New Jig Rod Suggestions

[Bassbum1016]

Looking for a new dedicated jig rod.

something in the 7’ 3” range and usually throw 1/2 oz 

 

something light that I can use all day but not overly stiff 

 

Champlain bass pic for attention 

[BayouSlide]

I really pleased with my Falcon Low Rider Heavy Cover Jig (LFC-74H), especially for the price. Academy carries them as well.

[EWREX]

Daiwa Tatula 7'1" Heavy Casting Jig Rod - TTU711HFB

my dedicated jig setup. perfect for all situations

[Bassbum1016]

Thank you my friends, I’ll check them out 

[Phil77]

Lew's TP-1 Black 7-3MH. Has plenty of backbone and doesn't feel like a pool cue. Wont break the bank either,think they are going around $100-129 at the moment.

[Steveo-1969]

Do you have a specific price point you are looking at?

[Bassbum1016]

20 minutes ago, Steveo-1969 said:

Do you have a specific price point you are looking at?

I’d really like to keep it at or below $250

I fish an awful lot and am hard on tackle lol

[TNBankFishing]

St. Croix - Avid/AvidX/Victory 7'MHF, or MHXF. 

 - Shorter than requested, but solid performing and fantastic warranty for when you actually break it. I own these powers in the Legend X line and they are utterly fantastic sticks. Sweet spot is between 3/8 and 1/2.

 

Megabass - Levante Brailist

 - Slightly longer than requested. Fantastic feeling, highly versatile for all types of jigs. Swim, pitch, and football. Sweet spot is 1/2 to 3/4. 

 

I personally don't like Shimano's Zodias line at this price point. If you can swing the extra $30 stepping into a Expride, specifically the 7'2" MH, and 7'6 MH are stellar rods for the price. 

 

 

[KP Duty]

Falcon cara is at the top of your budget, but since you fish 'a lot' ....I'd go for it.  7'3" H 'amistad' would be the deal.

[T-Billy]

My jig rod. Sweet spot is 3/8 - 3/4. I have two and couldn't be happier with 'em. You can do alot with this rod. $129 and beats a lot of competitors that cost twice as much.

[FishTank]

If your hard on you gear like me, the St Croix Avid has been my go to for kayak fishing.  I tend to beat up rods and reels in a kayak far more than I do in a boat.  The model that has been my do all for over ten years is the 7' MH Fast.

 

Also, any time I get a new reel I test it on this rod. I try multiple baits with it because I know already how each one should feel and cast.  

[RDB]

If there is 1 rod that I wouldn’t skimp on, it would be a jig rod.  I would go to the top of your price comfort range for that rod.  Most jig rods can handle a good amount of fishing abuse.  
 

So many people (including me) spend more than necessary on rods for techniques that don’t require the benefits the added dollars provide.  That is not true for jig/bottom contact rods IMO.

[Catt]

Diawia Tatula TTU711MHXB

7'1" Medium Heavy X-Fast, 1/4-1oz

 

TTU731MHFB 7'3" Medium Heavy Fast 1/4-1 oz

[padon]

2 hours ago, TNBankFishing said:

St. Croix - Avid/AvidX/Victory 7'MHF, or MHXF. 

 - Shorter than requested, but solid performing and fantastic warranty for when you actually break it. I own these powers in the Legend X line and they are utterly fantastic sticks. Sweet spot is between 3/8 and 1/2.

 

Megabass - Levante Brailist

 - Slightly longer than requested. Fantastic feeling, highly versatile for all types of jigs. Swim, pitch, and football. Sweet spot is 1/2 to 3/4. 

 

I personally don't like Shimano's Zodias line at this price point. If you can swing the extra $30 stepping into a Expride, specifically the 7'2" MH, and 7'6 MH are stellar rods for the price. 

 

 

i myself love the zodias. i own them and the expride and am pleased with both. fished st.croix alot but dont care for the victory line at all. i say all that to point out that everybody  likes different things. these are all good suggestions but you have to check them out for yourself.id pich a 72 heavy zodias at that price point.

[TNBankFishing]

1 hour ago, padon said:

i myself love the zodias. i own them and the expride and am pleased with both. fished st.croix alot but dont care for the victory line at all. i say all that to point out that everybody  likes different things. these are all good suggestions but you have to check them out for yourself.id pich a 72 heavy zodias at that price point.

With the fact MB literally raised prices today I'll have to re-evaluate the Levante Brailist.

 

The reason I avoid the Zodias line is I don't like to reward companies who wont improve their products, but choose to use window dressing to make sales. Shimano still don't even provide top end components on their highest priced USDM rods. While I agree 100% the value of an Expride is higher than its price point when new, the lack of warranty beyond a year is troubling. Even small/boutique  brands like Megabass, Witch Doctor, and Kistler/ALX provide more than a year. The fact the colab Jackel rods don't use full Ti SIC is troubling, with again a noticeably short warranty.

 

Adding monoqiuoc handles to your rod doesn't make it a new rod. The Zodias refresh was a way for Shimano to lower cost and increase profits. Same blank, same guides, same reel seat. Its just like what Shimano did with the GCX, except they actively made the E6X worse. 

 

Now Shimano has made one line a complete refresh, except they just used parts from their JDM side of things (Expride/Poison) and stuck them on a blank that's been around a decade (NRX+). 

 

I know I sound like Shimano is trash. And I'm not saying that. I think the Zodias, Expride, and Poison lines are fantastic values, and will serve the average fisherman well for years. OP asked specifically to keep price down because he's hard on his gear. I provided manufacturers which have longer warranties to hopefully help him aquire a replacement when the inevitable happens. 

 

I do think Shimano has made some fantastic reels, and I own nothing but Shimano (Minus one Abu which was a gift). I just don't like how they run their rod side of things. 

[padon]

4 hours ago, TNBankFishing said:

With the fact MB literally raised prices today I'll have to re-evaluate the Levante Brailist.

 

The reason I avoid the Zodias line is I don't like to reward companies who wont improve their products, but choose to use window dressing to make sales. Shimano still don't even provide top end components on their highest priced USDM rods. While I agree 100% the value of an Expride is higher than its price point when new, the lack of warranty beyond a year is troubling. Even small/boutique  brands like Megabass, Witch Doctor, and Kistler/ALX provide more than a year. The fact the colab Jackel rods don't use full Ti SIC is troubling, with again a noticeably short warranty.

 

Adding monoqiuoc handles to your rod doesn't make it a new rod. The Zodias refresh was a way for Shimano to lower cost and increase profits. Same blank, same guides, same reel seat. Its just like what Shimano did with the GCX, except they actively made the E6X worse. 

 

Now Shimano has made one line a complete refresh, except they just used parts from their JDM side of things (Expride/Poison) and stuck them on a blank that's been around a decade (NRX+). 

 

I know I sound like Shimano is trash. And I'm not saying that. I think the Zodias, Expride, and Poison lines are fantastic values, and will serve the average fisherman well for years. OP asked specifically to keep price down because he's hard on his gear. I provided manufacturers which have longer warranties to hopefully help him aquire a replacement when the inevitable happens. 

 

I do think Shimano has made some fantastic reels, and I own nothing but Shimano (Minus one Abu which was a gift). I just don't like how they run their rod side of things. 

its all good everybody looks for different things in a rod. im not concerned about guides etc. i own lavantes and orochii and like them both, although i like megabass spinning more than casting. the only rod ive broken while fishing was an orochii but that can happen. especially with higher modulas rods. the magabass casting rods feel a little tip heavy to me. like i said best to feel them all for yourself and see what suits you. i certainly wouldnt not recommend a megabass in that price point, theyre good rods and i own a couple.

[Rodney Smith]

In my opinion, the best rod for 1/2 jigs is a NRX+ 873CRR. The tip is perfect for dragging a 1/2 jig. It also makes long and accurate casts.  I’ve had 894’s, Dobyn’s, Megabass, latest Steez, and others. The 873CRR is the one you want. Balances pretty well with a 2020 Metanium. Love it.