Jigging Rod

[AaronM]

Looking for a new jigging rod for the summer soft-water season. Was thinking about the St. Croix 6'6 or 6'3 medium with a fast tip for $170. Any preference there? Also was wondering if the St. Croix's are worth it over something like a Mr. Walleye Series Rig N' Jig for $90. I've read the previous posts about rods, but looking for something a bit more specific. Thanks for any imput!

[goose89]

AVS69MLXF- 6' 9" St. Croix ML X-fast tip is my favorite. Good luck.

[Northlander]

Many very nice rods to choose from these days. I will say go to a store and flex a few rods. I take a 6' piece of line and a paper clip. Clip the paper clip to the tip and and pull on the line. See wich ones feel best. get the lightest one that fits with the reel you have. Bring that in too.

[NCLaker]

AVS69MLXF- 6' 9" St. Croix ML X-fast tip is my favorite. Good luck.

I have this same SC Avid rod. Like it a lot. Soft enough tip for light bite, but lots of backbone power to bring in the big ones. Costs a little more, but comes with a lifetime warrenty.

[AaronM]

Many very nice rods to choose from these days.

That's a good point, and I suppose asking about different rods on the internet is a loaded question. You bring up a good point about going to the store and testing out new rods. Let me rephrase my question. I was in Sportsman's Warehouse and a few rods caught my attention:

G-loomis- Head and shoulders above other rods. When testing these rods out, you can clearly feel how far the bend goes. Most rods flex at the tip and that's it. G-loomis rods seem to flex all the way down the rod. Price: $220 and up

St. Croix-My next favorite rod to handle. I was looking hard between the 6'3 and 6'6 (Hard to pick between the two!) medium action with a fast tip. Quality is obviously there. Price $170

Nothing else really was that interesting except for the Gary Roach Rig N' Jig. Seemed like a pretty nice rod for the price, $90.

My question is, what really is the difference from a Gary Roach rod to a St. Croix, and a Croix to a loomis? I want this rod to last a lifetime, so I'm willing to pay more if I need to, but don't want to if I don't have to. I want to stay away from medium light rods, I want a little something more to handle jigging in 30 plus feet of water with a 3/8 oz jig.

Thanks for the replies thus far and looking forward to hearing thoughts and opinions!

[goose89]

CRS-X68M - Shimano Crucial 6'8" X-fast tip - Medium action. Another one of my favorites.

[Team Otter]

Jason Mitchell, 7' Spinning Rod - Enough said.

[andrew chadwick]

the 7' medium cabelas xml Ti is a great rod for jigging and lindy rigging

[riverrat56]

The next rod I will be adding is a Jason Mitchell Elite Series 5'9" Medium action. I got a chance to use one for a few minuets last fall and was really impressed.

I have spent a few years with Mr. Walleye rods, I have only used the Mr.Walleye series, not the Select or SuperPro lines, but those rods go for $40-60 and I have really liked them, right now I use a 6'6" Medium and 7' Medium Light. Just something for people to consider in a lower price range. I would imagion that the higher end rods are very nice as well.

[PerchJerker]

I really don't like these "which rod should I buy questions". There's a lot of good rods out there from a lot of good rod companies. The most important thing is how the rod feels to you .... some rods just feel right, other rods don't feel right. And if they all feel good, go with the lightest rod you can afford.

For me, I like 6'6" to 7' ML rods with a fast actions for jigging. I don't like slower actions with a lot of bend like you were describing with the Loomis. But that's all personal preference. There's some good advice here about handling and testing the rods before you buy ---- that's really the only way to know for sure.

Not sure if that helps you or not, but good luck picking out a rod and have fun shopping and trying them out. Great thing about MN, you still have a lot of time to decide (unless you're a river fisherman).

[Mike Walerak]

The 6'9" Smoothie from Limit Creek is a great rod for under $100.00 The are extremely lightweight and super sensitive. I have rods of every brand and seem to use this rod the most.

mw

[NCLaker]

... I was in Sportsman's Warehouse and a few rods caught my attention:

... St. Croix-My next favorite rod to handle. I was looking hard between the 6'3 and 6'6 (Hard to pick between the two!) medium action with a fast tip. Quality is obviously there. Price $170

If you were at SMwarehouse - look on their rod clearance rack. At the Woodbury store they had the previous model SC Avid's (replaced last year)on clearance. I think they had the Medium action for around $99.

[rodmaker]

If you are a fan of G. Loomis.

Look at their SJR rods. Designed for jigging.

[NCLaker]

Whick SJR rod do recommend for vertical jigging?

[rodmaker]

For Eyes right???.

I'll look tonight, and post tomorrow. I'm making a SJR 842 7ft med GLX.

They have a couple that will work for you. .

[rodmaker]

Here are a few. G. Loomis

SJR 722 6 ft med 6-12 1/8 - 3/8

SJR 723 6ft 8-15 1/16 - 5/8

SJR 842 7 ft 6 - 12 1/8 - 3/8

These would work . Just depends on the size jigs. There is also SJR 720 & 721. You can get these in GL3, IMX & awesome in GLX. Also there is a Walleye Series

Like I mentioned earlier, I building the 842. Exending the handle to 7' 19". Will work nice for rigs on Mille Lacs, and I can use for jigging also.

[kidfish]

For vertical jigging go with a lighter power. Like an SJR 720 or a SJR 721. You can also check into the Walleye Series Rods like a WJR 741 or 742, they are great too.

The 723 would be way too stiff too feel a lighter jig.

[fishwater]

Whick SJR rod do recommend for vertical jigging?

[NCLaker]

So for vertical jigging, is there a preference/big benefit of the SRJ vs the Walleye series? or are they equally as good.

[rodmaker]

I like the SJR's in IMX. I feel they are a better rod than the Walleye series.

Again it comes down to a persons budget and preference. They are both good. If you want top shelf look at G. Loomis GLX, or legend elite - St. Croix

[goose89]

Just recieved my first Limit Creek "smoothie" (6'9 ML) this morning (FedEx) 3 days after ordering it. WOW!! I haven't put a fish on the end of it yet, but I'm thinking this won't be my only, and although I still like my Crucial and Avids, I'm thinking I'm gonna be very happy with this rod, for about 1/2 - 2/3rds the money. Feels and behaves very nicely.

[rodmaker]

I have never seen these rods. You hear nothing but good things about them.

Do you know if you can purchase the blanks???

[kidfish]

The SJR series has a little bit stiffer tip than the walleye series, but a Loomis rep told me years ago that they were almost the same blank. I would compare my IMX SJR 720 to my Walleye Series 741. They are almost the same rod. For a light bite, I would use the Walleye Series rods more than the SJR series.

[AaronM]

Is there any place to see or test out the limit creek rods? I'm interested in the Smoothie, but hate ordering online blind.

[rodmaker]

Welcome to FM.

I recognize your face. You use to work years ago ar Fedor's right!!!! Tough to beat those steaks!!

I still like the IMX SJR 720 or 721 over the walleye series. IMX's are in my opinion a little faster and more responsive, lighter. It comes down to personal choice and feel.

They are both great rods!!!!