Looks like its going to be a low & clear jig fishin year, but I am still strugglin to find the right outfit to use. I'm open to any and all suggestions you might have that would help me find the right combination of rod/reel/line without further hassle.

My preference is to use baitcaster (if that's possible). I have better line control. I love my 251's but they're getting tired. Is there one smooth enough to cast light lures with a heavier mendable line. I'd love to be able to match a light bobber with light lures. I've heard good things about the Curado. I will use a spin caster if I have to but I still haven't found a "sweet" winter one yet.

I'm also thinking I need a longer rod than 9' for a longer mendable drift, but which one can cast lighter weights without giving up backbone. The flyfishing blanks Ive been using are just too slow. Durability is about as important as performance since it will become a boat rod like all the rest of my arsenal.

I know the ideal jig rig combo is incomplete without mention of the line and terminal tackle. I am finding that this kind of fishing is more like flyfishing than anything else with respect to balancing all components for maximum performance but there are so few places and resources to go to in order to get such advice. Seems like some of the jig websites and the stores and rod makers out there "specializing" in this growing method of fishing would do better to offer more information to help us "lost sheep". Then again they may not have sold as much unbalanced and inferior stuff to me and others as they have.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Gettin' jiggy with it.

I fish a 10.5 ft Lami Cert Pro with a Shimano Sahara spinning reel. The rod is sweet, but perhaps a little on the light side, 6-10lb. I bought if as a summer rod and will have to see how it performs on some winter fish, I think it will be fine. The length is perfect. The reel is a pretty good deal for the $. It's not a Stradic, but works well and came with 2 aluminum spools. I tried float fishing with a Curado SF, it works but for me a spinning reel is the way to go.

If you are dead set on going with a bait caster I'd use a Curado SF sitting on a good 10ft rod, like Lami's Herzog rod. This setup will work well either drift fishing or floating jig and bobber.

I am finding the same questions going through my head . As i much prefer a bait castet to a spining rod . so far I have been frustrated with spining reels which even with new good quality line ( Maxima ulta green) the line fouls and often comes off the spool in a bunch . I whould rather pick out a backlash as it is quicker and easier. I have found that I can drift fish with this ten six - 2to 8 lb rod and it casts long and easy if desired. But I want to learn to fish jigs so will keep tryingany and all methods as it needs to be in my arsanal. and after all one is never so smart that one can't improve. I also am looking for help thanks to all who reply. glennski

I really can't learn to like fishing with a spinning reel. That's why I jig fish with the 10 1/2 foot Dave Vedder Lamiglas rod rated for 8-12 pound line. The Herzog rod is fine too.

I do think that nothing is as good for fishing low clear water as a spinnning reel a Thill Turbomaster #3 float and an 1/8 ounce jig with no added weight.

But, if you want to keep away from the spinning reel the 10 1/2 foot Lamis are great.

Hey glennski...I think part of the problem with your reel is there may be too much line on it. Another reason may be the Maxima,it's a great line but I think it's too stiff for spinning reels.

I like to use the 10' 8-12 Herzog from Lamiglas with a thill turbo #3 and a 1/4 oz jig. I have been using a Calcutta 401 TE but also the Abu 5501C3 works great. The Veddar rods at 10.5' work great also, just depends on whether you prefer the extra 6". Great winter steelie combo either way.

MJ

Mooch, what I found that workes really well for me is the loomis 1143 with a curado baitcaster. With this combo I can do just about anything I want considering the rivers I fish Kalama , elow and the toutle. It really has been a fine combo . Good luck to you on your search Drift.

Thanks everyone for all your super input.

I gotta tell you tho I've been splitting a gut over one very ironic thing that has come out of all this. Seems I've been out of touch for a while. In a couple of other threads I've posted in tonight the Herzog name has popped up.

I ran with a Bill Herzog for a short time many eons ago. Awesome fisherman, born not made. Great guy who I have the upmost respect and esteem for as a fisherman and a person. And now I see a signiture "jig" rod with his name on it. We must be talkin about a different guy. The Bill I knew could find steelhead in the Sahara desert, but if told him all he could fish with was a jig and a bobber he would fly into a tirade and catch them barehanded first. The only way I could ever to get Bill riled was to suggest using a jig and bobber if things were slow. For Bill jig fishing was sacreligeous. Even back in the 70-80's we knew it was effective but for Bill it was the last straw.

Now to my way of thinking when someone is talking steelhead and Herzog in the same sentence there can only be one Herzog, and that's Bill. So pardon me if I seem like Rip Van Winle waking up from a many years nap to a world gone mad. To me it is the ultimate irony to hear of a "jig" rod with Herzog's name on it. Bill, are they goofin' on you the way I used to? Is this the ultimate misuse and perversion of the ideal drift & spoon rod? Say it isn't so Bill.

I just gotta get me one of these rods!

Mooch,

It aint so. He still considers them training wheels of sorts. No the rod it one kick A** spoon rod. It just happens to be a damn fine jig rod to boot. I bought it to spoon fish but it does double duty for me. I either throw spoons or float fish. I tad short for the perfect float rod but I still like it. I do have a few dedicated float rods but they are longer than 10'.

MJ

I'm asking santa for a casting 1143 to go with the spinning one I already have. Fantastic rod that can pitch light weights and still handle big winter nates without killing them.

And don't use UG on your spinning reels. Too stiff. Ask specifically for a good limp, low memory line for spinning reels at your local tackle shop. If they don't know, go somewhere else. I like Stren Magnathin.

glenski
Make sure your line is going on the right way and after you put it on try stretching it. Tie a swivel on the end of the line and put a hook on the swivel, then put the hook in a piece of wood and back up letting line out for 75 yds or so and pull tight. Try izorline if the other doesn't help. Never had it blow up on me. Sometimes it can be blamed on the reel itself. I hate that line explotion stuff.
Glowi

Man it seems I am doing it all the opposite of everyone else. About 16 years ago I purchased on of the first noodle rods lamiglass put out it is 9 foot long and is made for a spinning reel. I have a mitchel pro series reel with the trigger drag and bottom adjusted drag. Never had any problems with line ever with a spinning reel. Unless I used it for trolling heavy pop gear and twisted it all up. Anyway back to the noodle rod. It has worked great for me for a number of years and caught it fair share of stealhead over the years. When i first got this setup you were just starting to see people jig fishing we used red and white plastice bobbers and crappie jigs. They worked but watch out for that rock or no more bobber. Up to that point we bounce bait on the bottom or threw spoons at them.

To those fishin spinning gear. Have you tried braided line? The stuff has almost 0 memory and floats as well. It's really nice for float and jig. I prefer 14 pound Fireline for my 6-10 10.5 foot Lam. Cert Pro with Stradic 2000. Caught a lot of fish inc a 22 pound winter run.

Mooch and others:

The following has served me well for many yrs.

1. ROD--10.5' Shimano OR Shakespeare rod, can be bought at Sportco for $69-$79. They work very well for summer run and low water winter run OR for my fishing out of a small jet boat.

2. REEL--Shimano Spirex 2000 OR Shimano Symetre 2000. Have both, and both work well, with a super drag system.

3. LINE--Ande, ENVY...8, 10, 12 pound. It's soft, lays correctly.......bought at Sportco, spools cost about $5.00 for 600+ yards.

4. I do use leader material from the bobber down to the jig BUT I have caught many fish, just fishing direct.

I think its crazy to spend $150.00+ for a jig rod, when there is something available that will get the job done.

"Worse day sport fishing, still better than the best day working"

I like the TH 1143c (9'6" 6-12#) with the SicTi guides
we sell more 1143 rods than any other model we offer, it is by far our most popular rodl

TH,
Why do you suppose the 9'6" is your biggest seller vs. a 10 or 10'6"? From what I gather reading everyone's comments about jig fishing the longer rod would give better line control.

Is there a certain point to where the added benefit doesn't equal or justify the added length?

I emailed you the other day about building me a rod, and I'm having a heck of a time trying to decide on one of the three lengths.

I'd say the 1143 is so popular because it's an extremely versatile rod. I like my 1143 because I like a longer rod than an 8.5'er. An 1143 is long enough to use with a bobber and jig,and also to drift fish. I've caught Humpies,Silvers and a Chums on my 1143,and also used it for Silvers at Seiku. If I don't know which rod to take I always reach for my 1143.

I think the 1143 is our most popular float rod for a number of reasons.
-the 1143 is much easier to control and cast than a 10'+ rod, many times placement of the jig/worm/bait is critical to ones success... I am always looking for a specific place to cast, never just wing'n it out there..

- I think the fact that it doubles as great drift rod, or a great spoon/spinner rod, where the 10'+ rods make for a poor drift rod, and are even poor spoon rods (but they will work) due to the sluggish response in the extra length.

-I think some people are still intimidated with a 10'+ rod..
I know I would rather fight a fish on a 1143 than the 1263, I find that I have more cotrol and can manuver the rod quicker, with the shorter rod.

Many people dont like the fact that the 10'+ rods, even broken down, are 5'+ the extra 6 inches makes a difference.

Please don't get me wrong... the longer rods make it easier to mend line... at times..however, an experienced float fisherman can due it with an 8'6" rod..
I know our very one "Bob" fishes a float with the 1025... and does it very well!

The longer rods are definately growing in popularity., and will (as they are up North) become common place down here soon..

These are my personal opinions.. I was really excied to get our first demo 1263 blanks from Rainshadow last year.. but.. now.. I fish a float under the 1143.

Our rivers down south are no where big enough to demand the extra foot.. there is nothing I can't do with the 1143. .. and having a longer rod in some cases would be very akward.

Well TH I guess we all have an opinion. Mine is that a ten foot rod can be great for drift fishing and for spoons and is okay for flaots, if a bit short.

I cannot agree that the 10 footer does not make a good spoon rod. Bill Hrzog is one of, if not, the best spoon fishermen alive today. He designed and uses the 10 fott Lamiglas rod with his name on it. That should convince most folks.

Once I started using a 10 1/2 foot float rod I have never gone back to the shorter rods even for drift fishing. I love the extra length for line mending for keeping the line off the water and for the added leverage. We all see things diffrently but I know I will never go back to a shorter rod.

I will agree that on small brushy streasm the long rod can be a hassel, for every other situation I fish it is a huge plus.

I remember when a nine foot rod was considered a long one. Now we are beginning to see that size does matter.

Thanks all.

This has been a very informative thread for me on float fishing tackle. More good useable info than I've heard in a month of Sundays from the shops I've been to. I'm much clearer than before on the rod and reel, but this fishing line thing has got me baffled. So many choices, so little time.

Power Pro (or Fire something), whatever these new fangled braided lines are called, all look perfect for straight float fishing. I can see awesome advantages like floatation, visibility, strength, mendability, low memory and more capacity and smoother casting on a baitcaster, like a Curado. But I don't want to give up my day job or stop drift fishing either. And the disadvantages here concern me. First tying a Palomar, blood knot or whatever you have to do is no small matter when your retying all the time. For one thing I'm either squinting through trifocals, on the oars or fishing in low light. The other is speed, being able to attach lead to my mainline tag (I like to keep it simple) and of course, having supreme confidence in the knot when I SET the hook and play the fish. I also don't like the idea of stressing the rod just trying to pull free (loads of fun when the boat is headed down a riffle and you get snagged). A penney for your thoughts on this stuff.

If I stay mono what are some good choices in a high vis (I often see pick ups before I feel em), soft, mendable, smooth casting and durable line. For drifting I am sold on Maxima, but recently I have been using 12 or 15# Ande florescent green for plugs and what little float fishing I have done last couple of years. Seems fine but then I respool fresh main to a backing regularly.

Seems like fishing line is like golf balls these days. More choices than you can shake a club, I mean rod, at. No lack of hype either.

Thanks again.