Has anybody tried setting up a jig and float system on a spey rod? Given the popularity of jigs and the lengh of spey rods, it sounds like it could be a great match for line control. I'm not so sure when it comes to casting. Has anybody fished jig heads of 1/4 and 1/8 oz with a float on a spey rod. It sure seems like it would be a lot of fun to fish with. Ok guys, I need some help!!!

Steel2

Putting anything on any fly rod except a fly, in my opinion is "WRONG".
For me and a lot of people might agree with me is that when i throw my fly rod, its for the ultimate rush, "THE GRAB". there is nothing else in my experience that satifies me more than when a steelie grabs that fly.
You not looking for the rod to bend or your bobber the go down. Just wait for that feel when that fish takes the fly and sends a rush of energy through the line.
just my 2c's

Yeah, it's been done, it's a good way to fish very slow water that doesn't have enough current to be fished with the traditional downstream swing. Just one thing, tie your fly with lead dumbbell eyes and lots of marabou, but don't ever call it jig, and, whatever you do, remember that your float is not a "float" but a "strike indicator". If you're using one of the commercially made interchangeable-tip lines, just leave off the sinking tip and loop your leader directly to the floating belly section. It may not cast very well (and it may not really be fly fishing), but it does allow you to fish some water that you wouldn't otherwise be able to.

Hi :I have built several of my shorter,13 and 14foot spey casters ith two reelseats.This allows me to ue either a flyreel or a centerpin or a baitcaster with these rods. Most speycaster rods have fairly firm tip sections so they make reasonable float rods.
They certainly will fish jigs as well as virtually any other type of lure.
If you plan to try to fish even a 3/8 oz jig from a flyline I suggest you use the shortest possible head with some form of running line. If you backcast that sucker any distance behind you and manage to hit yourself on the back of the head with your forward cast you will be seeing stars for a week.
coot

Funny - I was just wondering the same thing today Seriously.

A lot of the fun I get from fishing is just thinking of new things to try. I learn what others do, then try to do it with my own spin.

Of course, it would not be 'fly fishing', and could not be used in 'fly fishing only' waters, but I've seen sections on the Sky that I'd love to try it on.

i also agree - that feeling of that fish taking your fly while dead drifting, swinging, or hanging downstream is awesome! But to me, the best part is a hookup, followed by a short hesitation (rock? branch? Fish???) then the affirmation - a head shake! Fish on! Then - is he gonna run? Jump? Life is good. What it took to get there (ie spin fishing, drift fishing, float fishing, fly fishing) is suddenly less important than 'the moment'. And unless I'm looking for a coho for dinner - I don't really care how the battle ends...

fishnbud
Im not a purist by any means. i like to drift eggs or corkies, and float bobbers. but when im throwing my fly rod typically im swinging a fly which i prefer. 99.9% of the time i get a bump or grab its a fish. there is no doubt, no hesistation
the best is when you set the hook and they thrash around and jump out of the water, the head shaking starts, they strip line and my reel screams!!!!
I love it

Nikkomutt,

I am not a purist as well. I do have a very nice driftrod that I really enjoy, but I do like to fish speyrods. The truth of the matter, at least in my case, is that the sinktip fishes well in a small portion of the swing, which is the last one third, which is also where the takes will happen most of the time. My success rate in winter with the flyrod has been marginal, therefore I would like to learn more on how to increase the number of takes.

Thanks for your input!!

Steel2

Yep,
I make some of my purer flyfishing partners puke when I tote my 11 1/2 foot two hander along with the setup you are talking about. I like the feel of fighting a fish on the flyrod using a single action reel. I almost usethis setup exclusively on the small brushy rivers around my home. I've overlined a stiff 8/9 with an 11 wt saltwater taper floater. Use nothing heavier thatn a 1/16 oz head (great products from First Cast and Rainbow Jigs) and the second smallest cork "strike indicator" (the natural cork with the orange platic insert). It is a bit akward at first, but roll casting to, and tight lining slots that are unfishable with other methods are now possible. I also tie up dumbell eyed flys on downturned eye 3X or 4X long steamer hooks that work the same as a jig. I had to play around with the line weight for a while before I found the right weight and taper to move this heavy setup. It is deadly and at times outfishes many other methods. I also cut down the butt section of my rod about three inches since I was having trouble with the line wrapping around it when making casts.
I still enjoy swinging flies in the right conditions, but where I fish it is virtually impossible in many situations where I knew fish held. I guess its more a techinique that evolved out of the love for using fly rods and combining that with the lust for higher fish production.