Jigging Newbie needs help

[Snapp]

I am new to jigging. I have gotten as far as purchasing 2 rods and 1 reel. I picked them up from JPR/PAUL708. One is a JM350 and the other (paul forgive me I forget the model) is a 40-80 class rod. Both are roughly 5'6". The 1 reel I have is a Stell 20000FA. My thought is to put that on the 40-80 and buy a reel for the JM350. The stell has 80# OTI on it. If you feel diferently please say so. So here are my questions.

1. What reel(spinner) should I get for the JM350? Are the Saragosa's good or should I spend the $$ and get another Stella?

2. What should the initial drag setting be?

3. What class line do you spool up with? What brand?

4. What length leader and what strength?

5. Is the bimmini twist the preferred knot for braid/mono connection?

6. Is there an easier/better way to connect main line to leader when jigging?

Sorry for all the questions but I am really excited for 09 tuna season to jig some up!!

I am hoping Paul, Kil, and Shoe all add there $.02

Thanks in advance!!!

[jawz12]

mono to braid is simple...use hollow core braid,serve it back up and make a loop in the end of the main line,connect that to a wind on leader using the "loop to loop" way and you're set to go...

[paul708]

I am new to jigging. I have gotten as far as purchasing 2 rods and 1 reel. I picked them up from JPR/PAUL708. One is a JM350 and the other (paul forgive me I forget the model) is a 40-80 class rod. Both are roughly 5'6". The 1 reel I have is a Stell 20000FA. My thought is to put that on the 40-80 and buy a reel for the JM350. The stell has 80# OTI on it. If you feel diferently please say so. So here are my questions.

1. What reel(spinner) should I get for the JM350? Are the Saragosa's good or should I spend the $$ and get another Stella? the saragosa are nice, the stella is about the best. the stella 10K would be nice

2. What should the initial drag setting be? drag can be set anywhere between 18-22#
some guys like lighter and some heavier..once you get started you will fine tune your drag setting.

3. What class line do you spool up with? What brand? for jigging i like the OTI 80#

4. What length leader and what strength?i usually use 80# floro leader. appox 8'. you can use shorter or longer

5. Is the bimmini twist the preferred knot for braid/mono connection? i use Uni-uni and PR knot,,if you need help with the PR knot..stop by..i will show you how to do it.

6. Is there an easier/better way to connect main line to leader when jigging?see above

Sorry for all the questions but I am really excited for 09 tuna season to jig some up!! good luck you should do well, feel free to stop anytime..you know where i am

I am hoping Paul, Kil, and Shoe all add there $.02

Thanks in advance!!!

[jig42na]

Paul set you up with some good outfits there. FOr the 350g I would suggest going with a 8000 setup as it has good drag and can fish 50-65lb braid well. It is much lighter than 10000 but both will work. A good and very strong knot is the mid-knot. It is simple to tie after some practice. I use PR knot prerigged then use mid knot if tying on the boat.

For your 80# outfit start off with 22# drag and increase later if needed, I usually fish around 25#. THe lighter outfit fish 16#-18# and increase later if needed. Experience will lead you into what you like.

As for actual lines there is alot of choices and prices. I'm pleased with, OTI, JB, Suffix, and others. Stay away from PP, Stren, Fireline.
I hope this helps and good luck. Feel free to keep asking questions.

[Sea Draggin]

A good and very strong knot is the mid-knot. It is simple to tie after some practice. I use PR knot prerigged then use mid knot if tying on the boat.

I will have to learn the mid knot. I always, always start with wind-ons, because no knot can compare to the strength of a windon.

I have mastered the slim beauty and SIG knots that have both tested at least 50lbs using Daiwa 80lb braid and jinkai 100lb leader. The scale only went to 50, but that was good enough for me to be confident. These I use for back up on the boat rigging if needed.

[kilsong]

I'll answer as you asked me.

1. What reel(spinner) should I get for the JM350? Are the Saragosa's good or should I spend the $$ and get another Stella?

- The JM 350 is rated as PE3 - PE7.
It means the optimum line for them is 50 - 70 lbs though we prove that the rod can handle big tuna with 80 lbs braided line. Though the rod can handle heavier drag, I'd limit the rod with max drag of 20 - 23 lbs.
We tested Saragosa 18000F extensively for big AJ and tuna last year and we know Saragosa can handle them. But it is not Stella. If you can afford, buy Stella. You can find good prices of Stella FA models after SW models were introduced last year.
2. What should the initial drag setting be?

It depends on what test of line you use. I prefer to use drag of between1/4 - 1/3 of line rating. Once I set the drag of spinning reel, I don't touch drag at all. Most big fish are lost because fishermen increases drag when big fish take lines.


3. What class line do you spool up with? What brand?

- It depends on whether you use it for jigging or for popping.
For jigging, the color coded PE ( braided line) are used by most serious jig fishermen as to know the right depth you jig is critical. There are many Japanese PE lines available as well as OTI color line and Daiwa Dendoh lines. They are all made in Japan and better quality then braided lines in the US as they are 8 stranded line wile American lines are four stranded lines. The result is Japanese PE line is more smoother and rounder. OF course they are more expensive.
If you want to save some money, go with OTI Color finder line or Daiwa Dendoh lines. They are as good as other Japanese PE lines.
For popping, I like to use TUF lines as they are reliable and cheap. You don't need color coded line to know the distance you cast.

4. What length leader and what strength?

It also depend on on what species you target.
For tuna, most jig fishermen prefer to use 80 lbs line for average size tuna under 100 lbs and the lengh of leader line is in between 8 - 20 ft.
For fish which stay around structure or makes violent head shakes, you need heavy leader line though they are not big.
for them, 100 - 150 lbs leader line are used. Some use as heavy as 200 lbs ! Once you feel, they are line shy, go down to lighter leader line.


5. Is the bimmini twist the preferred knot for braid/mono connection?

Bimmini twist is OK, but serious jig fishermen use Mid Knot or PR knot as those knots are proven knots and have the lowest profile. I always say that all jig fishermen should learn how to tie Mid Knot and PR knot.

6. Is there an easier/better way to connect main line to leader when jigging?

As I said, PR knot and Mid knot are preferred. You can tie Mid knot as easy as any other knot once you get used to it.
If you have no time, use barrel swievel. Still seasoned tuna jig fishermen use barrel swievel.

Sorry for all the questions but I am really excited for 09 tuna season to jig some up!!

[Snapp]

Thanks to all who have replied so far. It seems that I need to save some more and get a Stella.

I also need to learn and practice the Mid and PR knot.

any good sites to recommend for this Japanese PE line?

Paul - you sell all the OTI stuff, correct?

[paul708]

Thanks to all who have replied so far. It seems that I need to save some more and get a Stella.

I also need to learn and practice the Mid and PR knot.

any good sites to recommend for this Japanese PE line?

Paul - you sell all the OTI stuff, correct?

yeah OTI,ine poppers and jigs,,and JIGGING MASTER.