The best/perfect Hair Jig rod

[JMac603]

Hey all. I've found myself enamored with hair jigs. I've tried a few rods now and haven't settled on one and wanted to see what you all use. I've got a 7'6" St Croix Avid ML that's a stand out, I'm trying the St Croix Legend Tournament 7'10" and enjoying it but not as much as I'd hoped, I've got a 7'6" TFO Pro Series ML that is a bit stiff for these light jigs, and I'm waiting on a TFO Resolve Bass 7'6" ML. I used a friends 7'6" TFO Tactical Elite and enjoyed it but I prefer cork grips. 

 

What are you all using?

[Dwight Hottle]

Take a look at the Loomis IMX Pro 901 S SJR it's 7'-6". 

Also check with @A-Jay and @Will Wetline they both are hair jig experts. 

[A-Jay]

I don't have one but I bet that Loomis IMX Pro 901 S SJR 

@Dwight Hottle recommended is a pretty sweet stick.

@Will Wetline goes totally next level by designing & bulding his own hair jig, fantastic work IMO. 

I like the 7'6 length here as well.

The smaller hooks in these baits can really benefit from the right blank.

Need a good tip but still have at least a little horse power on the back end.

Not a fan of a noodle rod for hair.  I use the same stick for ned rigs as well.

Daiwa Tatula Elite AGS Spin Rod 7'6" ML Feider fits the bill for me.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Daiwa_Tatula_Elite_AGS_Spinning_Rods/descpage-DTESAGZ.html

Quickly became a fan favorite. 

I don't always throw hair jigs but when I do,

This stick gets the bait away from the boat, 

Pins & holds the fish them quite well and most importantly.

put them in the net for me.

Below is a clip of Diawa stick in action, I happen to be throwing a ned rig in this one. 

https://youtu.be/3OXnPQs0bqQ?t=61

Nice way to start any morning.

A-Jay

 

[JMac603]

I appreciate the feedback. I'd like to pick Mr. @Will Wetline brain about his jigs. Picked up some from Brian's Custom Tackle and they did me great this weekend. I'm obsessive about getting everything just right. 

 

I've been eyeing a Daiwa as I'm a big fan of their reels. I find the St Croix tip to be too whippy but I love when it loads down into the blank. I'm anxious to fish the 7'6" Resolve to see if it has a lighter tip than the Pro series does. My local Daiwa guy says he's having a tough time getting the 7'6"s so that'll give me time to fish the TFO. 

[Will Wetline]

My favorite rod for 3/32 oz. marabou jigs and 1/8 oz. bucktail jigs is St. Croix's Avid 7' Medium Light rod.

I like the TFO Resolve 7' 6" ML stick too but was surprised I don't get more distance with it than the 7' St. Croix. I've got Shimano Stradic 2500s on both rods and fill the spools with 6 lb. Seaguar Invizx.

[JMac603]

10 minutes ago, Will Wetline said:

My favorite rod for 3/32 oz. marabou jigs and 1/8 oz. bucktail jigs is St. Croix's Avid 7' Medium Light rod.

I like the TFO Resolve 7' 6" ML stick too but was surprised I don't get more distance with it than the 7' St. Croix. I've got Shimano Stradic 2500s on both rods and fill the spools with 6 lb. Seaguar Invizx.

Straight fluoro?

[Will Wetline]

30 minutes ago, JMac603 said:

Straight fluoro?

Yes. I don't like the sound of braid for one thing and I can tie a required braid-to-fluoro knot but don't care to. I get adequate distance with straight fluoro to catch clear water smallies so I plan to keep things quiet and simple.

[JMac603]

4 minutes ago, Will Wetline said:

Yes. I don't like the sound of braid for one thing and I can tie a required braid-to-fluoro knot but don't care to. I get adequate distance with straight fluoro to catch clear water smallies so I plan to keep things quiet and simple.

No kidding...I've never considered trying that for this. I use straight mono for tubes so you won't get any guff from me for not using braid. I'll have to spool a reel for this and see how I do for distance. I tried the ultra light (6lb) braid and it's just too thin. I've been using 10lb to 6lb leader but if I can get plenty of distance without a connection knot, I'm game. 

 

Do you sell your jigs? 

[djhands]

I'm using a alx zolo mcsmalls and a destoryer hedgehog craftsman stinger

[webertime]

Phenix Recon Elite 762s

Pfluger Supreme XT 35

 

[Reel]

I make my own jigs : 1/8 oz marabout, and use an G .Loomis NRX 901.  For somebody who doesn't want to spend that much, the last generation of Curado spinning rods has a 7 1/2 foot light rod that's pretty good.

[thunderblack]

I'd be all over the new 7-6 ML/M Daiwa Tatula rod. Any of the 7-6 Daiwa rods, 901/902S Loomis, 7-2 ML Expride might be a good one as well. 

[Darth-Baiter]

i'm banking that the MegaBass P5 X-bites would be perfect.  

 

my coin jar is about to the top.  hahaha...time to shop.

[FishTank]

I have been using a G Loomis NRX+ 821S NRR. I like the shorter length for tossing a jig around docks and occasionally fishing streams. 

[BrianMDTX]

I’d ask @WRB  He forgot more about hair jigs than most of us will ever know. 

[WRB]

There is a big difference between crappie size marabou “feathers” jig and bucktail “hair” bass jig.

Don’t know when or where marabou became hair, it’s feathers  from the Marabou Stork. Today real marabou is hard to find so synthetic marabou is used as is synthetic craft hair to make flies and jigs.

Rods for 1/16 to 1/8 oz small feather or hair jigs should be spinning imo and ML mod/fast 7’ to 7’6” to make long enough cast to effectively swim or glide the jig at a specific depth.

Billy Westmoreland made the float n fly famous using small hair jigs at Pickwick lake. Easier to cast a float (bobber) with a 8’ leader using longer rods and keep the jig (fly) at a controlled depth.

I fish bucktail hair bass jigs 7/16 oz with pork trailers a different lure then the “hair” jigs Glenn’s video discussed.

Tom

[JMac603]

 

17 hours ago, WRB said:

Don’t know when or where marabou became hair

I am referring to the light 1/16-1/8 oz feather/hair jigs. I've been using maribou and fox hair jigs. I lumped them together because it seems everyone always does. 

 

I've put some time in with the previously mentioned rods but haven't found "THE" rod yet for me.

 

Maybe I'm searching for something that isn't there, but it's fun talking about and trying tips from you all for the time being to see if it's out there. 

[WRB]

Edge Rods by Gary Loomis Back Widow series has a 7’6” finesse spinning rod rated 1/16-3/16oz, 4-10# line, BWS DSR 760-1. 

Tom

[GetFishorDieTryin]

I got my hands on the longer ML LTBs and while they were nice, I didnt think the world of them.  I really prefer their older ML F and XF actions.  If you really want a good 7'6 look at the Steez.  A buddy of mine uses one to glide light bucktails for weakfish and flounder and its awesome.  

[JMac603]

6 hours ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

I got my hands on the longer ML LTBs and while they were nice, I didnt think the world of them.  I really prefer their older ML F and XF actions.  If you really want a good 7'6 look at the Steez.  A buddy of mine uses one to glide light bucktails for weakfish and flounder and its awesome.  

I feel the same way about the LTB. I got the TFO 7'6" ML Resolve in yesterday. Fished it tonight and was very pleased with the casting distance and how it handled a couple (smaller sub 2lb) smallies. I have some bias though as I'm a TFO fan boy so I need to give it more time to keep myself honest. 

 

Appreciate all the input and will be looking into a couple of the rods mentioned above. Specifically the Daiwa MLs.

[ATA]

g-loomise NRX+ 901 is so far best hair jig rod on the market and thats my next rod in wishlist.

[Beardedtacklejunkie]

I know Megabass is rereleasing the P5 Destroyer Flyssa this summer.  
 

what other reels do you use.  
 

and what kind of distance loss do some of you experience using straight floro vs braid with leader. 

[JMac603]

9 hours ago, Beardedtacklejunkie said:

I know Megabass is rereleasing the P5 Destroyer Flyssa this summer.  
 

what other reels do you use.  
 

and what kind of distance loss do some of you experience using straight floro vs braid with leader. 

I use Daiwa reels. For hair jig I was using a regular Tatula 4k but picked up the new Tatula MQ 4k for it. I've been using #10 braid to 4-6lb mono leader but @Will Wetline has me wanting to try straight mono (i dont like fluoro) to see casting distance. First I'm going to fine THE rod (if theres ever such a thing) and then ill try changing lines. 

[Beardedtacklejunkie]

21 hours ago, JMac603 said:

I use Daiwa reels. For hair jig I was using a regular Tatula 4k but picked up the new Tatula MQ 4k for it. I've been using #10 braid to 4-6lb mono leader but @Will Wetline has me wanting to try straight mono (i dont like fluoro) to see casting distance. First I'm going to fine THE rod (if theres ever such a thing) and then ill try changing lines. 

I appreciate that feed back.  I’ve been doing research that is basically leaving me between the Flyssa or the St. croix.  

ive been using a Daiwa Exist on another application however I really don’t see the need for 2 of them which is why I’m trying to see other reals like the tatula, kage or Airity (if it ever comes out in USA). I don’t have much experience with the Shimano spinning reels like the Stella or Exsence but would love to hear if anyone has opinions on them.  
 

 

I am also very curious on mono as I assume it would allow the jig to sink a bit slower in the water column?

[JediAmoeba]

I use a 7'4" l Dobyns Sierra BFS rod - I don't prefer spinning gear and this thing fits the bill nicely! Paired with my tuned up Alphas reel I can cast a mile...

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Dobyns_Sierra_Ultra_Finesse_Casting_Rods/descpage-SSUF.html