Whats the best jiggin rod?

[paul708]

I wasn't saying your third, the JM rods you build are great custom rods however

i know
it sounds different when i SAY it
looses something in the type talk

[Fish Poison Rods]

Lets get some opinions, who makes the best jigging rod? What about best bang for the buck? Whats your best catch on a rod to prove it? How long has it produced?

Anders, its a good question in todays climate. The strong question here is "how long has it produced?" I'll make a statement that I cannot verify, though someone else may want to correct me.
Calstar has been doing it as long or longer than anyone.The Calstar GF700xh is probably responsible for more DEAD FISH than several competing mfgrs combined. I deal with many OEMs, Aftco, Calstar, Seeker, and a couple of China OEMs. WE have three party boats that have been jigging Tuna since the late seventies. It has become much more popular in the past three to five years. If you know tackle history just look at how many newcomers are out there. I welcome the new comers. What baffles me is that all of a sudden there are a new wave of "BEST JIG RODS". Where have these guys been for the past twenty years. Its fine that they emerge, but they have little track record. Several import companies that I deal with are getting ready to introduce a new line of Jig Blanks[Batson, Amtac, and others] I am sure that rod builders that use there equipment will no doubt advertise the next best rods.Calstar has the Best track record.
I dont doubt that GMAN's rods at $300-$450 are great rods. Paul from JPR is no doubt on top of this issue. I sell Calstar FISH POISON"S, GF700xh for $225, that will kill fish all day every day. Machined aluminum seats, NO PLastic!, Machined gimbals, and 6 brace guides [the absolute strongest in the market. Kevin Bogan/Fish Poison rods.

[gman]

Anders, its a good question in todays climate. The strong question here is "how long has it produced?" I'll make a statement that I cannot verify, though someone else may want to correct me.
Calstar has been doing it as long or longer than anyone.The Calstar GF700xh is probably responsible for more DEAD FISH than several competing mfgrs combined. I deal with many OEMs, Aftco, Calstar, Seeker, and a couple of China OEMs. WE have three party boats that have been jigging Tuna since the late seventies. It has become much more popular in the past three to five years. If you know tackle history just look at how many newcomers are out there. I welcome the new comers. What baffles me is that all of a sudden there are a new wave of "BEST JIG RODS". Where have these guys been for the past twenty years. Its fine that they emerge, but they have little track record. Several import companies that I deal with are getting ready to introduce a new line of Jig Blanks[Batson, Amtac, and others] I am sure that rod builders that use there equipment will no doubt advertise the next best rods.Calstar has the Best track record.
I dont doubt that GMAN's rods at $300-$450 are great rods. Paul from JPR is no doubt on top of this issue. I sell Calstar FISH POISON"S, GF700xh for $225, that will kill fish all day every day. Machined aluminum seats, NO PLastic!, Machined gimbals, and 6 brace guides [the absolute strongest in the market. Kevin Bogan/Fish Poison rods.

First Kevin Bogan Rods are great rods ...

As I said earlier you need to find a rod that suits your style. There is NO perfect rod or reel or line for that matter, its a matter of preference but since the topic was brought up I added my 2 cents.

Just because you have being doing something along time doesn't mean its better. There are party boats all over the Jersey shore who have been tuna fishing for decades however the Jamaica IMHO is superior because they get you on fish. Quality not time is a determing factor for me.

Jigging over the pond has been considered a specialty sport for a long time so much that there is a whole class of gear specifically made for each topic.

Little known fact, shimano has some kick ass beefed up specialty rods that they don't even offer here stateside such as the blue rose and Jigwrex lines along with improved Stella Spinning reels and jigging specific conventional reels such as the ocean jigger. Its a huge industry over there. Jigging and popping is serious game over there where here it is an alternative to chunking.

Old school versus new school, yo-yo versus jerk crank it doesn't matter find something that you have confidence in and you will do fine. I personally like a rod that weighs less than 7 ounces, can handle 30# of drag no sweat and that beat a huge tuna without breaking a sweat but thats me

[paul708]

there have been rods and blanks that have been around a long time..lami, calstar, and more
they come and go
the companies (some) will work with you to design the right rod/ blank
with the new blanks we are trying to get the weight down
but like gman says ..matching to your style is what you should do
there is a big process we go thru to match the best rods for your style (and budget)
if it is the jerk/crank..or the east coats style
there are some rods that work better than others
and some that guys want to do "double duty"
so there may be a "BEST ROD" for one guy and it may not be the right one for someone else
there are alot of good options avail
and always some new and improved stuff coming out all the time

[Fish Poison Rods]

G man I agree, I once posted a similar thread maybe a year ago and KSONG, a popular fisherman who does more of this than most pointed out what you and Paul have said. It is evolving. There are more different jig sizes and styles than ever, very few people used spin outfits years ago, and with more Manufacturers jumping into it. it will no doubt continue to evolve. As a few pointed out it depends on this , that, something else. I bought up the Calstar GF700H as one rod you could live with if it was the only rod you owned. Years ago we used to cut down a Shakespeare ugly stick surf blank. You could get 8' of length out of it, the deckhands loved it, and it performed as good as anything produced today.
Kevin Bogan

[fiftywide]

Kevin, I need one of those calstars. I'll stop in one of these days

[Sea Draggin]

Years ago we used to cut down a Shakespeare ugly stick surf blank.

Its funny you said that. I have a pile of 25lb class ugly sticks in the corner of the garage and we are already talking about a trip where we jig with gear that is waaayyy too silly light. Watch for the video