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

[ksong]

Originally Posted by JerseyBrian

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...

Did Akira mention that he hooked up a giant bluefin on the Shibuki when he fished Morehead City, NC this winter though fight lasted only 10 seconds ?

[JerseyBrian]

Originally Posted by Fishhead56

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???

Dude Guess What? I already knew OTI makes butterfly jigs as well as everywhere else you need for jigging and popping I didn't say I bought any of those $25-$29 jigs, did I I picked up several williamson jigs for $7.99, 3 Shimanos (1 flat side and 2 of the Lucanus jigs in the 5oz flavor) for $25 since I used a $25 off coupon from Ramsey, 1 10oz hammered jig, 5 3/8 oz Matsuo jigheads, 1 Pint of Berkley Gulp! and a few stinger hooks to put on my Spro Bucktails for fluke.

Originally Posted by 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 $$$$$$$.

You got it Glenn. That would be a fun saturday aftenoon of spending money I know I'm gonna have to save up a little to prepare for my trip over there. I know I need those Duo GT pliers, a fighting belt (even though True World had the one I wanted...but I wanted to buy them later when I could spend some more cash on more stuff) and 3-4 more poppers/plugs that are $38.99 each It's gonna hurt the wallet for sure.

Plus, I'm going to see if I can stop by Paul's tomorrow and check out all of his stuff. Paul is selling an assortment pack of OTI butterfly jigs which I want to pick up

[JerseyBrian]

Originally Posted by ksong

Did Akira mention that he hooked up a giant bluefin on the Shibuki when he fished Morehead City, NC this winter though fight lasted only 10 seconds ?

One of the other workers mentioned that story Kil, but the fight had somehow lengthened to 35 minutes I love fishing stories! haha

[papio]

OTI come out with new jigs? What's it call?

[mcgolfer]

Originally Posted by papio

OTI come out with new jigs? What's it call?

it is the jackal. it is a slender jig with flat sides and tail weighted. i will contact minnow and see if he can get it up on the website so you can see it.....rick

[BretABaker]

looks like you had a nice haul brian! when is your trip?

[ksong]

Originally Posted by BretABaker

looks like you had a nice haul brian! when is your trip?

He said he had to choose between buying tackles and fishing trips.
It seems he bought too many tackles to go fishing.

[paul708]

Originally Posted by mcgolfer

it is the jackal. it is a slender jig with flat sides and tail weighted. i will contact minnow and see if he can get it up on the website so you can see it.....rick

the jackal are the 2 in the bottom row middle

[BretABaker]

Originally Posted by ksong

He said he had to choose between buying tackles and fishing trips.
It seems he bought too many tackles to go fishing.

haha its only money, i say just go fishing

once you get hooked, you will find ways to justify fishing trips and equipment no matter what

[JerseyBrian]

Originally Posted by BretABaker

looks like you had a nice haul brian! when is your trip?

That pic of all the OTI jigs is actually a pic from Paul. I haven't bought any of those jigs ....yet He said he was going to start selling assortment packs of OTI jigs (like the one pictured) for $119.95 +S&H.

Here are some pics of the goodies I DID pick up yesterday