Finesse Jig Setup

[Elite1984]

What would you guys recommend for a finnese jig rod and reel gear ratio?

[BassMoJo]

I have a med heavy st. croix avid series with shimano stradic spinning of course I love it

[Elite1984]

would you recommend a baitcaster? I was kinda wondering if one of those new boyd duckett rods would work. The one that is 7'3" MH and XF tip.

[BigBassin144]

I'd probably go with casting gear. As the "normal" finesse jigs are 3/16 and 5/16oz, you should have too much of a problem casting or pitching them, especially with the right reel.

What's you budget for this setup? I could suggest a $150 combo or an $800 one.

BB

[carolina-rig-01]

I throw my finesse jigs on a 7' Heavy rod paired with a Revo Sx with a 7.1:1 gear ratio. Honestly I think that the length of the rod will just depend on what is comfortable to you but anything from 6'10" - 7'2" would be ideal. Some guys might recommend a medium heavy rod and that is ok too but I just like the extra strength in a heavy powered rod. I also would recommend a good flourocarbon line, like Seaguar AbrazX.

[rrw4258]

I really took to a finesee jig early in the year and had a lot of success with them this past season. I like a 7' MH for finesse jigs, and I also like it to have just a little bit of tip to it.

Ryan

[screwballl]

I prefer a 7ft M rod with spinning reel... I believe they handle the finesse lures better.

[Elite1984]

Thanks for all the good advice everyone!! I think ill be going with a 7' MH casting setup

[BigBassin144]

Calling them finesse jigs is kind of misleading. Kind of like a weightless senko that can weigh from 3/8 to almost 1oz, lol. That's why I prefer to throw them on casting gear.

BB

[Bender]

Like BB said, what is normally considered a finesse jig is just a standard jig with the skirt cut on the front so that it sticks out. In any case they are usually somewhere around 1/4 oz. but then if you add a trailer it gets heavier. I've been using a 7' MH Fast St. Croix Premier with a high speed Zillion reel and 10# line. I should probably go up to 12-15# line though.

[Bassboss]

I'd definitely suggest casting combo with a senstive M action rod. Casting reels that can handle light baits are Daiwa SOL, Shimano Curado 50e, Daiwa Steez, and I've heard the BPS carbon light casts light baits well too. 10lb flouro on the reel for sure!

[3dkicker]

E - Couple things to keep in mind
1) Length of rod is determined by your height and what type of cover you'll be fishing. Long rods 7'+ are better for taller people and open water conditions. Shorter rods 6'6" and shorter are better for shorter people and close conditions like covered docks.
2) Weight of the lure will typically determine if you chose a med, medhvy, or hvy power rod. You can use a light jig on a hvy rod but it won't perform as well as if it was used on a med rod. Same the other way around. Check the lure weight range on the rod. They put it there for this reason.
3) The reel needs to match the rod and technique to get the maximum out of the combo as well. Certain reels cast a small jig better than others.
4) What line you plan on using is also a consideration to have too when picking the reel. Heavy line and light jigs on the wrong reel and you're asking for backlashes or poor performance.
5) If you have a reel already take it with you and a jig you plan to use and test out the new rod at the store. Better yet see if a friend already has one you can test out first on the water.

[stratosjoe]

I thought finesse fishing was using spinning tackle med-light 1/8 oz finesse jigs small trailers or 3 1/2 tubes with 1/16 oz when did it go to med hvy or hvy?

[bamabassman]

the heavy action rod give oyu more UMPH on your hook set stratosjoe. better hook ratio i think.

[stratosjoe]

so basically fishing a finesse jig is a term for fishing a downsized jig with regular jig rod and reel in hvy cover.

[bamabassman]

bascially......yes. to me anyway. lol.

[Lvitch]

For the small jigs and light cover I use a 6'6" mh spinning rod with 10lb test. That's for finesse fishing with small (1/4 oz max) jigs. I fish std tackle with "finesse" or "spider jigs" in med cover though though.

[M_A_C_K]

std tackle... are you fishing for crabs... that was a joke guys lol

[Bassboss]

the ratio reel depends on what kinda fisher you are. If you're the type that likes to speed along, and tends not to go slow enough, go with a 6.x:1, if you're on the slower side, and can fish slow when you need to, go with a 7.x:1.

Get a good sensitive rod with good guides, enough tip to flick the light jigs, and enough back bone to drive the hook home.

[tomegun]

I suggest go with the med-hvy and also get a med rod. You can use the same reel for both until you get two reels.

You can throw everything with a med-hvy. Plus, I'll run 8lb line on a baitcaster too.