Jig rods

[Ryang21]

I'm looking to buy a new jig rod somewhere between $200-$300 range. 

I fish heavier cover a lot of wood and grass lines. I'm used to fishing an expride 7'2" heavy but doesn't have enough backbone imo to fish big jigs. Open for ideas.

[webertime]

Megabass Perfect Pitch (Levante or Orochi)

[WRB]

Weight of your big jigs and line used?

Tom

[shackman]

Expride 7’ 3” XH is what I use for big jigs. It’s got plenty of backbone

[Ryang21]

53 minutes ago, WRB said:

Weight of your big jigs and line used?

Tom

1/2 to 3/4 oz depending on depth and 17lb flouro 

[Ryang21]

1 hour ago, shackman said:

Expride 7’ 3” XH is what I use for big jigs. It’s got plenty of backbone

How's the sensitivity? I thought that was the pinnacle frog rod.

[WRB]

Standard size bass jigs most members use 5 power or MHF JWR rods. My jigs rods are 5+ or MH+ in between Heavy rating or 3/8- 1 1/4 oz lure rating . My line is 12 lb FC daytime, 16 lb for night.

What is your issue with the current rod? Hook sets?

Tom

[Ryang21]

I wasn't able to get good penetration with the weed guard and heavy wire hook. I switched that rod (the 7'2") to my texas rig/finesse jig rod with 14lb flouro and I love it but i've been missing throwing big jigs.

[shackman]

31 minutes ago, Ryang21 said:

How's the sensitivity? I thought that was the pinnacle frog rod.

Yeah I do use it for frog primarily but when the frog bite is done, I put 20# fluorocarbon on it for big jigs and sensitivity is pretty good 

[WRB]

You can’t get a good hook set using the rod alone.

1. Use your reel to take up all the slack while lowering the rod tip.

2. When you have tightened the line keep reeling and sweep the rod back firmly. 

Tom

[casts_by_fly]

My rod for that setup is a Falcon Amistad.  I have been using the Expert series ($200) for the past two seasons.  I just broke it and have a Cara on the way ($250).  Very good sensitivity, perfect size for 1/2-3/4oz jigs plus a trailer.  I fished the expert down to 3/8 tungsten plus a beaver and that was about as light as I like on it.  A half or 3/4 plus plastic is great.  A half ounce jig fishes great on it.  I don't really throw jigs heavier than that on it, though I was also using it for A-rigs and big spinnerbaits around an ounce.  I also threw 7" keitechs on it.  Versatile rod.

[FryDog62]

11 hours ago, WRB said:

You can’t get a good hook set using the rod alone.

1. Use your reel to take up all the slack while lowering the rod tip.

2. When you have tightened the line keep reeling and sweep the rod back firmly. 

Tom

I’m on board with this vs. a slack line snap hook set… too many things can go wrong there…

[badfish79]

If I was in your shoes, I would try either a Dobyns Champ XP 744C or Extreme HP 745C

[TNBankFishing]

I’d look into a dedicated punching rod for those weights and serious slop if the expride doesn’t have the needed grunt. When I think of heavy cover I rarely use a rod under 7’4 just for leverage. I’m also in in the moderate fast camp. 
 

Ish Flippin stick, Tatula Elite AGS

Flip’n model in the new LTB by St Croix

7’6 XH Expride

 

I use a Legend Elite 7’4 heavy for weights above 5/8th in cover, but when the serious punching starts I pick up my Steez AGS 7’4XH. 

 

[LrgmouthShad]

iRod 704C. I have the Genesis III and recommend but you could try the Air in your price range. 
 

The 704C has a very forgiving tip section but the strong backbone makes it a true heavy rod. It is very powerful. 
 

3/8oz-1oz jigs cast good on this rod. Around 5/8oz-3/4oz jigs with trailer is this rod’s sweet spot. That heavy range should indicate to you this rod’s power

[FryDog62]

I use the Zolo Dragger and Levante Perfect Pitch for those jig weights. Zolo slightly beefier of the two…

[LrgmouthShad]

18 hours ago, Ryang21 said:

I wasn't able to get good penetration with the weed guard and heavy wire hook

You can also consider taking off some of the strands of the weedguard if it is too stiff to your liking. I do this sometimes. 

[r83srock]

For those jigs I like a St. Croix Victory 7’3”H XF . I use 30lb braid however.

[Ryang21]

22 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

I use the Zolo Dragger and Levante Perfect Pitch for those jig weights. Zolo slightly beefier of the two…

whats the difference between the med hvy + vs just the heavy?

[WRB]

This isn’t a generally accepted power rating between over the counter bass rods. Do to that it’s subjective to how a rod “feels” to individual anglers.

ALX was a custom rod builder before offering OTC production rods. Alex offered various rod blanks from different companies before having blanks made to his specs.

The + rating was added for rods that tested in between a power rating ie; 5 power or MH in between 6 power or H was 5+. This was usually rids made from higher modulus NG graphite or NG+ materials.

Today I am not knowledgable with newer state of the art bass rods other then they are lighter weight with more flexible tips.

Tom

[Catt]

Kistler Helium HE7045HMH 😉

[FryDog62]

3 hours ago, Ryang21 said:

whats the difference between the med hvy + vs just the heavy?

Both the Dragger and Perfect Pitch are "Heavy" rods. Dragger rated to 1.5 oz and PP to 1.2 oz. 

[Scott804]

Megabass Orochi Brailist. It is to the point where I can't even use anything else if I wanted to. 

[Bandersnatch]

Expride 7’3xh heavy. It’s a fantastic stick that will never leave you wanting more power. It’s also very light for its power 

[Ryang21]

12 hours ago, Bandersnatch said:

Expride 7’3xh heavy. It’s a fantastic stick that will never leave you wanting more power. It’s also very light for its power 

Isn't the action a mod fast? and does it fish more like a fast?

15 hours ago, Scott804 said:

Megabass Orochi Brailist. It is to the point where I can't even use anything else if I wanted to. 

ive heard that megabass rods feel "brittle" but ik matt with tactical bassin thats his go to jig rod.