[captdeej]

I have a 700h custom jigging rod and neend to set up some others. I would like to buy a off the shelf rod and am partial to the loomis type actions line any suggestions (please include other manufacturers and length)?

Also, why are the diehard tuna jig fisherman in the USA not using the japanese jigging rods? I may want to consider one of these but I need to learn more about them any help expaining the pros and cons of these is appreciated.

 

[gman]

Hi,

I am located in New Jersey as well and I just took the plunge into the japanese style of jigging. Most people on the east coast use a differnt style of jigging and several people told me I was crazy for trying a new style but I love the action of the knife/butterfly jigs in comparasin to regular hammered jigs. I tried it once and had good success as I caught a 30# red snapper of Port O'Conner. I will be trying it next weekend off Texas around some rigs.

I recently had a custom rod made out of a jigging master 500 limited blank. It is 5"8" and it is paired with an accurate 665 2 speed (whenever they deliver it to me). I will post some loaded pictures once I get the rod on monday. The company tha made it for me got it done in less than 3 weeks and is located just outside NJ in PA.


Give me a PM if you ever want to discuss NJ fishing

 

[Minnow]

I am not familiar with Loomis rod, so can't comment on it.
OTI will come up with new jigging rod http://oceantackle.net/products_rods.phpat the end of May.

There are few diehard jig fisherman that use Japanese jigging rods. I think the reason they are not that popular are too expensive and no local warranty, maybe other reason too. JMO

 

[gman]

Just sick I tell you, Ive been waiting for you guys to complete them as I needed two outfits one of which i just got which was a conventional jigging. I need another a popping/jigging spinning outfit. What do you suggest for multi purpose. I would assume you need the longer to cast efficiently correct?

 

[LT1]

Any idea on how much the OTI rods will be?

LT

 

[Minnow]

Welcome aboard LT1.

Rods will go for $215 to $235.

 

[tass]

I am familiar with the Loomis blank. I have a couple of their rods I use for fresh water. You are right, they have good action but if I were you and was looking for a good jigging rod, I would go with someone that specializes in salt water jigging. You need to make sure the rod has backbone as well as action. I don't have any loomis salt water rods because quite frankly there are better rods out there for saltwater fishing.

I have jigged with japanese rods and american made. Both are good and will do the job. For the money I would go with the OTI rod. I have one and it performed well on my trips.

I have a tuna max custom and it to performs well for 2 1/2 times the price.

I have a sea majic jigger and it is a nice rod. I just like the feel and balance of the OTI a little better, as does my son. Now he wants one.

 

[paul708]

is that fore grip EVA? on the OTI rods? cass what did you catch on your trips? on the OTI's

 

[tass]

Caught a bunch of BFT under the shrimp boats up to 25 lbs. Those devils must eat good under there because their a lot bigger than at the rigs. Going next month to try for some aj's and snapper.
Although I couldn't hang into anything bigger, that rod handled those BFT with ease. I'm pretty confident it will handle some of the more larger species. Yes the foregrip makes for a comfortable fit especially with heavy drag like I like to use.

 

[gman]

got my new rod today....sweeeeeeeeeeeet! It looks awesome and it bends great 500g jigging master

 

[Pescador]

Captdeej,
First I have no loyalty/shop/commercial connections with any fishing tackle company.
The below is based only on my 'on the water experience'.
I jig 99.9% of my 180+ days a year on the water - all sea jigging and on my own boat.

My advice;
If your serious, and only IF, get yourself a japanese 'designed' jig rod.
Their high tech, biase wrapped blanks are ultra light and have phenominal tip recovery speed which will enable you to impart actions on a jig that are nigh on impossible with any other 'type' of jig rod.
What you get is a PURPOSE DESIGNED jigging blank, not a modified/cropped/cutback/all rounder/boatcast/whatever peice of wrapped tube.
These japanese PURPOSE DESIGNED jigging rods are super strong believe me, and providing you stay within the fighting angle (the angle of the rod to the horizontal) can be loaded with tremendous drag settings, far greater than you can hold down for very long.
Remember the Diawa Z4500 jig reel can take over 22lbs of drag load and the 6500Exp can take 60lb+ - so their rods HAVE to be up to the mark or they won't sell.

Note:- I use spin reels simply because they can outdrop an 'on top' reel every time, and therefore you get your jig down into the zone fast and are fishing (and catching) quicker!

Because of the capabilities of these rod/reel set-ups I have been able to change my fish fighting techniques to a system similar to those used by the japanese masters (yes I copied their style from videos) and I can now beat big fish consistantly in comfort and a fast time.

Contact PLAT Fishing Shop on the net, its all in english and a mine of information for you quest.
Also check-out Japan Angler which is a site run by a americian guy (I think) written in english and technically very informative.
Smith, Fishermen, Carpenter and Diawa all make rods that have stood the test of time (and importantly fish), have good R&D operations, and back-up their tackle.
Lastly, remember you can fish a low cost jig well (and catch tons of fish as I do) with a genuine jig rod but you can't fish a high end jig well on a crap stick.

 

[Ragman]

Excellent points Pescador! Thanks for taking the time to offer your OTW experiences, because that is where equipment's true performance is measured!

"These japanese PURPOSE DESIGNED jigging rods are super strong"

"What you get is a PURPOSE DESIGNED jigging blank, not a modified/cropped/cutback/all rounder/boatcast/whatever peice of wrapped tube."

Just to clarify that OTI rods are purposely designed for jigging and casting for almost all pelagic and all bottom-dwelling fishies, and to actively present jigs and lures up to 600 grams!

I appreciate your loyalty to Smith, Carpenter, Daiwa (all excellent rods!), but invite you to try one of the OTI rods for your OTW comparison of value and quality !

Check your PM!

 

[Pescador]

Sorry Ragman - but I don't even know what OTI is/was/what it means.

Please fill me in with the details?
Also the specs of these jig rods and where/how I can accept your invitation?

True 'use' comparisons are the ideal, but personal preferences and outside curcumstances can sometimes dictate detail.

Personally I like a parabolic actioned rod, which the japanese designed rods tend to be.
The cropped Calstar I have trialed was much more of a fast or top 1/3, actioned rod.
This I think would be very suitable for a big long-range type of fishing boat with its deep draft & high free board, because it would allow the line to be held clear of the boat hull (and it certainly had the tip recovery to action the slim sliders that we were catching on).
For a shallow draft, low free board, centre consol as I fish, the line can be brought nearer the hull and a parabolic actioned rod moves the fighting load closer to my body (allowing me to put tremendous pressure on the fish & shortening the fighting time in the process).

It should also be noted that most japanese 'demonstration' videos feature small, medium to low freeboard boats, with many fish being fought off the bow, with all the advantages that this position brings.

 

[Ragman]

Hey Pescador!

Ocean Tackle International is a new mfr of top-quality offshore rods, lures, and other terminal tackle based here in the Dallas, Texas area.

By reading many of your posts, you seem to be a very proficient offshore fisherman, plus, you mention a lot of experience with many Japanese products.

We, specifically me, are looking for feedback from people that have the experience to compare the Japanese rods/blanks to ours (and I expect the personal bias, and that's cool!) as WE know how our rods perform, but looking for "outside" feedback.

We started OTI in order to easily provide the US fishermen that want that high-end, high-performance equip, but don't or won't go through the long process of translating Japanese web-sites, trying to buy rods w/o pulling on them, wait/pay for shipping, duties, etc., to attain this quality of products.

So, based on our experience and criteria and passion, we designed and mfr'd our line and are now selling hq/hp rods/lures right here in Texas, and at a high-value price point!

O.T.I.

Here's a link to the rod specs and PM me if you're interested!

 

[ahistick]

...The cropped Calstar I have trialed was much more of a fast or top 1/3, actioned rod.
This I think would be very suitable for a big long-range type of fishing boat with its deep draft & high free board, because it would allow the line to be held clear of the boat hull (and it certainly had the tip recovery to action the slim sliders that we were catching on).
For a shallow draft, low free board, centre consol as I fish, the line can be brought nearer the hull and a parabolic actioned rod moves the fighting load closer to my body (allowing me to put tremendous pressure on the fish & shortening the fighting time in the process).

It should also be noted that most japanese 'demonstration' videos feature small, medium to low freeboard boats, with many fish being fought off the bow, with all the advantages that this position brings.

Great info; thanks everybody.

I fish on sportfishers in Southern Cal. I appreciate the thoughts about fishing boats with higher freeboard/gunwales and deeper drafts. I can see how difficult it can be, when the fish dives under the boat or heads toward the bow where the height of the rail and the parabolic action of the rod may be a problem.

Are there any suggestions for longer jigging rod blanks that have a softer tip to impart action on the jigs?

 

[Pescador]

Sorry Ragman, just finished a 14dayer, and now have some time to read your replies.

I've sent you a private email and will certainly test your rod when we can arrange the details.

ahistik,
I've used a longer rod with a softish tip.
It was 8.5ft and was a cut down glass/grafite surf rod, a handle and long tip, ringed for overhead.
I used a Penn Jigmaster (the best star drag I had available) and 40lb Power Pro on it and yes it caught fish, no question.
I did have a problem adjusting my jigging style (essentially I needed a much shorter arm/wrist lift than my usual shorter jig rods) to my acheive my required jig action.
Blasting hits were a bit of a shock, because the long rod gave me a real jolt as the hook took hold and the soft tip folded into the stiff mid/butt section, but I didn't miss many!
I fished it under my upper arm, not the best position for jigging I rekon, and if I was going to use one everyday I'd go for a full grafite with a bit more flex in the mid section.
If you work out the maths a long rod and a big high speed spinner should move a jig way faster than anything attainable with a short rod, but for really putting the heat on a fish nothing beats a short(er) rod IMHO.