The silicone revolution in soft baits pushed the trendsetters of spinning rods to produce suitable gear for such an exciting type of spinning fishing as jig.
Jig spinning is a key tool in catching predators. The success of fishing depends on how this tool is selected and equipped.
This article will discuss the main points that you need to pay attention to when buying a spinning rod for jigging: we will determine the action, select the required test and length of the rod, give practical advice for fishing from the shore and boat, show a training video and present a rating of budget spinning rods for jigging.
Content
- 1. Jig spinning: features of choice
- 1.1 Spinning rod structure
- 1.1.1 Form material and designation
- 1.3.1 Spinning rod length for shore fishing
- 1.3.2 Spinning rod length for fishing from a boat
- 2.1 Casting spinning rod for jig
- 2.1.1 The best budget casting rods from aliexpress
- 4.1 Form design
- 4.2 Rings
- 4.3 Spinning rod handle
Jig spinning: features of choice
To make the right choice in favor of the best spinning rod for jigging, you need to decide on the fishing location: shore or boat, with a specific body of water where you will be fishing, take into account the current, depth, relief, ease of casting bait and the estimated size of future prey.
Then pay attention:
- rod length;
- I’m building it;
- test;
- material;
- configurations
A spinning rod with a blank (the blank is the basis of the spinning rod, its whip on which all other elements are attached: rings, reel) which is sensitive to bites and has good rigidity will always be an ideal option for jig fishing.
1.1.1 Form material and designation
Fiberglass or FB (fiberglass) . Rods made from this material are durable, heavy, and not very sensitive (oak). Fiberglass spinning rods are a budget option, as they are low cost and easy to use.
Carbon (carbon fiber) is a mixture of graphite and glass fiber. On the form, next to the name of the material, a rigidity indicator with a digital designation is also indicated, for example, IM-6 (intermediate modulus or conditional modulus of elasticity), a higher indicator of which indicates the rigidity and greatest sensitivity of the form, and a smaller indicator, for example, IM-1, indicates excessive flexibility.
Important! Graphite, also known as carbon, carbon fiber is an excellent conductor of electricity, so you should not use such gear during a thunderstorm, rainy weather or near electrical wires. Rods with a module from IM 4 to 6 are less capricious, but less resistant to shock and are afraid of dirt.
Advantages of this material:
- ease;
- sensitivity;
- strength.
Kevlar (artificial fiber) - carbon rods are coated with it, which gives them durability and strength.
How to choose a spinning rod
Build a rod. The action is responsible for the reaction of the stick to loading the spinning rod. It shows how the blank will bend as the bait pulls it down. This indicator directly depends on the length of the rod - the longer it is, the slower it will bend.
- Slow action is very poorly suited for jig spinning, as it has reduced sensitivity.
- Insufficient sensory abilities are compensated by long casting. The stick bends slightly from base to tip, resembling a parabola.
- The medium action is often chosen by novice fishermen, who lack knowledge and experience and decide to choose a universal option.
- But nevertheless, this is also not a very good option for jig, since the sensory here is still insufficient, and in jig it is of utmost importance.
- It bends from the middle of the blank, which is why it is called semi-parabolic.
For jigging, choose spinning rods of fast action, medium-fast, medium-fast, and ultra-fast, extrafast.
These are rods with maximum rigidity, facilitating several tasks:
- Fish bite tracking;
- The feeling of the moment when the bait sinks to the bottom;
- Hooking pike perch and pike with bony lips.
Fast rods bend in the upper third of the stick, which allows them to be especially sensitive. With super-fast ones, only the top bends, which makes them extremely sensitive and suitable for microjigging. Extrafast spinning rods are the most expensive.
1.3.1 Spinning rod length for shore fishing
The optimal length for fishing from the shore is from 2.4 to 2.7 m with a test of 35-40 g. With more weight, it is harder to reel and snags cannot be avoided. Heavy baits will be effective when fishing in holes and strong currents. It is better to purchase a spinning rod made of carbon fiber marked IM6, IM7, IM8 and more or carbon material. Lure weight = spinning class.
For example, to catch catfish in thickets and strong currents, you need to use hard tackle and bait weighing 40 - 120 grams. For fishing in still water, it is enough to use tackle with a test from 10 to 40 g (for example, a medium action plug daiwa sweepfire SW802LFS-BD jigger 2.4 m, test 5-25 g).
A universal spinning rod model that is suitable for fishing in standing waters from the shore or from a boat, as well as on all types of rivers - with a length from 1.8 to 2.4 m, a medium class action, a test in the range of 10-40 g. An example is the Daiwa “Sweepfire” SW802LFS-BD jigger 2.4 m plug with 5-25 g test and medium action.
Boat jig spinning
In my opinion, you should start mastering spinning fishing with a jig. Have you started yet? Respect to you. Then I will supplement the “Spinning Guide” section with one more material – “boat jig spinning”.
Jig fishing in Ukraine is, without a doubt, the most popular spinning option. This is not surprising - the cost of silicone is low compared to other baits, the variety of models can turn the head of even the most experienced pro, but the main thing is that there are practically no conditions where the jig would be completely out of work, and our predators too often choose it silicone baits. I’ll talk a little about the problem of a beginner choosing a jig-spinning rod for fishing from a boat and the things that accompany it. Problems with choice are standard here. It is risky to blindly trust a store consultant - he is an interested person. Focusing solely on a friend’s advice and taking the same spinning rod as his is also not the best solution (opinions vary). Logic dictates that it would be good to rely on your personal requirements and preferences. But what to do if they haven’t started yet?
Despite the fact that jig, as they say, “and jig in Africa,” boat fishing makes its own very significant adjustments compared to what was relevant in coastal affairs. In fact, it’s a little easier for a boatman to decide on gear. Judge for yourself: casting range is not particularly necessary, extreme sensitivity (with rare exceptions) is also not a key issue. There is no urgent need to scrupulously correlate the weight of the baits used, the characteristics of the form and the fishing conditions. For the most part, our shore fishing rod is perfect for boat jigging. But which one and always? It is not for nothing that the manufacturer does not indicate that the tool is intended for a boat or shore. Meanwhile, boat jig is in many ways individual and unique.
Situation 1. Reservoirs with great depths
Great depths, as a rule, are found in the reservoirs of the Dnieper cascade, but you can also find your own “mini sea” on more modest rivers. Here there are usually kilometers of water around, and under the boat the depth is 5-20 meters. The main object of fishing in such a situation is pike perch, and a little less often pike and perch. With the exception of “dead snags,” fishing mainly involves classic bottom jigging along the edges of holes, spits, navels and other anomalies of the bottom topography. In a word: a classic of the jig genre.
What kind of spinning rod do you need?
The choice of spinning rod largely depends on the depth and strength of the current. As a rule, when fishing from a boat, the silicone is not small (this is understandable), but how to get it to the bottom is an open question. A voluminous bait (often 4-6 inches) will inevitably entail a heavier load; depth will also require additional weight. And if there is a good current at depth, then we will add about another 50% to the weight of the bait. In other words, if in still water we successfully fished with jigs of 20 grams, then when the hydraulic unit is turned on and a current appears, in this place, perhaps, rigs of 30 grams or more will be needed. The spinning rod must provide comfortable fishing with such weights. Often the upper test of a boat jig spinning rod is 25-30 g. Sometimes it is time to consider this a light set. If the depth exceeds 10 meters and there is a current, you will have to use tackle with a dough of up to 40-60 g, or even more. The optimal length of the spinning rod, as for me, almost does not depend on the fishing conditions and is 2.1-2.3 meters for the boat version. This doesn't mean a shorter or longer rod won't work. This most likely will not affect performance, but comfort will suffer. In terms of action, any moderately fast form will do, especially since short and powerful fishing rods are already quite rigid. Ideal, in my opinion, is the classic “Fast”. Situation 2. Reservoirs overgrown with grass and reeds.
Almost always, such places are not pleasing with the diversity of the species composition of the predator, the surrounding landscapes, and also the fishing options. However, the fishing here is very interesting and lively. As a rule, this is hunting for pike at depths of 1-3 meters in water areas overgrown with grass, reeds and reeds. And although such conditions are ideal for wobbler fishing, jig is often no less catchy.
The requirements for spinning rods are almost the same as in the case of fishing from the shore in overgrown reservoirs. That is, you mainly need quite powerful tackle to stop any attempts of pecked fish (even large ones) to go into the saving thickets. Because of this, the spinning test should significantly exceed the weight of the baits used. Naturally, such “coarsening” of fishing comfort will not increase the comfort, but it will allow you to be the master of the situation, and not the fish. Usually spinning with dough up to 25 g is an excellent solution. The length and action are the same as in the previous version.
Situation 3. On rivers by rafting
Jig fishing by rafting is a separate and very unique topic, but even here it is quite possible to give specific numbers and recommendations. This uniqueness will appear only after several years of regular trips and is individual in each case. What should you focus on initially?
In river rafting jig, casting accuracy is important. Of course, if you fish a strip of coastal algae, then mistakes are forgivable, but if these are snags or trees hanging over the water (and with the current), then any mistake is fraught with loss of bait, fish and time. The sensitivity of the rod is quite important, because it is often very difficult to distinguish the long-awaited “knock” of a predator from contact with a snag. It is known that by hooking into snags with each touch, the box of bait will quickly become empty. Even offset installations adhere perfectly when hooked. As for the test (spinning rod power), here you need to decide. Either lose in grace and comfort, but do not give the fish a chance to enter the snags, or enjoy relatively easy and delicate fishing, but be prepared that the fish will dictate its terms when fishing. For most rivers in Ukraine, I confidently recommend a spinning rod with a length of 2.1-2.3 m, Fast or Extra Fast action, with a test weight of up to 15 g for fans of delicate fishing or up to 20-25 g for more severe “horsemen”.
Afterword
The author would not at all want the reader to form the opinion that a beginner, or any other spinning rod player, should immediately have a whole arsenal of spinning rods. In no case. For all fishing situations and cases, you definitely won’t have enough gear and everything else. It's not worth even trying. To begin with, I believe that two jig sets (one up to 10-15 g conditionally perch, and the other up to 20-25 g conditionally pike-perch) will allow you to feel quite confident in most situations.
We also understand that the above tips and recommendations are the personal opinion of the author, and it is subjective in nature. With his own experience, a beginner will certainly come up with his own individual understanding of the ideal gear. In the meantime, let’s be patient and choose the appropriate gear based on the advice of others. Well, don’t forget about fishing, because practice is the main criterion of truth.
Victory and excellent fishing to everyone!
Heading:
Spinner's Guide
Rod rigging tips
A spinning reel can be used provided that a bait weighing 15 grams or less is used; for larger weights it is better to use a multiplier. So, for a shallow reservoir, a soap dish or low-profile reel is suitable. For jig fishing with a bait weight of up to 28 grams, a monofilament line with a diameter of 0.32 mm is selected.
Read the most detailed information about monofilament fishing line, its characteristics, installation methods, storage and care here
For a small pool but with a strong current, it is better to install a barrel-shaped reel, which will perform well when fishing with bait weighing up to 60 grams.
If you use a weight of up to 8 grams, then take a reel of size 1000-2000, up to 16 grams - 2500-3000, and up to 30 grams - 3500. These reels are of the high-speed type, which ensures fast winding of the fishing line (cord).
According to most anglers, it is better to use braided line for jig fishing, which allows you to feel the bait, help you study the bottom, and ensure casting range.
Do you need a breakaway leash? Its use is recommended when fishing with small baits in medium and small currents and in the presence of an edge.
The optimal length of the lead leash for jig fishing is 12 cm.
Read everything you didn’t know about the retractable leash here
Budget models
Spinning rods produced under the Maximus brand, belonging to the budget category, are of the same high quality as more expensive ones, and are offered at prices starting from 1000 rubles. Models in this series have an ideal price-quality ratio.
MAXIMUS WORKHOUSE
Fishing rods in this series include several models: 18L, 21L, 24L, 27, 31L and 33L.
Depending on the test parameters, these models can be light, medium and heavy rods.
The difference between them lies not only in the length of the tackle, which is 180, 210, 240, 270, 310 and 330 cm, respectively, but also in the test indicators. Models from the light category are labeled as 21L, 24L, medium – 24L, 27L, heavy – 31L and 33L.
Features of the spinning rod design
4.1 Form design
Spinning rods can have a solid form (single-part), 2-3-part, telescopic. The advantage of one-part is sensitivity. The downside is the length of the gear, which is not convenient for transportation. The telescopic tackle is easy to transport, but lacks sensitivity.
Thus, the 2nd private owner considers the most suitable form.
4.2 Rings
It is also necessary to pay attention to this design feature of the spin, since bad guides quickly wear out the fishing line and affect its flight when casting the bait.
4.3 Spinning rod handle
It can be either cork or polyurethane foam. We consider them to be of equal quality. Each spinning player chooses one or another material according to his wishes.
Tips for choosing
Even before going to the store, the buyer must answer the questions that are relevant to him: what type of reservoirs he plans to use a spinning rod on and what bait he plans to use . When choosing a particular spinning rod model, the buyer must take into account the characteristics of the reservoir, the type of bait and the level of his professional skills.
If the buyer does not have experience in fishing, he should opt for universal spinning rods. When time passes and he acquires minimal skills, he can begin to consider more serious fishing rods.
We also recommend reading:
Budget spinning reels Riobi Exiya Model range of Salmo wobblers and the Salmo Hornet catalog Features of crucian carp killer tackle and how to make such equipment Diagram of how to learn how to tie a hook to a fishing line
For example, for fishermen who prefer ultralight fishing, the best choice would be a spinning rod up to 2 m long and a casting weight of no more than 7 g.
