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 JerseyBrian

BIG thanks to Tom for helping me out on my first jigging rod. I ended up purchasing Tom's custom Tuna Max 300g rod and couldn't be happier with my first rod. It's SUPER light (and I mean LIGHT, as in lighter than most of my heavy power inshore spinning rods), but has a very stout base. Can't wait to break my cherry on this rod and my Saragosa 18000! From what I can tell, it is probably a custom Big Game series rod, comparable to the BG S57H Titanium rod, but with a slotted gimbal, split grip and an extra 3 inches to the height. I love it!

Brian

************* You look a little attached to that combo already, may I point out some concerns I have

1. First picture is of your combo sitting on the couch with a remote, are you now watching TV together?

2. Second picture of your combo in the passenger seat of your car, going out for a romantic drive together or did it just call shotgun with your friends? By the way its the law to buckle up, dont you love your combo?

3. Third picture is on the couch with the shades drawn, a little romantic moment dare I say

YOU ARE OFFICIALLY IN THE TACKLE WHORE CLUB, most of us take picture with our gear maxed out under load tests, your taking pictures of your gear in different poses and places, you got it bad and Im proud to say your from NJ ha ha ha

[BretABaker]

another way to tell if you've become a tackle whore is when you think of your valuable posessions....the first thing that comes to mind is fishing gear.

[JerseyBrian]

Originally Posted by gman

Brian

YOU ARE OFFICIALLY IN THE TACKLE WHORE CLUB, most of us take picture with our gear maxed out under load tests, your taking pictures of your gear in different poses and places, you got it bad and Im proud to say your from NJ ha ha ha

Haha Glenn! I'm definitely a tackle junkie. I could have told you that right out of the gate I just got the rod in the mail on saturday morning and took some pics right out of the box. Then, I strapped my 'gosa on it and took it to Paul's to show him and also to put my reel on some of his other heavy duty spinners.

Originally Posted by BretABaker

another way to tell if you've become a tackle whore is when you think of your valuable posessions....the first thing that comes to mind is fishing gear.

I definitely do. My Accurate 270XC reel was like a child to me...

[paul708]

Originally Posted by JerseyBrian

I just got the rod in the mail on saturday morning and took some pics right out of the box. Then, I strapped my 'gosa on it and took it to Paul's to show him and also to put my reel on some of his other heavy duty spinners.

i was wondering why you kept saying im sorry, im sorry. while you were putting the reel back on your rod

[crazyjigr]

You guys need to get to some water fast I think cabin fever has set in.
Jersey brian put some line on that reel and go fish anywhere you have got it bad my friend.

[JerseyBrian]

Originally Posted by crazyjigr

You guys need to get to some water fast I think cabin fever has set in.
Jersey brian put some line on that reel and go fish anywhere you have got it bad my friend.

I've been to Miami and the Keys 3 times in the last 6 months so I HAVE been fishing, but I'm excited to go on my first real jigging trip I'm going to Redondo Beach, CA in June...Punta Cana, DR in July...and probably Miami again in August. Also planning some trips up to MA for BFT popping and to NC (sometime in June) for AJ jigging But yes, I've got the fishing bug....BAD. I've had it for 21 years

[crazyjigr]

I hear ya! Same here, lucky for me I have a boat in the driveway and an awsome lake 15 min from the house that I can fish year round loaded with bass and strippers to keep me in check since I can't get to saltwater as often as I'd like.

[JerseyBrian]

Originally Posted by crazyjigr

I hear ya! Same here, lucky for me I have a boat in the driveway and an awsome lake 15 min from the house that I can fish year round loaded with bass and strippers to keep me in check since I can get to saltwater as often as I'd like.

I do the same thing. If I can't make it to the salt, I'll hit up my old stompin' grounds and catch up some Largemouth and Chain Pickerel