building jigging rod

[paul708]

Riley Rods RRTT6850=5.4oz
Mudhole CBVJ6810=5.6oz

500g is overkill for what you are looking for anyways. I'd go with a 300g or even a 200g.

i think you sent the 300 to me. that is nice.

i have built the 200...that is really nice.
they would be good choices.

[Sved002]

Thank you guys, I thing I will go with VJ 300 blank.
Now, could you help me with guides and spacing and what line test to use and reel(saragosa 14000).

Thank you

[paul708]

you can use fuji alconite or Sic guides.
depending on your budget.

size 40-25-20 and 12's
or
40-30-25-20-16-12-12tip

there are a few ways to setup.

you may be ok with 50# braid on the spinner,
you seem to be going after mahi, ect.
the saragosa or cabo are a good choice

[WhiteLakeBuc]

Hi,
I am going to Croatia in september to see my friend and I would like to try butterfly jigging.I would like to build one for myself but I am new to butterfly jigging and If you can help me that would be great.
I am looking for blank,spinning reel,line test, hooks,jigs,gudes and guides spacing.
My buget is around 400 USD for blank and reel.
I will fish in 100 - 300ft.
Any recommendation would be appreciated.

Thank you!!!

Easy decision right there. Get the Riley blank.

http://rileyrods.com/Blanks.html

[Taz575]

Mudhole sells their complete VJ spinner kits for under $100. Blank, reel seat, EVA, Guides, etc.

Paul, I have built on the Hercules Super Seekers. Love em! Very strong, lightweight, but very powerful. They also seem to absorb some of the tremor you get from fighting the fish and load up very nicely. They don't flex into the foregrip like the VJ blanks do; they have more power in reserve. I've put 40# of drag on them w/o a problem! One thing that makes them good is the epoxy system, EH04 I think. It is supposed to keep the rod blank circular under strain, instead of "ovaling" when it's bent. Are they better than JM, OTI, etc? I dunno. But they are very nice! The 40-60# one should have no problem handling tuna, AJ, etc. Light, powerful, nice action on them. They ain't cheap, being a little more expensive than the OTI, a little under the heavier JM's. I did a spinner with one of the 40-60's. With a 3oz lead weigh, I can cast it well over 80yds, maybe closer to 90+ yds with a 6' rod, set up for jigging with a Saragosa 18000. I put a Stradic 8000 on for the casting to see how it did. Still tosses 1oz nicely, and can handle heavier stuff, too. My spiral wraps on this blank will handle 16+ oz jigs and sinkers.

Kil says they are the best for around $100. Not comparing them to an $8 E glass blank to them! Mudhole/Am Tackle I have built on and pulled on OTI and JM's. I like the MH ones for fluke and inshore stuff (haven't tried the heavier ones yet), and the Hercules for Tuna and larger fish because they are a little faster action and don't flex like crazy in the foregrip. Very versatile blanks! If the JAWS are faster than the MH blanks, I gotta try one of those, too!

The Super Seekers are designed around how we fish and the fish we are targeting. Light, powerful, good action on them, every person I have showed them to loved them!

[NoExcuses]

The Super Seekers are designed around how we fish and the fish we are targeting. Light, powerful, good action on them, every person I have showed them to loved them!

I absolutely agree that the SS's are great blanks. I have 6 models built out for myself/charters. With all the blanks available today I have a hard time labeling any "simply the best". Especially without even referring to a specific model. Too many species, applications and conditions for that.

Also, Sved seemed to be on a budget where the extra ~$50 would find a better home on the reel.

[kilsong]

There are quality Japanese jigging blanks, but they are not available in the US and the prices are much higher than $i00 even they are available.
I don't see any blank can match the power and strength of Super Seeker Hercules blanks with reliable quality control.
If someone find any better banks in similar price range, let me know as i always look for better jigging rods/blanks.

There are many good jigging blanks under $100 available now and more will be flooded into the US from China.

[paul708]

Mudhole sells their complete VJ spinner kits for under $100. Blank, reel seat, EVA, Guides, etc.

Paul, I have built on the Hercules Super Seekers. Love em! Very strong, lightweight, but very powerful. They also seem to absorb some of the tremor you get from fighting the fish and load up very nicely. They don't flex into the foregrip like the VJ blanks do; they have more power in reserve. I've put 40# of drag on them w/o a problem! One thing that makes them good is the epoxy system, EH04 I think. It is supposed to keep the rod blank circular under strain, instead of "ovaling" when it's bent. Are they better than JM, OTI, etc? I dunno. But they are very nice! The 40-60# one should have no problem handling tuna, AJ, etc. Light, powerful, nice action on them. They ain't cheap, being a little more expensive than the OTI, a little under the heavier JM's. I did a spinner with one of the 40-60's. With a 3oz lead weigh, I can cast it well over 80yds, maybe closer to 90+ yds with a 6' rod, set up for jigging with a Saragosa 18000. I put a Stradic 8000 on for the casting to see how it did. Still tosses 1oz nicely, and can handle heavier stuff, too. My spiral wraps on this blank will handle 16+ oz jigs and sinkers.

Kil says they are the best for around $100. Not comparing them to an $8 E glass blank to them! Mudhole/Am Tackle I have built on and pulled on OTI and JM's. I like the MH ones for fluke and inshore stuff (haven't tried the heavier ones yet), and the Hercules for Tuna and larger fish because they are a little faster action and don't flex like crazy in the foregrip. Very versatile blanks! If the JAWS are faster than the MH blanks, I gotta try one of those, too!

The Super Seekers are designed around how we fish and the fish we are targeting. Light, powerful, good action on them, every person I have showed them to loved them!

taz.
i have seen the new epoxy write from seeker.
and build the regular superseeker blanks.
i just have not seen the new model yet.

have you tried the new GUSA?
they were VERY popular just a short time ago.
i guess we have a few more blanks to try.
how about the riley blanks?

it is great to try blanks and give reviews.
and not get stuck with one brand.

i build all the blank i can get.
maybe i can get a hold of one of the new SS blanks.

[Taz575]

Call Billy V! He is the one who is having them made. They are similar to the GUSA and based off of them, but with S glass and graphite, and are supposed to be more forgiving/durable than the more recent Gusa! The "light" 40-60# prototype lifted 65#, while being railed. Billy wanted a blank that would shut off before the foregrip, pull 30# of drag and not be maxed, and that could be railed for party boat fishing. Depending on how you trim the tip, which is around 3" longer than listed, you can tune the blank to the weights you want to use! I have seen the new Gusa's online and am saving up some $$$ to get one of them, a JAWS and a Riley rod. Problem is getting the $$$! I just got a 30W for my original trolling rod and built up a new tuna trolling rod with a Seeker E glass blank, Aftco SHD, etc, filled a 50W with hollowcore, wind on topshots, etc so funds are a tad low right now. Plus I've been stashing the jigs, hooks, swivels, split rings, and other gear for jigging cod and tuna.

The nice thing is that they are US made, so repair/replacement will be a little easier than some of the overseas blanks. Light and powerful as heck. Pulling 35# of drag with these doesn't max them out. I built up a spinner with the tip only trimmed 1" or so, and a spiral wrap with 3" trimmed off of the tip. MNSG and Sic tip tops, LRSG stripper for the spiral, but these can be built w/o the foregrip getting sliced w/o the extra tall strippers!
2 spirals, mine is the blue handled one, other was for a customer:



Basic spinner:



16oz for the spirals, 14oz for the spinner!

[Sea Draggin]

Thank you guys, I thing I will go with VJ 300 blank.
Now, could you help me with guides and spacing and what line test to use and reel(saragosa 14000).

Thank you

My recommendation specifically for jacks and mahis is the riley blank. It is more parabolic than the other blanks being discussed and will be easier on you as the angler.

I saw the super seaker at the show and have a jaws out in the garage. They would be great for fish over 100lbs. But for general jigging they are overkill.

In my opinion the long faster gusa/jaws/super seaker blanks are good for bottom/cod and grouper jigging, or for big tuna, but the parabolic blanks are easier to japanese jig with and you can still work the bottom. Not to mention easier on you.

My 200g rod is a great size for jacks and mahis.