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Forum nameSaltwater Fishing in California
Topic subjectJig Stick Question
Topic URLhttp://www.calfishing.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=4&topic_id=2750
2750, Jig Stick Question
Posted by , Thu Jul-26-01 05:26 AM
LAST EDITED ON Jul-26-01 AT 10:20 AM (PST)

Hi all-
I want to get into using Jig sticks to cast out iron. Does anyone have good inexpensive ideas for where to start? Pole, Reel, Irons vs. Live bait?

Also can jigs be used for deep water or is it mostly for surface action? What type of casting techniques are best for surface action?

I saw a couple good anglers on the last Stardust trip use jigs on the stern and they were knocking the cudas dead!! I was also informed that they can work great for albacore too?


Any help is appreciated,

Broom

2751, RE: Jig Stick Question
Posted by yellowtail, Thu Jul-26-01 06:16 AM
i was actually looking into getting a jig stick myself. a friend of mine who has been fishing for many years recommended i get a calstar 90j with a newell 338-5. this setup will run you a bit over a couple hundred bucks but is well worth it.
2752, RE: Jig Stick Question
Posted by , Thu Jul-26-01 06:36 AM
Fishing with surface irons can be a great technique at times. But, it takes practice, practice, practice. There are several types of irons... as an example there are lightweight surface irons, regular irons, and ling cod jigs. The latter being used strictly for up-and-down jigging since they are typically made of heavier metal. Regular irons, such as those made by Salas, can be casted out or jigged up-and-down.

I would suggest maybe getting a used jig stick from a tackle shop or garage sale or something. Calstar and Seeker make good jig sticks. Don't get anything less than 8 feet. For the reel, I would suggest getting something new. Newell makes some really nice reels for casting irons. You probably won't want to use anything that can't handle at least 30 lb. test.

Once you get your setup, try casting an iron (without hooks) in an open field or on the beach. It takes some time to develop a smooth technique. Just be patient and have fun...
2753, RE: Jig Stick Question
Posted by Leif, Thu Jul-26-01 07:19 AM
if you wanna be a stud, you have to get a seeker ulua 93H. its a 9'3" rod rated 30-60, much like any big jigstick, BUT it has to be the fattest rod of its kind. if you ever see a factory version, the guides look so out of place becuase the blank is so f'n big. the factory cost like $200, but once in a while they go on sale for $100, which is a good price. you could probably get one custom wrapped for $150 give or take, depending on who wraps it and the components.

as for the reel, ummmm a newell 533 with 40# would be a good choice, not overly expensive, like $150.

so there you have your self the MAN's jigstick. its what the deckhands on the long range boat's throw, and you can bounce 30# yellowtails with out fear. When i decide to buy a jigstick, that's what i'm gunna get.
2754, RE: Seeker?
Posted by , Thu Jul-26-01 07:45 AM
LAST EDITED ON Jul-26-01 AT 11:55 AM (PST)

I did see a sportmart deal for a seeker rod below $100 bucks? I know seeker isn't the rolls royce but for simple Stardust trips do you think it could suffice?

Also some one recommend me a Penn 3/0 reel? I believe it can handle 20-30 pound too. I am not too familar with Newell's reel. What's the difference?

I don't want to sound cheap but 400-500 bucks on a setup is a little pricey? Would anyone recommend putting the money on the Rod vs. the Reel?

Yikes, I am in too deep.

2755, RE: Seeker?
Posted by swimbait, Thu Jul-26-01 08:11 AM
I'd say put the money in the rod. Good rods are the Calstar 90J, 900L, or T100J. The T100J is the king in my opinion. A newell 332 is killer but to save bucks just get a jigmaster 500 and put the newell 5:1 gears in it.
T100's are really hard to come by but a custom one will run you around 200 bucks. The jigmaster is looking at 60 bucks I think? I got mine for 20 bucks at the Fred Hall show about 8 years ago.
You might even check out Graphtec if you can find them. I don't know if they make a big jigstick but their line of rods mirrors Calstar pretty closely for a lower price. Don't buy anything under 9 feet!
2756, RE: Seeker?
Posted by , Thu Jul-26-01 10:43 AM
In my opinion, the Penn 3/0 is too bulky for throwing irons. The Newells recommended by others on this thread would be a better choice mainly because they are smaller, have smoother drags, better gear ratios, etc.
2757, RE: Seeker?
Posted by swimbait, Thu Jul-26-01 10:46 AM
Who is recommending a 3/0?
That's way too big unless you are throwing a jig on 60lb for tuna.
2758, RE: Seeker?
Posted by Leif, Thu Jul-26-01 01:02 PM
um rob, just how big do you think a 3/0 is? its almost the same size as a jigmaster...
2759, RE: Jig Stick Question
Posted by brian, Thu Jul-26-01 01:08 PM
Any jigstick you're going to use on the Stardust will be for calico bass or barracuda. So, while I agree with leif that the Ulua 93 is one of the sweetest, whoopass jigsticks ever, you don't need it for the half day boat. As for graphiters (900L, 800L, etc.) the tips are generally too mushy to throw iron becuase they're graphite. The bend and spine is also kind of weird for the amount of pressure you want to grind on fish with. I'd reccommend a solid fiberglass stick. If I had to choose three companies to pick a jigstick from, it would be Calstar, Seeker, or Truline. Truline makes some really sweet oldskool jigsticks. That'll probably be my next jigstick. Rob's got it right, the T100 (aka 100J, or T100J) is the stick for 1/2 day to overnight inshore trips. Perfect for surface iron for koods or calicos. I've got a T540 which is very similar to the T100 but it's a little beefier and is more of a yellowtail stick. The 90J or T100 are both great light duty jigsticks. They're made by Calstar, BTW.

Reels-
You either love Newell or you hate em. Some series of reels, according to the year they were made, are good, some are bad. It gets kind of confusing as to which series are good and which are bad. The newer reels aren't as good as the older ones, so I'd suggest finding a later model Newell (don't count on saving any money though...). The 332-5 is a good choice for your application. It's 99 size which is the size of a narrow jigmaster. Also called the albacore special. If you're on a budget, go for the jigmaster, like Rob says. Make sure it has the aluminum spool and not the heavy metal one. If you do get the heavy metal one, I can make it superfree, for a low low price... LMAO. (sorry, you probably didn't catch that joke). IMO, the Newells are better reels, but a jigmaster will get you by just fine. Drags and gear strength and one piece frames and stuff aren't important for calico bass and barracuda because you're not putting a whole lot of stress on the reel. You can catch barracuda with a bass reel for god's sake...
-Brian
2760, RE: Jig Stick Question
Posted by brian, Thu Jul-26-01 05:52 PM
Whoops, forgot to mention the Harnells. Check out the Harnell 542. Sweet parabolic jigstick for iron slingin.
-Brian
2761, RE: Jig Stick Question
Posted by , Fri Jul-27-01 06:19 AM
Where do they sell Calstar's? I have looked around a few tackle shops like Eric's tackle and Hook Line and Sinker, but only saw a limited selection.... I think I am going to go with a 9ft Seeker Jig with a jigmaster. Where can I find an aluminum jigmaster? According to some of your guys estimate that it will be around $200 for this setup. Figuring that the seeker is around $120 and the reel is $70?

I am on a limited budget here cause I do want to have the stardust ticket money too!! ;)
2762, RE: Jig Stick Question
Posted by Leif, Fri Jul-27-01 09:21 AM
just curious which seeker? the g6490 is supposed to be a good one.

a jigmaster is a good choice. when you have some cash to spare, get a narrow frame and spool. this will make it less of a hassle to wind the line back on when your burning a jig across the surface.
2763, RE: Jig Stick Question
Posted by yellowtail, Mon Jul-30-01 03:01 AM
hey brian,
about the harnell 542, what's a parabolic jigstick? never heard of it; sounds pretty cool though...
2764, RE: Jig Stick Question
Posted by brian, Mon Jul-30-01 06:36 AM
Most fiberglass rods are parabolic. That means it bends throughout the whole blank, rather than shutting off or having a defined backbone. Non-parabolic rods would have, for example, a really soft tip and then lots of backbone, like a graphiter. Since the sticks we're talking about are 10ft. long, they don't really need a backbone because they're so big that it takes a lot of pressure to put a parabola in that blank all the way to the handle... There are advantages and disadvantages. Parabolic rods kill fish pretty quick, but they're also tough on the angler. Especially 10ft. of em. A good sized yellow will ruin your day. But, if you're hardcore enough you can turn em quick and put the hurt to em. That's sort of the fun with the big jigsticks, you gotta grind on em and pull as hard as you can and hope you don't get your @$$ kicked. Parabolic jigsticks also toss jigs pretty well. Since the blank flexes pretty far down, it'll launch the jig pretty far. When you cast a parabolic rod though, it's more of a slow, sweeping motion rather than a full on jig huck. I couldn't tell you whether or not my 540 is parabolic or not, but it doesn't act like it. There's no way I could put a bend in that rod all the way to the handle if I wanted to. So, I fish it like it's not parabolic and just huck em. I think the Harnell 542 is a little lighter and flexes a little farther down the blank so you have to sweep rather than huck. Those Harnells and Trulines are oldschool, totally awesome rods. I will definitely be buying at least one of each sometime in the not so near future.
-Brian
2765, RE: Jig Stick Question
Posted by MrTree, Sat Jul-28-01 07:15 PM
Tried out the Graftech jig stick. The rod seems ok and inexepensive but the cork tape just sucks. Immediately falling apart after the first use.
2766, Got the Reel
Posted by , Mon Aug-13-01 08:59 AM
I picked up a Shimano Calcutta 400. The reel is sweet and now the quest is on for the rod. I do hear that the calcutta 400 isn't really meant for Iron so I might need to switch up with a different reel for that. I am just happy that I am half way there to the Jig "Master" :)

Funny story about getting the reel. My friend told me about his calcutta reel and how he would sell it to me at about 1/2 cost. We decided to meet up on the StarDust twilight on Friday to make the transaction. I whip out a new crisp C-note and hand it off to him. I took the reel and strapped it on to my rod and admired it's glitter. My friend comes back from purchasing a celebration beer from the galley. For some odd reason he decides to inspect his wallet and the C-note grew wings and decided to go man over board. I looked at my friend and both of started to laugh. I don't know what to think of it. A very expensive Twilight trip or a gift to the ocean gods. I am very thankful that my new reel didn't jump or else the whole scenario would of been a tradegy. Oh well.


Broomy
2767, RE: Got the Reel
Posted by , Tue Aug-14-01 06:27 AM
Match that Calcutta 400 with a Calstar 800XL and you've got an ideal set-up. Knock 'em dead!
2768, RE: Jig Stick Question
Posted by , Tue Jul-31-01 05:43 PM
I wrapped two 9 foot seekers in the last year. One was the fiberglass 690J and the other the composite CSJ90. The composite makes the rod a lot lighter and easier to cast if you're not a big guy. Either one is a great 20# jig stick for tossing med. sized surface irons.

If you're on a tight budget, I wouldn't spend the extra cash on a calstar. I've got a bunch of seekers and just love 'em. For the reel, you might check out the shimano TLD star 15/30. Bigfishtackle.com has it on sale for $80 right now. Not a bad deal. They've got the Daiwa Sealine-X 30SHV for $110 as well. Those things freespool very nicely and I'm sure cast just as well.

TL,
Adam
2769, RE: Jig Stick Question
Posted by brian, Tue Jul-31-01 05:48 PM
If you want a composite, definitely go Seeker.
-Brian
2770, Back to Seeker Rod suggestions...
Posted by , Mon Aug-06-01 08:09 AM
I see through seekerrods.com that they provide 4 different sticks:

A660-6 = 6' upto 50lb
A665-6 1/2 = 6'6' upto 50lb
A670-7 = 7' upto 80lb
A270H-8' Cork Tape = 8' upto 40lb

Which is more useful? I am assuming the 8 footer is ideal lenghth for me but the max weight for the pole seems to be a little low? Hmm?

Any thoughts?

2771, RE: Back to Seeker Rod suggestions...
Posted by Leif, Mon Aug-06-01 09:34 AM
you don't want any of those for what your doing. well, the 270h-8 mite be ok, but go longer. look at the G6490. its a composite rod, rated 20-40.
2772, RE: Back to Seeker Rod suggestions...
Posted by brian, Mon Aug-06-01 05:53 PM
Yeah, those rods aren't really jigsticks. Generally to qualify as a jigstick, it has to be at least 8ft. and beefy. I fish Calstar, but if I HAD to pick a Seeker jigstick (other than the Ulua 93) it would be the SD8. If you want an 8' seeker jigstick, definitely look at this one. It's modeled after the old Truline D8 which is considered by many as one of the best jigsticks ever. It's a pretty classic rod. Other than that, look into the SJ100 for a 10' stick.
-Brian
2773, RE: Back to Seeker Rod suggestions...
Posted by MrTree, Wed Aug-29-01 06:05 AM
Can anyone tell me the model # for a Seeker Ulua 93H blank.

Thanks!
2774, RE: Back to Seeker Rod suggestions...
Posted by brian, Wed Aug-29-01 07:58 AM
ULUA93H
2775, RE: Back to Seeker Rod suggestions...
Posted by MrTree, Wed Aug-29-01 09:23 AM
:) Pretty self explanatory. Thought that was it but I missed it the first time around on the Seeker website. Time to go to the optometrist.
11999, RE: Back to Seeker Rod suggestions...
Posted by Jig_Fish, Wed May-12-04 11:25 AM
i have a calstar 90j and a newell 332 love the thing

i had a calstar 690 j the rod is just to flimsy at the tip

If was you i would go for the calstar 90j and the newell 322 or a seeker 540 wich is a 10 ft stick.
12058, RE: Back to Seeker Rod suggestions...
Posted by broomstick, Wed May-19-04 08:34 AM
I am back again after many years of pier fishing with rasta men smoking funny ciggarettes.

I have nice jig stick from sportmart with a calcutta reel. It hauled in two beauty berries this weekend. When everyone on stardust boat go surface, broomstick go bottom and pulled in nice red. Dane properly used gaff after jason slapped dine on his head. Oh good times by all.

Cheers-