Why is it funny?

[Catt]

1 hour ago, iabass8 said:

Why is it funny?

 

Price has nothing to do with sensitivity!

 

The most important part of rod sensitivity is who is holding the rod!

[iabass8]

4 minutes ago, Catt said:

 

Price has nothing to do with sensitivity!

 

The most important part of rod sensitivity is who is holding the rod!

Nobody said it was “due to price”. The NRX blank is regarded as “the most sensitive” blank available. He asked if his options were the most sensitive available. They arent. I answered his question. Pretty straight forward. 

[Catt]

Sensitivity strarts in the hands & continues up to the brain.

 

I've fished everything from Fenwick's first graphite to the top of the line G. Loomis. I currently fish Shimano Crucial which I find every bit as sensitive as any.

 

Let me explain it this way!

 

I could put any high end reel on any high end rod, spool it with braid for maximum sensitivity, tie on a Texas rig & then give it to my wife.

She could not "feel" any difference if I had rigged it up on a Berkley Lightening rod!

 

Why?

 

Cause what is transmitted up the line, down the rod, through the hands will be lost in the brain.

She doesn't fish & would not be able to interpret what she is feeling.

 

Even for the average angler a certain amount of "sensitivity" is lost in the brain!