Need a rod for jigs

[The Rooster]

I'm wanting to know what kind of rod is recommended for jigs??  Medium, or medium heavy, 6' or 6'6", or even 7' long, and most likely it's gonna be baitcasting, right??  Some heavy line too??  What do I need??

[Thefishy1]

IMHO I like a 6'8" MH with 15-20lb flurocarbon

[billbrum]

I use a 7' MH fast action baitcasting rod for jigs. I use 15# Fluorocarbon.

[Jake P]

For jigging i use a 7'MH/F Shimano Crucial and 12# Yo Zuri Hybrid. If im going to be fishing heavy cover then i will switch to a H/F rod and use braid.

[=Matt 5.0=]

I use a 6'6" Johnny Morris Signature rod, MH with a fast tip, and a Shimano Stradic 2500.

I also use a 6'9" E21 Carrot Stick MH Fast and a Revo SX.

[grimlin]

6'8" MH for 1/4 oz and lower

7' H for 3/8oz and up

I like using 14# test Trilene XT

or

15# test Trilene big game

[dodgeguy]

7-6 h johnny morris flipping stick with 65 lb. spiderwire invisibraid colored black on the last 5 feet with a pflueger trion reel.i use the invisibraid because i can see it and it's nice line.it sure isn't invisible.

[Jig Man]

7' MHF for jigs 3/8 oz and under

7' HF for 1/2 oz and larger

[Bass XL]

For the heavy stuff, I'll use a 7'6" XH.

For the lighter stuff, I'll use a 7' MH.

[The Rooster]

The main things I'm seeing here are medium heavy or heavier rods, in 6'6" or longer. Mostly around 7' lengths it looks like. 7' is longer than I'm used to using but I've never fished jigs before. Why do you use a rod so long?? Does it help to set the hook better??

Also, can a jig rod serve to fish other baits such as the texas rig (I tend to think of this as sort of a jig)?? What about buzzbaits??

I'm thinking that a jig won't require any specific reel gear ratio by the way I've seen them fished so I could get a reel that's fast retrieve, 6.3 or more, and use it for something like a buzzbait also. I'm trying to get the most out of each rod I get cause I don't really want to take more than 5 with me on my boat due to limited space for other people on board with me and all their rods. Having rods that serve for 2 or more lure types will help me there.

[Jake P]

The longer rod will help with casting distance and with the hookset. You can fish spinner/buzzbaits off of the same rod and you can definitely fish T-Rigs also.

[Jeff H]

I prefer 6'6".  My favorite jig rod is Shimano Crucial 6'6" MH/X-Fast.  I love X-Fast action on my jig rods.

[The Rooster]

The longer rod will help with casting distance and with the hookset. You can fish spinner/buzzbaits off of the same rod and you can definitely fish T-Rigs also.

So pretty much the "skirted" lures.  That'll help me remember what it fishes when I'm out there until I get used to which one does what best.  

I have my eye on a Team Daiwa-V rod that I've seen at Wal-Mart that I was thinking might be what I need for this.  That's not usually where I go to look for rods anymore but this one is nice actually.  6'6" or 7' are available, I think all in medium heavy power range though they seem extra stiff to me.  Fast tips on them all.  Sell for about $50.  I'll have to see which I think is better, the 6'6" or 7'.  

Then I still need a reel but I think a BPS Extreme will do for that.  Or the tackle shop here nearby has some Quantum Accurists left over that sell for $90.  AC500CX I think they are.  5 bearings.  Got a choice of either blue or gold and they have a flippin' switch (which I probably won't use).  Seem like good reels to me.  

[neBassin]

I just bought a Shimano Crucial 7' MHF for my jigs and so far I love it.

[mike bat]

a 7ft stick is just fine for most jigging .... im useing a 7ft med-hev fast rod ... does just fine ... now if you wanna flipp alotta slop then a 7ft6 would be the ticket ... however for most jigging the 7ft is just fine ...

[The Rooster]

Well, by no means have I fished all of the two lakes I fish the most on, but as far as I know there is no slop on them.  But I do regularly see fish way down deep in 20 feet of water or more.  And I can't get down to them except by the T-rig or a jig.  I use the T-rig a lot with some success but not that deep usually.  And I've never jig fished at all but want to get into it.  Actually I'm wanting to try a lot of different stuff and this year I've tackled some of it.  I'm learning to crank now, and fish worms, and now jigs.

[mike bat]

well in that case a 7ft med hev fast would do the job just fine ...  you can also run t-rigs on this same rod .... just check into rod ratings ,, by company .... i use st croix rods ,, my 7ft med-hev fast /// most would say is more like a 7ft heavy fast of most other rod companys ... if that makes cents to you .... in other words different companys have different standards by rating thier sticks ...

[The Rooster]

All these replies you guys have given me are great.  I feel like I have some idea where to start shopping now to look for a jigging rod.  Thanks a lot to all who replied.  

One last thing though.  Would a regular mono line in about a 12 to 14 pound test be good enough??  Or do I need heavier or something different??  I don't really want to go braided though.  

[Jake.]

One last thing though. Would a regular mono line in about a 12 to 14 pound test be good enough?? Or do I need heavier or something different?? I don't really want to go braided though.

Mono would be OK, but Flouro would give you better hooksets and sensitivity.

[mike bat]

mono will work fine ,,, remember mono does have stretch to it ... if you plan on useing a mono id suggest going with a 15-17lb test at least .... co poly is what i use also flour would be great too ... eighter way you go get 15lb test at least ... it will aid in a rock solid hook set ... if you have fished a jig you will know how important a solid hook set is .... i know guys around here use 20lb for jigs ,, i myself believe thats extreme ... but to each his own i geuss  

[Catt]

Daiwa TD-V701MHRB Team Daiwa-V: Length: 7' 0 Line Class: 10-20 lb Lure Weight: ¼-1 oz

[David P]

7'6 5power / 50lb braid / 20 fluorocarbon leader

Lighter cover / open water jigging - 7'3 Heavy (4power) 50lb braid / 15lb fluorocarbon

Not everyone likes long rods, but if you do, then this is what I would recommend. I would highly recommend at least a 7fter, and at least a MH , but if you have plans on fishing jigs right next to or in some cover, i'd go to a Heavy.

[Jeff H]

Ok, I gotta ask....how long of a cast are you guys making to fish a jig?  

[The Rooster]

Daiwa TD-V701MHRB Team Daiwa-V: Length: 7' 0 Line Class: 10-20 lb Lure Weight: ¼-1 oz

I think this is the rod I've been looking at at Wal-Mart for $50.  They have them in 6'6" and 7' both.  I'm still shopping though, now that I have some more idea what to look for.  

I'll probably use fluorocarbon since it sinks better than mono does, and is more sensitive and I can get a little heavier size for the same size of a mono in a smaller pound test.  Like 17 lb. test in 15 lb. mono diameter.  And more sensitive too.  Never fished a jig so I'm gonna need all the help I can get.  

[Catt]

Get the Team Daiwa-V & don't look back

Pick the line you want; personally I use Mono & Braid