All purpose jig rod under 250$

[Lepiment]

Hi guys,

 

I’m looking for a all around jig rod for finesse football jigs from 3/8 to 1/2 oz and swim jigs. I already have a Heavy daiwa rebellion for heavier stuff.

 

I’m looking between st croix victory marshal (7’3 mh/f), Max-Marshal (7’5 mh/f) and the same lenght and power in the shimano zodias lineup.

 

what are your impressions ??

[roadwarrior]

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

I have the Medium Power rod.

[Lepiment]

I herd good thing about psycho sticks. Their ratings are a little strange with the heavy rated to 1 oz. Do you think I would be better with the heavy or the mh is good. 

[MidwestBassAttack]

Falcon Cara Amistad or Okuma TCS 7’3” Heavy which is their Frog/Swimbait rod. I will say that between using the two (among many other brands), the Okuma TCS has become my absolute favorite.

 

Beautiful balance and meaty but with a nice tip. Sensitivity is perfect to me. I can feel every little thing on the bottom and what my bait is doing. Hits are very well pronounced and easily distinguishable.

 

Sometimes an overly sensitive bass rod is a bad thing because any hard structure might feel like that “tick” far too often. 
 

 

[casts_by_fly]

12 minutes ago, MidwestBassAttack said:

Falcon Cara Amistad or Okuma TCS 7’3” Heavy which is their Frog/Swimbait rod. I will say that between using the two (among many other brands), the Okuma TCS has become my absolute favorite.

 

Beautiful balance and meaty but with a nice tip. Sensitivity is perfect to me. I can feel every little thing on the bottom and what my bait is doing. Hits are very well pronounced and easily distinguishable.

 

Sometimes an overly sensitive bass rod is a bad thing because any hard structure might feel like that “tick” far too often. 
 

 

the amistad or the heavy cover jig were going to be my suggestions. 

[Lead Head]

I can't speak on the rods specifically, but I will suggest that you get one rated at least 1oz on the top end. A 3/8oz jig + trailer will weigh around 3/4oz depending on the trailer (a rage bug + 3/8 jig is just over .8oz on my scale) 

I have used several different rods rated at 3/4oz for 3/8 jigs and didn't really like any of them. When I realized I was maxing them out or exceeding the weight rating by using heavier trailers, I switched to rods rated to 1oz and had a far better experience. 

 

 

[a1712]

ARK Tharp Money Maker. Brian 

[padon]

72 medium heavy zodias.

[Big Swimbait]

Megabass Levante Brailist

[Lepiment]

Would the cara amistad be overpower for finesse 3/8 jigs ans swimjigs? I’m scared that the rod will not load enough. 

[casts_by_fly]

8 hours ago, Lepiment said:

Would the cara amistad be overpower for finesse 3/8 jigs ans swimjigs? I’m scared that the rod will not load enough. 

 

Probably a little if that's what you're using mostly.  Mine is/was set up with 50 lb braid.  A normal 3/8 pitching jig and rubber trailer is the lower limit on the rod for me with 50 lb braid (mine is an expert amistad, but the expert and cara are very similar despite the difference in ratings).  It also fishes well with a 3/8 weight and a beaver.  I am experimenting with lighter weights and a different reel with 17 mono to get down to a 1/4 oz and beaver, but that's more for specific lakes where I know I don't need a big setup but want a dedicated pitching rig.  It isn't ideal with a quarter but its enough to pitch accurately at normal beaver pitching distances.  A 3/8 swim jig with a 3.8 keitech or bigger also loads plenty but you're pushing 5/8-3/4 oz at that point.  So if you are fishing a 3/8 most of the time, then I'd go to the heavy cover jig instead of the amistad.  If you're throwing 1/2 oz jigs most of the time and occasionally a 3/8 then the amistad would be the choice (the HCJ would also be a good choice).

[r83srock]

I have used the St. Croix victory 7’3” MHF and 7’4”Hf. I own the Victory 7’3” HXF and it’s an awesome jig rod! I use mine from 3/8-3/4 oz jigs but I would say I use 1/2 the most. The Marshall could go it if you only fish open water. The 7’4 H is nice if you are in heavier cover. The 7’3” HXF is a good in between.

[rangerjockey]

On 8/17/2022 at 12:41 AM, Lepiment said:

Would the cara amistad be overpower for finesse 3/8 jigs ans swimjigs? I’m scared that the rod will not load enough. 

You won't have a problem with 3/8 oz. on the Amistad. I wouldn't go any lighter but It's a good all around jig/worm rod.

[Bankbeater]

I have a St. Croix Premier MH/F that I've been using for 1/8 ounce jigs up to 1/2 ounce jigs  I haven't gone over 1/2 ounce with it though.

[Boomstick]

On 8/17/2022 at 10:35 PM, r83srock said:

I have used the St. Croix victory 7’3” MHF and 7’4”Hf. I own the Victory 7’3” HXF and it’s an awesome jig rod! I use mine from 3/8-3/4 oz jigs but I would say I use 1/2 the most. The Marshall could go it if you only fish open water. The 7’4 H is nice if you are in heavier cover. The 7’3” HXF is a good in between.

I would second the Victory 7'3" H/XF.

 

Very nice summary of the three options in the Victory line as well.

[Lepiment]

So, my local shop have the okuma psycho stick in stock and I was surprise of how premium this rod feels. I will go for the heavy since the MH us only rated up to 3/4. My last question is: do you guys think I should go for the 7’2 or 7’5 ? I feel like the 7’5 can have a little more give for swimjigs. What’s your opinions?

[roadwarrior]

2 hours ago, Lepiment said:

So, my local shop have the okuma psycho stick in stock and I was surprise of how premium this rod feels. I will go for the heavy since the MH us only rated up to 3/4. My last question is: do you guys think I should go for the 7’2 or 7’5 ? I feel like the 7’5 can have a little more give for swimjigs. What’s your opinions?

7'5"