Rod and Reel for Jig Fishing ????????

[FM2]

I'm finally loosening up my drift fishing ways for steelies and would like to learn how to jig fish. Seems very effective and not to difficult to learn.

My question is: What is a nice rod and reel setup? Seems like a spinning reel with a long rod would be effective!

Appreciate any help with this! :smile:

[THE REEL HEY_YALL]

Okuma Epix spinning reels are pretty sweet for the money.

As far as rod goes, pick out one that's long enough to mend the line easier. I have a 10'6" spinning rod rated 2-8. Nothing fancy about it, but we all have our preferences in actions, etc.

Good luck in your search, but I'd check out those Okuma reels. Get the one with the 10 ball bearings. Should be around $50.

[First Bite]

FM2
I would recommend a rod around 10'in length or longer if you fish larger rivers. Give TH rods a call if you want a custom rod made. I've seen their rods and they are very nice.

I have been very happy with the Shimano Symetre spinning reels. It is one step down from the Stradic which is very nice. It all depends on how much cash you want to spend. I prefer the 4000 series reels so I can spool up with 15 pound line for low water salmon fishing and then drop down to 6# test for summer runs.

A nice float rod and spinning reel will set you back $200 but you can use the set up year-round. Since I've switched over to float fishing for salmon and steelhead, my success ratio has increased dramaticly. You can cover a lot more water quickly and spend less time re-tying and baiting up.

Have fun shopping.

Mark

[FM2]

Thanks for the reply's Y'all and Mark. Good suggestions and I have gained alot of knowledge on what to buy. I also posted this on the PP board.

Mark, would you be interested sometime in floating a river so I can watch a real expert in action :smile: . I can't make it to the tackle swap meet where I know you are putting on a clinic so maybe you would have some free time down the road for a DB trip. I'll supply everything. Please let me know, Thanks.

[First Bite]

FM2
Would love to float a river sometime this winter. Right now I'm very busy with several commitments but maybe later in the season a window of opportunity will open up. Take care.

Mark

[Snagly]

I'm going to recommend a combo that may be out of your price range, but just to give you something different to consider:

A very smooth baitcaster (e.g. Shimano Chronarch or similar -- 6 ball bearings) offers you the major advantage of being able to free spool line under thumb control for instant hooksets when that float goes under downstream. And of course the drag is going to be better (and the line twist nil vs. a spinning reel).

A GL3 1263 (10 1/2' and 6-12' line) is a great float rod and good all around drift rod if you're fishing bigger water and need to cast farther and/ or keep more line out of the water. Travis Howard/ Tom Howard at TH Custom Rods (www.thcustomrods.com; E: thcustomrods@harborside.com) built this for me, and it's indistinguishable from the factory rod -- except for the price!

I know there are plenty of less expensive alternatives that will do a good job, but if the rod has a warranty it's an investment, not an expense. The reel will eventually wear out but fishing jigs and floats with a smooth baitcaster is going to put more fish on the bank than the alternative methods (unless you fish low, clear water with 1/8 oz jigs and no lead on the line).

My 3 cents.

[Thumper]

Snagly --- Yup --- what he said.