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

[paul708]

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 did the kelly green for the other eagle guy..even painted the blank kelly green....and another i did for him was a calstar Gf painted blue with silver metalflake ..both a KILLER rods

[ahistick]

Originally Posted by Ragman

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.

Like I mentioned, good and generous guys on this board.

A local tackle shop owner did the same for me when I started doing multiday trips out of San Diego. He lent me gear including all-roller-Calstars and Penn 50SW's for my first trips until I figured out what I like and/or wanted...No pressure to buy!

WTG Tom!

[fishr1989]

Originally Posted by Ragman

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.

if you want a custom AVET....
Custom Avet Reels Avet,Everol,Tsunami,Avet EXW50 QUAD,MX,AVET Reels

[BretABaker]

Originally Posted by paul708

i did the kelly green for the other eagle guy..even painted the blank kelly green....and another i did for him was a calstar Gf painted blue with silver metalflake ..both a KILLER rods

oh nice...i think the black blank will look good on mind since they sometimes wear the black unis. pretty excited to see it

[JerseyBrian]

that black on red Avet looks killer!

Went to Harry's, Sportmen's Center, Ramsey Outdoor (2 of them!), Davis Sport Shop and True World Tackle today Brian had fun!!! Still didn't buy a Saragosa 18000 reel though No one had them in stock, but True World Tackle and they couldn't let it go for $280 out the door (which is all I had in my pocket). They didn't have any japanese style jigging rods. They had a several different brands of japanese jigs that were around the $25-$29 range as well as the usual Shimanos and Braids... They had Tackle House lures (many models) as well as the Daiwa Saltiga lures, but no Smith Baby Runboh or Volados. A little pricey, but that was to be expected. Very nice people at the store. They also had 10oz hammered diamond jigs.

There was even a Shimano rep at Davis Sport Shop and he didn't even really want to talk about the Saragosa or butterfly jigging in general...maybe cuz the store is mainly freshwater

Either way, after all of that browsing in all those stores I ended up with several butterfly jigs, a 10oz hammered jig, a jigging tackle bag, a lipless Shibuki, 3/8 Matsuo Jigheads, a Pint of Gulp! and a few assist hooks to put on my fluke bucktails. I will post pics of all the stuff I bought tomorrow when I get back to Philly.

I still need to go over Paul's place tomorrow and check out his merchandise! More fun! Paul, what time is good for you?

Didn't have a chance to visit Peace Token or Angler's Pro Shop today. I will definitely check those places out in April one weekend.

Brian

[gman]

When you go to True World, ask for Akira and tell him your a friend of Mr Glenn Kross. He will take care of you. Anglers Pro Shop is a true paradise for jigging and popping. NO better place to go IMHO. Peace token is good as well but small and more like a conventional tackle shop although Mike is a master at jigging and stocks alot of knife style jigs

[JerseyBrian]

Originally Posted by gman

When you go to True World, ask for Akira and tell him your a friend of Mr Glenn Kross.

I met Capt. Akira very briefly as he was trying to explain to me the differences in movements between the lipped and lipless Shibuki's... The other japanese gentleman was actually very friendly and informative as well; he could also speak english a little better which of course, helped out. I will mention your name next time I go there Glenn

Anglers Pro Shop - is the store in Brooklyn?

[gman]

yes let me know when you want to go I will meet you there and we can grab lunch over in Brooklyn. Be prepared, good toys cost $$$$$$$.

[Fishhead56]

"They didn't have any japanese style jigging rods. They had a several different brands of japanese jigs that were around the $25-$29 range as well as the usual Shimanos and Braids..."
...........................
Dude Guess what?
The sponsor of this forum has great jigs and with shipping most likely well under store front prices..........
But cruzin tackle shops and or internet shopping almost is 2nd to being on the water. I most likley will take a visit to Anglers pro shop.
What are the directions?? Go to Emp ST BLD. then turn left???

[gman]

I would agree that OTI makes kick ass jigs, line and most of all rods and teh best thing is they are affordable