Want to build my first real jigging setup!

[Taz575]

Ok. I got to build up the Mudhole VJ blanks, and I want to go into something a little heavier duty! The MHVJ's should work well for bluefish, cod and fluke and such, but I want to build up a Jigging rod for tuna, mostly for yellowfin in NE up to 100#. I want to get in a couple more overnight trips next year and would like to do some jigging during the chunking times at night. It gets boring just waiting! Looking to build up 2 basic jigging sticks, one spinner, 1 spiral wrap conv.

I started a rodbuilding business, so these would be my prototypes/loaner rods, and a nice tax deduction for me

I am thinking something along the lines of a Saragosa, TwinPower, or Stella in an 8000 or 10000. My first thoughts were for a Saragosa 18000, but that may be too large for jigging for a few hours at a time. Now I am leaning towards a Twinpower 8000PG with 65# braid, with a 50# topshot of mono. Thoughts?

I do have a Daiwa Saltist 40HA Levelwind, 6.4 gears with around 400 yds of 70# Daiwa Samurai braid for the conventional route. I will probably also pick up an Avet 2 spd, like a HX, LX or Jx as well next year, 65 or 80# braid with a topshot.

Blanks? Should I go with a VJ blank from OTI (who has them in stock???), or would a moderate action Graphiter work? Phenix, Calstar, SuperSeeker, OTI, etc what would people recommend?? I was thinking of Calstar GF700H or XH, GF765ML or GF765L, GUSA Wahoo Jr Composite, SuperSeeker SS-CJBF70XH, SS-CJBF65XH, but since learned of the OTI blanks. What should I look for in the blanks? Soft enough tip to work the jig with backbone to it?? Moderate, or fast actions, etc? Recommend some blanks please! My guess is something between 6'6" and 7' that will have a nice, parabolic bend, the longer length to get around the motors.


Guides would be Fuji SiC or Alps Zirconiums. Reel seat would be prob a Fuji PSS for the conv, and a Pac Bay Channel lock slim aluminum 20mm for the spinner. Eva rear foregrip, gimbal, some sort of wrapped EVA foregrip (maybe with tuna cord?) and a longish rear grip so it balances at the reel?

Kilsong, for the NE Canyons, Fishtails, Jenny's, Mudhole, etc, what are the typical jig weights, 8 to 16 oz or so? We usually fish between 25 to 80 miles south of Montauk, NY.

What else am I missing guys??? Thanks!!!

[jig42na]

Ok there's alot of info in your post there so I'll try to get to some of the things. You said you want the set up for tuna so I would stick with the 18000 saragosa for the reel, becuase when tuna fishing you can't always tell what your gonna get. The 8000 can handle alot but you never know!

All the rods you mentioned are nice. If it were me I would build a conventional long rod to east coast style jig, and a short rod for Japanese style jigging on the spinner. But this is me. The calstar 700H is such a versatile blank. I've caught from stripers to 100lb tuna on that thing. The spiinner I'd go with just about any of the blanks out there. It depends on how much you want to soend. I like the Jigging Master, Tuna Max, Hots (but very exp$$) and even the heavy Amtech/Mudhole blank.
Good luck Gotta go to work.

[paul708]

TAZ i stock the OTI blanks ..they are pretty good.
we have 5'6" to 7'6" 2pc 50# and 80# blanks about 4-5 models
there are a few new prototype blanks that ROCK.

Taz..with your business..once you get those blanks in stock..and build a few rods..you will be able to tell clients about them..

its alot easier to explain to them what blanks work and what blanks are good for them.

once you have actually built on them and see for yourself how they work..you will know what i mean..

most rodbuilders have tried alot of blanks
alot of guides combos

we actually cut some blanks to make work better

you seem to like the OTI
go with them.
.get the different sizes..
one spin one conv in each size
your client will love them..
they have been a very big seller..around the country

[Taz575]

I know its kinda an info request overload! I'm trying to piece together what a basic jigging blank should be! Saragosa 18000, ok for all day jigging? Sounds fine to me! I was going to do a 18000 and an 8000 Saragosa, but I may do the 18000 and the Stella upgrades, and then a Daiwa BG60 for a smaller beater reel mostly for "test casting" and "spacing" purposes .

I have used Mudholes 30-50 6'6 and 15-30 6' to build up 2 rods for lighter saltwater jigging (bluefish, fluke, cod, etc) How do you like the 5'8" 50-100#??? This may be the way to go with the spinner? How do you think it will handle Tuna up to 100#, enough backbone? I know with my 30-50, even using a large stripper (25mm IIRC) and a 12" foregrip, the line is almost touching my hand with only 10# hanging off the tip. Calstar 700H graphiter for the conv east coast jigging style? Do these sound reasonable for basic jigging stuff? How to the graphiters feel when they bend, is it parabolic or does the fish have a ton of leverage against you?? Or should I do a 700H Phenix?

The OTI's sound nice, but I would prefer to stick to 1 piece blanks for now, haven't done a 2 piece yet! Any OTI 1 piecers in the works Paul???

I would love to be able to try a bunch of different blanks, but I can't afford to now! I just started out and am trying to get basic orders, let alone stuff I haven't even tried yet!! I want to be able to offer a variety of rods for people, and am trying to see what they are like so I know what they need. UL trout rods, check. Bass fishing rods, check. LIS, FLuke, BLues, Stripers, etc, check. 50# trolling/standup rods, check. Jigging rods, not sure yet! Only built the 2 lighter ones so far, havent gotten out into the salt yet with them. Trying to increase my experience levels in terms of fishing and making the rods!

I am also doing up Gaffs now, too. Those are nice and easy! Order, unpack, coat with epoxy, slide on grips, put in hook, let sit! Working on dressing them upp now, too.

[jig42na]

Here's a picture of the 5'8" amtech blank on a 100lb tuna. Its the only shot i have and I believe it is a picture of fish coming at me. I also have a picture on another thread here called blanks something. I landed that tuna in 10minutes. Its the only tuna I caught on that blank. It did well. It can handle up to 30lbs drag but it gets scary if the fish is directly beneath you or under boat. The tip also loses recoil strength and flatens out.
I never used Phenix blanks, the GF is a fast action and bends in the 1/3 tip easy. The rest of blank bends under load but you do feel it. It is solid and won't break. I fish 22lbs drag all day on it, but it performs great at 15-18lbs drag.
Oh yeh, with these bigger spinners you have to start out with a 40mm ring guide. I reverse also. THe 8000 size reels you can use a 30mm ring. I'm a very big fan of the alconite concept guide (bmnag) or the SIC concept (mnsg) i think those are the right model number. BUt these rods are to short and it takes a big starter guide because the distance is short between reel and guide.
Hope this helps.

[spineyman]

I can tell you that the Saragoosa 18000 will be heavy but doable. I have had to jig all day with my 8' eglass cobia rod and 14000 Spheros when my Torium went down 3 times this summer. It will wear you out for sure but it can be done.

[Taz575]

I figured on the 40mm, probably the SiC's from Fuji, MNSG series. I used the alconite version on my 30-50 VJ from Mudhole/Amtac, nice guides! I would prob be fishing low 20# of drag on each, so the blanks seem reasonable. I know Calstar has some GF that are around 20-50# line that are a moderate action, too but I haven't seen heavier. They also have their "tuna" series in heavier weights, not sure of the action.

Good to know the MHVJ 50-100 can land good sized Tuna!!! That was my concern, I used 1/3 of the lowest line weight rating for the drag on both of my VJ rods and it was nearly bottomed out the way I have them set up. I guess the spinner would have more forgiveness since the line is on the bottom, not the top.

Good to know bout the Saragosa. I would be jigging for a while at night, taking breaks, etc while others chunk, so it wouldn't be an 8 hour straight thing!

[paul708]

the MN or ICMN are nice guides the 40 is good.

we do cut a few GF down and tey work very well.

here is a pic of a bent OTI

[Taz575]

Geez, 1 hand lift!!! How long is that rod total??? Does OTI have any 1 piece blanks???

[paul708]

Originally Posted by Taz575

Geez, 1 hand lift!!! How long is that rod total??? Does OTI have any 1 piece blanks???

one piece blanks..
5'6" 2 sizes
5'9"
6'
a few new prototypes
AND
a few guys have used the TIPS from the 2pc rods for great jigging rods