Favorite light jig throwing rod length

I’ve been sitting here this morning with it 35 degrees outside with a wind advisory for today . High projected is 39 and windy .
So, I googled “ Crappie.com favorite rod length for casting jigs” and got several old posts with some interesting reading .
Posts went back as far as 2008 with a lot of same people responding over the years to the newer posts as they progressed to last year .
Most preferred longer rods .

When the weather permitted , I’ve been fishing different rods I own , from 5-7’ , UL to light power rods . Trying to narrow down the best casting combos that were the most sensitive and the most enjoyable to fish with throwing light jigs
And I did have a winner . Actually two but they’re similar.
My one piece 5’4” St Croix ULF panfish series , both the new 2022 version and my old version 5’4” one piece SC ULF Panfish.
It just seemed these two rods did everything Best and were a joy to chase gills with .
I’ve also gone to a larger spool reel , 1000 up to a 2000 size ( with a lot of backing on the 2000)
With these reels the rod when gripped the way I do , just sort suspends , which I think may add to the sensitivity.
I used 4# P-line on most days . A couple times I fished 2# but the difference between 2# and 4# wasn’t as much as I thought it would be .
With this said , I’d be interested in hearing about your favorite combo for casting light jigs .
I hope some of the folks who have posted in similar threads previously will post , as I’d like to see how you’ve changed , if you have .
I have and probably will again .

I’ve run the gamut on rod length.

For now, I prefer “over 6-feet but under 7-feet”.

Hands down favorite is my 7' Shimano Soare BB paired with a Shimano Stella 2000, 2018 model which has a shallow spool. I use either 2-3lb. Maxima. I've been using it for almost four years and like it so much I bought a second one. I broke the tip off one and still use it and catch a lot of fish with it. Recently ordered two replacement tips, one to replace the broken one and the other in case I break another.

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Originally Posted by deathb4disco

I’ve run the gamut on rod length.

For now, I prefer “over 6-feet but under 7-feet”.

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DBD, could one of these rods be a 6feet9 by any chance? Because my latest Tict R. Finesse 6-9 is one fine casting machine, especially off of salty jettes for light game species like jacksmelt, wrasses, and the like of fast swimmers.

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Originally Posted by LVSpinfisher1

DBD, could one of these rods be a 6feet9 by any chance? Because my latest Tict R. Finesse 6-9 ...

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZB52NEPJxUs

My favorite is 6'10"; second is 6'9". So I'm in the same platoon as db4d!

Gillchaser, on the shorter side of rods I’ve been having great success with a Berkeley Lightning rod b4 I started the the JDM rabbit hole and the said rod was being used less and less. This is the model:
Attachment 416550
It cast down to 1/32 oz but I haven’t got the reason to go that light, I’m mostly flinging floatNflies or dropshotting jigs from 1/8 to 1/4 oz., but it’s action tells me it won’t be a problem with lighter stuff. Cheers!


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com

I’m right in there with you guys - 6’3” to 6 1/2 or so.
Bob

I too, am in the "longer for smaller" camp. I like an ultralight fast action rod in the 6'6" to 7'3" range. Now, my oldest grandson (He is 9) has a whippy little rod he got on our annual pilgrimage to Grizzly Jig when we go to Realfoot. He can flick a 1/32 jig about a football field with that thing.

Ok, a football field is a stretch but he can huck it with that thing. I honestly think it is some type of ice fishing rod, but it is about 4' long and it preloads like crazy.

All that to say this...sometimes, I think distance to jig weight ratio is less about length and is more about rod action and casting mechanics, probably a combination of all three.

True. Lots of variables in play. That said, if all those other variables are equal, a longer rod will cast further: moment of inertia at the end of the rod equals force x length squared (a simplification since this formula is for a rod that doesn't bend).

Wow! That’s a bit over my head. But like you say and I agree, lots of variables in play.

If I wasn’t sure what I would find when I got where I was going, I would take my 5’6” lightning rod ul with a President 20 and 2lb nanofil. I can put a jig anywhere I want with confidence. Light weight jigs down to a 1/64 are possible and it handles a 1/32 just fine. I also have a 6’6” TSS with 2 or 3lb Nanofil that does a very good job but the lightning rod casts further, making me think it’s 3lb. That has a Daiwa Regal LT 1000 with a bigger spool and a bunch of backing. I learned long ago to take some mono when I travel cuz the Nanofil just isn’t tough. Those would be my go to rigs, and sorry to be long winded.

I'd rather throw my 6'6" Cashion CRT ultra light. But I'd rather ketchem with my 6' Norseman ESP.

OK now I gotta go watch Stripes again.

RAZZLE DAZZLE

Sent from my SM-G975U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

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Originally Posted by catchNgrease

OK now I gotta go watch Stripes again.

RAZZLE DAZZLE

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Where do you think I got my name? ;)


https://i.redd.it/crzrzoxzwiy31.jpg

This summer I decided to fish a lot with ultra lite rods throwing a Slider Fishing 1/16 oz. Charlie Bee and their 1 1/2 grubs on their weedless heads. I forced myself to take everything out of the boat but a couple of UL rods. I was spooled with 6 lb test. I had an absolute blast! You can't believe how a 18"-19" smallmouth in the river can bend a UL rod! I never lost a bass and caught tons of large sunfish, crappie, perch, rock bass, northern, and walleye. Normally I would use medium and medium light rods with 8lb. mono. I have become a fan of lighter mono and setting your drag to match.

That being said I bought a few new UL rods this season. My two favorites are a 13 Fishing UL Rely rod that says 6' 7" on it, but the part number on it RB2S6UL-2, indicates it is a 6' 2 piece. This summer there was not a lot to choose from at the local stores. I am not the biggest fan of 13 fishing and thought I was buying the 6' 7" rod. Got home and measured it and it was 6'. I was ticked off but said heck with it and took it fishing. I didn't expect much, but this rod was super and has become one of my favorites. It can cast a 1/32 oz jig a reasonable distance with no problems.

The next rod I picked up was a TFO (Temple Forks Outfitters) Trout/Panfish 6'6" UL. This rod is fantastic and comes with a lifetime warranty! This one also cast a 1/32 oz jig a pretty reasonable distance.

My opinion is that the rod can and will help with distance, but their really isn't that magic bullet rod that is going to blow everything away. I have a $30 cheap 7' UL from Dunhams that is a medium action at best and cast just as good as the above two rods and maybe slightly farther.