What makes a good jig rod?

[Turkeyman]

What characteristics would you look for in a good jig rod? I usually throw 3/8 and 1/2 oz. jigs.

[Skeeterman]

Sensitivity,tip action and power of the rod.I use a Powell 705 exfast tip mag heavy7ftr the senitivity on these rods is awsume.I picked the 7ft rod because I wasn,t comfortible with the longer ones if you can use a 8ftr.you be better off.

[Jeff C.]

Medium heavy action. Extra fast tip. The more sensitive the better. I also like a longer rod (at least 7 ft) to help with pitching.

If you can afford it I love my G-loomis GLX Jig and Worm BCR853. My second choice would be Loomis IMX 843C but it might not be quite fast enough to handle 1/2 oz jigs. I have to admit, though that I haven't tried a lot of rods aside from Loomis and I know other people swear by other brands.

Jeff C.

[ash]

And then there was me. I actually prefer a stiffer rod in the Heavy Action Loomis IMX and I am impressed with my Shaw Grisby Quantum Tour Edition rod for pitching the quantum is more medium heavy with a faster tip then the IMX I run. I use the IMX heavy for football head jigs 1/2oz - 1 oz jigs open structure, I just feel that a medium heavy rod has too much tip and I lose feel of the bait. (but that is just me)

I would try some of the newer rods out there as IMHO Loomis technology really hasnt changed in the past 5 years and you can now pick up equal or greater sticks cheaper then the Loomis brand.

Loomis
IMX 7' 12 - 20 1/4 - 1 Fast Heavy 4 10157-01 $260.00

Quantum
PTC726FSG Med./Hvy. 7'2" Fast 12 - 25 3/8 - 3/4 Fuji ECS Fuji Alconite[/url]

[BIG DADDY BLUE RANGER]

The Lamiglas 806 has become one of favorite rods for a lot of different techniques, specifically jig fishing. It's light weight, sensitive, has plenty of backbone power, and a soft tip with a nice parabolic bend to it.... a very unique combination of qualities. Plus an 8 foot rod moves a lot of line on the hook set. This is my #1 choice anytime I'm on the Delta or Clear lake where heavy gauge jig hooks and big fish are the rule.... Now if your targeting deep water fish or using lighter wire hooks, the shorter rods are a better choice. For those situations I use a Loomis 864 7'2" heavy (telescopic handle). Another good choice would be a Lamiglas 764, again plenty of length to move line on the set but with a soft tip. Don't think an 8 footer will be hard to handle because of the length,,, it's not the case w this one,, my girlfriend is only 5'2" and one of my buddies is only 5'7",, both now use the 806's religiously without any difficulty... plus there cheaper than Loomis', about $160.

[Cooch]

Super Sensativity, 10 guides, 7-7'6" Heavy Action Graphite rod with a ton of back bone, and a super fast tapered tip. If yer pitchin, flippen, punchin or casting heavy one tons, you need a power tool for the job to git those fish in the boat. Time and time again I have many clients show up with a fancy G-Loomis jig rod, that's nothing more than a noodle stick, and watch em miss and loose fish all day long on the hook set. Dig out one of my 6'6" or 7' Cameron jig rods, and they say, "Oh, I git it now, what a difference! Looks like I'm buyin a new rod next week fer jiggin'."

On the lakes it's different when tossing lighter jigs, especially those without weed guards and light wire hooks, a 6'6" MH is fine. But when yer fishing a flippen jig, fer big bass, in and around heavy cover, you need a bubba stick ta git it done. Check out the new Dobyns Jig rods, I hear they is really nice, or git ahold of Steve Beichman at Steve's Custom rods, he'll put a real jig rod in yer hands too! You actually can find Steve this week down at Russo's, he's fishing the STREN event there and has a load of rods with him fer show, tell and sell this week!

[froteur]

do you consider a g loomis mbr844 heavy enough for the flippin, pitchin' and such? how about a kistler 7'6"xh?

thanks.

-perry-

[lionkiller]

Cooch's

Time and time again I have many clients show up with a fancy G-Loomis jig rod, that's nothing more than a noodle stick...

LMFAO! Noodle stick. They bring 'em up here, too, Mr. Cuccia.

I use a Rogue 704 GH or my 796 GH, depending. I like the sensitivity the graphite handle imparts. A good fast tip will give the proper hookset (right in the roof of the mouth). The rod MUST have b@lls, too, tho...to haul those mamas out of the mess they're in....be it rocks, docks, or your Delta greens. I use my Loomis 843 spinner to skip a lighter jig (or whatever) under docks...works good on post-spawners.

[Jason Wood]

I'm with Lionkiller on this one... The MBR 843 is an awesome jig rod... I use two of em... Very sensitive tip and plenty of backbone... Throw on some 20lb fluoro and yer set!!!

[big_gorilla]

For flipping and picthin I have fallen for my new Cielo 7'6" flippin/pitchin rod with 20 lb. The thing is awesome. It is light weight and can horse fish out of heavy stuff. For mainly pitchin I use the 7'1" Steez Heavy rod. It is incredibly light has a fast tip and has LOTS of back bone.

Cooch is right don't show up with a light wimpy stick to get in the jungle. Nothing is worse then losing fish with these techniques cuz you don't have the right equipment.

[Phil]

PRESENTLY , WE ARE USING;
BASS PRO EXTREME 7 FT 60 MILLION MODS HEAVY FOR BIG JIGS, MED HEAVY FOR LIGHTER JIGS . IT JUST WORKS FOR ME.

[Cooch]

I'd have to see that rod as I'm not blessed with G-Loomis' number plan like I am with Yamamoto's! There are a number of excellent rods made by G-Loomis that will work extremely well for Jiggen. If'n ole Jason, the man of 35 pound River jig fish this past weekend says his MBR 843 is super, then that MBR844 should work just as well! Anything in that extra heavy range, I've always found to be like a broom stick and it's better suited fer froggin or swimbaits. Generally they are too heavy overall in weight and will create a ton of fatigue after fishing all day with one. I had a Cameron CGR705, I really only used it fer fishin and swingin' big bass over docks, it then became a swimbait rod this past year. I say "had", because last week I broke it in two, swingin a 7 pound striper in the boat. DUMMY!

My point was, a lot of times a manufacturer will label a rod as a jig rod, and because we have a penchant to go with a specific label, we buy it, when in reality it is not the best tool for the application at hand. Turkeyman's original question left out some minor details as to the "hows, wheres and whats" of how he plans to fish his jig. Certainly a rod that you may be using on the lake to toss 1/4 or 3/8oz football head jigs down barren rocky banks fishin fer spots and smallies, is not gonna be worth a dang in yer hands if'n yer on the River or Clearlake, pitchin & flippen a 1/2oz Arkie jig into heavy cover for the brute largemouth that reside in these two locals.

[froteur]

seems like my loomis 844 (7 ft heavy action) should be a-ok. if'n jason likes the 843, maybe i'll try mine out on the river next time.

was on the river and stuck a few more bass on your wadda jig today. 3/8 oz black, 3/8 oz brown and purple and 1/2 oz black. started the day throwing the 3/8's but ended up upsizing to the 1/2 oz with all the wind and current there was out there today.

used my loomis 844 and a 7 ft mh kistler (rated for the same line and lure weights as the "heavy" loomis -- go figure). jigs worked great on them. think i "will" try out the lighter 843 next time.
i'll leave the xh for flippin and pitchin other baits--- or throwin frogs

-perry-

[Larry Hemphill]

A jig rod needs backbone. How much depends on the season and where you are fishing. I suppose a day or night trip would matter too. I really prefer a 7 ft rod no matter what brand or action. Fishing G. Loomis as I do, I always use the 843 for daytime at lakes like Berryessa, Oroville, Pardee, Almanor, and Folsom. I will stick with the 844 (med-heavy) always at Clear Lake, Amador, and Collins. I do at the delta too when I am fortunate enough to fish there! Some times the water color dictates - if it is very clear I might have to use lighter line and therefore an 843. At night I am using the new Loomis line of GLX rods - BCR 854 mostly (7 ft 1 in). I use the powerful BCR 855 (also 7-1) in early spring and late fall. One can truly hook a fish then that needs a powerful hookset. The 855 is a bit heavy so I only use it when I feel a big bite is possible. Weather conditions will sometimes dictate my confidence about a big bite! Loomis has a more economical rod series called "MossyBack". They knock off about $115 of the price of a GLX.

[bassenvy]

I use the 844 for casting jigs in deeper water away from cover and really like the sensitivity at deeper depths...I've used it on the delta a number of times this year and have been burned a few times but that's fishing, I have horsed a few chunks around pilings on 20lb flouro with it. I've recently picked up a Powell 805 and must say the 805 is light enough to use all day and is a heck of alot eaier to pitch/flip with and has alot more hook setting power....ofcourse this is all relative to your height/reach etc.

really depends on how deep your fishin' and if your castin' or pitch'n/flip'n imo.

Froteur I'd leave the 843 at home for the Delta...nice to see your gettin' out and catchin'.

[froteur]

I use the 844 for casting jigs in deeper water away from cover and really like the sensitivity at deeper depths...I've used it on the delta a number of times this year and have been burned a few times but that's fishing, I have horsed a few chunks around pilings on 20lb flouro with it. I've recently picked up a Powell 805 and must say the 805 is light enough to use all day and is a heck of alot eaier to pitch/flip with and has alot more hook setting power....ofcourse this is all relative to your height/reach etc.

really depends on how deep your fishin' and if your castin' or pitch'n/flip'n imo.

Froteur I'd leave the 843 at home for the Delta...nice to see your gettin' out and catchin'.

heya bassenvy,

i really liked the way the 844 handled at the delta yesterday. the kistler was real nice too. i almost always fish braid out there so i'm not as worried about the break-offs (unless i'm near rocks). had two rods with braid and one with flouro. both fished fine but i still think i like braid better.

i also have a couple of x-heavy flippin rods for the real nasty stuff.

i think i'll take your advice and leave the 843 for the lakes (other than clear lake, of course)

-perry-

[Lance]

Cooch your killin me, I love my GLX (BCR854) and the last time i was throwin a Jig in your neck of the woods (Clearlake), I landed a 22 pound Catfish durring a WON BASS Tourney, all on my "Noodle Rod"

Dont say anything else about GLX rods or I wont bring you Euros and Zucchero when I come up for the Western Classic

[bassenvy]

heya bassenvy,

i really liked the way the 844 handled at the delta yesterday. the kistler was real nice too. i almost always fish braid out there so i'm not as worried about the break-offs (unless i'm near rocks). had two rods with braid and one with flouro. both fished fine but i still think i like braid better.

i also have a couple of x-heavy flippin rods for the real nasty stuff.

i think i'll take your advice and leave the 843 for the lakes (other than clear lake, of course)

-perry-[/quote]

ya its hard to tell which to use at times depending on how tough the bite is and how dirty the D is. For now I'll use both as well. I really dig the Seaguar Invisx...not cheap but super strong!

[froteur]

Cooch your killin me, I love my GLX (BCR854) and the last time i was throwin a Jig in your neck of the woods (Clearlake), I landed a 22 pound Catfish durring a WON BASS Tourney, all on my "Noodle Rod"

Dont say anything else about GLX rods or I wont bring you Euros and Zuccaro (sp) when I come up for the Western Classic

Zucchero