Jigging with MAX DRAG

[paul708]

You don't have fret about treading on anyone's toes on the jig board. No self-professed experts here. We're listening and learning!

This jiggy board may very well become the most informative board on SFC!

Jay

i know i got my steel toes on .....and i am shooting for the most informative on the WEB

[ChrisW_]

I looked for a rod taper that was a little faster and don't get any rod flex until after the first guide. It's a 6'6" rod and I built it light and strong. Works for me. Another way to address the rod in the picture would be to have a taller line gathering guide and keep the rest the same. I put a taller line gathering roller on a drop back rod and finished it off with sic boat rod guides and put a roller tip on it. If you have the grips and reel seat on and the tip attached then tape the other guides in place and put the reel you want to use on the rod and run the line out to a tie off point. Make it as real as you can then put some pullage on the setup. You can watch for places where the line gets close. Add a guide or adjust them all and do it again till you get it right where you want it. Thanks

In retrospect I should have trimmed a little off the top as well as butt, that rod under load is way too fast. It would make the rod a little stronger too by transferring the load further down the butt. This rod is glorious to jig and fight with.

[paul708]

In retrospect I should have trimmed a little off the top as well as butt, that rod under load is way too fast. It would make the rod a little stronger too by transferring the load further down the butt. This rod is glorious to jig and fight with.

Chris..i will look at these when i get home today..But.with trimming the 6650 from tip..would moving up to the 6680 be a option? for the tip action? and i do agree these are Great blanks, todd V gave one of these to Capt neil last year at the merrick show..to try as a tog stick..it works for that also

[ChrisW_]

Paul, I found the 6680 just too stiff and couldn't possibly jig it with anything under 1kg (35oz) jig. I'd be interested in what others here think about these blanks/rods.

[paul708]

Paul, I found the 6680 just too stiff and couldn't possibly jig it with anything under 1kg (35oz) jig. I'd be interested in what others here think about these blanks/rods.

well i went down and pulled on the 6650 and the 6680,,and a few JM's..i see what you mean the 6680 is a BEAST .if anybody stops here i will get them to try all these and post a report. although alot of guys have already done this test..with the JM usually getting the thumbs up..i think because of the weight and power in such a thin blank

[Fish-forever]

Hullo all.
How many of you would be jiggers noticed that high tech jig belt worn by the rodbender- what a give away!
If you own/use one of those your really in with the big boys.
Listen to this man - he's the biz.

I've got a Tropic Pro 5650 SJ and for me the jury is still out.

The basic rod (from the company) has a few faults, especially in the top ring fitting (not all the way on the blank and with minimal glue used).

I also have some concerns because the rings are not Fuji Ocean which are the standard on Japanese spin jiggers.

Like Chis, I too have cropped the butt end, and again found a minimum of rod bond (if thats what it was, because it was not even set firm) under the gimbal.

But it bends real well and has a crisp jig action, tho if I continue with it, I'll have it re-built for sure.
This blank has a proven track record, which, in my mind, will only get better.

[paul708]

those JM belts are nice, you use the factory 5560 rod? and cut the butt? do you use the rollers? i really wanted to put them on a rod. but just couldnt maybe soon if i am playing one nite. what size fish are you targeting with those rods?

[Fish-forever]

Yes it was a factory rod.
The build date on the warranty card is 1-2-07

I cut 3inches off the butt end and reinstalled the factory alluminium gimbal.
After I'd removed the tip I cleaned back the factory epoxy finish (some of which was inside the tube) I got the top ring to seat on the rod correctly.

I'm continueing with the factory ring guides (I'm using a Diawa 6500Exp on it) and will test it fully before I either re-build it or replace it with - ???

The target fish - well I'm still to get one to the surface, and I refuse to admit how many I have lost..........but its a lot!

Watch this space.

[paul708]

i figured i would bump this back up.
that rod with the roller guides was sweet.
and it helped get chris posting here
thanks again for "coming back"
just showing something different to use when jigging.

we are still doing a few rods with these blanks.
maybe i will try to get a "g" rating on them.
chris any idea what you would rate these lami's without cut?

[ChrisW_]

i figured i would bump this back up.
that rod with the roller guides was sweet.
and it helped get chris posting here
thanks again for "coming back"
just showing something different to use when jigging.

we are still doing a few rods with these blanks.
maybe i will try to get a "g" rating on them.
chris any idea what you would rate these lami's without cut?

Hmmmm... just a faded memory now but the TP5650 (50lb blank) is indeeda good 50lb blank. The 80lb blank I would build into an 80lb trolling rod . The 5650 still makes a nice rod but not up to a JM or a Jig Star. My new Jig Star blanks are very nice 5' blanks and attractively priced. PM me if interested.