JIGGING ROD, WHAT weight JIGS

[paul708]

the ratings of jigging rods are in g as in grams.
as in appox 29grams to a ounce.
a 8oz hammered diamond jig would be 232 grams..appox.

when choosing jigging rods,
some guys choose by rating,
a 200-300g rod will work a 200-300g jig
that will give the jig the best action. and the rod should load with the weight of the jig, making it dance and flutter.

of course the "ratings" on most rods are VERY subjective..and sometimes not very accurate.

the JM are rated from 100g to 500g
the OTI are rated 300-400-600g
very specific..

other blanks we use are not "g" rated
but if we can compare a few blanks we can tell what their rating is close to..and would be able to reccomend specific other blanks.

then there are some guys who use 200g jigs catching 140# and bigger tuna.
and these guys may choose to use a higher rated rod,
maybe a 400-500 even600g
still using the 200-300g jig.
up here in the NE these rods still seem to catch fish even being "mismatched" to jigs being used.

[Billy 40]

a 8oz hammered diamond jig would be 232 grams..appox.

Keeping in mind I know very little about jigging, so feel free to correct me if I am wrong here - the majority of people "diamond jigging" are not the same people who are "Japanese or butterfly style" jigging (if there's a better term for this let me know). Diamond jigs I'm sure work with either style of jigging, but everyoen I know who jigs Tuna up here are either yo yoing or speed jigging/squidding. For both of these methods, the action of hte rod really isn't paramount - as long as the rod has a tip that handles casting the weight, and is stout enough to not flop when lifting up and down yo-yo-ing - its' good. And the power of the rod, for the most part needs to be capable of 17-25#'s of drag, as from most people I speak to that is the drag setting most of them are fishing.

For the Japanese jigs, teh action/power of the rod has a lot do to with the action of the jig. So picking a rod which is designed for a specific range of jigs is the main concern. (notice lack of info = lack of knowledge in this area, so if I'm off base here please add more)

I think what people need to do is to rethinkwhat they want in a rod themselves. Unless rods/jigs come out which are designed specifically for the type of fishing done in the North East, people need to give a little to get a little. YOu can't fish an area where 150#+ fish are being caught, and use a rod which only is capable of 15#'s of drag, and the lone reason you chose that rod is because teh jig you wants to use "needs" the action from a certain rod. Use the right gear for the right area for the right fish - if that means you are not using the ultimate ideal jig with teh perfectly mated rod and you're goign to get embarassed on teh internet for using a mismatched set up - you're not going to give a crap if you end up all bloody with a 200# fish and you caught it with a 6,000G rod with a 1oz jig. YOu don't get extra points or lose points for having the "wrong" set up.

[paul708]

Keeping in mind I know very little about jigging, so feel free to correct me if I am wrong here - the majority of people "diamond jigging" are not the same people who are "Japanese or butterfly style" jigging (if there's a better term for this let me know).i use both diamond jigs and "japanese style jigs" with the same rod.
and MOST of the guys that fish this area..carry both types of Jigs.. Diamond jigs I'm sure work with either style of jigging, but everyoen I know who jigs Tuna up here are either yo yoing or speed jigging/squidding.is either of those yoyo or speed jigging..the jap style? For both of these methods, the action of hte rod really isn't paramount that may be personal prefrance- as long as the rod has a tip that handles casting the weight, and is stout enough to not flop when lifting up and down yo-yo-ing - its' good. And the power of the rod, for the most part needs to be capable of 17-25#'s of drag, as from most people I speak to that is the drag setting most of them are fishing.

For the Japanese jigs, teh action/power of the rod has a lot do to with the action of the jig. So picking a rod which is designed for a specific range of jigs is the main concern. (notice lack of info = lack of knowledge in this area, so if I'm off base here please add more)

I think what people need to do is to rethinkwhat they want in a rod themselves. YES that is the best advice..everyone is NOT alikeUnless rods/jigs come out which are designed specifically for the type of fishing done in the North East,the jigs that we have been using for the past few years in the NE have been producing well, including hammered diamond jigs. people need to give a little to get a little. YOu can't fish an area where 150#+ fish are being caught, and use a rod which only is capable of 15#'s of drag,knowing the capability of rods is important..as a builder, if the grips are getting cut on a rod setup right, is it being overdraged? over used?
example..if you use a rod rated for 30# line, PE 3-5,and put 80# test on it. and cut the grips while fighting a fish.have the rod bent like a travella.. do you think its the right rod? and the lone reason you chose that rod is because teh jig you wants to use "needs" the action from a certain rod. alot of guys use that theory and preach itUse the right gear for the right area for the right fish - if that means you are not using the ultimate ideal jig with teh perfectly mated rod and you're goign to get embarassed on teh internet for using a mismatched set up there are some A holes that come on some of the boards to just embarrass, i am glad this board is not that way.- you're not going to give a crap if you end up all bloody with a 200# fish and you caught it with a 6,000G rod with a 1oz jig. YOu don't get extra points or lose points for having the "wrong" set up.billy some guys feel different...i just saw a example where the JM500 was not a good choice. for BIG fish. it wasnt 200# but it sounded big.

[paul708]

billy i put my answers and a few questions in blue.
i hope it helped,
if you need any help just let me know.

did you talk to bubs about the rod fling?
he called me last week, i told him i would love to do it again with you.
the last one was fun
hopefully we can get it going.

[Sea Draggin]

then there are some guys who use 200g jigs catching 140# and bigger tuna.
and these guys may choose to use a higher rated rod,
maybe a 400-500 even600g
still using the 200-300g jig.
up here in the NE these rods still seem to catch fish even being "mismatched" to jigs being used.

I can't help but think that they are getting bites because of jigging style.

Correct me if I am wrong, but I think most NE jigging is only yo-yo style (not speed jigging) Sometimes they even hang the jig out of the riggers and let the boat rocking do the jigging at night. You can do this style with a broom stick and electramate if you wanted.

But speed/japanese jigging is easier and more effective when the jig weight and rod spec match.

This still does not address the fact that an a very heavy rod will whip the angler as much as the fish, but may answer your question about jig weight and why a group in one part of the country is successful with a set up, that anglers in other areas would not recommend.

Different strokes for different folks.

[paul708]

I can't help but think that they are getting bites because of jigging style. that is quite possible, we have seen some day get bit better with crank/jerk and some days get bit yo-yo

Correct me if I am wrong, but I think most NE jigging is only yo-yo style (not speed jigging)it seemed this year more crank/jerk was being used. but there has been more promotion leaning toward shorter rods.and crank/ jerk style Sometimes they even hang the jig out of the riggers and let the boat rocking do the jigging at night. You can do this style with a broom stick and electramate if you wanted.yeah..that style work with any rod and reel

But speed/japanese jigging is easier and more effective when the jig weight and rod spec match.absoutly..it is easier. and effective when the specs match

This still does not address the fact that an a very heavy rod will whip the angler as much as the fish, but may answer your question about jig weight and why a group in one part of the country is successful with a set up, that anglers in other areas would not recommend.by heavier rod i assume you mean a 400 rather than a 300g rod.
i have seen guys using a 420g rod and not hurt the angler at all.

Different strokes for different folks.that is true, thats why there are so many rods in different weights and prices..

[paul708]

ii was asked to bump this up.

lets get some feedback on how we pick the jig size to fish with the rod we use..

[Sea Draggin]

Roughly 100g per 100 feet of water.

This is a very loose rule of thumb. I will fish a 200g jig anywhere from 100' out to 250'. Depending on tide and wind.

Weekend before last we were fishing 160g Katana's in exactly 160' ft of water. But I am never afraid to bump it up to the 240g jigs, simply because they load my 270-330g rods much better. And I did that quite a bit that day. Fishing everywhere from 160g, 200g and 240g jigs. All in 160'.

As a side note, a beginner will jig much more effectively with an overloaded rod. A lesson taught by ChrisW that still holds true.

[Flatdog]

Paul I think I'm the other way around. I tend to pick a rod that will suit the type of fishing, then match the lure to that!
So I'm a Tackle tart but I tend to under fish weight wise, rod and reel wise and adjust the terminal tackle to suit, eg use a 30lb stick and reel but fish it as an 50lb set up, I have generally found most rods are UNDER rated and can handle alot bigger fish than the were so "named" to take, therefore the action of a 250 gr rod will make a 400gr jig work. my 2cent

[Jiggin Junkie]

I choose my rods according to the situations I fish. Heavy structure requires more backbone to keep the fish away from or out of. So I fish with a 400gr rod and only use 150 and 200 gr jigs. I am more interested in turning a fish than I am what size jig fits what size rod. No if I was filthy rich I would have one of everything, but I am not.