Jig Rod - 3/8 to 1/2

[NumberOne]

Looking for a jig rod to throw football jigs in the 3/8 to 1/2 size. If the rod can't handle both, I would lean more towards the 1/2 size. Would probably throw some texas rigs during the summer on the same rod. Any suggestions in the $200 - $300 range. Looked at Megasbass but I am not as familiar with their ratings. But I am open to all suggestions.

Thanks

[Nick D]

How deep of water are you going to be fishing?

[BoatBuggy]

For Megabass I think you want a "6" or "7" power for 1/2 oz jigs. At your price point in Megabass, you have the 6 power Tour Versatile or the 7 power Perfect Pitch in either the Levante or Orochi XX lineups. I suspect 99% of Megabass rod fans would take the Perfect Pitch every day. Not only will it take care of your jigs and is an awesome frog rod as well.

[cbburke74]

Save little bit more money and get the NRX 873CCR

It's my bottom contact and I can feel the bass fart on it.

[NumberOne]

How deep of water are you going to be fishing?

Mainly 10-20 feet. Kentucky Lake on the south end.

[NumberOne]

For Megabass I think you want a "6" or "7" power for 1/2 oz jigs. At your price point in Megabass, you have the 6 power Tour Versatile or the 7 power Perfect Pitch in either the Levante or Orochi XX lineups. I suspect 99% of Megabass rod fans would take the Perfect Pitch every day. Not only will it take care of your jigs and is an awesome frog rod as well.

Is the perfect pitch a pretty stout rod? In its ability to be used as a frog rod, I would assume so. Would it be to strong for a 3/8 jig?

[DMart1]

Alpha Angler Zilla. Perfect for what you describe, I own 3 of them.

[BoatBuggy]

Is the perfect pitch a pretty stout rod? In its ability to be used as a frog rod, I would assume so. Would it be to strong for a 3/8 jig?

No it's not considering your 3/8 jig with a trailer probably makes it closer to 1/2 oz but you stated you would lean towards 1/2 oz. The XX Perfect Pitch has an amazing tip which makes it an extremely versatile rod.

I tend to use NRX and GLX 3 and 4 power rods for 3/8 to 1/2 oz bottom contact stuff but they aren't really in your stated price range. But if I want to grind a 3/4 oz swinghead along the bottom in 15-20 ft of water like I'm doing now at Toledo Bend, I use my XX PP.

[NumberOne]

No it's not considering your 3/8 jig with a trailer probably makes it closer to 1/2 oz but you stated you would lean towards 1/2 oz. The XX Perfect Pitch has an amazing tip which makes it an extremely versatile rod.

I tend to use NRX and GLX 3 and 4 power rods for 3/8 to 1/2 oz bottom contact stuff but they aren't really in your stated price range. But if I want to grind a 3/4 oz swinghead along the bottom in 15-20 ft of water like I'm doing now at Toledo Bend, I use my XX PP.

Perfect. Thanks. You and CBBurke above are gonna make my bank account lighter with this NRX talk.

[Nick D]

You could go Destroyer FMJ which is a 7'1 or a Destroyer Valdivia which is a 7'6. Since someone brought up NRX can't leave out the Destroyers at $399 price point then

[BoatBuggy]

Perfect. Thanks. You and CBBurke above are gonna make my bank account lighter with this NRX talk.

You could go Destroyer FMJ which is a 7'1 or a Destroyer Valdivia which is a 7'6. Since someone brought up NRX can't leave out the Destroyers at $399 price point then

My next bottom contact rod will likely be an FMJ.

I'll wager that getting a Megabass rod will make you much lighter in the wallet than getting an NRX. It didn't take me long to go from taking Mark Perry's suggestion and getting an XX Perfect Pitch to try as a frog rod to now having 7 Megabass rods.....

[fluke1987]

Kistler KLX 7' 3" Heavy Mod-Fast has been my go to 3/8 - 1/2 oz jig rod for 4 years now. It's probably one of my favorite rods. It's built on an North Fork Composites blank produced by Gary Loomis.

http://www.kistlerrods.com/store/fis...l#.XD5AhlxKiUk

[bigfruits]

fmj

[freelancer27]

Helium 3 Medium Heavy, super sensitive rod for the money!

[VaZ518]

I like the 7’4” MH Helium 3 for dragging those baits. To me it’s between the 893 and 894 NRX in power.

[LonnieP]

Another vote for MH Helium 3.

[fluke1987]

I like the 7’4” MH Helium 3 for dragging those baits. To me it’s between the 893 and 894 NRX in power.

The 7' 4" MH Xfast Helium 3 is nowhere near powerful enough to drag 3/8 - 1/2 oz jigs and get a good hookset. I use that rod to throw smallie beavers with a 1/4 oz tungsten for smallmouth in my local rivers.

[VaZ518]

The 7' 4" MH Xfast Helium 3 is nowhere near powerful enough to drag 3/8 - 1/2 oz jigs and get a good hookset. I use that rod to throw smallie beavers with a 1/4 oz tungsten for smallmouth in my local rivers.

To each his own I guess. Works great for me.

[kickerfish1]

I use my H3 7’4 MH for 3/8 oz jigs. No issues either. May feel a bit underpowered with a 1/2 oz jig and trailer but I wouldn’t put it out of the rods wheelhouse.

Not sure how getting a good hoosket dragging a jig would differ from a hookset needed for a Texas rigged beaver? To me they are both bottom contact apps.

[fluke1987]

I use my H3 7’4 MH for 3/8 oz jigs. No issues either. May feel a bit underpowered with a 1/2 oz jig and trailer but I wouldn’t put it out of the rods wheelhouse.

Not sure how getting a good hoosket dragging a jig would differ from a hookset needed for a Texas rigged beaver? To me they are both bottom contact apps.

Pretty straightforward actually. Moving a bulky bait (1/2 oz jig) inside the mouth of a bass, and pushing through a weed guard and stout jig hook will always need more power (backbone) than a thin wire 2/0 ewg hook with a small plastic bait on it. Its even more important in deeper water when your fishing straight fluorocarbon that has some stretch.