Marabou jig setup...

[DitchPanda]

Talking about the small 1/16-1/8oz jigs used primarily for smallmouth. I was using a black 1/16oz VMC dominator last week and caught some decent largemouth on it. Problem is that's a light jig and I was having trouble getting distance. I was using a 6ft10 med light omen black with 10lb power pro braid and couldn't get the casting distance I wanted. For those of you throwing these what setup are you using? Any tips or tricks to help?

[Scott804]

Is the rod fast action? Having a slower or whippier rod would probably help you out a bit. 

 

Casting slower/faster might help too. Usually there is a sweet spot when it comes to the super light stuff. 

[Reel]

I use a Shimano Intenza 7' 6'' light rod for my marabout jigs and get good distance.  I use 1/16 and 1/8 oz jigs.  If you want more distance you can slip a piece of plactic worm or Senko on the hook to make the jig heavier.  It works well.

[DitchPanda]

18 minutes ago, Reel said:

I use a Shimano Intenza 7' 6'' light rod for my marabout jigs and get good distance.  I use 1/16 and 1/8 oz jigs.  If you want more distance you can slip a piece of plactic worm or Senko on the hook to make the jig heavier.  It works well.

What line you use? What size reel?

[FryDog62]

I use a 7'1" Phenix Feather baitcasting, Light power, Fast action - with Daiwa Air TW, 7 lb Sniper. 1/16th oz VMC Marabou jigs - gets better distance than my old 7'6" spinning rod with braid did. 

[bulldog1935]

How about JP UL rockfish rod?  

These have progressive taper (like fly rod), cast down to sub-gram, cast 1/8 oz like a rocketship, and have fish-turning butt.  

Length begins about 7'6" - here are the markings on my highest-grade and longest 8'3" Yamaga Blanks small game rod.  

 

a very cost-effective rod series, NS Black Hole Dark Horse, is made in Korea and sold by a very reliable ebay seller

 

Mine go back a dozen years to very cost-effective Takamiya, and have landed doubles with mixed redfish, snook, and seatrout.  Also search for Major Craft tubular-tip UL rockfish.  

I would advise against solid-tip rods unless you're planning to fish sub-gram.  

 

Another very good light-lure rod is my 7'7" 13Fishing Omen Green ML.  

These are very fast rods, and all the light is in the tip.  

[Bankc]

12 hours ago, Scott804 said:

Is the rod fast action? Having a slower or whippier rod would probably help you out a bit. 

 

Casting slower/faster might help too. Usually there is a sweet spot when it comes to the super light stuff. 

Agreed.  The problem with slower rods is it's possible to "overcast" them. That's where you're whipping them so fast, the rod doesn't have time to fully release before the bait is in the air.   I think that's why a lot of people think faster action rods will cast further. 

 

A lighter power may also help.  Since those are typically crappie lures, it might help to look at crappie rods which are better designed for such things.  

 

It's all about getting the balance and timing in sync.  Too much lure weight, and you'll overload the rod and it won't rebound in time.  Too little, and you won't load the rod properly.  Too fast of a cast, and the rod won't have time to fully release before the line starts peeling off the reel.  To slow of a cast, and the rod's release will be back on the rebound while you're releasing the bait.  I think that's one reason why so many people have different opinions on this subject.  You kind of have to tailor the rod to your situation.  It's the same reason why serious golfers have custom made clubs to accommodate both their height and swing speed.  

 

 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

The Omens are crisp rods, the XF recover fairly quick so slowing down most likely wont increase distance.  Try a limp braid in the smallest dia you can get away with, like 8lb x9 or 10lb TCB.  A wider spool like a 3 or 4k will help too.  Adding a piece of plastic worm will give it more weight and add more body to it.  The trick is you want to the right shape and plastic to give you the fall rate you want.   

[TnRiver46]

I throw mine on a flemsy fiberglass rod with 4-6 lb mono.  that 1/16th lure may be a tad light to throw on braid but the 1/8 should work. There’s a little friction in the guides when braid shoots through them