What you need to know to choose a jig spinning rod

It is probably not an exaggeration to say that today spinning is the most popular type of fishing. “Spinning fishing” – the concept is too general and multifaceted. In modern spinning is quite clearly traceable styles, each of which claims to be an independent direction of fishing. One of these directions is jig fishing.

Under the classic jigging means, rather, plumb (vertical) trolling than what anglers in our country are accustomed to.

There is an opinion that jig – spinning as it is now, developed in Russia and the former Soviet Union. And in this area under the jig fishing means catching a loaded bait, which is conducted uneven step-by-step wiring with touching the bottom.

It is quite logical that the independent direction of fishing involves and original gear. Why do you need specialization, why you can not use for catching different styles of one spinning. Maybe you can (some fishermen do so), but, translating into a more understandable to many motorists, there is no car that is equally successful as a racing car, SUV, light truck and comfortable limousine.

In this case, we will talk about a special spinning for jigs.

Spinning for jig should meet the following requirements: to provide throwing and proper wiring of the bait, to have sensitivity, to provide hooking and reliable catching of fish.

Length of spinning for jig

To name a specific figure, for example: “spinning for jig should be such a length”, it is almost impossible. “Growth” jig-spinning strongly depends on the conditions in which you catch: is fishing from a boat or from the shore, the size of the reservoir, etc.

A beginner when choosing a spinning rod for jig should proceed from the fact that the longer the length, all other parameters being equal, the farther the bait will fly. For jig fishing on a small river it will be enough to use a rod length of 240 cm. On the bank of a large reservoir or river will seem small length and 270 cm. There are still general “formulas”. As a rule, spinning rods for jigs are longer than for other types of fishing, for example, for twitching. In general, it should be said that 210 cm is the minimum length of spinning for jigs. The exception to this rule – rods for micro jigs, which will be discussed below.

Stroi

One of the most important characteristics of any spinning rod. Of all the variety of this parameter (fast, medium, slow) in 90% of cases for jig spinning are used spinning fast. They are labeled as “Fast”. Fast line means that under load the rod bends in its upper part. It should be said that the fast line is also of several types: “moderately – fast”, “medium – fast”, “extra – fast” (extra fast), etc. It allows you to better feel the bait and continuously control it when wiring. As a rule, the tip of the rod is flexible, and this is a distinctive feature of spinning for jigs. This is done in order, firstly, to track the fall of the bait on the bottom (jigging is, first of all, wiring on the bottom). Secondly, to fix the fish bites. In some cases, the flexible tops of blanks are painted in a contrasting color: white, red, etc.

Test on lures

A characteristic of spinning rod, which indicates the weight of bait (from minimum to maximum), with which the rod will work as efficiently as possible. If you use weights below the manufacturer’s recommended test, the spinning rod will not be able to throw the bait far.

If you exceed the recommended limit of the test, you can break the rod. Speaking about the test on baits, it is necessary to understand that, firstly, it is approximate and the more budgetary the rod, the more approximate its test is, as a rule. Secondly, at the extreme indicators of the test the rod will work not in full force (on the lower boundary of the test) or, on the contrary, on the limit (on the highest). For example: the test of a spinning rod for jigging is marked as 5 – 21. With a lure weighing 5 grams, the rod will not work at full strength when throwing. With a lure weighing 21 grams (if the test is real) the rod will be loaded to the maximum. To what leads to work at the limits of any mechanism and device is clear to most people. In addition to the bait test written on the rod, in practice there is such a concept as “test on wiring”. This means that if a spinning rod can cope with throwing a jig bait weighing 21g (the upper test limit), it may not cope with this weight when jigging (tosses, undermining, etc.) and the rod will “fail”.

The best spinning for jig will work on the average values of its test. On the example of the above test: 5 + 21 = 26, 26:2 = 13 (plus/minus 2). Bottom line: the most comfortable with this spinning will catch lures weighing 11 – 15 grams.

Jig directions

Depending on the weight of the baits used, all jig fishing and, accordingly, spinning for jig, approximately divided into several directions:

Microjig – delicate fishing with micro baits, which allows you to catch any fish on the most pressed reservoirs and has long claimed to be an independent direction in spinning.

Heavy jig – fishing with large jig baits at great depths, strong current.

Light and medium jig – more average concepts.

Material

The material of spinning for jig can be only one – carbon fiber. Carbon, carbon fiber, graphite, carbon – all these are names of the same material when it comes to a fishing rod. Neither fiberglass nor composite is applicable. Carbon fiberglass in rod construction can be of varying modularity. If not to go into chemistry, but to consider the purely practical side, then, firstly, the more high-modulus graphite is used in manufacturing, the lighter the rod turns out to be and the more comfortable fishing turns out to be. Secondly, the more sensitive the rod is. When fishing with a good spinning rod made of quality material, the spinningist does not even need to track the bites on the tip of the rod, the slightest touch of the bait fish are transferred, as they are called, “in the hand”. Experienced spinningist tactilely can distinguish not only nibbles, but also the fall of the bait on the bottom and even feel the different structure of the bottom. There is also the other side of the coin: the more high-modulus carbon fiber is used in manufacturing, the more expensive the rod is. Secondly, it is more fragile and requires more careful handling.

Fittings

The fittings of a spinning rod include guide rings, reel holder and the handle of the rod. The spool holder is quite simple – it should hold the spool securely during fishing. What the handle is made of (cork or so-called EVA) is a matter of personal preference. The biggest requirements are set to the inserts of the guide rings. More precisely, to the material from which they are made. They must have resistance to abrasives. The fact is that jig fishing is carried out by braided cords, which have these very abrasive properties. If the inserts of skipping rings will be made of poor-quality material, then very soon they will appear “kerfs”, which, in turn, will quickly wear out the “braided”. At a minimum, the inserts of rings on spinning rods for jigs should be made of metal-ceramic. It will be better if they are made of SIC (silicon carbide) material, which is quite expensive, or according to SIC technology in a cheaper version. It is difficult to determine “by eye” the quality of the ring, except when plastic inserts are used on very cheap spinning rods. You can be guided by the price of the spinning as a whole. Quality fittings are not quite cheap. You can choose proven manufacturers, which are known that they do not equip their rods with any hardware.

In general, jig fishing is a very interesting and exciting direction of fishing. Those who want to do it, it is worth spending time to choose a quality spinning rod for jig, suitable for individual fishing conditions and their personal preferences.

Top popular fishing rods for jigging

3 sets for microjigging

1. SLrods Atria MJ Custom 722UL + Stinger Innova Ultralight 2506 + Varivas Light Game Super Premium PE 150m 0.3
2. Maximus Pulse 702XUL + Shimano Soare BB 18 C2000SSPG + YGK Real Sports G-Soul X4 Upgrade 150m 0.3
3. Zemex Impressive S-702XUL + Daiwa Luvias-12 2004 + Sunline Small Game PE HG 150m 0.2

Conclusion

As a conclusion, let’s list the main points of the article:

Under jigging in the Russian and post-Soviet space mean fishing with loaded bait using stepped wiring and touching the bottom.

Length of spinning for jig

• There is no universal figure, it all depends on fishing conditions.
• The minimum length, as a rule, from 210 cm. An exception to the rule – microjig.

Stroi

• 90% of spinning rods are fast. The flexible tip helps to track the fall of the bait to the bottom and fix the fish’s nibbles.

Test

• The best rod for jigging, according to the author of the article, works best on the average values of its test (+/-2 grams).

Material

• Modern fishing rods are often made of carbon fiber. The higher the modularity of the graphite, the more sensitive and lighter the rod.

Rings

• Since we are talking about working with thin braids, the rings and their inserts should be made of durable, friction-resistant material.