Japanese Style Spinning rod for Butterfly Jigging

[JerseyBrian]

Howdy folks! I've been a big fan of Japanese style butterfly jigging ever since I first saw Jose Wejebe on ESPN2's Spanish Fly show use the technique out on the oil rigs off Venice to catch small YFT, Kingfish and Big Snapper/Grouper a couple years ago. I've had some success using smaller 2oz. Butterfly Jigs on my St. Croix Tidemaster rod with an Okuma EB-50 on open boat charters out of H&M Landing in San Diego and on the Spitfire in Redondo Beach, CA catching Cudas, small bonito and yellowtail last year, but that's been it so far for my fish catching experiences with jigging.

Now, with my newly acquired tax return money, I'd like to buy some rods specific towards jigging with spinning reels

Would the best option be to get one rod for lighter butterfly jigs and another for the heavier jigs upto 600g? I've read that you can use lighter jigs with the heavier lure rated jigging rods, but what would be the smallest jig you could effectively use on a 500g or 600g rod? That's the $100 question I'm on a budget (so I can buy one of Paul's custom tuna rods for my Acurrate 665W 2 spd!!!) so cost is a concern to consider. I've probably got around $250 to spend on a jigging spinning rod(s). So far, I've been looking at:
1) Hopper rods - I could pick up 2 of these rods (one for lighter and one for heavier jigs) for under $250. I've been looking at the HOPS165FH for lighter jigs and the HOPS-500FH and HOPS-600FH for heavier duties.
2) OTI rods - From what I've read on here, they have a 600g spinning jigging rod as well and are regarded as top quality products. Don't know how much they cost since I can't seem to find their spinning jigging rods on oceantackle.net
3) Van Staal Jigging Rod - I found that the VJS58-500 is rated upto 500g and is right at my price limit of $249. The big question would be if the VJS58-500 could still handle lighter jigs and not overpower their action.
4) Lamiglas Tropic Pro Jigging & Popping Rod - The TP5650SJ sounds like it could cover 85% of my jig size (rated for 5-16 oz) and is priced moderately at $179.95. It could probably still jig 3-5oz lures well....
5) VFox Tblade Tournament Type rod - This is a rod company that I found on ebay that uses Expert Graphite Blanks/Fuji SiC guides and is built in Japan (although the seller is from Malaysia). I was looking at either the J554S or the J556S rods they have listed. The J554S has a PE line Weight of PE4-8, a Lure Weight of 250-350g and a "Max" (drag?) of 24kg. The J556S has a PE line Weight of PE6-10, a Lure Weight from 350-450g with a "Max" (drag?) of 27kg. Both sell for $217.00. But once again, the big question would be if these rods could still handle lighter jigs and not overpower their action. I've heard nothing, but good reviews about VFox rods, but some people have said it may be a little heavy which is not good if I plan on jigging throughout the night
6) Quantum Boca Jigging Spin Rod and Daiwa Saltiga Boat Jigging Rod - Affordable, lots of rods with a variety of lure weight ratings and made from 2 well respected companies. I haven't heard anything bad about them, but I haven't heard anything great either. Based on other members' reviews and feedback, I'd rather purchase some Hopper Rods for the same price ($99.95) instead of these....

That's all I've found through a few days of searching that might suit my budget and needs. I'm looking for rod(s) that are LIGHT, have a nice parabolic action and sturdy. If you have any feedback or comments on the rods I've listed please post up! I'm always willing to listen and learn more about fishing! Which of the rods above do you think is the lightest? Which has the most backbone? Which has the most flex? Most jigs I will be using will range from 4-10 oz and I will be fishing many different depths and species since I do a little bit of traveling (not as much as Kil tho!) every year.

I'm most likely going to purchase an Okuma V-80a spinning reel since it is economically priced ($174.95), has a good amount of line capacity and is "supposedly" rated for over 70lbs of drag I read on this forum that someone did test the drag upto ~37lbs or so and it was still real smooth....However, I haven't heard of a lot of people using this reel yet.

The other option is dependent on if I can swindle my way to getting a 35% off discount on a Shimano Saragosa 18000F spinning reel from an employee at Ramsey Outdoor I know that Kil has already tested this reel out on some 70-80lbs AJ down in NC so I know it can take a lot of abuse

Thanks for reading this long post!!! Jig'em up!

Brian

[gman]

Originally Posted by Ragman

Hey JB!

Check out the OTI 5'6" 600 g or 6' 300g production rods (You can get it through JPR). Paul also has our 5'9" 300g blank.

IMO, you should first get the best reel you can just barely afford. If you need to, I've got a couple of jigging and popping rods that I'll loan you until you can get the rod.

Shoot me a PM with your email and I'll give you the specifics. Sound good?

Seriously, you are a class act. I truly mean that. That was a great offer and it is the reason why OTI is such a great company because they are products made by fisherman for fisherman. I would agree and I have stated on some other post regarding reel choices that it is and should be the major component.

[gman]

JB,

Rods ... I would suggest using the new OTI 600g blank if you have to have a 600g rod, IMHO 600 is really stiff though. I use all 400-500g rods and tehy can handle 99% of the fish we would encounter. The hoppers are good and the Van Staal's are nice as well but they OTI is a much better blank and Paul can dress it up or down for you.

Reels .... I would suggest the new Saragosa especialy if you cab get one at a discount. The guys at Ramsey are a class act. Other than that teh Quantum Cabo's and Bocas are great for the money. I havent heard a thing about the Okuma reels other than teh drag claims but to be honest you will never use for than 30 lbs anyway so it doesnt matter

[Ragman]

Just passing it on. When I was starting out, I had some guys that did this for me and it helped avoid buying stuff that I would have later sold once I found out what I really wanted.

Philadelphia Eagles???? O.M.G! Blue and Silver all the way!!! LOL

Seriously, there is a company in Cali that will do custom annodizing jobs. If you're serious, I'll look for the info and post contact information.

[gman]

Originally Posted by Ragman

Just passing it on. When I was starting out, I had some guys that did this for me and it helped avoid buying stuff that I would have later sold once I found out what I really wanted.

Philadelphia Eagles???? O.M.G! Blue and Silver all the way!!! LOL

Seriously, there is a company in Cali that will do custom annodizing jobs. If you're serious, I'll look for the info and post contact information.

either way, class act my man, class act

[BretABaker]

Originally Posted by Ragman

Just passing it on. When I was starting out, I had some guys that did this for me and it helped avoid buying stuff that I would have later sold once I found out what I really wanted.

Philadelphia Eagles???? O.M.G! Blue and Silver all the way!!! LOL

Seriously, there is a company in Cali that will do custom annodizing jobs. If you're serious, I'll look for the info and post contact information.

I think we are going with green grips, silver reel seat/gimbal, standard OTI black blank, and green/silver wraps. paul - did i miss anything? Are you using those fancy eyes? I forget, haha!

Silver and green reel eh? would be pretty cool....

[gman]

The new eagles colors are like a teal green, and make sure you get the new logo on the rod too

[BretABaker]

did they change them for this year again? ugh, see what I miss after moving down here!!

I wish they went back to the Kelly green - circa 1992.

[JerseyBrian]

Originally Posted by gman

JB,

Rods ... I would suggest using the new OTI 600g blank if you have to have a 600g rod, IMHO 600 is really stiff though. I use all 400-500g rods and tehy can handle 99% of the fish we would encounter. The hoppers are good and the Van Staal's are nice as well but they OTI is a much better blank and Paul can dress it up or down for you.

Reels .... I would suggest the new Saragosa especialy if you cab get one at a discount. The guys at Ramsey are a class act. Other than that teh Quantum Cabo's and Bocas are great for the money. I havent heard a thing about the Okuma reels other than teh drag claims but to be honest you will never use for than 30 lbs anyway so it doesnt matter

Thanks for the suggestions G! I'm probably looking for something in the max 400-450g range so I don't think the 600g would be needed. I'm counting down the days 'til this weekend! I'm going to NJ Angler Darren's seminar at Harry's in Robbinsville, sell my trolling motor to a member on another forum, go to a 50-70% sale off everything at Davis Sport Shop and then go to Paul's on sunday to check out some of his rods and blanks he has. Oh! And to pick up a "package" OTI assortment jig kit from him!

Originally Posted by Ragman

Just passing it on. When I was starting out, I had some guys that did this for me and it helped avoid buying stuff that I would have later sold once I found out what I really wanted.

Philadelphia Eagles???? O.M.G! Blue and Silver all the way!!! LOL

Seriously, there is a company in Cali that will do custom annodizing jobs. If you're serious, I'll look for the info and post contact information.

Thanks man. For all your advice and your kind gesture. It's people like you and my friend Sam (who I met in a car forum that ended up showing me the ins and outs of my car) who are the guys I end up having REAL friendships with Not just some internet thing...

Here is the company that I know of in cali that was willing to anodize anything I wanted on my car...I'm sure they'll be willing to do some reels
Embee Performance Coatings

[gman]

Originally Posted by BretABaker

did they change them for this year again? ugh, see what I miss after moving down here!!

I wish they went back to the Kelly green - circa 1992.

I dont know hen they changed it but the website looks teal to me, check it out

[paul708]

Originally Posted by BretABaker

I think we are going with green grips, silver reel seat/gimbal, standard OTI black blank, and green/silver wraps. paul - did i miss anything? Are you using those fancy eyes? I forget, haha!

Silver and green reel eh? would be pretty cool....

yeah green grips/ aftco silver seat and gimbal,,and maybe a metalic green /black with silver accents....GO BIRDS