Jig rod debate

[Hawgsnatcher]

Hi all, I’m in debate right now on a rod for all around jigs. I have this shimano clarus 7’10 medium fast action rod rated for up to an ounce. I wanna use it for my all around jig rod but am wondering if it’s gonna be to long for skipping and pitching. It would be really solid though because it has a soft tip to a really good back bone. Any input would be great!

[casts_by_fly]

Pitching will be fine. Pitch skipping will be fine. Forehand skipping will be tough with that much length but I’m sure it’s doable if you know how to skip well enough already. 

[PressuredFishing]

1 hour ago, Hawgsnatcher said:

It would be really solid though because it has a soft tip to a really good back bone. Any input would be great!

Honestly depends on the type of jig hook you are fishing with. The standard arkie style flipping jig is hard to fish with a medium action rod as they use really thick wire hooks. When I first started throwing flipping arkie jigs I lost the first 8 fish due to this reason. The simple solution was to not fish flipping jigs with those heavy wire hooks. There is honestly no reason for the hook gauge to be that heavily on those jigs its stupid, heavier than a d**n tuna hook. But if you insist to use the overpowering nojack hooks that are overkill for bass, you will want to bump up to a medium heavy or heavy. 

 

P.S (if a cheap eagle claw Alberdeen ultra thin thin wire (.16mm diameter hook can pull a 4lb bass out of reeds on cheap 6lb zebco omniflex  on a spinning setup (with light hook bend) you will be able to pull a 8lb bass with 12-15lb+standard wire jig hook out of a laydown or reeds with little problems, especially if on a boat.

 

 

[WRB]

General use jig rod 7’6” is too long for me and maybe good for the OP?

Tom

[jbsoonerfan]

If you are Shaq, you should be fine. I couldn't do it.

[Lead Head]

A fast tip on a blank rated up to 1oz shouldn't have any problems setting the hook, even heavy flipping hooks. A 3/8oz jig plus trailer should be perfectly in its wheelhouse, with 1/2oz plus trailer right at its upper limit. If you want to go heavier, a stiffer rod will be a better bet. You might want one anyway if you plan to focus on 1/2oz, but that is up to you to decide. 

 

It should work for what you want, though skipping will likely take some serious adjustment. Like some of the others, I prefer a shorter (7'3") jig rod. I do know a few people who like longer, and it can be argued that longer is better for flipping and pitching. 

[Deleted account]

Too long for me, but YMMV. Only one way to find out. 

[NHBull]

For me that would be an open water, light wire, jig rod

[Hawgsnatcher]

8 hours ago, jbsoonerfan said:

If you are Shaq, you should be fine. I couldn't do it.

Yeah lol, I do also have a 7’6 mh extra fast clarus. That might be a better option. 

[Hawgsnatcher]

9 hours ago, PressuredFishing said:

Honestly depends on the type of jig hook you are fishing with. The standard arkie style flipping jig is hard to fish with a medium action rod as they use really thick wire hooks. When I first started throwing flipping arkie jigs I lost the first 8 fish due to this reason. The simple solution was to not fish flipping jigs with those heavy wire hooks. There is honestly no reason for the hook gauge to be that heavily on those jigs its stupid, heavier than a d**n tuna hook. But if you insist to use the overpowering nojack hooks that are overkill for bass, you will want to bump up to a medium heavy or heavy. 

 

P.S (if a cheap eagle claw Alberdeen ultra thin thin wire (.16mm diameter hook can pull a 4lb bass out of reeds on cheap 6lb zebco omniflex  on a spinning setup (with light hook bend) you will be able to pull a 8lb bass with 12-15lb+standard wire jig hook out of a laydown or reeds with little problems, especially if on a boat.

 

 

Thanks for the input! I do also have a 7’6 mh clarus extra fast. Thinking it might be a better action for pitching jigs on lay downs and dragging jigs. Not sure about docks though.

[Hawgsnatcher]

Thanks for the input all! I think I will be bumping down to a 7’6 mh clarus extra fast.

[badfish79]

question for you jig rod enthusiasts. if the materials and length (and lure type) were equal, which would be more sensitive for bottom contact, a heavy, or medium heavy power rod?

[The Maestro]

1 hour ago, fish_burrito said:

question for you jig rod enthusiasts. if the materials and length (and lure type) were equal, which would be more sensitive for bottom contact, a heavy, or medium heavy power rod?

The medium heavy would probably be a bit lighter so in theory it might be a bit more sensitive but in real world terms I doubt you'd notice.