Most Sensitive Jig Rod ~$300?

[MiceNReets]

On 1/25/2024 at 11:38 AM, KP Duty said:

Sleeper pick- Savage Gear Black Ops.  42T blank with Titanium fuji guides and SiC's...

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Savage_Gear_Black_Ops_Casting_Rods/descpage-SGBOCR.html

Keep meaning to try one of these.   They look great.  

[softwateronly]

9 hours ago, MontclairDave said:

Amazing feedback as usual. Leaning towards getting another Falcon, probably the Finesse jig model in Cara line, since I am curious to see gain in sensitivity over Expert.

 

Also thinking of Expride but a bit outside the box: the 6’ 10” Medium, which the TB boys say of course is their fav jerkbait rod but could also double as a finesse jig rod. Anyone use that model for finesse jigs?

 

Or I can save $$$$ and just hand-line for bass 🙃

 

I have the 6'10M and like it for a lot of things, but I don't fish light jigs on it very often and unfortunately I don't have a very coherent explanation as to why.  Might just be a bias on my end, but it doesn't feel special with bottom contact, though it is certainly serviceable.  The poison adrena 6'11M+ I feel the exact opposite.  Does everything well, but special w/ 3/8oz jigs and big worms.

 

I recently bought MC Days360 6'6MH/F as my new lighter jig rod.  I really like the 2018 Days and recently bought their 7'8 M/RF black porgy and love the 5g blank.  Unfortunately,  I got iced in right as the 360 arrived, so no real world knowledge with it yet.  Love the length and build, feels amazing, hoping it translates.  If you wanna take a somewhat educated wild swing....$277 to your door. 

https://shimreels.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=72294

10% discount on the homepage SWOFF10

 

scott

[NorthernBasser]

On 1/25/2024 at 11:38 AM, KP Duty said:

Sleeper pick- Savage Gear Black Ops.  42T blank with Titanium fuji guides and SiC's...

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Savage_Gear_Black_Ops_Casting_Rods/descpage-SGBOCR.html

I love my Black Ops. I wonder if they're already discontinuing them though. They're clearanced at TW and they're nowhere to be found on their site. Maybe they didn't sell well. $300 from a company who wasn't really known for rods. A lot of people would be afraid to plunk that cash down. Only reason I did is because I got a great deal a year or so ago. Glad I did. 

[RipzLipz]

Used to fish Falcon & loved the Cara Head Turner full grip until I picked up a Dobyns Xtasy 7’5" H & MH fast (both probably underrated on the power). Definitely pricey but one of the most sensitive jig rods I’ve ever used.

[KP Duty]

2 hours ago, NorthernBasser said:

I love my Black Ops. I wonder if they're already discontinuing them though. They're clearanced at TW and they're nowhere to be found on their site. Maybe they didn't sell well. $300 from a company who wasn't really known for rods. A lot of people would be afraid to plunk that cash down. Only reason I did is because I got a great deal a year or so ago. Glad I did. 

I saw that and was sad to see it. The rod market is crowded for sure.  I'm glad I have the 3 I picked up @ $199.  

[Boomstick]

On 1/24/2024 at 3:51 PM, NorthernBasser said:

That's great and all. And of course you can still feel bites with lesser, cheaper rods etc. But you can't say higher quality rods/material doesn't aid in bite detection. It does.

 

And you mention Lamiglas blanks. Lets see what they say about rod sensitivity-

 

https://www.lamiglas.com/blogs/lamiglas-fishing-rod-blog/understanding-fishing-rod-sensitivity-1

There are certain situations the rod will help, such as when a fish picks up your jig off the bottom. When they hit it on the fall, it’s all in the line though so I’m with Tom on that. It’s part of the learning curve with fishing jigs if you ask me.

[Fishin Dad]

The way I see it, a better quality rod will not hurt you at all.  It will be easier to fish (lighter), and could/should be better at detecting bites.  If you have the resources and desire, buy the best you feel you need.   

[waymont]

On 1/25/2024 at 3:31 AM, WRB said:

Rods don’t have sensitivity! Bottom lure contact feedback is all about detecting slight changes is lure resistance and line movements.

This is exactly what a more sensitive rod excels at detecting. But you can keep saying this over and over again. A sensitive rod detects pressure and resistance changes more efficiently than a dead feeling rod.

[KP Duty]

2 hours ago, waymont said:

This is exactly what a more sensitive rod excels at detecting. But you can keep saying this over and over again. A sensitive rod detects pressure and resistance changes more efficiently than a dead feeling rod.

Yea...rods transmit vibrations to your fingertips no matter what you call it.  Rods nowdays are so good at transmitting vibrations I don't keep a finger on my line anumore.

[NorthernBasser]

45 minutes ago, KP Duty said:

Yea...rods transmit vibrations to your fingertips no matter what you call it.  Rods nowdays are so good at transmitting vibrations I don't keep a finger on my line anumore.

Not only that, but a lot of people don't like fingering the line while working their baits. I'm one of them.

 

Higher quality rods/materials definitely help transmitting feel and vibrations. I don't care what anyone says. I'm not saying you can't feel bites on a Snoopy pole. But an NRX is gonna transmit way more vibration, etc. 

[Diggy]

1. I don't touch my line.

2. I will swap the same exact 1/2 oz jig with superglued trailer and the same reel to different rods.

3. Depending on the rod I am using I can definitely feel different things or vibrations fishing in the same exact spots. I will often cast to objects where I can see my lure so I know it's in the same exact area parallel to the bank or near certain patches of grass. I will cast my jig on top of a ridged culvert that connect the lakes and the bumps feel different. 

4. I have watched peacock bass peck, pick up my lure or blow on it to get it away from them with certain rods and felt different things, doing things the same exact way.

[TNBankFishing]

In my opinion $300 is the weirdest point for a dedicated jig rod. The offerings at $500 dwarf those at $300. On the other spectrum I feel like an ALX or Tatula Elite (non-AGS) just offer so much better value sub $200. I also fish out of a kayak so I understand the limitations. I fish the TN river system on lakes such as Watts Bar and Chickamauga. 
 

Personally, in order of price I’d pick up these rods. I’m only going to offer advice on sticks I’ve owned or still own. 
 

1. NRX+ 873CRR - the best 3/8th to 1/2 oz jig rod I’ve owned. Soft enough tip to allow solid roll casts sitting down. Plenty of backbone. Fishes cover well, and if you tie on a finess football it’s in heaven. I use deps 14g headlocks and crush fish here in Tennessee. 
 

2. Steez BC2 - it’s longer but the sensitivity is as good or better than my NRXs. Fantastic deep water ledge rod, great for pitching into moderate cover. 
 

3. Legend Xtreme 7’1 MHXF - you can pick these up used for 375-400 and they are absolutely worth the price. This is my 1/4 to 3/8 finesse jig/swim jig/spinnerbait rod. Outstanding sensitivity and balance. 
 

4. MB Braillist - First higher end jig rod I bought about 3-4 years ago. Sensitive, powerful, beautiful. On the heavier side but come on an ounce doesn’t make a huge enough difference to me. 
 

Now I’m my mind this is the cut off. Under the $300 for a new Braillist I switch to used gear because I’ve sold every Expride I’ve owned, 3 in total. They never lived up to the hype and fishing from a kayak lacked the tip I want and need to cast effectively. I stand about %20 of the time on a good day, even in a Titan 12. The Exprides and the NRX 893/894 I had suffered the same fate because they aren’t effective roll casting or sidearm pitching sticks. 
 

Used:

St Croix Elite/X 7’MH, 7’1MHXF, 7’4H. I own the X in 7MH, elite in 7’4 and they fish fantastic. Light, powerful and have that tip I need. You can find these sub $300 used often and they transfer the warranty. 
 

Below that $300 point personally I’d sample the offerings from ALX or drop down to a Levante Braillist. Nothing else at that price speaks to me. 

[waymont]

On 1/25/2024 at 1:40 PM, islandbass said:

The sensitivity does come from your hands. And yes, even an ugly stik is sensitive in my hands.

Yup, sensitivity comes from your hand holding a sensitive rod.