Deep Jig Rod

[tylervdb]

As title says, looking for a deep jig rod in the 7’4” - 7’6” range. Leaning towards a heavy fast. I’d like to stay with St Croix, 13 or Shimano. 7’6” Curado looks good, new omens on the old muse blank intrigue me as I have a 7’1” spinning that I like a lot, SC slop n frog looks good but is it a broom stick? Jigs will be 3/4-1oz, pitched in deep grass or drug over deep points and breaks. More dragging than flipping honestly. What’s the Curado sensitivity like? Anyone have a muse they like? I have quite a few omens and mojos.

[punch]

What's your budget? 

[tylervdb]

150 tops. I’ve been leaning towards either the SC hf slop-n-frog if it’s not super stiff but I’m thinking it is or the new omen 7’4”hf. Which is the old muse blank I believe. I have 2 mojos and a omen 7’1”mhf I use on the daily for t-rigs and lighter jigs, they are just lacking for 3/4-1oz. I find myself using the 13 more for counting rocks as it’s oddly sensitive, kinda makes me lean that way . The new omen spinning I have is a warranty replacement (awesome cs btw) and its oddly sensitive too.

[freelancer27]

Okuma Scott Martin TCS Casting Rod 7'3" Heavy

I have this one and used with braid and leader it is as sensitive as my ST Croix LEgend Elite

[GReb]

You can get a Kistler Mag or Argon on sale for $140-150 right now. The argon is new and I don’t have any experience with it but the Mag is a great rod for that price.  

 

Otherwise id look used or wait for Black Friday sales. There’s a lot of great bottom contact rods at the $200 retail level. From my experience the jump in quality from $130 to $200 is one of the largest. The Mojo and Dobyns Fury are decent at the cheaper price point. There’s so many I haven’t fished with though. I’d stay away from the ALX Ikos and st croix bassx for jigs. 

 

I feel your struggle.  

[waymont]

Not on your list but a heavy Daiwa Tatula rod would be right in your budget and are super sweet rods.

[tylervdb]

I could probably swing 2-220 if I needed too. I’ll check out the Daiwa. Yeah, I thought about just waiting for the holiday sales. Guess I should mention, rod will used with fluro. Only reason I mentioned Shimano, I have a older Clarus I use for frogs, threw jigs on it before frogs and it was pretty sensitive for what it is.

[waymont]

2 hours ago, tylervdb said:

I could probably swing 2-220 if I needed too. I’ll check out the Daiwa. Yeah, I thought about just waiting for the holiday sales. Guess I should mention, rod will used with fluro. Only reason I mentioned Shimano, I have a older Clarus I use for frogs, threw jigs on it before frogs and it was pretty sensitive for what it is.

If you want to spend up to $220 I highly recommend Kistler Helium 3 because they are on sale for $219 right now through the Kistler site. I have a 7' heavy that is an unbelievably great rod. It's NOT tip heavy, very sensitive, and has an excellent taper. I don't fish over 7' because I'm very sensitive to tip heavy rods. That's my other 2 cents which brings me up to 4 cents now.

[BassCats]

I would not recommend the Curado. It is not the same as the old Crucial. The sensitivity is not the same. I believe they made it more indestructible this loosing sensitivity. 

[tylervdb]

4 hours ago, BassCats said:

I would not recommend the Curado. It is not the same as the old Crucial. The sensitivity is not the same. I believe they made it more indestructible this loosing sensitivity. 

I was curious how they matched against the older crucial. Scratch that one off then.

 

After looking at specs and reviews of the alx dragger, tatula, expride and helium I have a tough call to make. I’m still curious about the old muse blank 13 is using in the new omen line. I know a lot of people liked the muse when it first came out.

[Matt_3479]

At your original budget I’d probably be looking at the sc mojo. I have only had experience with 13 for 1 reel and 1 rod. I have an envy black 7’6” heavy extra fast and while it’s been a pretty solid rod, there quality control makes me nervous when the guides are so far from straight it blows my mind. The mojo is a solid stick for the money. Another rod I’ve enjoyed fishing is the tatula lt and heard the tatula is even better.

 

if your stepping up in price then the helium and expride are amazing! You’d be less going with a helium but I can’t speak highly enough for the expride. I fish a bunch of imx pro’s, glx’s and nrx’s and the expride is much better balanced and sensitive then the imx pro for less money and closely approaching the glx’s! Plus there fit and finish is superb. One of the most comfortable rods to fish

[Catt]

5 hours ago, BassCats said:

I would not recommend the Curado. It is not the same as the old Crucial. The sensitivity is not the same. I believe they made it more indestructible this loosing sensitivity. 

 

My sentiments exactly ?

 

I'm a long time Crucial fan & tried to like the Curado but that aint happening.

 

I bought a Daiwa Tatula 7' 1" MH Extra Fast & find it very similar to the Crucial. I like it so much I ordered a second.

 

It's an excellent worm/jig rod for depths out to 25'!