|
|
Posts: 1310
Location: Washington, PA | I'm looking to buy a spinning rod and reel, for jig fishing in streams this winter. Any suggestions? I'm thinking of getting a 7' st. croix heavy action rod. No idea what to get as far as a reel, and if anyone has any cheaper rod suggestions, they would be appreciated. I'll only be using it shore fishing in the wintertime. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 226
Location: W. PA. | I've found 7' rods too be to large for the streams, I like a 6'6" much better. It's alot easier to use in cramped quarters. As far as a reel goes I got an okuma last year and really like it. Whatever you get I would recomend a size 5. The 3's and 4's just don't hold enough line if you get one snag that takes alot of line it will cut down the casting performance until you respool. Just my 2 cents.
Scott |
|
| |
|
Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I use 6.6 and 7' medium action Bass/Pike rods for most Creature applications, rated for 17# line. The guides need to be large to allow the heavy monofilament line to spool out and cast well, the handle fairly long to accept two hand casting and an easy snapping hookset. The reels are always a heavy freshwater model, with at least one listing on the spool to 12# mono or more. Don't get a huge reel, it won't balance well, and will be a hassle. Any good 3 ball beqring spinning reel that will handle 100 yards of 14# is fine. Too heavy a blank will not allow you to really POP the jig through the weeds, or get a truly explosive hookset. I can whip a big fish as fast on this gear as my heavy glider rigs, too. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 4266
| If you want the best rod for jig/creature fishing in a spinning model, check out the St Croix Tidemaster In-Shore series. Length is up to you, but I've got the MH fast rated for 10-20 pound line. I've been using 14# Stren and a Daiwa SS1300 spinning reel. It can handle big fish and all kinds of jig/plastic combos.
Look outside the box, and look at the in-shore line that St Croix has for any light muskie applications.
Beav |
|
| |
|
Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I have used Beav's creature outfit, and casted a couple times with it. Top shelf!! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 585
Location: Gaithersburg, Maryland | I had a Falcon (silver series) 7' spinning rod (bass worm rod) that I used for jigging. Although a little light for Muskies, it was a terrific rod with great feel. It was in the $70 range at the time. I slammed it in my car door. I've tried finding another replacement (including good St. Croix's in the same size and weight) and they are not the same.
I've seen Falcons in the 6 1/2 ft. size - great rods, just a little too short for me. Of course on streams, it might be a better size. Don't go cheap for a jig rod - you need the sensitivity that you won't get in an inexpensive rod.
I recently bought a (one-piece) custom made rod (St. Croix blank). It's called a "Gator Rod." They are in the $70-100 range. I went a step up from a Bass rod. The one I bought will handle larger plastics and heavier line (up to 20 lbs). They are custom made in Florida. The rod-maker will ship to you. Here's his site: http://www.gatorrods.com/grab_the_best.htm
Edited by muskiekid 12/24/2003 6:14 AM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 28
| I would recomend a 6 1/2 ft or 7 ft st. croix rod with a 4500 penn spinning reel w/ 15lb.test trilene green big game,works for me in pa. |
|
| |
