Jigging Rods With 17# load

[MrBill]

I read where the average offshore fisherman uses 17 pounds of drag when fighting larger fish. So, I put four different jigging rods to the test by lifting 17 pounds of sash weights 3 inches off the ground. I had the camera in the same place and stood in the same place for the pictures.

The Trevela XXH was a wet noodle. The line was touching the rod between the reel and the first guide. I wouldn't put more than 10 pounds of drag if using the XXH Trevela. A great rod for the money, but if targeting fish over 25 pounds expect to have patients and spend some time on the fish.

Of the four, If I was just jigging for Amberjacks at the rigs, I would stick with the Zenaq Monster Buster. It could probably take 30 pounds of constant drag with no problems.

The Genesis Oceancraft Long Range Special is a great all around jigging rod with good lifting power.

The Tuna Max F-400XH is another fine all around jigging rod with excellent recovery and lifting power. Very well made with premium components.

[Deep_Sea_Gull]

Wow! Awesome pics. Thanks for sharing your excellent findings.

[TeamOso]

My shimano talavera did the same thing you said about the trevala when I was fighting an AJ. The line went to the side and almost went into the grip.

[DeepBlueGulf]

I don't think it's a big deal if the line gets into the grip, as long as you don't have any really hard epoxy built up where the line might be rubbing on it.

I have a couple of old Shimano Beastmaster rods that had a special hard flat rubber surface on the foregrip so you could pinch the line against it for extra drag or lifting power. Very cool rods! I keep thinking one of them would make a great jigging rod, except for the weight.

Thanks for the pictures Mr. Bill!

Tom - DBG

[Ragman]

Great pictures! Thanks!

I've got the Tuna Max and that's exactly what it looked like the first time I hooked up with a fish.

MrBill- Your pictures -your face always just out of the framed shot- reminds me of that character on Tim Allen's show "Home Improvement"! LOL

He was the backyard neighbor, Wilson?, who always kept his mug just behind something to avoid a full on face shot!

[SkeeterRonnie]

nice pics MrBill. I tried that with my 400 Gram jiggin rod from Islanders Tackle, with 25 lb scale weight.(thought it was a tractor weight- but was informed it is used for our scales..lol) It looked just like the trevalla pic(except for 8 more pounds) and still had some backbone left cause I started bouncing it to see if I could break it.... never cracker or made and sounds. I did it about 3 different times. I would hate to see the Trevala with 25 pounds on it!!

I cant wait for the OTI rods!!! I will be getting the heavy jigger rod for my tiagra 16 to chunk, heavy jig with. and later adding a regular jig rod with a HooX to my arsenal. The current jig setup I have will be a backup.

[MrBill]

DBG
I don't like the line near my hands. I've been mono burned many times. If using braid on the trevela with my paws, I'd loose fingers. The last thing I want to worry about is line slicing my hand off. That trevela will only be used for inshore jigging for kingfish.

Ragman
Did you ever see Colombo's wife? How about Norm's wife on Cheers? Some things are best left to the imagination.

Skeeter
Testing rods seemed to be thing to do this weekend. I was in my backyard with a 28 gallon trash can filling it with measured gallons of water for the heavy tackle testing. After two hours of setting up, my neighbor started messing with me about tree trimming and the fact that my bamboo is spreading into her yard. I took jigging rods to the front to get away from the tight arse. Otherwise I'd have some great pictures with 50 pound rod lifts.

[jaredchasteen]

Great test Mr. Bill it loks like the Zenaq Monster Buster was the best rod for lifting. That trevala looks terrible.

[Gunsmoke]

Originally Posted by MrBill

After two hours of setting up, my neighbor started messing with me about tree trimming and the fact that my bamboo is spreading into her yard. I took jigging rods to the front to get away from the tight arse. .

Do you remember the first thing that woman told you when you bought the house? I do. I've had dealing's with her husband's company. She was correct. After all these years I wouldn't go pissing her off at this point. Just some sound advise from a guy that people try to screw everyday.

[Pope]

The angler was a little steeper on those other rods, but that Zenaq is tough, no doubt!