tackle...

[Maurer285t]

What kind of rod/reel setup are you fishermen/fisherwomen using for these really small jigs...?

 

[Jig Man]

It depends on how and where I'm fishing. They range from 5'6" to 10'. And some have casting reels, some spinning reels, and a couple have spin cast reels. Some have mono line and some have braid. Technique plays into it also...

 

[plateboater]

2nd Jigman....more details.

 

[Kdog]

Strictly spinning set up on my end. For Bank fishing/Dock Fishing etc, mine Range from an ancient diawa mini spin 4'6" rod will cast 1/32 and 1/48 a decent distance especially with 2# test line. Then I have a Quantum Xtralite XT Graphite 5' 6" works with 1/64 thru 1/8 with 4# line and my standby rods with Quantum TE 10 PTiB reels and 4# Tatsu line are OKUMA CELILO 7' 6" Graphite Spinning Rod which does OK with 1/32 but prefers 1/16 and a recent addition is an Outlaw Classic 8'2" and I have worked 1/48 ounce jigs at 25 feet and still have feel. http://fishoutlaw.com/dir/index.php?route=product/product&path=65&product_id=53 Cannot say enough about the rod it is not quite as good as my St Croix but the St Croix is a $400 rod

For boat fishing mostly vertical jigging and some drift jigging I have a St Croix 8'6" LES86ULF2 that is a special order rod but has incredible feel

 

[Lost Pole]

10' jig pole, rear seat w/ fly reel, 6lb his vis mono.... In a boat, it's all I'd ever need. BUT, considering adding an 11 or 12 footer for high water in spring.

 

[eyecrosser]

Spinning rod and reel, some of these light jigs used under weighted bobbers for casting efficiency and accuracy depending on time of year. Also tie and use smaller jigs for ice fishing.

 

[LedHed]

We use a lot of 7' UL rods, 2lb test line (either XXX izorline or Yo-Zuri hybrid), and mostly Pflueger & Shimano reels. The jigs we use, the majority of the time, weigh ~1/24th the heaviest down to 1/64th the lightest. Occasionally we will go heavier or lighter - 1/32nd is what we use the most.

 

[AtticaFish]

Anyway you slice it, can't cast a 1/32 very far..... without the assist of a weighted bobber or splitshot added. Smaller sizes can be absolutely deadly under a float and can even 'feel' the bite in low light if you keep a slow/steady reeling motion. 1/24 or 1/16 gets much better to cast depending on how aerodynamic your tied jigs is.

I use almost only Medium/Light spinning setup for everything i am casting. 6lb line is as low breaking strength that i like to go... currently have one reel strung with 4lb and have broken off too many already this year. Gets super weak if any abrasions in it at all. Gonna change that one soon. Do use a Medium action Abu rod with Pflueger reel (2 spools, 6lb & 8lb) very often - favorite combo - for throwing heavier up to 1/4. Also use lighter weight jigs on that setup, but usually with a weighted float.

 

[Bucko]

I have pretty easy casting small jigs on my 7'6" medium light spin rod with a wide spool reel and 6 pound flourocarbon. I ca st tiny trout jigs on the streams fairly easily with that. I have better luck with flouro than mono.

 

[Kdog]

Anyway you slice it, can't cast a 1/32 very far..... without the assist of a weighted bobber or splitshot added. Smaller sizes can be absolutely deadly under a float and can even 'feel' the bite in low light if you keep a slow/steady reeling motion. 1/24 or 1/16 gets much better to cast depending on how aerodynamic your tied jigs is.

I use almost only Medium/Light spinning setup for everything i am casting. 6lb line is as low breaking strength that i like to go... currently have one reel strung with 4lb and have broken off too many already this year. Gets super weak if any abrasions in it at all. Gonna change that one soon. Do use a Medium action Abu rod with Pflueger reel (2 spools, 6lb & 8lb) very often - favorite combo - for throwing heavier up to 1/4. Also use lighter weight jigs on that setup, but usually with a weighted float.

Russ, I have been using Tatsu http://www.seaguar.com/freshwater/fluorocarbon.html almost exclusively. High strength, decent abrasion reisistance great on timber not as good on rocks. Given it is fluoro, knot is important. I use a uni knot which I have always used or if in a hurry a Pitzen knot.

My fishing partner swears by magna thin but has a lot more break offs so I think the Tatsu has better abrasion resistance.

I would mention braid, but I always use a tatsu leader so it is a moot point.

I have been playing with some 10-2 braid that is wicked strong and will cut you in a heartbeat. Fished it direct in rocks with 1/32 and 1/16 jigs and very little abraision noted.

 

[Maurer285t]

wow thanks for the info guys! from the looks of it...alot of you like using really long (7'+) rods....can I ask why?? I use my trout rod...I think its maybe 5'2"...maybe smaller..i'm not sure on the length considering its in the truck as of now. I thought a smaller rod would be better with jigs/panfishing...am I thinking backwards??? I know up at Dunham's Sports they have a "Mr. Crappie" fishing rod that is HUGE...maybe 9 foot or so....but I thought that'd be rediculous to fish with...

 

[Hawnjigs]

Wow, that Tatsu is pricey!

Also "anyway you slice it", despite mfg. hype I haven't found a mono/fluoro that combines optimal EZ handling AND strength - always a trade off more of one for less of the other. So, I'll stick with Power Pro 4-5# braid main for handling light jigs + thick stiff Hybrid leader for tuff where it matters.

1/24 is my minimum comfortable weight for casting straight jigs from shore.

My budget price good enuf for me spinning rods & reels not worth mentioning.

 

[Pup]

I used to fish spinning rods 5' to 5' 6" long for crappie when I fished alone. Be it from a boat or on the bank. Now I use a 6' rod and gain a little more backbone and casting distance. Comes in handy when anchored and fishing tight to cover with another angler in the boat.

There's nothing more frustrating to me than to not be able to reach fish that have been marked on the fish finder. Use of braided or fused line helps lengthen my casting distance considerably. Snagged jigs are less problematic with superline as I get most of them back.

I really like superlines with thin diameters. The jigs I fish for crappie generally weigh 1/16 of an ounce. Though, I wouldn't be bashful about attempting to cast 1/32s with direct ties to 10/2 or 6/2 superlines.

You might surmise that I find my choice of line to be a little more important than the rod I've selected...and you'd be right.

 

[Hawnjigs]

Pup, when you say "Snagged jigs are less problematic with superline as I get most of them back." are you bending out the hooks to retrieve the jigs? Or jiggling them out?

 

[Pup]

Pup, when you say "Snagged jigs are less problematic with superline as I get most of them back." are you bending out the hooks to retrieve the jigs? Or jiggling them out?

Hawn,

The ones I get back have their hooks bent out. When crappie fishing, I generally snag into logs/wood.

 

[Kdog]

Longer rods make it easier to get longer casts, Also for vertical jigging are less tiring slight twitch of the wrist is a good 4-6 inches at the jig. Plus, I think I get better feel and a better hook set.

Yes, the tatsu is a bit pricey but I feel worth every penny. Besides, I only use 40 yards at a time. Use trilene for a backing line.