What's your favorite 1/2-3/4oz Jig /bottom contact rod?

[GreenPig]

MB 7'5" Braillist 

[RDB]

On 12/30/2022 at 10:04 PM, clemsondds said:

Ok...so back again.  Love my 873...but i want to find a fb jig rod for 5/8 jig with trailer up to 3/4oz jig with trailer (so prob 3/4oz-1oz total).  What would your recommendation be?  I might even throw a 1oz fb jig occasionally.  Should I go 894 or 895c?  Or is there another rod that you would pick (904c, steez bc2...). Thanks and happy new year! 

 

24 minutes ago, WRB said:

Any of you actually weigh a jig?

The package could be marked 1/2 oz and the jig actually weighs 3/4 before adding a trailer. The 3/4 oz jig package is marked 3/4 oz and actually weighs 5/8 oz without a trailer.

Some jig makers use the amount of lead the head weighs less hook and skirt. Other makers weight the jig with hook less skirt and others the packaged jig weight with both hook and skirt.

Splitting hairs selecting rods by advertised lure weight rating is insane. What matters is how well the rod cast the jig and that varies more with action then power because no standard applies to power, some consensus. With fast and extra fast action. 

This thread is more about price point then performance imo.

Tom

 

It was a thread started by @clemsondds and renewed with an additional question from him.  Best I can tell, I don’t see where he is really asking about price points on his follow up but he did seem to be asking about rod performance with various jig sizes as he hasn’t used the rods and wanted others experiences.  Seems to me most comments around weights relate to others experiences with specific rods.  I don’t really see what your beef or insanity claim is about.  His thread…he gets to decide what the question is about.

[WRB]

The OP clearly wants a NRX rod for 1/2 to 3/4 oz jigs retrieved with bottom contact. Several rods in the $350 or lower price point have been offered. 

The conversation centers around jig weight vs rod power 4 or 5, with the debate between 1/2 oz  and 3/4 oz jigs.

Any JWR rated Between 3/8 to 1 1/4 oz lures can perform perfectly using 1 rod. Splitting hairs statement is all the conversation about needing to different rods, a 1/2 jig rod and 3/4 oz jig rod. I use the same rod length, power and action for both very successfully. 

Each to his own, this  my opinion and the OP’s choice.

Tom

[Catt]

I still like the Tatula ?

[RDB]

42 minutes ago, WRB said:

The OP clearly wants a NRX rod for 1/2 to 3/4 oz jigs retrieved with bottom contact. Several rods in the $350 or lower price point have been offered. 

The conversation centers around jig weight vs rod power 4 or 5, with the debate between 1/2 oz  and 3/4 oz jigs.

Any JWR rated Between 3/8 to 1 1/4 oz lures can perform perfectly using 1 rod. Splitting hairs statement is all the conversation about needing to different rods, a 1/2 jig rod and 3/4 oz jig rod. I use the same rod length, power and action for both very successfully. 

Each to his own, this  my opinion and the OP’s choice.

Tom

That’s fine, although he later adds he may go out to 1 1/2 some this year and no single NRX JRW rod is rated above 1 oz.  If you stay within NRX rod ratings, you are gold and there is usually little debate.  Above that is where the debate always starts.  You will probably find more discussions around capabilities with 1 oz weights with the 873 & 854/894 v. the 895 on G Loomis threads than almost any other series of rods.  I am fine going around 1/4 above their upper rating but anything above that IMO is pushing it and I don’t think you will find much disagreement from G Loomis users there.  However, many would disagree with my 1/4 above range…to each their own.
 

If he wants to go to a lower price point, that’s fine by me.  I assume others just gave their opinions because they had experience with the rods…that’s what I did.  There are a lot of good rods on the market that don’t have NRX in the name including the Tatula recommended by @Catt.  Who am I to look a gift horse in the mouth ?.

[Catt]

I'll give y'all another option that I'm test driving, don't have enough fish catches to review it.

 

Kistler Helium 

HE7045HMH

7'0" Heavy Medium Heavy X-Fast 

[clemsondds]

6 hours ago, WRB said:

Any of you actually weigh a jig?

The package could be marked 1/2 oz and the jig actually weighs 3/4 before adding a trailer. The 3/4 oz jig package is marked 3/4 oz and actually weighs 5/8 oz without a trailer.

Some jig makers use the amount of lead the head weighs less hook and skirt. Other makers weight the jig with hook less skirt and others the packaged jig weight with both hook and skirt.

Splitting hairs selecting rods by advertised lure weight rating is insane. What matters is how well the rod cast the jig and that varies more with action then power because no standard applies to power, some consensus. With fast and extra fast action. 

This thread is more about price point then performance imo.

Tom

 

Yes Tom...I (and I'm sure others on here) weigh their jigs...along with trailers as well. 

And regarding your comment "this thread is more about price point"... I haven't mentioned price once...but I have tried a ton of rods and have found that I appreciate the weight, build quality, warranty, and "sensitivity" the NRX line of rods provide.  No I'm not saying they are the absolute best, and that's why I asked if anyone else has another suggestion.  I would love to try all kinds of rods, but I can only buy soo much till I get kicked out on the curb by my wife. 

Could be just me, but some of your comments lately seem to have a condescending tone.  Others are allowed to have opinions that differ from yours.  And just because you are able to use one rod for 3/8-1.5oz fb jigs, doesn't mean it's "insane" to follow the manufacture recommendations on a lure rating and use two (or more for that matter) fb jig rods.  I know you have a ton of knowledge but try to have some patience and respect for others. We are not all imbeciles...just might have different ways of going about things. 

[clemsondds]

6 hours ago, RDB said:

 

It was a thread started by @clemsondds and renewed with an additional question from him.  Best I can tell, I don’t see where he is really asking about price points on his follow up but he did seem to be asking about rod performance with various jig sizes as he hasn’t used the rods and wanted others experiences.  Seems to me most comments around weights relate to others experiences with specific rods.  I don’t really see what your beef or insanity claim is about.  His thread…he gets to decide what the question is about.

 

4 hours ago, RDB said:

That’s fine, although he later adds he may go out to 1 1/2 some this year and no single NRX JRW rod is rated above 1 oz.  If you stay within NRX rod ratings, you are gold and there is usually little debate.  Above that is where the debate always starts.  You will probably find more discussions around capabilities with 1 oz weights with the 873 & 854/894 v. the 895 on G Loomis threads than almost any other series of rods.  I am fine going around 1/4 above their upper rating but anything above that IMO is pushing it and I don’t think you will find much disagreement from G Loomis users there.  However, many would disagree with my 1/4 above range…to each their own.
 

If he wants to go to a lower price point, that’s fine by me.  I assume others just gave their opinions because they had experience with the rods…that’s what I did.  There are a lot of good rods on the market that don’t have NRX in the name including the Tatula recommended by @Catt.  Who am I to look a gift horse in the mouth ?.

Appreciate that @RDB.  You said it better than I did.  

I think if I stick with the NRX line, the 895c is where I should be looking.  The 894 seems like it might have a little too much overlap with the 873 that I already have.  And the 895 would cover that range up to 1oz and maybe a little more. 

I am curious about the new mb destroyer usa p5 line coming out soon that has the bmg and fmj...I've heard these are to compete with nrx jwr's. 

Again, I know that there are a ton of great football jig rods out there! And I'm sure most of them can provide the same level as the nrx line.  I love hearing others thoughts on rods...it's fun to me to do a lot of research and study to find that perfect rod (to me) for a specific technique.   Thank you all for your thoughts and feedback

25 minutes ago, Catt said:

I'll give y'all another option that I'm test driving, don't have enough fish catches to review it.

 

Kistler Helium 

HE7045HMH

7'0" Heavy Medium Heavy X-Fast 

I have yet to try a kistler! But my local tackleshop owner raves about them.  I'll have to keep my eye out for a good sale. 

Do you prefer a 7' for your jig rod?

[WRB]

3/8 to 1 1/4 and 1/4 to 1 oz makes up the vast majority of JWR Medium and Heavy power fast or extra fast bass rods today.

Price point is a given when you prefer Loomis NRX Rods $550 to $600 dollars.

Football jigs are fished by casting (Horizontal Jigging) and retrieving the jig along the bottom. If you believe NRX rods improve your ability to cast and detect strikes and willing to pay the price go for it. 

You asked what rod is better that we have experience with?

My answer is a custom build by ALX, the rods I use that weigh 3.8 oz and rated 3/8 to 1 1/4 oz built in 2012 or 10 years ago. I sold 2 of my 3 ALX my rods last year.

So...are your jigs weights accurate?

My point was selecting a separate 4 power or 5 power jig rod for 1/2 oz and another for 3/4 oz is insane, never implied anyone was a imbecile.

Tom

 

[Catt]

18 minutes ago, clemsondds said:

Do you prefer a 7' for your jig rod?

 

I have 3 dedicated jig rods.

Diawia Tatula TTU711MHXB 

7'1" Medium Heavy X-Fast 

1/4-1/2 oz jigs

 

Diawia Tatula TTU731MHFB 

7'3" Medium Heavy Fast 

1/2-3/4 oz jigs

 

Kistler Helium 

HE7045HMH

7'0" Heavy Medium Heavy X-Fast

1/2-1 oz jigs in grass

[RDB]

10 hours ago, WRB said:

3/8 to 1 1/4 and 1/4 to 1 oz makes up the vast majority of JWR Medium and Heavy power fast or extra fast bass rods today.

Price point is a given when you prefer Loomis NRX Rods $550 to $600 dollars.

Football jigs are fished by casting (Horizontal Jigging) and retrieving the jig along the bottom. If you believe NRX rods improve your ability to cast and detect strikes and willing to pay the price go for it. 

You asked what rod is better that we have experience with?

My answer is a custom build by ALX, the rods I use that weigh 3.8 oz and rated 3/8 to 1 1/4 oz built in 2012 or 10 years ago. I sold 2 of my 3 ALX my rods last year.

So...are your jigs weights accurate?

My point was selecting a separate 4 power or 5 power jig rod for 1/2 oz and another for 3/4 oz is insane, never implied anyone was a imbecile.

Tom

 

Fixed it for you ?.  Sometimes it’s best to just accept a thought and not keep doubling down.

[clemsondds]

12 hours ago, Catt said:

 

I have 3 dedicated jig rods.

Diawia Tatula TTU711MHXB 

7'1" Medium Heavy X-Fast 

1/4-1/2 oz jigs

 

Diawia Tatula TTU731MHFB 

7'3" Medium Heavy Fast 

1/2-3/4 oz jigs

 

Kistler Helium 

HE7045HMH

7'0" Heavy Medium Heavy X-Fast

1/2-1 oz jigs in grass

Cool thanks!  Let us know how that kistler compares with the tatula.  

Also, what jig rod differences do you look for when comparing how they will handle with fishing jigs in grass vs rock/clay? 

[Catt]

1 hour ago, clemsondds said:

Cool thanks!  Let us know how that kistler compares with the tatula.  

Also, what jig rod differences do you look for when comparing how they will handle with fishing jigs in grass vs rock/clay? 

 

I've been throwing the Helium, I just ain't been catching on it. My jig bite last year was horrible!

 

I like a Medium Heavy that leans towards Heavy & I prefer X-Fast. Length, 6'10" - 7'1", why because I'm comfortable. 

[Friggs]

St Croix Mojo Bass 7' 1" MH Fast. Super sensitive. Strong backbone. Great tip. Great price for the quality you get.

[BayouSlide]

Falcon Lowrider HVY Cover Jig (LFC-74H)

[clemsondds]

On 5/7/2022 at 7:22 PM, softwateronly said:

I have the Steez 7'2H power pitch, fortunate to buy it used, on sale, at ALF.  Love it for those weights, super sensitive to me and has an action I prefer for being able to use the rod to shake my way slowly through the weeds.  Small negative, in my hands, it likes a heavier reel, I'm using a Bantam(I know, the humanity). 

 

scott

 

edit:

 

I missed the football part, the power pitch is my favorite for grass.  I prefer longer rods for football jigs and would use CNQ 904.

I was looking at this steez 7'2H...you still really happy with it?  Have you thrown jigs on the upper end of its range (eg 3/4-1.5oz)?  I have heard that steez did a really great job with these latest ags rods. Thanks

[softwateronly]

12 minutes ago, clemsondds said:

I was looking at this steez 7'2H...you still really happy with it?  Have you thrown jigs on the upper end of its range (eg 3/4-1.5oz)?  I have heard that steez did a really great job with these latest ags rods. Thanks

 

I do have it and absolutely love it, in fact I've never had anything else tied on this rod other than a jig.  I throw 3/8-3/4oz on it, and live between 5/8-3/4oz June thru September.  I'm fishing my jigs primarily by casting 25-35yds parallel or 30 degree angles to weedlines in 12-20 feet.  For most of the time I have a DJ Tour level no jack or a scott canterbury flippin jig on 50lb braid.  In certain parts of my lake the clear water allows for some truly gnarly underwater jungles.  The power pitch has a soft and forgiving tip, but the transition to power is there for me to pop/snap free if I cant shake it out.  It's been a perfect blend of power and tip, and I don't recall ever being shook off of a bass I hooked.  I think the ratings on the rod are accurate.  I assume a 3/4oz no jack jig and trailer weighs a bit over an ounce, and I'm able to present it accurately and comfortably in very heavy cover. 

 

  The Steez rods that I've fished are some of my favorites, and I now have 2 dedicated to bottom contact.  I bought them used and am outside the warranty, but I think the ags fragility has been addressed and fish them like any other rod.  Both the power pitch and the sensor are ever so slightly tip heavy.  The power pitch with a Bantam XG is a perfect match balance wise.

 

scott

[WRB]

On 1/4/2023 at 6:28 AM, RDB said:

Fixed it for you ?.  Sometimes it’s best to just accept a thought and not keep doubling down.

?

[clemsondds]

On 1/5/2023 at 12:32 PM, softwateronly said:

 

I do have it and absolutely love it, in fact I've never had anything else tied on this rod other than a jig.  I throw 3/8-3/4oz on it, and live between 5/8-3/4oz June thru September.  I'm fishing my jigs primarily by casting 25-35yds parallel or 30 degree angles to weedlines in 12-20 feet.  For most of the time I have a DJ Tour level no jack or a scott canterbury flippin jig on 50lb braid.  In certain parts of my lake the clear water allows for some truly gnarly underwater jungles.  The power pitch has a soft and forgiving tip, but the transition to power is there for me to pop/snap free if I cant shake it out.  It's been a perfect blend of power and tip, and I don't recall ever being shook off of a bass I hooked.  I think the ratings on the rod are accurate.  I assume a 3/4oz no jack jig and trailer weighs a bit over an ounce, and I'm able to present it accurately and comfortably in very heavy cover. 

 

  The Steez rods that I've fished are some of my favorites, and I now have 2 dedicated to bottom contact.  I bought them used and am outside the warranty, but I think the ags fragility has been addressed and fish them like any other rod.  Both the power pitch and the sensor are ever so slightly tip heavy.  The power pitch with a Bantam XG is a perfect match balance wise.

 

scott

Yeh I would love to give one a try!   Thanks! 

[Boomstick]

On 5/7/2022 at 10:50 PM, Catt said:

Diawia Tatula 

TTU731MHFB

This was what I used until I picked up the 7'5" Steez AGS MH-H/F Bottom Contact rod at a very good price. It's obviously a step up but it also has just a little more power, so it has enough extra power where I can throw into some moderately dense milfoil and still pull them out.

[clemsondds]

Sounds like the new rods in the destroyer line of megabass p5 are looking to compete with high end bottom contact rod companies….

Heard good things about the new fmj and Bmg rods

[FrnkNsteen]

On 1/4/2023 at 9:28 AM, RDB said:

Fixed it for you ?.  Sometimes it’s best to just accept a thought and not keep doubling down.

Wow! What an attitude. Tom is making very valid points that 1/2 and 3/4 oz jigs both fall roughly in the middle of most JWR rod ranges, therefore there shouldn't be a need for two rods considering the overlap in actual jig weights between various company's 1/2oz and 3/4oz jigs. Valid point!

 

His comments of price point seems valid too since the only suggestions being acknowledged are NRX, Steez and Megabass rods.

 

You don't ask people's honest opinions and then mock them for giving their honest opinions! Especially when they are coming from such an experienced source. If you don't agree, then all you have to do is say thanks and move on. People can obviously make their own decisions, but valid points are still valid.

 

Just my objective opinion!

[clemsondds]

4 hours ago, FrnkNsteen said:

Wow! What an attitude. Tom is making very valid points that 1/2 and 3/4 oz jigs both fall roughly in the middle of most JWR rod ranges, therefore there shouldn't be a need for two rods considering the overlap in actual jig weights between various company's 1/2oz and 3/4oz jigs. Valid point!

 

His comments of price point seems valid too since the only suggestions being acknowledged are NRX, Steez and Megabass rods.

 

You don't ask people's honest opinions and then mock them for giving their honest opinions! Especially when they are coming from such an experienced source. If you don't agree, then all you have to do is say thanks and move on. People can obviously make their own decisions, but valid points are still valid.

 

Just my objective opinion!

Come on man…can we just be adults and move on?   I appreciate all the responses. Just want everyone to respect everyone and no need for condescending comments.  If you actually read the thread, I posted a secondary question that said “ i want to find a fb jig rod for 5/8 jig with trailer up to 3/4oz jig with trailer (so prob 3/4oz-1oz total).  What would your recommendation be? ”. So with the weight of the jig+trailer would be 3/4-1oz+). So no, one rod probably isn’t covering from 3/8-1.5oz. And if you have one that does, then that’s great!  I’m looking for probably two jig rods…one for <3/8-5/8 and then another for 5/8jig plus trailer up to 1oz plus trailer. I never bashed any comments that didn’t have ultra high end rods but yes I did respond more to the nrx and steez comments. I love high end stuff…cars, fishing…just what I like. I have found that quality, precision and customer service is typically at that price point.  Yes there can be great, and maybe even better, rods for less…but I just tend to be drawn to rods that have a long history of producing quality sticks. 
but seriously though…can we just stick to talking about jig rods and nothing else. Otherwise mods can just lock it up. Thanks to everyone who has contributed 

[FrnkNsteen]

I get what you're saying. I just didn't feel he was being condescending. Felt he was just saying not enough difference to differentiate.

 

Agree to disagree,....

[RDB]

Consistently condescending…agree to disagree