Looking for some jig rod/texas rig rod recommendations as well as line.

[PTasker15]

I'm currently using a 6'10 Fast Action, Medium-Heavy rod that is rated for (3/16oz - 5/8oz). I use 20lb braid and 15/14lb leaders when needed.

 

I'm going to get a new rod to replace this one as this one was a cheaper lew's combo. Wondering what to look in a rod for and if I should keep 20lb or jump up to 30.

 

Most of my texas rigs weigh in around 1/4-3/8oz and most of my jigs are 3/8-1/2oz with trailers as well. I do fish bank most of the time, but I do find myself around some rip rap often as well as quite a bit of wood.

[bp_fowler]

I think the folks on here would need to know how much you’re willing to spend before they could give you recommendations.

[PTasker15]

2 minutes ago, bp_fowler said:

I think the folks on here would need to know how much you’re willing to spend before they could give you recommendations.

Oh I mostly just mean things such as length, lure ranges, power, action. Although I'm willing to throw a small $100 on a rod.

[PBBrandon]

That’s a really low lure weight rating for a MH. Most MH rods are around 1/4-1oz. Look for something in that range with a fast action. What’s your budget? The Daiwa Tatula rods are a great rod if you are wanting to get a nice rod without spending an arm and a leg. Just make sure it’s the MH fast in whichever length works for you. In the 200-300 dollar range, the St. Croix Victory and Legend Tournament bass in 7’3” HXF are amazing jig/T-rig rods around cover. The Shimano Zodias and Expride lines are also really good. I have a 6’10” MHF Zodias and a 7’2” MHF Expride for jigs and t-rigs and both are great. If you have a budget it’d be easier to narrow down a couple of really good options. There are a lot of nice rods available. As for line, 20lb is plenty. If you are fishing a lot of weeds then 40 or 50lb braid to a 20lb leader might help out too.

[PTasker15]

5 minutes ago, PBBrandon said:

That’s a really low lure weight rating for a MH. Most MH rods are around 1/4-1oz. Look for something in that range with a fast action. What’s your budget? The Daiwa Tatula rods are a great rod if you are wanting to get a nice rod without spending an arm and a leg. Just make sure it’s the MH fast in whichever length works for you. In the 200-300 dollar range, the St. Croix Victory and Legend Tournament bass in 7’3” HXF are amazing jig/T-rig rods around cover. The Shimano Zodias and Expride lines are also really good. I have a 6’10” MHF Zodias and a 7’2” MHF Expride for jigs and t-rigs and both are great. If you have a budget it’d be easier to narrow down a couple of really good options. There are a lot of nice rods available. As for line, 20lb is plenty. If you are fishing a lot of weeds then 40 or 50lb braid to a 20lb leader might help out too.

Around $100. I'll also take stuff on sale around that price point.

[LoganT]

The best $100 rod I’ve found so far is the Daiwa Tatula XT. Get the 7’1 medium heavy extra fast for jigs and texas rigs 

[PTasker15]

23 minutes ago, LoganT said:

The best $100 rod I’ve found so far is the Daiwa Tatula XT. Get the 7’1 medium heavy extra fast for jigs and texas rigs 

Have you tried the Tatula cranking rod too? Been also looking for a good med/mod.

[GReb]

20lb braid seems awful light. I wouldn’t throw bottom contact on a MH rod with less than 40lb. I’d ditch the braid entirely for 15lb fluorocarbon unless you’re around heavy cover and in that case I’d increase the braid to 50lb. 
 

Several companies make solid rods in the $100 range including Falcon, ARK, St Croix, Daiwa, etc. A 7’ MH or H fast action should work well. Look for a lure rating in that 1/4-1 or 3/8-1.5oz range. 

[casts_by_fly]

The falcon lowrider heavy cover jig would be a great choice. 7’4”, 1/2-1 oz. $129 I think. I have the cara version and it’s a great rod for the power you’re talking. 
 

I too would swap out of braid for those applications. I run 17 thick mono for the same thing. If you’re sticking to braid then I’d jump to 50 lb. 

[WRB]

2 hours ago, PTasker15 said:

I'm currently using a 6'10 Fast Action, Medium-Heavy rod that is rated for (3/16oz - 5/8oz). I use 20lb braid and 15/14lb leaders when needed.

 

I'm going to get a new rod to replace this one as this one was a cheaper lew's combo. Wondering what to look in a rod for and if I should keep 20lb or jump up to 30.

 

Most of my texas rigs weigh in around 1/4-3/8oz and most of my jigs are 3/8-1/2oz with trailers as well. I do fish bank most of the time, but I do find myself around some rip rap often as well as quite a bit of wood.

***spinning***?

Tom

[PTasker15]

38 minutes ago, WRB said:

***spinning***?

Tom

casting

2 hours ago, GReb said:

20lb braid seems awful light. I wouldn’t throw bottom contact on a MH rod with less than 40lb. I’d ditch the braid entirely for 15lb fluorocarbon unless you’re around heavy cover and in that case I’d increase the braid to 50lb. 
 

Several companies make solid rods in the $100 range including Falcon, ARK, St Croix, Daiwa, etc. A 7’ MH or H fast action should work well. Look for a lure rating in that 1/4-1 or 3/8-1.5oz range. 

my only issue with a much heavier braid/mono/fluoro is line diameter.  My line has the diameter of 6lb test mono; wouldn't I lose some casting distance switching to 40 braid and a ton more switching to 15lb fluoro?

[WRB]

8 minutes ago, PTasker15 said:

casting

What make & model MHF is rated 3/16-5/8 oz? Most MF jerk bait rods have similar rating.

The issue is enough rod power to get a good hook set using T-rigged soft plastics. I use my Major Craft 6’8” MF rated 1/4-5/8 effectively for T-Rigged soft plastic using 11 Defier mono and Owner 4107 3/0 Cover Shot hook. I reel and rod set to get a good hook set.

I believe your line and leader is OK as is.

Tom

[PTasker15]

56 minutes ago, WRB said:

What make & model MHF is rated 3/16-5/8 oz? Most MF jerk bait rods have similar rating.

The issue is enough rod power to get a good hook set using T-rigged soft plastics. I use my Major Craft 6’8” MF rated 1/4-5/8 effectively for T-Rigged soft plastic using 11 Defier mono and Owner 4107 3/0 Cover Shot hook. I reel and rod set to get a good hook set.

I believe your line and leader is OK as is.

Tom

Lew's. They are often lighter than most companies, with a medium being something like 1/8-1/2.

[galyonj]

17 minutes ago, PTasker15 said:

Lew's. They are often lighter than most companies, with a medium being something like 1/8-1/2.

 

That's true. I had a medium-heavy from them that was rated at 1/4-1. Fantastic rod, but I don't think I'd have thrown a 1oz lure on it. That's not a knock at all -- most of the rods I own are Lew's.

[Dan N]

Bass pro shops , pro qualifier 7 foot 

medium heavy , fast. I have more expensive rods, but this rod works nicely. 

Right at 100$

I use 14 pound mono on it, and have never felt it was too light of line. Then again , I’m in Wisconsin, and bass over 5-6 lbs are rare 

[casts_by_fly]

3 hours ago, PTasker15 said:

casting

my only issue with a much heavier braid/mono/fluoro is line diameter.  My line has the diameter of 6lb test mono; wouldn't I lose some casting distance switching to 40 braid and a ton more switching to 15lb fluoro?

on 50 lb braid you can throw a 3/8 on jig and trailer farther than you can reliably detect a bite and set the hook. 

[PTasker15]

1 minute ago, casts_by_fly said:

on 50 lb braid you can throw a 3/8 on jig and trailer farther than you can reliably detect a bite and set the hook. 

and such heavy line should'nt damage my rod? Can I also use this for heavier T rigs, or should I tie leader?

11 minutes ago, Dan N said:

Bass pro shops , pro qualifier 7 foot 

medium heavy , fast. I have more expensive rods, but this rod works nicely. 

Right at 100$

I use 14 pound mono on it, and have never felt it was too light of line. Then again , I’m in Wisconsin, and bass over 5-6 lbs are rare 

East Texas Baby. Lunkers up to 20lbs.

[Catt]

Diawa Procyon

PCYN702MHXB

7' Medium Heavy X-Fast 

1/4 - 1 oz

$79.99

 

Exactly what you're looking for 

[Dan N]

I am jealous ? 
WI state record is about 11 pounds ?

[MN Fisher]

26 minutes ago, Dan N said:

I am jealous ? 
WI state record is about 11 pounds ?

Don't feel too bad - next door here...state record is 8lb15oz

[ironbjorn]

That lure rating is not MH. That's M. Very weird.

[casts_by_fly]

9 hours ago, PTasker15 said:

and such heavy line should'nt damage my rod? Can I also use this for heavier T rigs, or should I tie leader?

I wouldn’t put it on the rod you currently have but on a proper heavy like those being recommended here you’re fine. I pitch on straight braid. My big rod is 50 lb for 3/8 and up. I also throw lighter Texas rigs on my swimming rod which is a mh fast with 30 braid. That goes up to a quarter ounce or so. 

[PTasker15]

11 hours ago, ironbjorn said:

That lure rating is not MH. That's M. Very weird.

Again, that's lew's. Their M is most companies ML, their MH is most Companies M, Their H is most companies MH, and so on.

[optimator]

I’d wait a week or so for the 4th of July sales to kick in. You might be able to get a better rod at that price point.

[PTasker15]

12 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

I wouldn’t put it on the rod you currently have but on a proper heavy like those being recommended here you’re fine. I pitch on straight braid. My big rod is 50 lb for 3/8 and up. I also throw lighter Texas rigs on my swimming rod which is a mh fast with 30 braid. That goes up to a quarter ounce or so. 

Would 40lb be a good place to meet in the middle?