Jigging - Conventional vs Spinning

[HUNTER II]

I'm sold on the virtues of jigging and since I don't have an unlimited budget I'm trying to sort out whether I should buy a spinning based setup or a conventional based setup. Both seem to have their +'s & -'s. I am leaning towards spinning because I think that the rig is more versatile as it can be used to jig and pop and for me it seems easier to implement the jigging technique. I fish out of the Gloucester Massachsetts area and will be targeting school Bluefin Tuna in the 50 - 150 lb range. The setup that I am looking hard at is a 5'8" Trevala F XXH spinning rod with a Spheros SP18000FB. Your thoughts on the setups and gear being considered are requested.

[dt300mm]

Originally Posted by HUNTER II

I'm sold on the virtues of jigging and since I don't have an unlimited budget I'm trying to sort out whether I should buy a spinning based setup or a conventional based setup. Both seem to have their +'s & -'s. I am leaning towards spinning because I think that the rig is more versatile as it can be used to jig and pop and for me it seems easier to implement the jigging technique. I fish out of the Gloucester Massachsetts area and will be targeting school Bluefin Tuna in the 50 - 150 lb range. The setup that I am looking hard at is a 5'8" Trevala F XXH spinning rod with a Spheros SP18000FB. Your thoughts on the setups and gear being considered are requested.

I have that rod, the 5'8" Trevala F XXH spinning rod, and can't imagine getting a 150lb. tuna up with it. I used it on one trip for Yellowfin. I had it bent into the reel seat trying to get a 50lb ish yellowfin's head turned. My 2 cents - get the OTI rod. No experience with the Shimano spinner.

[BretABaker]

from what i've seen from the trevalla rods - i agree, they're like noodles.

[shanker]

I had that same idea, to jig and pop with the same rig, well, after using my spinning rig setup for a season, ive now dedicated it to a popping rig and got a dedicated conventional Jigging righ with an Avet JX and Calstar 700H rod..

I absolutely LOVE my spinning rig, but its not as comforatable to jig with as my conventional setup, its more clumsy....the ultimate jigging rig would be a star drag reel rather than a lever drag though....

[ksong]

I still prefer conventional based setup for jigging tuna. But everybody has different taste and opinion.
5'8" Trevala F XXH and Spheros Sp1800FB might be good for 50 lbs school bluefin, but not for 100-150 lbs. If you fish in Massachusetts, you never know what you catch next as big bluefin sometimes mix with school bluefin and those big fish probably can destroy your light setups.
You eventually save money by investing adequate quality rods and reels from the start.

[lite-liner]

Just my own opinion, but the Trevalla series has no business w/ any tuna over 40#. Here's a pic of Andrew Whitman on a larger model tuna w/ an XXH version, I beleive. lasted about 5 min's.

the OTI 5',6"/ 400g or 600g jigger in the spinning version is prob. the best rod you're gonna find under $300
Islander's in Galveston has the SeaMajic "dragonfly" series, which works awesome, & inexpensive, but I'm spoiled on the OTI foregrip.
As far as spin vs. conv.? that's a personal preference thing, but I will say it seems I can get and hold a better "rhythm" while jigging
w/ spinning tackle. I fish both ways, leaning towards conv. as the tackle requirements get heavier. mostly cause i'm too cheap to buy a Stella!
.tight lines
-Brian

[BretABaker]

Originally Posted by lite-liner

Just my own opinion, but the Trevalla series has no business w/ any tuna over 40#. Here's a pic of Andrew Whitman on a larger model tuna w/ an XXH version, I beleive. lasted about 5 min's.

the OTI 5',6"/ 400g or 600g jigger in the spinning version is prob. the best rod you're gonna find under $300
Islander's in Galveston has the SeaMajic "dragonfly" series, which works awesome, & inexpensive, but I'm spoiled on the OTI foregrip.
As far as spin vs. conv.? that's a personal preference thing, but I will say it seems I can get and hold a better "rhythm" while jigging
w/ spinning tackle. I fish both ways, leaning towards conv. as the tackle requirements get heavier. mostly cause i'm too cheap to buy a Stella!
.tight lines
-Brian

LOL - that was hilarious watching that.

shimano has great marketing to be able to sell those rods in such volume. I like my rods to have a sensitive tip - but at least have some damn backbone.

[Sea Crappie]

I don't figure you'll be too happy popping w/ that trevala (even if ya like it for jigging). Popping rods really should start at 7ft, and if you're doing daytime popping for bluefin, I'd bump it up to at least 7.5ft.

You can jig with a long rod, but you can't pop with a short one. So to me, if you want one rig to do everything, a 700 or 800 series calstar, or one of OTI's 80lb popping rods.

And really, trevalas are made in a pasta shop, steer clear.

[gman]

I personally prefer spinning for both jigging and popping. Up in the Northeast distance is everything if your chasing pods of bluefin tuna so I would say a minimum popping rod of 7' but prefer 8'. Its not like party boat casting where the fish are all around the boat, your chasing the pods with a CC and trying not to spook them

I've said it before, the trevala rods are great inshore rods but not suitable for any tuna over the 50

[Fishhead56]

Hyper Man with 70-80 lb YFT on a Pasta Rod.
He had the Energy but really couldn't transfer
it to the fish.
This forums archives are full of similiar shots.

No back bone = no lift.


FYI.
Also just noticed 360tackle Leap Year 30% web special.
That would be big $$$ savings on a Great rod.