Want to build my first real jigging setup!

[paul708]

Originally Posted by Taz575

I did some online shopping No one in the area that I know of has any Graphiters or a selection of blanks to pull on in CT. I think I have to go to Jersey or NY, Maybe MA to check them out. One store has a 700XH, and thats it! New England is often stuck in the past, still using mostly mono for shark and tuna and the big, bulky 2 spd reels. 8 to 9' broomsticks are most often used for slinging 1# of lead jigs for cod, no bend in the rods! Graphite hasn't gotten full acceptance yet, either! Ugly Sticks, big Penns and Mono still rule the roost!

I guess this trip is a Pollack headboat trip out of NH. One of the guys on the trip, the "tackle pro for the group", recommended a 7' 20-50# or a 7' 30-60, something along those lines, like an Ugly Stick Tiger. Any comparable blanks out there?? I see a lot of 20-50 and 30-60s, but will they have enough backbone to work the heavy jigs???? Am Tackle, Calstar 610, St Croix SC2 Musky blanks, etc I was looking at, along with the tuna style rods. They are using 10 to 16oz jigs. Just when I thought I had it figured out, I learn new stuff! Doh! I started to look at the heavier Graphiters and saw they would be pretty close to my Tuna jigging rod I was looking at, so I figured it would do double duty. How will one of those graphiters cast and/or work a 16oz jig??? They don't have any lure weights listed for recommended working weights. Plus, I dunno if they will hold up to guys fishing off of the rails either!

I wish I could go out and buy 6 different Graphiters, SS, couple Phenix, OTI, etc, but I just don't have the funds. At almost $100 a pop, it gets expensive!! Plus having to buy reels to test cast and space with, it gets expensive, quick! I am trying to use different blanks when building up my personal rods for prototypes to get a better feel, but that adds up! My tuna jigging rod is a little over $200 in materials alone!

Anyplace in or around CT that has various types of blanks in stock to pull on?? I got the Southern Tackle catalog in CT, very limited selection. Hal Brown wont talk to me cuz I don't have a retail storefront.

wait till you start building real custom stuff..and start cutting down blanks for the hardcore cod guys.
alot of the longer rods for customs go up north to the cod jigging guys.
if you need help let me know.

if you are going to merrick,,i will be there..we go every year for the open house..meet old friends,buy new stuff.

its next week.great time..great buys..and some new jigging stuff..
i am going to be having a sale. blank/componets after the merrick show.
may be alot of stuff you need

i will miss todd vivian at merrick this year.
i think i am taking a trip to mudhole in fla to visit in dec

[Taz575]

Will they sell to someone who has the FEIN, and State Sales and use permit for CT and DBA Cert?? Or is there a minimum purchase? I know some distributors are picky about having a storefront, and all of your tax #'s and permits. I was also looking at DonArt Rods, but they are like 4 hrs away. Looks to be a 3hr trip to Merrick. Problem is I work 3rd shift, so I have limited days when I can go. I also want to get a Pac Bay Power wrapper to cut down on the time it takes to do underwraps and so I can do light shaping of EVA (rounding edges after I cut a foregrip down, etc), cutting EVA into rings, etc.

[paul708]

Originally Posted by Taz575

Will they sell to someone who has the FEIN, and State Sales and use permit for CT and DBA Cert?? Or is there a minimum purchase? I know some distributors are picky about having a storefront, and all of your tax #'s and permits. I was also looking at DonArt Rods, but they are like 4 hrs away. Looks to be a 3hr trip to Merrick. Problem is I work 3rd shift, so I have limited days when I can go. I also want to get a Pac Bay Power wrapper to cut down on the time it takes to do underwraps and so I can do light shaping of EVA (rounding edges after I cut a foregrip down, etc), cutting EVA into rings, etc.

merrick is 5 or so hours for us..
they have the CTS..and a few others that are sweet...worth the ride..

[Taz575]

When next week?? The 15th??? I gotta work I don't mind the drive, its just working out a time to do it! I work 3rd shift, so I would have to do it when I have 2 days off in a row, and no other commitments which isn't often!

I talked to one friend, he likes the old broom sticks that don't bend so if he jigs up, he will snag fish! No flex in the rod, and he can cast the heavy lead with it. Others like a ex fast action. I think this is going to be one of those rods where there are just so many choices! Fluke sticks, no problem. Trout UL, no problem. Tuna sticks for standup/trolling, no problem. Tuna jigging, Cod sticks, too many choices!!! Too many good blanks out there that work well and are slightly different.

My main supplier has been Mudhole, I have a wholesale account with them, great service! Just wish they were closer so I could actually pull on the blanks!! Todd's been awesome with help and questions.

I figured that people would be using the same rod for cod and pollack, but I guess they use lighter stuff if just targetting pollack?

I think I will do 1 cod rod for now and redo the MH VJ 30-50# blank with a higher stripper and let the guys play with those 2.