Jigging Rod & Reel Setup

[assists21]

Greeting All!

New to kayak fishing and want to make it out to the BB for some striper jigging. Any recommendations for a good rod and reel setup? Looking for reel types and rod length recommendations. Thanks guys!

[ES Fisherman]

If you haven't already go to Chesapeakelighttackle.com, you'll learn everything you need about jigging. For an inexpensive setup I'd go with a 6'6" medium heavy bass pro graphite series paired with a 3000 shimano spinning reel. If you want to spend a little more $ for a better setup I'd recommend a bass pro Johnny Morris or st crois mojo bass medium, ex-fast rod. Again paired with a 3000 shimano spinning reel or a baitcaster such as the pro qualifier or an Abu Garcia revo.

[HJS]

I pretty much use the same rig size that ES Fisherman recommends. I too buy the Bass Pro, 6'6", MH rod with a 2500 Shimano spinning reel. A BIG however though. The tip-top guide on the BPS rods are always too small to comfortable pass a double uni-knot without seriously dinging... and sometimes, if I use a heavier mono leader, the uni knot won't fit through the tip guide. First thing I do with a new rod is replace tip-top guide with a bigger one... problem solved.

For line I use 10# to 14# Fireline, flame green, and tie on about 6' of 20# mono.

[assists21]

I have noticed that shimano 2500's come in a couple different model. Prices vary greatly. Could you tell me some recommendation?

[sparky1423]

I pretty much use the same rig size that ES Fisherman recommends. I too buy the Bass Pro, 6'6", MH rod with a 2500 Shimano spinning reel. A BIG however though. The tip-top guide on the BPS rods are always too small to comfortable pass a double uni-knot without seriously dinging... and sometimes, if I use a heavier mono leader, the uni knot won't fit through the tip guide. First thing I do with a new rod is replace tip-top guide with a bigger one... problem solved.

For line I use 10# to 14" Fireline, flame green, and tie on about 6' of 20# mono.

I just started jigging last year, it's hard for me not to troll. My issue is braid getting tangled around my first eyelet just before I start lowering my rod tip to follow the lure back down. That's the only negative factor that I can find with braid...maybe it's just me.

[ES Fisherman]

I have noticed that shimano 2500's come in a couple different model. Prices vary greatly. Could you tell me some recommendation?

Depends on your budget. The sahara is a good lower end and stradic is good on the higher end. They'll both get the job done but you get what you pay for.

[ES Fisherman]

I just started jigging last year, it's hard for me not to troll. My issue is braid getting tangled around my first eyelet just before I start lowering my rod tip to follow the lure back down. That's the only negative factor that I can find with braid...maybe it's just me.

It's not just you, happens to everyone. There's no way to 100% avoid it but some rods do it a lot more than others, also depends on jigging technique and wind direction (wind blowing at you will throw line over the guide). I haven't used them myself but fuji "k" guides are supposed to greatly reduce wrapping.

[J.A. Veil]

I have noticed that shimano 2500's come in a couple different model. Prices vary greatly. Could you tell me some recommendation?

Shimano sells quite a few models of spinning reels. To some extent, you get what you pay for (smoother operation, more bearings, better salt resistance, etc) as you move up in price. Each person finds their own preferred cost-to-value point in the product line. Years ago I bought a used Stradic and found it to perform much better than the lower end models I had at that time. Over the years, as my fishing budget increased, I replaced all the lower-priced models with Stradics. Today, I use Shimano Stradic reels on all my spinning rods. I have them from several different generations (FH, FI, FJ, Ci4) and in 1000, 2500, and 3000 sizes. Obviously I think they are excellent reels. The current FJ generation sells at retail for $179.99 up to the 3000 size, and $199.99 for the larger sizes. The earlier generation reels can occasionally be found new, but are not too common.

[Memory Maker]

Spend the money and buy the Stradic ........ They work great ... Don't usually fail and hold their value