Problems setting the hook with jigs

[VolFan]

Don't go pulling out the benjamins just yet.  Since you want to keep it to one rod, I'd say keep the medium. It's going to be a far more versatile and fun rod to fish.  I would switch to braid, I use Fireline Crystal, and use a 2 foot flouro leader. The braid has almost no stretch, so you'll get a better hookset with the lighter rod, sometimes its even an advantage to have some give in the rod with braid.  That's not a big jig you're using and I'm guessing you're not dragging in a 2 lb fish with 10 lbs of hydrilla.  Past that, sometimes I'll set the hook to the side instead of over the top. Finally, and ost importantly:  Keep your hooks very, very, very sharp. Keep your hooks very, very, very sharp. Keep your hooks very, very, very sharp.  If youset the hook during a cast, check the hook, just in case it was a rock or log.

[Catt]

I really really do not want to have to buy another rod. . .

If I am not going through extreme cover, will I be alright fishing 8 pound mono with a medium rod?

I'm going to keep practicing jigging with my current setup and hopefully some experience will allow me to get better at setting the hook. If after a couple weeks, I am still having problems, then I guess I will have no choice but to purchase a MH rod.

If you keep doing what you are doing you will continue to get what you got.

Not near enough rod or line for correct jig fishing.

If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you always got  

[The Outdoorsman]

Here is what I see wrong with this senerio:

1) rod not beefy enough.  I use a 7' MH fast tip AllStar rod.  You want a rod with good backbone.

2) I didnt see where you stated what line you are using, but I would go with 50# braid.  You can tie a palomar knot easily with it and dont have to worry about break offs like you do fluro if you dont tie your knot properly.  If you dont want to shell out money for braid, 17# Suffix Elite will get the jog done.  IF you go braid, you dont have to reel all the slack up, just get it going and cross her eyes!!!  The no stretch of braid will do its work.

3) Dont baby the hookset, you have to get the hook past the weedguard and penetrate the upper jaw.  Dont be afraid to miss a hookset, its going to happen. Like I said before, cross her eyes.  

[spotaholic]

Echo the same. I throw a jig 12 months out of the year. Day in and day out catch more fish and win more cash with a jig than anything else. You need a stiffer rod 7' MH is the minimum. I use a7' Heavy for most of my jig fishing. 14 Fluorocarbon is as low as I go and 16 gama is my favorite. I trim every weed guard so it's just a little longer than the hook and then trim the front at a angle away from the hook. I also open the hook up with my needle nose. When the fish bites drop the rod and hammer. I like a short jerk straight up. I miss very few fish with a jig and think you biggest issue is rod and line.

[tyrius.]

I guess I'm going to have to go a different way than most.  I have fished smaller finesse jigs on a M power spinning rod with 8lb test without too many difficulties.  The difference here is that I'm not fishing these jigs in heavy cover.  Fishing rock shallow rock bottom areas hasn't given me any trouble.  I also have a MH baitcasting setup with 12lb test that I use when fishing bigger jigs or in cover.  

If you want to use you current rod for jig fishing then focus on lighter wire finesse jigs and you should be fine.

When setting the hook you need to reel down (lower your rod towards the water while keeping the line semi tight) and then snap the rod up quickly and powerfully.

[wapiti]

Thanks for all the replies,

I got a good deal on a MH Compre that should be here by tomorrow, and although I would have liked another Symmetre, I found a good deal on ebay and settled for a 4000 Sahara.

I'm going to be fishing two setups this year, with my medium Compre for crankbaits and spinnerbaits etc and my MH just for jigging. <-- My paretns should recover in a week or two :-X >

On my jigging combo would you guys recommend 12 or 14 lb test? I had a very very bad experience with Berkley Vanish Transition about a year ago, and so I am hesitant to use fluorocarbon. I for sure will not be fishing braid, as there just isn't enough cover, but I keep going back and forth between purchasing mono or fluorocarbon line.

Thanks

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Since you are set with the spinning rod, I wouldnt go any further than 10, maybe 12lb Berkley 100% fluoro.  Spray it down with KVD Line and Lure and you should be fine.

I have the 10lb 100% fluoro on a Symetre 2500 and it is just fine, although all my jig fishing is done with a baitcaster.  I use the spinning set up for weightless plastics (trick sticks).