Want to start jigging...help with rod/reel selection

[Radiater]

I want to start jigging for the average tuna out of Oregon Inlet and off VA and maybe jigging some offshore wrecks.

Can anyone recommend a good combination for a beginning jigger?

Is there a satisfactory rod/reel combo that will allow jigging wrecks and hitting the tuna or are we talking two separate tackle classes?

I don't really need to buy world class tackle but would like something solid that will hold up to use say 10 times a year.

Thank you,
R

[Sea Draggin]

R,
First thing you have to figure out is if you are a conventional or spin guy. For many, spin is the way to go. For me, I'm conventional all the way.

I would think you will eventually want two different setups. One for inshore bottoms (350' and less) and one for tuna and deep jigging.

[WhiteLakeBuc]

I want to start jigging for the average tuna out of Oregon Inlet and off VA and maybe jigging some offshore wrecks.

Can anyone recommend a good combination for a beginning jigger?

Is there a satisfactory rod/reel combo that will allow jigging wrecks and hitting the tuna or are we talking two separate tackle classes?

I don't really need to buy world class tackle but would like something solid that will hold up to use say 10 times a year.

Thank you,
R

Do two things. Establish a budget on how much you would like to spend. Then decide spinning or conventional as mentioned above.

[paul708]

there are a few different styles and rod combos avail.

some guys like the longer rods
and some like the shorter rods

some like spin and some use conv.


good starter reels are a saltist or a torium
the saragosa or some guys use the bigger penns to start

i can help with rods if you are interested.
either spin or conv.
these new rods make a great starter rod .can be made different lengths
and conv or spin..
for 189.00 hard to beat

SPIN JIGGING ROD

[Sea Draggin]

Paul,
What type of blanks are those?
Thanks,
Jim

[mozza]

Saltist 30t is IMO the best reel for starting out jigging. It doesn't cost the earth but is still built tough and very reliable and has impressive drag capabilities with the aid of some $20 carbontex drags.
Toriums are right up there but they have anti reverse problems and you don't really want to be hooked up to a fish of a lifetime and be worrying whether or not your reel is going to crap out. I love my torium's for light livebaiting but for jigging its hard to go past the saltist.

[WhiteLakeBuc]

I am really hard on reels - but here is my opinion on budget conventional's.

I busted the aniti in a Shimano torium on its first jigging trip. Had it replaced and that one never left the house without blowing the anti in it. Have been on the boat with several different toriums that busted the anti also. One case, almost required stitches in my friends hand when the handle spun backwards and busted him in the knuckles! I give the torium 2 thumbs down.

The Daiwa Saltist 30T is a good choice. I fished one for 7 months before it busted. I give the saltist a push......

The following is hard for me because I am a die hard Daiwa fan........

In my opinion, the best choice for a budget conventional is the Fin-Nor Offshore star drag conventionals. Got an OFC16 off ebay for like $150. I fished the OFC16 this year and have absolutely brutalized it. I tried to break the anti in it on several occasions and it never gave in. It also comes with really good drag washers. There are however, things that would need to be altered to maximize the performance of the OFC16. 1st - the shaft bushing in the side plate should be replaced with a bearing to get better free spool. Second, although the OFC16 comes with great drag washers, they need to be removed and apply Cal's drag grease. Believe me when I tell you that I have been down right brutal with this reel and it is still doing just fine! I give the OFC16 one thumb up and two thumbs up after the mods have been made.

[Radiater]

Thanks for the info guys.

Right now I am thinking spinners would be easier to use but I have a bunch of Avet conventionals that I troll with. Not set on anyone brand really but the Avet conventionals are easy to service.

[Radiater]

there are a few different styles and rod combos avail.

some guys like the longer rods
and some like the shorter rods

some like spin and some use conv.


good starter reels are a saltist or a torium
the saragosa or some guys use the bigger penns to start

i can help with rods if you are interested.
either spin or conv.
these new rods make a great starter rod .can be made different lengths
and conv or spin..
for 189.00 hard to beat

SPIN JIGGING ROD

Paul can you tell me what features to look for in a rod.

I have been reading at the Shimano website and they mention about the rod having a particular action that it imparts to the jig. I realize some of that may be advertising and trying to sell a rod but I don't personally know anyone who jigs so I've got no one to bounce it off of.

[Jesse Lockowitz]

. Establish a budget .

thats the most important part, and i have found to go with the best you can get. im really rough on my stuff like others here, and i dont go easy on anything while fighting a fish, if it breaks, get something stronger :-)

so far, i have a saragossa 18k on the lower end, and it has caunt a shitload of big AJ's, and hasnt missed a beat at all, and has great/smooth drag...

then i have two saltigas, a 30 and a 50..these are just beast, and i dont see them breaking anytime soon :-)

i plan on the 50/30 saltigas being mostly my main gear.

the end of that price spectrum might be a $170 Saltist 30t, up to a $400+ Saltiga 40 (filled with nice line )

try and keep an eye in the buy/sell/trade forums, you can find some good deals sometimes


Jesse