Losing Jig Fish on Heavy Action Rod

[Todd2]

So my jig rod for many years was an All Star 7'0 MH.. It has and continues to serve me well. I decided to grab an All Star Nano 7'3 H on sale back in the Winter. Although I don't keep records and have no proof, I am sure I'm losing more fish on the way in, especially bigger ones. It happened again this afternoon..I laid the wood to it,  a nice one out of lay down, she came up close to the boat and threw it. Any thoughts? The simple solution is just to stick with my 7'0 MH I guess.

[Finessegenics]

Maybe the rod’s taper is too fast, making it easy for the fish to “unload” the rod and spit the hook when you have no bend in your rod. That’s why some people like a mod-fast taper for jigs. 

[Team9nine]

20 minutes ago, Finessegenics said:

Maybe the rod’s taper is too fast, making it easy for the fish to “unload” the rod and spit the hook when you have no bend in your rod. That’s why some people like a mod-fast taper for jigs. 

Bingo - I like the above answer ^^ and have always subscribed to the more moderate action rod for jig fishing (not plastics). It's why I still have and use 'old school' All Star SJ rods in my arsenal.

[DitchPanda]

I agree with this as well...I use an old mojo bass spinnerbait rod which is a medhvy fast but has nice tip that's not to fast. I rarely lose jig fish on that rod.

 

[MN Fisher]

I stick with a MH/F for jigs as well...also do a double hook-set - feel a tap, set the hook, if it feels like a fish, set again.

[NHBull]

Since  I went to the MBR flex, many more better size fish make it into the boat

[A-Jay]

The line choice can play a role here as well.

Never been a fan of a super fast stick for jigs, especially with braided line. 

Regardless of line choice, my current favorite jig rod is a 7' 6" St Croix older Rage blank rated as MH Mod Fast.

It actually bends. 

A-Jay 

 

[WRB]

If you get a good hook set where the barb penetrates the fish mouth the rod has nothing to do with losing big fish. I use 5 and 6 power 6'10" rods and don't have giant bass tossing jigs. Learn to set your drag, keep the line tight and keep the fish under control in front of you.

It's not the rod!

Tom

[GReb]

Yep. You have a big heavy jighead on the outside of their mouth working against your hook. A little bend of the rod and stretch of the line will increase landing percentages. But a good hookset is most important

 

However if you are short pitching in gnarly cover and are pulling the fish vertically straight up into the boat the a XF taper will work to your advantage. 

[Hook2Jaw]

I recently switched from a Medium Heavy Fast to a Heavy Fast, moving from straight fluorocarbon to braid to fluorocarbon leader.

 

I lost fish too in the beginning of the switch.

 

My issue was my rod and hookset were giving the fish so much they would immediately be headed towards me.  I remedied it by introducing immediate reeling into my hookset.  50# braid to 17# fluoro has a lot of strength, and I set it all to max drag on my Tatula 100.  Sometimes it slips, but I am able to give heavy cover hard hit bass the mustard.

[Teal]

I use fast and extra fast taper with braid.  I do have my drag set a hair loose...but it all evens out.  

[clh121787]

Imo. A fish that comes off on single hook application, Wasnt a good hook set (well past the barb) to begin with.  This doesnt mean the rod, line , hook, reel combination was wrong. Could be technique, or bad position in the fishes mouth. Lots of variables.   But as stated using a 7,3 heavy and  some decent line imo the odds are in your favor for catching fish. Could just be a string of bad luck. 

[Todd2]

7 hours ago, clh121787 said:

 Could just be a string of bad luck. 

Could be but something just doesn't seem right...same jigs, line, and hookset I've been using. The line is 14lb Clear Blue Stren...and I'm not talking about giant Bass. those are few and far between here. The one's I've lost are in that 3-4 range.

 

[Born 2 fish]

I went from a 7’ m/h to a 7’2 heavy and have not had a problem. I like it much more I use 15lb fluorocarbon.

[Bird]

I throw 1oz jigs with 7'2 heavy rod and half oz on MH moderate.

Both reels are 9.3:1 which may aid in fish spitting hook, perhaps. 

[Finessegenics]

8 minutes ago, Bird said:

I throw 1oz jigs with 7'2 heavy rod and half oz on MH moderate.

Both reels are 9.3:1 which may aid in fish spitting hook, perhaps. 

That has to be one of the more unique jig setups I’ve heard of!

[Bird]

33 minutes ago, Finessegenics said:

That has to be one of the more unique jig setups I’ve heard of!

Actually was the recommendation from a well known guide on Lake fork " video ".

I tried it and stuck with it.

[Gator_Bait]

8 minutes ago, Bird said:

Actually was the recommendation from a well known guide on Lake fork " video ".

I tried it and stuck with it.

What line are you using?

 

[Bird]

3 hours ago, Gator_Bait said:

What line are you using?

 

1oz jigs, 50# braid.

The video I was referring to surfaced on this site.

[waymont]

I don't fish jigs on heavy rods. I only use G Loomis 3 power rods  (both JWR and MBR) for 1/4-3/8oz jigs, with 30lb braid to leader 6' long. I very rarely lose a jig fish.

 

[The Maestro]

The heavier powered rod could be opening up a bigger hole in the fishes' mouth (both on the set and during the fight) allowing it to shake the hook even on a good set when it's past the barb. This would be more likely to happen if you're using braid due to the zero stretch. 

[Todd2]

I am happy with my old All Star 7'0 MH, I've put the lion's share of keeper Bass in my boat with it the last 15 years or so. So at the end of the day, I think I broke my old rule of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". Looks like I have a new heavy Carolina Rig rod now...

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