Finesse Jig Set Up ?

[ChrisD46]

For finesse swim jigs and such in that 5/16th oz. weight range (i.e. in between 1/4th oz & 3/8th oz.)  - what is your rod , reel and line set up ?

[waymont]

MH casting set up 6’6”- 7’2” 30lb braid. My favorite is a loomis MBR in 3 power.

[MN Fisher]

Other than Neds I toss all my jigs on the President BC, 7' MH/F Aird-X, 20# Power Pro. Rod is rated for 1/4oz to 1oz.

[WRB]

It's hard to define what a finesse jig is today, weight alone isn't a good defination.

Finesse jig to me like all jigs is more about the hook and compact skirt. Ned rig for example could be a finesse presented jig along with darter heads and shaky heads.

If we stick to TW listing for finesse jigs any Mediun to MH fast or Xfast jig and worm rod can be used effectively for finesse jigs.

What is perplexing with jig weight is a 5/16 oz finesse jig can weigh anywhere between 1/4 to 1/2 oz when taken out of the package and weighed accurately. Some on this site suggest the jig weight applies only to the jig head less hook, skirt and weedgards. My standard hair jig weighed 7/16 oz including the hook and has a Mediun wire 5/0 hook that could define this jig as a finesse jig. The fact I use 5 and 6 power fast jig and worm rods with 10 lb line could also be defined as finesse presentation. I don't consider my jigs or tackle finesse.

Tom

[GReb]

I like throwing lighter wire jigs on a relatively short rod and light light. My go to setup is a 6’10” MH with 12 lb mono. 

[Fishes in trees]

I consider quarter ounce Brewer Slider jigs and a 4 to 5 inch worm a finesse presentation.  My current rig to present this bait is a Falcon Lowrider 6'10" Finesse jig special.  This used to be called the Eakins jig special, I guess Eakins & Falcon rods parted ways at some point, so the rod got re-named.   With a Curado 50 E and 10 lb fluorocarbon, I feel like I detect 90% or more of the strikes that I get and it does a good job of setting the slider jig hook.

 

If for some reason I need to throw a bait similar to that on a spinning rig, there are lots of different choices.

[waymont]

2 hours ago, WRB said:

It's hard to define what a finesse jig is today, weight alone isn't a good defination.

Finesse jig to me like all jigs is more about the hook and compact skirt. Ned rig for example could be a finesse presented jig along with darter heads and shaky heads.

If we stick to TW listing for finesse jigs any Mediun to MH fast or Xfast jig and worm rod can be used effectively for finesse jigs.

What is perplexing with jig weight is a 5/16 oz finesse jig can weigh anywhere between 1/4 to 1/2 oz when taken out of the package and weighed accurately. Some on this site suggest the jig weight applies only to the jig head less hook, skirt and weedgards. My standard hair jig weighed 7/16 oz including the hook and has a Mediun wire 5/0 hook that could define this jig as a finesse jig. The fact I use 5 and 6 power fast jig and worm rods with 10 lb line could also be defined as finesse presentation. I don't consider my jigs or tackle finesse.

Tom

He's asking about a 5/16oz finesse swim jig in a particular.

[MN Fisher]

9 minutes ago, waymont said:

He's asking about a 5/16oz finesse swim jig in a particular.

Which tosses it back to my MH rod. 5/16 + skirt + hook + trailer = close to 1/2 oz

[waymont]

2 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Which tosses it back to my MH rod. 5/16 + skirt + hook + trailer = close to 1/2 oz

That's exactly what I suggested too

[WRB]

22 minutes ago, waymont said:

He's asking about a 5/16oz finesse swim jig in a particular.

My point is 5/16 oz may not weigh 5/16 oz, it could weigh anywhere between 1/4 to 3/8 oz and some up to 1/2 oz. I realize this sound rediculous until you actually weigh a jig as you use it out of the package before adding a trailer. 

I weigh each new style jig I use, several brands, and few weigh what the package is marked. It's important to me to know the actual weight as it affects the jigs rate of fall. 

Tom

[Bluebasser86]

7' MH/F LTB, Zillion TWS SV 9.1, 15lb Tatsu 

[GReb]

Weight does not decide if a jig is finesse or not. The hook does. The lighter wire hook, the lighter the tackle needed. 

[CountryboyinDC]

I use a Falcon 6'10 MH/F Cara T7 (finesse jig model, imagine that) with a Shimano Curado 70.  The rod is the lightest powered MH I've ever used.  I use 30 lb. braid and a flurocarbon leader (usually 12 lb).  My go to finesse jigs have small bit stout hooks.

I've never fished a finesse swim jig, but I might try it next year.  I have to do something with the G Loomis IMX/Shimano Bantam combo I just picked up.

[waymont]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

My point is 5/16 oz may not weigh 5/16 oz, it could weigh anywhere between 1/4 to 3/8 oz and some up to 1/2 oz. I realize this sound rediculous until you actually weigh a jig as you use it out of the package before adding a trailer. 

I weigh each new style jig I use, several brands, and few weigh what the package is marked. It's important to me to know the actual weight as it affects the jigs rate of fall. 

Tom

I hear what you're saying as far as wight goes. However finesse swim jigs have a lighter wire hook which would  determine the setup the OP would use, as would the weight of the jig. IMO the extra 1/8oz or so doesn't matter as much, it wouldn't change the rod power he would use. The advice the OP wants would still be a MH power rod and the line they prefer.

[Fishingmickey]

1 hour ago, CountryboyinDC said:

I use a Falcon 6'10 MH/F Cara T7 (finesse jig model, imagine that) with a Shimano Curado 70.  The rod is the lightest powered MH I've ever used.  I use 30 lb. braid and a flurocarbon leader (usually 12 lb).  My go to finesse jigs have small bit stout hooks.

I've never fished a finesse swim jig, but I might try it next year.  I have to do something with the G Loomis IMX/Shimano Bantam combo I just picked up.

X2

 

FM

[CountryboyinDC]

@Fishingmickey, I get on my wife about buying stuff because it's a good deal, but I did just that with the IMX.

[ChrisD46]

4 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Which tosses it back to my MH rod. 5/16 + skirt + hook + trailer = close to 1/2 oz

*This is key - which is what I am now getting my head around . You have to factor in the other components of the jig set up including the trailer used  for total weight which will make it heavier than you think based on jig head  weight alone .

[DSTN]

I'd use my 7' MH/F Falcon Lowrider, 7.1 Lews reel, and 15 lb Big Game. That rod has been killer for jigs and t-rigs in the 3/16 oz to 3/8 oz range. 

[WRB]

The problem is not all jig mfr's weigh their product the same. Every other lure that has a weight on the package, the weight is close to what the package list. If you weigh a 5/8 oz crankbait it weighs 5/8 oz, a 1/2 oz spoon it weighs a 1/2 oz. when you buy a 3/8 oz jig it should weigh 3/8 oz, not 1/4 oz or a 1/2 oz. 

I know Skinny Bear finesse pro jigs weigh very close to advertised 3/8 oz weighs 3/8 oz.

Maybe site sponsor Siebert Outdoors can explain why jigs very greatly?

What is considered a light jig hook? 5/16 oz jig with 3/0 hook wire diameter .042D for example, is that light hook? Considered this my 7/16 oz jig has 5/0 hook wire .041 D, Gamakstsu 114, that is a light hook so my jigs are finesse jigs!

I wouldn't go below 10 lb FC line or 4 / MH power fast action rods using 1/4-1/2 oz jigs. I use 5 /H fast action rods with 10-12lb FC for nearly all my casting jigs. 4 / MH rod will be easier to cast for the majority of anglers.

Tom 

[Fishingmickey]

On 11/15/2019 at 5:00 PM, CountryboyinDC said:

@Fishingmickey, I get on my wife about buying stuff because it's a good deal, but I did just that with the IMX.

I got a chance to test drive it this weekend. Spooled up with 15# tatsu and fishing with 1/4 oz football head EWG hook jig with a 7" power worm. I was very pleased with the performance of the combo! I was fishing in 14-20' FOW.

FM

[CountryboyinDC]

1 hour ago, Fishingmickey said:

I got a chance to test drive it this weekend. Spooled up with 15# tatsu and fishing with 1/4 oz football head EWG hook jig with a 7" power worm. I was very pleased with the performance of the combo! I was fishing in 14-20' FOW.

FM

I was thinking this rod was going to be the ticket for some lighter jigs.  I've already got a couple of reels I could stick on this rod, how'd you like the Bantam with the light jig head?

[bunz559]

I throw finesse jigs on a Dobyns Extreme 784 and Orochi XX Braillist. Both these rods have nice tips, the 784 being much softer than the Megabass. My typical setup for around my area is 40lb Power Pro with a 12lb - 16lb FC Sniper leader. I don't often throw anything lighter than a 1/2 ounce unfortunately. I also hardly throw anything much heavier as well. Anything heavier and I'd have to step up my jig rods to something a little stouter and faster tip. Anything lighter than 1/2 ounce and I'd probably step down to a Dobyns 3 power rod like a 733 or 743 and pair with similar 40lb braid and either 10-12lb leader.   

[Fishingmickey]

4 hours ago, CountryboyinDC said:

I was thinking this rod was going to be the ticket for some lighter jigs.  I've already got a couple of reels I could stick on this rod, how'd you like the Bantam with the light jig head?

     I was very pleased with how the Bantam performed. I set it up with two brakes on, brake control #4 and cast control pretty light, and she is super smooth and pretty touchy. Kinda dang near don't you dare let your thumb off the spool touchy. The freshly filled spool of line might have had something to do with it too.

     Fishing in the deeper water I liked it that way. I will probably end up turning on all four brakes next time out and backing off on the cast & brake controls a touch more.  

FM

[Westcoast]

I like the Loomis 852 or 853 jwr in for tossing smaller jigs. If they get a little bigger I go with the 893 or 894. Pick your price level from imx-pro to nrx. I’ve also tossed them on a 71mhxf helium 3 which is no slouch either for a 1/2 oz jig.