Jig Rod Approx. 250$ budget

[Boomstick]

11 hours ago, Chaos10691 said:

Well let me ask you one more question. I do occasionally throw Texas rigs with a 1/4 oz weight. Would it do good for that as well or would that be too light?

Honestly, we haven't tried, but it's a little heavier of a rod than I would normally use for a T-Rig with a 1/4oz weight, although I'd throw a Carolina rig with a 3/8 or 1/2oz weight all day. Although I would imagine it would cast well especially with heavier plastics.

 

If you're looking for a rod for T-Rigs and jigs, I might consider the St Croix Victory "The Marshall". I can attest that the Dobyns Champion XP 744C will also cast a T-Rig with a 1/4oz weight if you're using a heavier plastic very well, but neither are as good in cover. You can get away with a fair amount of cover with the Full Contact Finesse, really any cover that you wouldn't need a heavier weight for.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

I'm not 100% sure why they went with the EVA there either.  It doesn't effect sensitivity as much as you think it would because its fairly dense so it translates vibration pretty well.  The Vic blanks are really sensitive to begin with and combine that with there light weight you feel just about everything.  In a situation where I need to feel everything, ill have my finger on the line anyway.  See if you cant find a local shop that has the 7'3 Marshal.  The handle is short enough to be comfortable in a kayak as well.     

[Chaos10691]

29 minutes ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

I'm not 100% sure why they went with the EVA there either.  It doesn't effect sensitivity as much as you think it would because its fairly dense so it translates vibration pretty well.  The Vic blanks are really sensitive to begin with and combine that with there light weight you feel just about everything.  In a situation where I need to feel everything, ill have my finger on the line anyway.  See if you cant find a local shop that has the 7'3 Marshal.  The handle is short enough to be comfortable in a kayak as well.     

What’s the Marshal?

50 minutes ago, Boomstick said:

Honestly, we haven't tried, but it's a little heavier of a rod than I would normally use for a T-Rig with a 1/4oz weight, although I'd throw a Carolina rig with a 3/8 or 1/2oz weight all day. Although I would imagine it would cast well especially with heavier plastics.

 

If you're looking for a rod for T-Rigs and jigs, I might consider the St Croix Victory "The Marshall". I can attest that the Dobyns Champion XP 744C will also cast a T-Rig with a 1/4oz weight if you're using a heavier plastic very well, but neither are as good in cover. You can get away with a fair amount of cover with the Full Contact Finesse, really any cover that you wouldn't need a heavier weight for.

Ok great thank you

[Russ E]

1 hour ago, Chaos10691 said:

I meant where on most rods the blank is exposed on the back of the reel seat, the Victory has an EVA thing covering it. 

The foam is not very thick. the rod is plenty sensitive for a sub $200.00 rod.   The sensitivity is comparable to my Megabass Levante rods. The Victory is more comfortable to hold onto.

When I palm a reel my ring finger sits in the exposed blank area. The Exposed blank of the Levante  will rub my finger raw in a day of fishing. this does not happen with the Victory.

 

I don't own a high end Dobyns, so I cant do a fair comparison.

There is no comparison between the victory  and my Dobyns fury rods. the fury is tip heavy and not near as sensitive. 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

33 minutes ago, Chaos10691 said:

What’s the Marshal?

Its the 7'3 MH F 5/16-1oz. I dont use 1/2 oz jigs very much but it should be able to handle one with a decent sized trailer. 

[Russ E]

11 minutes ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

Its the 7'3 MH F 5/16-1oz. I dont use 1/2 oz jigs very much but it should be able to handle one with a decent sized trailer. 

My favorite Victory is the Marshall. Nice soft tip that quickly loads into a solid backbone.

I use it mainly for worms and creature baits, but it will easily handle a 1/2 ounce jig.

[Chaos10691]

Just now, Russ E said:

My favorite Victory is the Marshall. Nice soft tip that quickly loads into a solid backbone.

I use it mainly for worms and creature baits, but it will easily handle a 1/2 ounce jig.

Ok right on my only half ounce jigs are my football jigs. I’ll definitely read more into the victory series and try one out the next time I’m at the store.

42 minutes ago, Russ E said:

The foam is not very thick. the rod is plenty sensitive for a sub $200.00 rod.   The sensitivity is comparable to my Megabass Levante rods. The Victory is more comfortable to hold onto.

When I palm a reel my ring finger sits in the exposed blank area. The Exposed blank of the Levante  will rub my finger raw in a day of fishing. this does not happen with the Victory.

 

I don't own a high end Dobyns, so I cant do a fair comparison.

There is no comparison between the victory  and my Dobyns fury rods. the fury is tip heavy and not near as sensitive. 

Ok awesome I have had the Fury jig rod and even with braid i couldn’t feel much.

[Choporoz]

I bought a DX 744C to fish jigs from a yak and never got to liking it much.  It is relgated to spinnerbaits, jikas and swingheads.  I wish I could pinpoint what I don't like about it.  Sensitive enough,  but never felt balanced well for slow bottom contact.  I ended up with Kistler Heliums and love them for jigs.  Used to be that their sales were at your price point, but I'm not sure anymore since the regular price jumped.  Hopefully you can get to a decent B&M and handle a bunch of different rods. 

[GReb]

I throw my jigs on a Falcon Expert and love it. I have the new and old Cara models as well but like the cheaper Expert more. The Zolo is a nice rod too and I’d use it for jigs over the Dobyns Champion and Shimano Zodias. I don’t have any experience with the new Victory but have bought and sold 4 other St Croix rods because I didn’t care for them. Just my preference. Everyone raves about the Expride but I have never owned one. 

[Chaos10691]

1 hour ago, GReb said:

I throw my jigs on a Falcon Expert and love it. I have the new and old Cara models as well but like the cheaper Expert more. The Zolo is a nice rod too and I’d use it for jigs over the Dobyns Champion and Shimano Zodias. I don’t have any experience with the new Victory but have bought and sold 4 other St Croix rods because I didn’t care for them. Just my preference. Everyone raves about the Expride but I have never owned one. 

I used to own a falcon and loved it. I’ve looked at the falcons higher end rods specifically the Caras. I’ll check out the Experts too

[Valongbeard]

Expride excels at those baits 7’ 2’ mh great quality, blank, sensitivity, etc but if the handle does not fit your liking that want work.  Meggabass brailist or perfect pitch which has shorter 14.5 handle in levente might be two options to consider.  Orochi would be above budget but levente would be below.  I have two levente rods that I use for moving baits so can’t comment on bottom contact use.  Nice rods those and zodias are great in 200 dollar range.

[Firstoutfisher]

On 9/19/2021 at 3:44 PM, roadwarrior said:

Just received this rod:

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Okuma_Psycho_Stick_Casting_Rods/descpage-OPSCYC.html

Been eying these ever since they were announced. Even had one on back order then cancelled because it kept getting pushed back. Seems like a great price/value. Which model did you get? Looking forward to hearing about it.