Rod and Reel opinions needed

[MoSam]

I am looking to buy a new rod and reel for casting 1/16th oz. jigs. I would like the rod to be 6'- 6' 6" long, complete rod not 2 halves and very sensitive. As far as reels go I have always used Shimano reels but am willing to try a different brand. I like a really smooth reel, and I am a fan of the rear drag system but it's not a must have. I am not looking for cheap but the G Loomis I looked at today is out of the question too! With my luck I would spend G Loomis money and then kick it overboard before I get a chance to fish with it! Thanks in advance for your opinions.

[Fred in Ky]

I know you said 1 piece but I have some B&M 8' jiggin' rods that I love. I cast 1/16 jig 99% of the time and have no problems with them. I can "feel" every twig, branch, bump, and "thump". I also have BPS IM8 6'6" 1pc rod in "M' action that works pretty good, have a couple of the Wally Marshalls 9' Sig. that are very good. I would buy another B&M jiggin' pole in a heart beat if something happened to mine.

[Illinoisgiller]

Bass Pro in the Micro-Lite series. Check online or catalog. Sale on now. I just ordered 4 more yesterday and have 3 sizes already. Sweet rod. IMO Mike

[Sandman]

Check out the St. Croix line of rods. They are very well built and most if not all carry a lifetime warranty. IMO every bit as good as G.Loomis at about 1/2 the cost. As for the reels...I usually buy less expensive ones for Crappie and better ones for bass and my fly rods so I can't be of much help there. I do however favor Shimano and Abu Garcia. I posted a while back on another thread that a worker at Bass Pro told my dad that there were only three manufacturers of reels...Shimano and Abu Garcia made their own and large conglomerate company made all the rest. Don't know if that is true or not?? Also, when I bought my first flyrod I bought a Cabela's rod. I spoke to a product specialist about it first and he told me that G. Loomis made a lot of the Cabela's blanks. Loomis made the one I bought and it has been a very good rod. Check out those St. Croix rods...I think you will be impressed.

[Greenwing]

Sandman is right check out St.Croix. For 1/16th I use a 6'6" Utralight St. Croix premier it is a great rod,very sensitive for around $80.00 and it is made in the USA. The reel on it is a Okuma Epixor EF15 makes for a great combo.

[luv2fish]

I third that....I have a St. Croix Avid 6'6" ul I've used ( and abused ) for a couple of years....love it....I think you'd be hard pressed to find better...I put a quantum energy E10pti on it that I really like also

[skiptomylu]

For my money I stick to Shamino reels and I also really like my St. Croix 7' Avid. However for a less expensive choice for the rod you may want to look at the Falcon line. I have a couple of them and like them a lot.

I also like Castaway rods.

[TampaJim]

A couple of weeks ago I purchased an ultralight rig. I wanted a shorter rod than you for better control ... but, the reel is to die for. I finally spent the big bucks (from Momma's cookie jar, but don't tell) and bought a Shimano Stradic 1000 on a 5-1/2 foot XPS Extreme rod from BPS.

The reel is ultra-smooth and my casting distance is nothing short of spectacular. I recommend the reel without hesitation. My future will be filled with fewer rods and reels and higher quality - same money, different strategy.

[dreeser]

I know you said 1 piece but I have some B&M 8' jiggin' rods that I love. I cast 1/16 jig 99% of the time and have no problems with them. I can "feel" every twig, branch, bump, and "thump". I also have BPS IM8 6'6" 1pc rod in "M' action that works pretty good, have a couple of the Wally Marshalls 9' Sig. that are very good. I would buy another B&M jiggin' pole in a heart beat if something happened to mine.

is b&m the same as buck's jig pole?8ft seems short,do you vertical jig in standing timber or in button willows?how do you feel about lake maps pubisher that is?aid,hotspots,have you heard of atlantic? thanks

[Moose1am]

I believe that BnM makes a rod called bucks Jig pole but I could be wrong. It does sound very familar.

https://secure.redmagnet.com/bnmpoles/index.cfm


Check the above web site to find out for sure.

is b&m the same as buck's jig pole?8ft seems short,do you vertical jig in standing timber or in button willows?how do you feel about lake maps pubisher that is?aid,hotspots,have you heard of atlantic? thanks