Making the jump to conventional - Help with 2nd outfit?

[SeaGreen]

My current jigging spinning set up is a Stradic 8000 with 300m PE 4 Saltiga boat braid, Custom Hopper rod 250gr rating, and I fish 140 – 150gram jigs almost exclusively. I fish mostly in 110-200’ of water. This set up is great for my application off Miami. I switched from the Trevala, my first rod, and am really happy with the longer butt, and have been having more success. Last trip out, I got ‘wrecked’ twice, despite the Stradic’s 29lb max drag cranked down.

After getting wrecked, determining I want to invest more into the sport, and plan to go to Panama, and fish other areas outside of my local application, I think it is time for a 2nd, heavier, outfit. I am intrigued by conventional set ups (left handed retrieve), and have read a lot about advantages over spinning. I *think* I’d like go conventional, and have several questions. Is there anything I should know about conventional jigging before going further? It was recommended to go with a left hand retrieve (i am right handed) if I do make the jump, which may limit my reel choices.

-Based on the outfit described above that I use locally, what would be a ‘step up’ size wise to fish more situations?
Something that might:
-Have more max drag to prevent getting wrecked (~40lbs?)
-Allow me to fish deeper water, and heavier jigs
-Allow me to fish a wider variety of exotic locations

As far as a conventional set up, after researching, I think I am looking for….
-left handed retrieve to make the transition easier
-greater max drag than the 29lb the stradic offers
-greater line capacity for ‘next level’ applications (maybe greater capacity PE4 but I can't imagine greater than PE5 line?)
-narrow spool
-probably lever drag
-gear ratio….this is where I have some questions….I am currently using a 5.7:1 ratio and short quick pumping jigs with success. I have read that 4:1 to 4.9:1 is ideal for conventional reels. This was shocking initially, as I thought faster was better. The JM PE reels are 4:1 I believe. Can someone please educate me as to when/why lower gear ratio might be preferable?

I am very comfortable with my current set up, but am limited. Looking to add a 2nd set up to my arsenal. Any help is greatly appreciated – you guys have always steered me the right direction.

Looking forward to your feedback on my specifications, and your recommendations for what to consider....

Thanks,
Greg

[Jiggin Junkie]

For jigging I prefer a little lower speed retrieve like the 4:8 to 1. If you go too high you loose the power for a bigger fish first of all and you also have a hard time keeping up with the retrieve while jigging. High speed is more prefered for popping. The JM is one bad reel if you can still find one here in the States. You can also look at the Aleuchnos Gorilla 12 or 12C.

[offshorefishin_2]

That is a really nice reward fish.

You fish with them often?

How have the crowds been on weekend day trips?

I have a saragosa 14k with 50lb suffix metered braid and either a 300g or 400g OTI's and I feel I can stop pretty big fish with it. I am eventually getting a second reel or spool with 80lb braid.

If you like we can meet up at the boat 1 day and you can try my heavier setup even though is spinning.

I myself am very intrigued with conventionals and thinking of getting a saltiga 30t with a new 200g OTI.

[SeaGreen]

Thanks! I fish with them several times a month, I've been trying to get out on the friday afternoon trips. I like fishing with those guys, and jig exclusively. I am going to be out of town the next several weeks, but will PM you when I get back and we can meet up.

The weekend morning trips are the most crowded, I believe, but they are still fishable. Weekdays are great, weekend afternoons usually less than mornings. Mention me (Greg) and let them know you came to jig before you board. All the fish in my photo gallery have been caught jigging with them.

Thanks for the offer - I may take you up on the heavier outfit.

[sony guerra]

hello sea green
i have a smith amj 330 gr ,match with a trinidad 16
second set up is shimano blue rose pair to a same reel
I tried the pro gear 30 on diferent rod like hooper and smith but i jig of my jet ski mos of the time and reel is good but the sound make me crazy so consider that when you look at JM reels
if you fish of Miami you dont need that much power. I will buy a reel that is has 25 pounds of drag and be lite and quite, you
can fix at most tackle shops to minimize down time.
trinidad
saltiga
torsa
ocea jigger
aluctenos

i will vote for trinidad narrow 40 or saltiga 30t they are about the same price.
Smith amjx rod or blue rose shimano is and exellent rod but very expensive.

I have used the shimano trinidad and is a very good reel wil last no doubt and can not said the same for pro gear about the JM reels i will not buy them because they are new to the market and I prefer to wait until proven quality.

[Sea Draggin]

saltiga 30t with a new 200g OTI.

That would be a sweet setup. The next step is to replace the 30t with a 12C. Smooth like silk, but the 30T with carbontex is a workhorse.

[offshorefishin_2]

That would be a sweet setup. The next step is to replace the 30t with a 12C. Smooth like silk, but the 30T with carbontex is a workhorse.

Well I have 4 alutecnos gorrila 12's that I use for baitfishing so I kinda want to try something a little different and narrow.

[Sea Draggin]

Just to clarify the 12C is a totally different size than the 12's. the 12C is exactly the same size at the 30T.

[Zmaus]

My current jigging spinning set up is a Stradic 8000 with 300m PE 4 Saltiga boat braid, Custom Hopper rod 250gr rating, and I fish 140 – 150gram jigs almost exclusively. I fish mostly in 110-200’ of water. This set up is great for my application off Miami. I switched from the Trevala, my first rod, and am really happy with the longer butt, and have been having more success. Last trip out, I got ‘wrecked’ twice, despite the Stradic’s 29lb max drag cranked down.

After getting wrecked, determining I want to invest more into the sport, and plan to go to Panama, and fish other areas outside of my local application, I think it is time for a 2nd, heavier, outfit. I am intrigued by conventional set ups (left handed retrieve), and have read a lot about advantages over spinning. I *think* I’d like go conventional, and have several questions. Is there anything I should know about conventional jigging before going further? It was recommended to go with a left hand retrieve (i am right handed) if I do make the jump, which may limit my reel choices.

-Based on the outfit described above that I use locally, what would be a ‘step up’ size wise to fish more situations?
Something that might:
-Have more max drag to prevent getting wrecked (~40lbs?)
-Allow me to fish deeper water, and heavier jigs
-Allow me to fish a wider variety of exotic locations

As far as a conventional set up, after researching, I think I am looking for….
-left handed retrieve to make the transition easier
-greater max drag than the 29lb the stradic offers
-greater line capacity for ‘next level’ applications (maybe greater capacity PE4 but I can't imagine greater than PE5 line?)
-narrow spool
-probably lever drag
-gear ratio….this is where I have some questions….I am currently using a 5.7:1 ratio and short quick pumping jigs with success. I have read that 4:1 to 4.9:1 is ideal for conventional reels. This was shocking initially, as I thought faster was better. The JM PE reels are 4:1 I believe. Can someone please educate me as to when/why lower gear ratio might be preferable?

I am very comfortable with my current set up, but am limited. Looking to add a 2nd set up to my arsenal. Any help is greatly appreciated – you guys have always steered me the right direction.

Looking forward to your feedback on my specifications, and your recommendations for what to consider....

Thanks,
Greg

I love my JM pe5 super reel and i just order a pe4...
U will love them

[dulangan]

i usually carry 5 set-ups whenever i jig.

2 spinning gears ( stella 20k for 300g or higher jigs and twinpower 8000 for 100g to 250 jigs, paired with a blue rose or xzoga or jigwrex)

3 overhead gears (JM PE4, JM PE5, oceanus 30 or oceajigger, paired with JM rods, barefoot or tunamax rod)


I am happy with all my set-ups.

as for overheads, JM for me is the way to go... power, line capacity and lightness. Oceanus is a big reel, but very smooth, although it's drag is quite low compared to the JM. Both make sounds when cranked, but i love it.

Ocea Jigger is the smoothest of them all, though it has low drag and it is a star drag. There has been experiences that the star drag loosens while jigging so you have to check it every once in a while while jigging.

as far as the other brands, i havent used them. but for what i have mentioned, I am happy with them.