What rod do you like????
 

I know a lot of you guys know that I build Custom Rods but wanted to know what size rods you like using for Jigging. I have been building some 6’2” rods and the ones that I have built the guys really seem to like them. I like the 6’ 2” rod that I built for myself and I also like the 6’ rod that I have. The 6’ 2” rod is a casting rod and my 6’ rod is a spinning rod... I just finished building 2, 6’ Medium / Heavy action rod for Hillbilly Boater but it is a custom built one. I took a 6’6” rod and cut it down to where Jack liked it. I had built him 1 other just like the 2 I just built and the last one I built for Jack he caught a 100lb shark on it. Just wanted to know what your preference is….By the way I have 2 6’6” M/H action rods with a fast tip that I use all the time as well and they are great for flounder as well as Jigging.

Most my trolling rods are 6'6" Medium action rods

My bait casting rods are 6'6" or 7' MH action with a fast tip.

I currently just have junky spinning gear but want to get a nice spinning gear set up this year.

Greg, Let me know if you’re ever interested in a nice spinning rod the 6' 6" and 7’ers are great for top water and also jigging BKD's. I use Batson Rainshadow blanks and I will put them up against any blanks out there. They have the backbone and some of the best sensitivity I have ever felt in a rod.

What type of reel would you put with it? I havent even started looking at them yet. Most my gear is Penn but I am not stuck on any brand. I probably would look towards one that doubles as a liveliner. My birthday is coming up in early May so I might as well get my wife my wish list now :D

I'm not a real big reel guy but if you find a reel that is about 10oz or less it really balances the rod out well. I have the Penn Slammer 360 on my 6’6” and I have a Daiwa 2000c on my 6’ rod. I just built a good friend of mine a 6’6” rod and I even got him the Penn 360 Slammer for it. I found the Penn for $115.00 and that was delivered not a bad price when the cheapest I found was 139.00. Now if you’re in the market for a spinning/livelinner look at the Okuma Epixor I have one of them and it’s a nice reel. Now if you ever want a good bait caster reel I just got the Daiwa Strikeforce and for 55.00 delivered you can’t beat it. It’s a 7.1 ratio and brings in 32” on line on one crake. I hope this helps a little but this is what I use....

Steve; I hope I'm not putting you on the spot, but could you give an estimate on what a nice custom rod would cost. Give a price on one of your 6'2" M/H jigging/casting rods and also a sweet trolling rod.

Most of my rods are all mismatched walmart, kmart, bps, fleamarket finds. They all catch fish and I probably wouldn't throw away any of them. However, I don't have any "good" rods, and it might be nice to know what a custom rod might cost in case the kids are looking for a birthday, fathersday, or any other day present.

When someone invites you on their boat for a day of jigging, topwater, or livelinning, it would be nice to grab that "special" rod to take along.

I use mostly spinning reels, and only have two casting reels (abu garcia ambassadore's). Are the spinning rods as "sensitive" as the casting rods? I would imagine the casting rods would be more sensitive since some of them allow you to "feel" the blank.

So, if you're up to it maybe a little elementary explanation on the benifits of casting vs spinning rods for jigging would be appreciated.

This is not limited to Steve, guys with experience please chime in here.

I always try to take care of my tackle, which is why my "cheep" stuff lasts as long as it does. I don't need "sensitivity" for most of my fishing, but I would like to learn jigging so I can expand my fishing knowledge.

Thanks, 5th (Marty)

p.s. If you feel more comfortable P.M. me the price's

I use a Daiwa Megaforce and like it too.

I was speaking for flounder fishing and eeling in the fall.

IMO casting vs spinning is a personal preference and whatever you are most comfortable with. I have a 6' and 6'6" jigging sticks that steve built. I love them both but, to me the 6'6" is the ultimate jiggin stick and the baston blanks he uses are extremely sensitive.

Hey Marty,
I can give you a ballpark figure on the rods but it all depends on what size cork handle you want, name or decal of a fish and a few other things. I would rather b-mail you some prices or give me a call at the house and I can fill you in. I think you will find my prices are very fair and like I have told many guys, I’m not in this for the money ( Just ask my wife on this one) I just enjoy building rods. I’m home ALL day today but the rest of the week I get home around 4:30. I’ll bmail you with some prices as well

Now about the rods, the reason I use a casting rod is because I have fisherman elbow and I change up using my spinning rod and casting rod. Uncle Phill taught me this and believe me it does help after a long day of jigging. The casting and spinning rod have the same sensitive and the blank you are referring to that the blank is exposed is called a split grip handle and I have made a few of them .I know that some guys say you can feel the bite better with the split grip but I do not have any of my own.

Tim-Glad you find this site and thanks for the kind words I appreciate that and by the way, the 2nd week in April is when we are now thinking about going south for flounder but I will give you a call once everyone agrees with it.

I got a nice St. Criox from Marty's from the wife as a gift - then bought another one about 6 months later. Both are spinning rods.

One is med. heavy - other med.

Very well made - action is fast. They go for around $125.00 or so.
I tend to buy a rod for a very specific duty.

When I was into jigging/casting - I had a rod for 1 oz - one for 1 1/2 and one for 2 oz. Did I really need all three ? Not really but it was nice to have the exact outfit matched to the weight.

Same with trolling - I have rods for wire , deep lures , light lures , etc.

Still get outfished by the old guy with a busted up rod/ beat up reel :D

Steve....by far my favorite setup is a 6'3 med action St. Croix avid with Xtra fast tip...thats the rod I used to catch the 51" er in Nov...it can handle the heat....!!!

:eek: Skip gets outfished?!

On a different note, does anyone have any pictures uploaded of these custom rods they could post? Would like to see some examples. Thanks! :D

Steve, I am VERY happy with the 2 rods you made me. One 6'6" and the other 6'0". Both were med heavy fast action.................Gary

I agree with Jamie. I don't usually use Med Heavy rods for jigging stripers. They don't get too big for a stiff-tipped med-action rod. No matter the blank quality, sensitivity is basically a result of weight and action. The faster the action and lighter the rod, the quicker you feel the strike.

Even though I use casting rods, like Steve and others, I still prefer shorter rods. The trade off in a short rod is less casting distance, but to my thinking, the shorter the rod the faster the strike transmission. I don't get in too many jigging situations where I need to make long casts.

I also think that the farther up the rod you can get a finger the better the sensitivity. Not necessarily because it gets you closer to the fish, but because it moves up the fulcrum of the lever, so any force is transmitted more quickly. So I don't like any cork, foam, or whatever in front of the reel.

I've come to this thinking in the past three years, used to didn't think it mattered.

I completely agree with you Shawn BUT I use the rods for different types of fishing than JUST jigging. I use them for live lining around the bridge pilings where I need more muscle to keep from getting broke off and for tog. If I had to pick a rod just for jigging, I would use a 6' med with nothing but rod in front of the reel.............Gary

I use a 6'6" St.Croix for trolling in after the big guys are gone and we are catching the residents. My best fishing buddy loves the St.Croix. I have bought a St.Croix blank and attempting to build my own trolling rod since the rods you buy in the shops have a 10" rear butt and I want one with a 14" rear butt. The 14" rear butt makes it is more comfortable when fighting a 30"+ rock.

Shawn, How heavy of a jig will you go up to on a Med. rod?

2 oz jigs are no problem. Add another 1.2 ounces for a 10 inch BKD.

Not putting down anyone who prefers a Med-Hvy rod. Obviously, a lot of real good fishermen do. Bottom line is to have confidence and be tuned-in to what you're using.

One thing I've found with the rating - it varies greatly from brand to brand.

I've seen light action rated for 3-5 ozs :confused: - medium rated for 1 -2 ozs.

I think it all boils down to finding a rod that " feels " right for how you fish.

Shawn - old school trick - we used to cut away the foam on the underside of the fore grip. This let fingers touch the blank for a better feel.

I have done a few of these as well with the Eva foam and I used a rat tail file to do it and it does a great job. I have even done a cork fore grip and I think it came out nice, just ask Josh K about this one....

Steve, build a rod on this blank GF600XL. I have used it on mullet, flounder, black drum, tog, cbass basically u name it. Light, senstive w/plenty of backbone. I can really yank them tog outa their home.

Rob, I have built 2 of the Calstar rods for guys but they both were trolling rods. Never tried a jigging rod, don't you want another one.....I can make the handles blue for ya.:D

It's a trick question...
 

I like the one with the fish on...;)

Greg. I have two of Steve F's rods one 6 and one 6'6" I have them matched with stradic 3000 reels. We used them this summer up north for slammer blues and big stipers off the nantucket rips. A great combination!

I like a street rod you no 4 wheels and bucket seats with a big motor.Oh you wher talking about fishing rods. Med heavy