Cod Jigging for the first time

[Mike Hammer]

I'm new to the Cod jigging thing and was looking for some insight into a rod. I've got a 7' custom rod on a lami blank rated for 30-50# line that I use often but it's not a "jigging" rod. What is it that I need to look for in a Cod Jigging Rod.

Anyone out there have a rod For sale

[Sea Draggin]

Check with JPRPaul. He should be able to get you exactly what you need.

[PortlyRedhead]

Not surprisingly, water depth and speed of drift dictate the weight of your jig, and the weight of your jig will dictate the desired action of your rod.

I have a Calstar 800h that I bought for a Yankee Capts pollock slam and for jigging tunas. It is great for 16 oz jigs and bigger Last winter, I took it out to Montauk for the Block Island fishery and it was entirely too heavy. When the drift slowed down, I used a cheap Penn Powerstick (20-40#) and caught fish with 8 oz jigs and 12 oz leads when fishing bait.

I also have two custom sticks (30# and 40# - both 8') with fast tips that worked great for cod fishing because you could wiggle the jig, feel the bite and then shut off the rod once you hooked the fish and had to reel it up 130 feet with the drift.

My advice - take a 12 oz weight and hang it off the tip of a few rods that interest you. If you can bounce it for a while, you'll be happy with your next cod rod.