Finesse Jig Rod

[fantasy19]

I'm looking for a technique specific rod specifically to throw the Keitech Tungsten Football Jig Model 2 Version 2 jig in 1/2oz. This Finesse Jig has a tiny hook, so I'm not looking for the typical MH/H Fast action rod that you need to set a big jig hook. I'm looking for something in the 7-4+ range that will have a softer tip, but not sacrifice sensitivity. I'd like to keep it to around $300 if possible, but open to suggestions that go over that range as well.

Jig - https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Keitech_Tungsten_Football_Jig_Model_2_Version_2_/descpage-KTFJV2.html

Thanks!

[softwateronly]

I throw that keitech, 1/4oz fireworks jig, free rigs, tubes, finesse scroungers, and other light wire hooks with Major Craft Black Porgy 5G 7'8 M/RF w/ a 10lb floro leader.  It's a fantastic rod that I'm always finding a reason to pick up.  Highly recommend.

 

https://www.digitaka.com/item/29/6/140/4573236273983

https://www.majorcraft.co.jp/5g/blackporgy/

 

scott

 

[casts_by_fly]

Falcon Cara heavy cover jig.  7'4", Rated 1/2-1 oz, heavy, fast.  But its a 6 power falcon heavy which is on the lighter side of heavy.  And the 'fast' action isn't really that fast.  It's got a nice top third bend for what you're describing.  And it was designed to drag football jigs.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

I use a 7'1 M F for my keitech, picasso and Beast Coast footbals, but I dont go over 3/8.  

Maybe a Dobyns Champ 7'4 Heavy F or Brailist.

I like Dobyns H blanks, they feel like a MH to me, but are balanced really well so they feel great in hand.  The actions are bit slower than most, so the F has some tip to it especially when you get 7'3 or 7'4.  Its just a matter of figuring out if you want the 1/4-3/4 H or the 1/4-1oz H.  Water is really shallow around here, I dont use 1/2 often, so Im not positive on which one to go with.

The Brailist is a purpose-built jig rod, but its got more of Japanese taper so its a slower action than most jig rods, they call it Med F.  People either love them or hate them, so I suggest finding one and getting it in your hand before you commit.  

[WRB]

Dobyns DX742CSGHD 7’4” M/F, 3/16-5/8 oz. Look for sales at ALF.

Tom

[fantasy19]

44 minutes ago, softwateronly said:

I throw that keitech, 1/4oz fireworks jig, free rigs, tubes, finesse scroungers, and other light wire hooks with Major Craft Black Porgy 5G 7'8 M/RF w/ a 10lb floro leader.  It's a fantastic rod that I'm always finding a reason to pick up.  Highly recommend.

 

https://www.digitaka.com/item/29/6/140/4573236273983

https://www.majorcraft.co.jp/5g/blackporgy/

 

scott

 

 

Thank you! I've never owned a 2pc rod. I will look into this one. 

 

38 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

Falcon Cara heavy cover jig.  7'4", Rated 1/2-1 oz, heavy, fast.  But its a 6 power falcon heavy which is on the lighter side of heavy.  And the 'fast' action isn't really that fast.  It's got a nice top third bend for what you're describing.  And it was designed to drag football jigs.

 

Thank you! I've heard about this brand before concerning finesse jigs. I will look into this one. 

 

38 minutes ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

I use a 7'1 M F for my keitech, picasso and Beast Coast footbals, but I dont go over 3/8.  

Maybe a Dobyns Champ 7'4 Heavy F or Brailist.

I like Dobyns H blanks, they feel like a MH to me, but are balanced really well so they feel great in hand.  The actions are bit slower than most, so the F has some tip to it especially when you get 7'3 or 7'4.  Its just a matter of figuring out if you want the 1/4-3/4 H or the 1/4-1oz H.  Water is really shallow around here, I dont use 1/2 often, so Im not positive on which one to go with.

The Brailist is a purpose-built jig rod, but its got more of Japanese taper so its a slower action than most jig rods, they call it Med F.  People either love them or hate them, so I suggest finding one and getting it in your hand before you commit.  

 

The Dobyns' taper is definitely slower. I own the Fury 733 and 734, but I only use them for moving baits, as the sensitivity is not that great with straight fluorocarbon. I'd expect the Champion line to have much better sensitivity though. 

 

40 minutes ago, WRB said:

Dobyns DX742CSGHD 7’4” M/F, 3/16-5/8 oz. Look for sales at ALF.

Tom

 

Dobyns does seem like a good direction to go. I can probably find a dealer close to me and check them out before ordering online. I love my Fury rods. I just hope the sensitivity on the Champion Series matches that of other high-end rods. I know the taper would be great. 

[MRQturbo]

1 hour ago, fantasy19 said:

 

Thank you! I've never owned a 2pc rod. I will look into this one. 

 

 

Thank you! I've heard about this brand before concerning finesse jigs

 

 

The Dobyns' taper is definitely slower. I own the Fury 733 and 734, but I only use them for moving baits, as the sensitivity is not that great with straight fluorocarbon. I'd expect the Champion line to have much better sensitivity though. 

 

 

Dobyns does seem like a good direction to go. I can probably find a dealer close to me and check them out before ordering online. I love my Fury rods. I just hope the sensitivity on the Champion Series matches that of other high-end rods. I know the taper would be great. 

They do not... I sold off all my champions once I got my hands on my 1st megabass orocchi...sensitivity was not even close in my hands... The only dobyns I still use are their graphite cranking rods (704cb, 705cb and 765cb)... A no go for bottom contact sensitivity for me.. 

[fantasy19]

9 minutes ago, MRQturbo said:

They do not... I sold off all my champions once I got my hands on my 1st megabass orocchi...sensitivity was not even close in my hands... The only dobyns I still use are their graphite cranking rods (704cb, 705cb and 765cb)... A no go for bottom contact sensitivity for me.. 

 

This info is key. Thank you very much for this!

[softwateronly]

19 minutes ago, MRQturbo said:

They do not... I sold off all my champions once I got my hands on my 1st megabass orocchi...sensitivity was not even close in my hands... The only dobyns I still use are their graphite cranking rods (704cb, 705cb and 765cb)... A no go for bottom contact sensitivity for me.. 

 

9 minutes ago, fantasy19 said:

 

This info is key. Thank you very much for this!

 

I'll second this.  Sensitivity is not a strong suit of the champ series.  

 

scott

[fantasy19]

6 minutes ago, softwateronly said:

 

 

I'll second this.  Sensitivity is not a strong suit of the champ series.  

 

scott

 

Thank you! I will be looking more towards Falcon or Megabass. 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

The Dobyns I suggested is actually 340$ sorry.

Daiwa makes a 7'5 Tatula AGS that you try to get your hands on.  Usually their tapers are faster, but @7'5 and being purpose built for FB jigs it should be great.  There is a catch the guides are super light and sensitive, but they arent as durable as SS.  As long as you don't abuse he rod and sock it when its transport or stored with a bunch of other rods you shouldn't have issues.  I got a couple of their SW AGS rods last year.  I wasn't sure about the AGS guides, but after a good season of fishing them with the on beach and jetty they held up really well.  I don't know if they actually increase sensitivity or its just the lighter tip that gives the illusion of that, but so far, I was impressed enough to buy another.  

[MRQturbo]

Megabass p5 xbites or nrx plus 893 is what I would use for 3/8 finesse jigs... 1/2 Oz I'd step up to nrx plus 873 or 894...a bit above your price range but you can find them used or on sale closer to your budget.. 

[Steveo-1969]

Why not go custom? A few years ago I was looking for a rod to use with a very specific jig. @Delaware Valley Tackle built the perfect rod for me.

[Darth-Baiter]

Dobyns DX744 throws those awesome.  

 

i use an X-bites, but i cant come up with a reason the it is better that the DX744,

[Gera]

I use the Poison Adrena M+ 6'11" 

I does not meet your length requirements but its amazing with those Keitech Jigs and very precise casts. 

You can still find the previous gen on sale as its being discontinued, that will make it under the your $300 price point. 

[fantasy19]

1 hour ago, Steveo-1969 said:

Why not go custom? A few years ago I was looking for a rod to use with a very specific jig. @Delaware Valley Tackle built the perfect rod for me.

 

I will look into this. Thank you!

 

1 hour ago, Darth-Baiter said:

Dobyns DX744 throws those awesome.  

 

i use an X-bites, but i cant come up with a reason the it is better that the DX744,

 

Do you use braid to leader on the DX744 or straight fluorocarbon? I will be using straight fluorocarbon and have some concerns with the sensitivity of the Dobyns brand, both from the comments above and my own experience with the Fury line.

 

1 hour ago, Gera said:

I use the Poison Adrena M+ 6'11" 

I does not meet your length requirements but its amazing with those Keitech Jigs and very precise casts. 

You can still find the previous gen on sale as its being discontinued, that will make it under the your $300 price point. 

 

Do you think this one would handle the 1/2oz jigs + trailer? The action looks Fast, at least from the video I saw. One of my main concerns is having some "give" within the rod. I don't want that tiny hook popping out. 

[Darth-Baiter]

15 minutes ago, fantasy19 said:

 

 

 

 

Do you use braid to leader on the DX744 or straight fluorocarbon? I will be using straight fluorocarbon and have some concerns with the sensitivity of the Dobyns brand, both from the comments above and my own experience with the Fury line.

 

 

 

great question.  i fish 12lb flourocarbon on my light bottom contact stuff like the f-jig.  if i'm being honest, my first light jig rod was a Fury 733 and i got LOTS of fish.  lots.  buying the X-Bites was like discovering the world isnt flat (my wife says i exaggerate), but truth be told..that fury was a fun being blind to the fact of higher end rods.   that higher end Dobyns DX744 isnt a Fury.  my bud and i traded rods for a day and i loved that particular Dobyns.  i let him use my P5 FMJ, which he didnt love.  it is closer match to my X-bites.  really close.   he paired his 744 for a Bantam.  which i felt was a tad heavy for that rod. 

[Gera]

1 hour ago, fantasy19 said:

Do you think this one would handle the 1/2oz jigs + trailer? The action looks Fast, at least from the video I saw. One of my main concerns is having some "give" within the rod. I don't want that tiny hook popping out. 

 

1/2oz jigs are not problem. Now I use this in mostly natural lakes with not super heavy cover and does amazing. Its very sensitive and crisp but at the same time being lower power than a standard MH it gives it a nice bend. Not to mention that is super light and conformable. I have it pair with a Daiwa Zillion (yes I mixed all Shimano rods with daiwa reels) and its really nicely balanced. I think this is the perfect rod for this application. 

 

[badfish79]

The Champ XP 734 comes to mind, because its the best kind of moderate for a MH rod. The sensitivity isnt up there like a DX, but its much better than the Fury that you're used to. If you really do need that extra inch, then you might like the DX 744 or even a 743. I think the DX series is a bit faster than the Champ XPs though.

[Maverick2017]

Daiwa Rebellion 7’3 MH if you can locate one.

 

Alpha Angler Zilla 2.0

[Texas Flood]

St. Croix LTB 7'2 M/MF, lure weight is 5/16-7/8oz, $315

[Brian11719]

I own a couple of Victory models for this but I also have an Okuma Psycho Stick that I really like. It's a spinning rod and I'd want a casting rod for this type of a setup. That said, I was on their site the other day and noticed the PSY-C-721MH and PSY-C-721H were on sale for $130 or so...honestly if it were me I'd be taking a serious look at one of these as the action and sensitivity on these rods seems like it would lend itself to this sort of thing (IMHO)...and you could use the money you save on the rod to get a nicer reel if you wanted to...

[WRB]

Suggest looking at Kistler HE703LMH , M+ fast, 3/16-5/8. , 7’ for finesse or HE734HMH+  Xfast for overall jig fishing both on sale @ TW $280.

Tom

[fantasy19]

@Darth-Baiter @Gera @badfish79 @Maverick2017 @Texas Flood @Brian11719 @WRB

 

Thank you for the recent suggestions and information. I feel like I have a ton of research ahead of me. I won't rush into the purchase. I want to make sure I get the best option for me. I'm starting to lean more toward going with a Medium+, although the thought of having the Dobyns action with increased sensitivity from the higher-end models is appealing. 

 

It may come down to making a list of which rods would fit the bill and then paying attention to the ones that go on sale. 

[GReb]

The Cara heavy cover jig 7’4 rod would be perfect for your needs. Nice strong back bone but lighter tip. It fishes like a MH but has the added backbone deep in the blank if you need it. Really good stick for sweeping hook sets.