quality spinning reel? jig fishing

[high_arc]

OK, with all of this talk about jig fishing, I finally ordered myself some FirtCast jigs. Now all I need is a rod and a reel. I understand from previous posts that I should get a 9-10ft rod. I also think I want to try it with a spinning reel. I don't want to get something that is going to go bad on me. Any suggestions? I want to load it with some sort of braided line. Will take suggestions on that as well as a rod brand also. As you can see, I am VERY new to this. I will be looking for some possible guidance in the actual fishing department also, when I gather all the necessary gear. I will be mainly fishing the North and East Fork of the Lewis and the Washougal. Thanks

[Grantspastor]

I really like the Okuma Epixor line. I have three EF30 reels that I use for Jig fishing, side-drifting bait, and casting spinners

[Gun Rod Bow]

I haven't tried the Okuma's but would like to. I have had problems with my Shimanos fouling around the spool and bail with mono especially. I bought a Daiwa that was alot less and have been very happy with it.

All my light spinners have two spools, one with 8# mono for side drifting and one with green hi-vis fire line for jigs.

Both rods are GL2's 9'. One quick action for jigs, the other slow action for side drifting.

[sparkleboy]

For my jigs, I have two 10'6'' rods. One is a Shimano Convergence, rated 4-6 weight. It's designed more for low, light, clear water situations, but my other rod is out of commission at the moment, so it's currently the replacement. My favorite rod for jigs is a 10'6'' St. Croix. It's rated 8-12 or 8-14 I think. Wish I had it around, but it's back east getting a repair job done on it.
As for reels, the only reels I use are Shimano Spirexs. Shimano reels have been for the most part excellent to me. Once I had one freeze up, but it worked fine after being "tuned up." If you want serious expert advice, shoot an e-mail to Mark Anderson of First Cast Jigs. The guy is a jig genius...seriously.

[Thumper]

Not much happening in the Lewis.... :tongue:

[ultralight]

I also consider Shimano spinning reels the best in the business. My favorite that's not too opulantly priced is the Shimano Stradic (about $130) and I also like the Shimano Symetre (about $85). They're both rugged yet simply designed.

Actually, the Symetre 4000 is on sale at Bass Pro for $49.99. If I didn't already have dozens of reels, I'd buy a few more myself.

I would have to give my vote to the Okuma reels [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] . For the money they cannot be beat! I own five of them.

[First Bite]

Good info above. I've had good luck with my Shimano Symetre 4000 reels. I've also heard good things about Okuma too.

One note on larger spools. I have the 4000 series reel and when you first spool them up with line, have the store put on dacron or some kind of other backing first. Leave enough room for 100 yards of 10# test. This way when you go to re-spool to a different size line your cost will be a lot cheaper since you're not filling the whole spool everytime.

Mark

[skrimmy]

Hard to beat the Okuma Epixor or Inspira spinning reels.

[santiamslayer]

I like the Shimano Symetre and Stradic.

[fishin]

I got one of the Okuma Inspiras this summer. Liked it so much I bought another for when my Dad goes with me. Very smooth. Reminds me of the Shimano Stradic that a friend let me use.

[Twitchs_Tackle]

Shimano Spirexes w/ Maxima Perflexion (10#)in my boat! :grin:

[Jimmy Carl Black]

OK, the Epixor seems to be a favorite. Any opinions on the metalloid MD-30's?

[high_arc]

I looked at eh Okuma Epixor tonight at GI Joes. Looks like a good reel within my price range. With Christmas and my B-day coming up, I think I will get one (maybe 2, I've been reel good this year. :smile: )

[River Ranger]

okuma can not be beat for the money.
R.R.

[Born to be Wild]

Okuma is simply the best quality reel for your buck.

I have been using the avenger models (AV 30) for about 3 or 4 years now.
Best drag I have ever experienced in a spinning reel.
I have worn out about 3 or 4 of them now but for $30.00-$35.00 and approx. 100 big silvers per reel and a few incidental nooks, who can complain.

I do have an Epixor 40 that I got last year and haven't used it yet and suppose it will hold up better.

But today I used my new 101B Curado (levelwind)for the first time and think the coffee grinders are going to get a well deserved break. :grin:

Dan

[TH]

Maybe I'm too picky
but I found the Okuma to be too heavy!
I bought a few at the sportman show two years ago and ened up selling them part way through the season.
They were smooth and easy to cast
but too heavy for me.

I fish the Shimano Stradic 2000 w/ 14# hi-vis fireline.
This is my favorite set up for steelies.
Put the Stradis 2000 on a TH 1081s and its a side drifting machine!

I also picked up a couple Sustains 2500 last year
very nice
but not worth the $$$$$
I'll stay with the stradics!

[River]

Consider getting the Okuma Fina FHS30. It has a faster retrieve than other Okuma reels.

I special ordered one and like it a lot.

I think fast retrieve ratio is important because sometimes you get caught knapping and have to get the belly of the line out before you can set the hook. :tongue:

[Thumper]

Fast retreive is also nice when you have to get those loooooooonnnnnngggg drifts back upstream.

[blacktail]

Stradic

[ampersat]

My jig reel is an Abu CD4 3000. It's a side drag reel, as opposed to the top or bottom drag models that most folks make. The drag adjustment is right there easy to get to when I've got a fish close to landed and need to ease up the drag just a touch. Bottom drag models are notorious for jerky drags and the top drag models mean you have to stick your hand into the business end of the reel at a time when doing so may cost you a fish. I've only got a couple of fish on it so far but I was really impressed with how smooth it was. Hopefully this year I'll get a chance to see how durable it is.

[Grandpa Lynn]

I bought an Okuma Epixor EF30 this past summer. Great drag. Works perfect EVERY time. I caught a BUNCH of coho this fall with it, and am really pleased with.

[wootersen]

SAVE YOUR MONEY !..It doesn't have to be expensive to jig fish. Go buy an Okuma Avenger 30 series for $24.99 at SW, comes with two spools. One spool should definitely include 20 lb. power pro. Then go purchase a northriver or Berkely rod new for 69.99. You don't need an extremely expensive pole, especially for bobber fishing. Combine that with a winter steelhead combo pack with floats from First Cast jigs (psssstt...use the pink one) and your ready to go.

Not a bad idea to add a shrimp tail on the hook and soak the jig with Marie's shrimp scent.
With line,bait, rod and reel with jigs your into it about $120 and fish ready.

The Cascade Pro rod is another alternative. It's a low end Lamiglas rod with a one-year warranty. I have one and I use it often. You can often find a good deal on a used Lamiglas rod on Ebay. Used 1000 series Lami's will go for about $60.00. Used Lami's with broken tips go even cheaper, and can easily be fixed for around $30-40 at Lamiglas in woodland.

Then catch fish and post reports ! :grin:

[Thumper]

Wootersen. What he said.

[parker]

I've had nothing but bad luck with Shimano spinning reels. They mostly won't last a season of hard use.

I've since switched over to the Diawa Capricorn reel. It's been a flawless reel for the last 2 seasons now, going on 3.

Never bothered to try an Okuma reel.

[Willow Drifter]

I have mostly used a 10.5' Loomis rod and Shimano Symetre for jigs on Steelies and a 10.5' Talon rod with an Okuma Avenger 50 for salmon.

I picked up a couple of Shimano Convergence rods for $35.00 and I am really excited to try them with jigs. I have them matched up with Shimano Sahara 2000FA reels at $49.99 each. With jigs, line and floats I am into each setup for under $100.00.

Save your big $ on other things. The beauty of jig fishing is you don't really need to be too fancy.

[Musicman]

What do you guys think about the Quantum Catalyst reels, I recent picked one up and have yet to fish it. Seems like a smooth reel with titanium bail.

[SteelDrifter]

The Quantum Catalyst PTI out performs Shimano and Okuma. I bought the CT30 PTI off E bay for $70.00, (list for $90.00)for jig and bobber. This reel performed execellent. I decided to buy one after I read the review by Tackletour.com,(take a look). Okuma is a good real for the money, but I think they are to heavy and the bail is to stiff. The Stradic is priced to high for what your getting and most of the lower end Shimanos are only good for about 1 season of hard use. My 2 pennies is that the Quantum Catalyst PTI spinning reel is well worth the money.

[The Steelheader]

I've had alot of fun out of a Quantum energy PTI. Very nice, very smooth.

Also have alot of Shimanos and the screws keep falling out! Well in one anyway, the others have been great.