jiggin rod questions...

[Red]

i fish mainly from shore, but i plan to get a boat this year.  i am looking into buying a new rod to use specifically for jiggin.  from shore i dont typically fish very heavy cover, but if i was to get a boat, i might find myself in the thick stuff more often.  think i should go ahead and get a heavier rod just to be preparred, or go with something lighter for now and worry about that issue when it happens?  right now i am using my custom 6' MH for just about all my fishing, i have a daiwa procaster-z that needs a rod, what length would you recommend that will also be usuable from shore(casting room is not an issue)?  what would be a good power and action to use in the event that i do end up with a boat and fish heavier cover?  also i cast and pitch my jigs, depends on where i am.  any tips and info you could give me regarding a jiggin rod will be much appreciated.  also, i am looking to keep it around $100, feel free to make a recommendation of a specific rod!

or should i just use my current rod for this and buy something totally different?

thanks a bunch!  ;D

Cliff

[Hawgin]

I would personally recommend a 7' medium heavy rod.  Most of the time a medium heavy rod will handle heavy cover and slop, plus it gives you some versatility to use it for other applications.  

Some guys would recommend you use a 7'6" flipping stick, but I think it would reduce your ability to cast lighter baits, and most rods that long are telescopic and IMHO you lose sensitivity with that type of rod.

[flechero]

Cliff,

If you are used to a 6' then you may be more comfortable in a 6'6" than a 7'.  I had always used 6'6" and then it took a solid year to get used to a 7'.  The 784 was my worm rod and the 785 was my jig rod.

I think a 7' hvy is most common down here.  Depending on preferences, something like a MBR844 will be a hvy power and have a delicate tip... or a St. Croix Legend T. or E. in a 7' hvy will have a heavier tip.  (and a slightly slower action)

Come down to Belton before you buy...  I'll let you compare some those rods, plus a few blanks with slightly different actions and lock up points to see what I mean, and see what feels right.

[Davis]

Red check out Falcon Lowriders over at ***.com

My falcon came in yesterday (herm special) and I'm very pleased at the quality. Someone told me that they are kind of heavy compared to an Avid. But I disagree. There pretty darn close. Still a light rod with some nice backbone.

Check out the Eakins special Lowrider over at TW.

"LFC-5-1610 Eakins Jig Special Troy and Jim Eakins, top anglers in the Central Pro-Am for many years, helped us design this rod to fish his signature jig technique - a must-have when fishing deep clear water. Line Weight: 10-20"

http://www.***.com/descpageCASTFALCON-FLRC.html

114.99 with no tax and free shipping. Pretty close to your price range.

[roadwarrior]

Cliff,

If you are used to a 6' then you may be more comfortable in a 6'6" than a 7'. I had always used 6'6" and then it took a solid year to get used to a 7'. The 784 was my worm rod and the 785 was my jig rod.

I think a 7' hvy is most common down here. Depending on preferences, something like a MBR844 will be a hvy power and have a delicate tip... or a St. Croix Legend T. or E. in a 7' hvy will have a heavier tip. (and a slightly slower action)

Come down to Belton before you buy... I'll let you compare some those rods, plus a few blanks with slightly different actions and lock up points to see what I mean, and see what feels right.

Man, that's the ticket! Try it before you buy it.

8-)

[djmax22]

THe Eakin Jig rod is solid. My fishing buddy swears by them and other Falcon models. You cant go wrong with these rods for the price. I believe the Eakin Jig model is 6'10".

[Red]

Cliff,

If you are used to a 6' then you may be more comfortable in a 6'6" than a 7'.  I had always used 6'6" and then it took a solid year to get used to a 7'.  The 784 was my worm rod and the 785 was my jig rod.

I think a 7' hvy is most common down here.  Depending on preferences, something like a MBR844 will be a hvy power and have a delicate tip... or a St. Croix Legend T. or E. in a 7' hvy will have a heavier tip.  (and a slightly slower action)

Come down to Belton before you buy...  I'll let you compare some those rods, plus a few blanks with slightly different actions and lock up points to see what I mean, and see what feels right.

that sounds good, but where exactly on/in belton would you like me to go?   ;D  also, i dont know if i should test out any St. Croix or G. Loomis rods, cuz i will never be able to afford them!!

anyway i would be more than willing to try out some rods before i buy, but there is only academy here, and they have kinda crappy selection in my opinion

thanks for the info guys!  i will keep you posted as to what i am looking at

Cliff

[jrhennecke]

I use a 7' Heavy XPS pole and don't have any problems.

[flechero]

Sorry Cliff.... I was thinking you could compare my 844IMX with the 7' hvy legend tourney and elite's since I have rods built on those blanks.... I missed the $100 line and did see the custom line so I didn't consider price on them. Total goof on my part. ...lol  

If you change your mind and want to check out the above mentioned rods, let me know.

Keith

[Red]

well i would be happy to check them out, but i am still in the $100 market,  would your rods do me any good to try? like if i tried your St.Croix rod and liked the feel of it, then maybe i could look for a rod with a similar feel in my price range?  or is that not even a good idea? i think my main concern like you mentioned is the length, i have always used 6' rods, and occasionally a 6'6" rod....so maybe the jump to 7' would take some time to get used to, i am not opposed to that, but if there isnt an actual NEED for the extra length, then why bother right?  does anyone make a 6' heavy rod?  thanks again

Cliff

[HOIST-N-HAWGS]

For that price look into the StCroix premier models. Anywhere from $80 and up. For that price a decent rod.

[ww2farmer]

Under $100, I recomend the Fenwick HMX ($90) in either 6'6" or 7' MH, or a Shimano Compre 6'10"(also $90) MH X-fast.

[flechero]

well i would be happy to check them out, but i am still in the $100 market, would your rods do me any good to try? like if i tried your St.Croix rod and liked the feel of it, then maybe i could look for a rod with a similar feel in my price range? or is that not even a good idea? i think my main concern like you mentioned is the length, i have always used 6' rods, and occasionally a 6'6" rod....so maybe the jump to 7' would take some time to get used to, i am not opposed to that, but if there isnt an actual NEED for the extra length, then why bother right? does anyone make a 6' heavy rod? thanks again

Cliff

I haven't tried any of the sub $100 St. Croix rods so I can't say if they will be similar in feel or not...  I'm sure some others have handled enough of both to say.   I have some 6'6" mh & hvy All Star and Castaway blanks if you want to try building one.  You're welcome to any one of them for my cost.  

[Red]

i would love to build my own rod, but i wouldnt even know where to begin?  is there a book or a website i can take a look at? any additional info would be great.

thanks

Cliff

[Evan Pease]

I fished jigs with a TD-S 7' MH Jig/Worm specific rod. It runs around $104. The quality is good and the two I own have helped me land a lot of good fish and have survived those darn logs.

[islandbass]

Under $100, I recomend the Fenwick HMX ($90) in either 6'6" or 7' MH, or a Shimano Compre 6'10"(also $90) MH X-fast.

x2 on the Compre. Its $89 price tag fits your budget. However if you didn't drink a daily latte for about 1 1/2 months, its sexier sister, the 6'10 MH is the rod I have for jigs.  

[flechero]

Cliff,

You should start with the "Newbies with rod building questions" thread in tacklemaking (it's a sticky).  I have Tom K's book you can borrow, no need to buy it yet.  If you think you are up to a build, I can help you walk through it.  

[Red]

ok thanks, i am gonna send you a PM fletchero