Over the past 2 seasons I have dedicated a good portion of
my time on and off the water to improving my skills as a jig fisherman. It is something
I came to late in life, and I still have a lot to learn. A major part of this
learning includes finding the best jig for the job, and even more importantly
the best jig rod. I could sit here today and go over the rods and jigs I use and explain
to you what I love them, but why would you want to hear from me a self professed
novice? So instead I went out and rounded up three anglers that make a living
fishing with and designing jigs, and one guy who just happens to own the single
day weight record at the Bass Master Classic (yeah.. Paul Mueller)
So if you're like me
and are looking to learn as much as you can about jig fishing and jig rods, or
if you're an avid pro just looking for the next jig or jig rod for your already stacked
arsenal...you best keep reading because these 4 sticks sure know what makes the perfect jig rod
Rich hails from Minneapolis Minnesota and when he is not at
home being a husband and father, you can often find him perusing his other
passions.. tournament fishing, writing and of course helping design jigs as one
of the co-founders of BassTEK Tungsten Jigs. Believe me when I tell you, this
is one man who knows what he wants and needs in a jig rod.. Here is why he
chooses Dobyns.
When Jig fishing Rich often relies on 2 main techniques or
types of jigs… flipping jigs and Football jigs. Both of these he throws with a
Dobyns DX745c giving him the perfect combination of feel, and power that both
these techniques require.
The DX745c is touted as a heavy jig rod, and excels at
throwing jigs weighing in at 3/8oz all
the way to 1-1/2oz draggers. Being that it is a DX series rod its light weight
body is an anglers best friend and will help take some of the stress and
pressure off your back and shoulders, that often comes with fishing larger
jigs.
If flipping and skipping docks is your thing, Rich
recommends dropping down to a DX705c, the slightly shorter length gives him
better accuracy in the close quarters often attributed to dock fishing, while
still maintaining the power needed to drive home hook sets even at those
awkward angles you find yourself in
while fishing docks, pontoons and overhanging trees.
When it comes to jigs, Rich throws BassTEK tungsten, a
company he helped co-found back in 2013 after finding himself unsatisfied by
many of the jigs being offered by other companies. BassTEK currently offers three types of
skirted tungsten jig including a Flipping Jig, a Bitsy Flipping jig, as well as
a football jig. By making all their jigs from tungsten, BassTEK is able to
provide anglers with greater sensitivity on the bottom and in the fishes mouth.
Tungsten also allows them to give their jigs a smaller profile while keeping
the weight required to get down deep and be pulled and or dragged over and
through various types of structure, I personally have thrown all three, and I'm
a big fan of what BassTEK is doing.
I would also be remiss if I did not mention their Jig Sling,
which is hands down the best trailer keeper on the market today.
If you want to learn more about Rich or BassTEK jigs be sure
to check out his work on RichLindgren.com and give his Facebook page a like
HERE
Brendan Knaggs created the Perfect Jig way back in 2007 to immediate success. Not one to sit still the Perfect Jig continues to introduce new and improved version of their already classic baits. I have had the privilege or working a few sportsman shows with Brendan and after getting to personally pick his brain on jig fishing I knew he was a must include in this article.. Here is why Brendan Knaggs of the Perfect Jig chooses Dobyns..
The rods i use for flipping consists of around 8 rods in
total, including four 684c, two o705's and two 746. The 684c is Perfect for close combat flipping, this
includes docks, tress and other places
where fish are sitting tight to cover and accuracy is must. A shorter rod
allows you to hit your target and be precise and accurate each and every flip
The DX705 is an all around good jig rod and a bit stiffer than
the 684c. I use this rod for my swim jig rod. Has a great feel and a softer tip that
allows me to feel bites quicker.
For heavy flipping, heavy slop and deep weed i use the DX746c.
This rod handles jigs up to 2oz allowing
me to fish all my heavy jigs in heavy cover , something that other jigs rods may
not allow. With a stiff backbone, it is my go to for deeper jig fishing as i
can snap this rod with ease shaking weeds and debris off. This rod has a nice
sensitive tip for those times when feeling a tick, is really key, especially
down deep.
Ever year, trying to come up with new and exciting jigs can
be a challenge. This year The Perfect jig is bring out three new styles of jigs
and one really custom design. Football head and a punch jig will be added to
line up for the 2015 season along with our NEW one of kind, custom mold, our
Elite Jig!! This jig is a new and improved arky jig with a twist. We have added
a special chunk lock system to the jig allowing anglers to save money on buying
chunk and not having them ripped off or sliding down every flip. This jig will
be released at the 2015 Toronto spring Fishing show in Feb 13-16th at the
International center.
Perfect Jig products can be seen at www.theperfectjig.ca and we are
also on facebook, twitter and Instagram under The Perfect jig. Give them a follow and stay tuned for their all new 2015 offerings
Mark Hiser is the owner of Ganns Performance Tackle a
company he purchased from his good friend John Gann about 8 years ago. Along
with his wife Jana, (who without her help and support the company simply would
not exist) the two spend their evenings hand tying jigs every night just to
keep up with demand and to ensure the Ganns high standards of quality are
always met… Here is why Mark Hiser chooses Dobyns
“So, I love to fish jigs, that is how I met John in the
first place. For most part my style of jig fishing, is all about depth and water clarity, these
two scenarios combined is how I choose the rod and line combo I want.”
My choices for different situations:
Shallow (bank to 15 feet deep), clay or gravel, limited
cover, Casting Jig ( Ganns Hummer Jig) - Dobyns DX 703C, 10-12lb Seaguar Tatsu
Fouro. Typically here in the west, this will be light 1/4-3/8oz
jigs, perhaps some clear water, so longer presentations. the 703 has a great
tip for this, but is still quick enough into the backbone to drive a good
hookset and control the fish. I control the rate of fall of the jig with
different trailer choices, I have caught many good fish with a 1/4oz Draggin
jig and a five inch double tail trailer. The slower descent of this bait combo
in the spring results in crushing strikes at times!!!
From 20 feet on down to around 40 feet I go with the DX 744CFH, 12-15lb Tatsu. I typically use the Hummer Jig in 1/2 or 3/4 for casting
onto flats and pulling them off the deep edge. Again, clearer water usually,
but this combo works great for muddy water and cover too! Muddy water usually
means shallower fish, rising water and cover, this rod will do all that and
more.
Football Jigs (Ganns Draggin Jig) are the winter staple
here, and for these I always have my DX784C ML, sometimes with 15-20lb Tatsu,
or Braid with a flouro topshot when it is really deep ( 40-60 foot range), and
I am around rocks. This rod is simply amazing, it has the tip for sensitivity
and forgiveness with the fish at the boat, the backbone for the the hook sets
and the length to take up a lot of line on longer casts and at these depths.
The DX784C ML is also the rod I throw Swim Jigs with, Coupled with 12-15lb
flouro in open water and Braid when around weed beds, reeds or tules. The tip
will throw the lighter baits, and still do the work when around this type of
cover.
As far as new baits are concerned, I have introduced a new
line-up of small profile spinner baits " The Mirage series", these
are designed for ultra clear water, or to represent the profile of smaller
bait fish, available in Ind/Willow or Double willow design with translucent
styled skirts for a harder to pinpoint bait. Also introducing the same small
profile spinner bait in the "Stryker" series that is outfitted with
double Indiana, or Colorado/Indiana style blades. Designed to be used in
shallow water when some added vibration is in order, tied with opaque colored
skirts for more presence in the water.
I have a new swim jig in the works as we speak, it will also
be using the Gamakatsu line of hooks as all our baits do, head sizes will be
1/4-3/8oz, Hand tied, and like all our baits, have our wire bait keeper for
holding the trailer in the position you put it at"
Mark continues to operate under the name GANNs because he continues to use some of Johns
original designs and It just seemed like the right thing. When he finally calls
it quits (what do fisherman do when they retire?) he will probably change the
company. Lets hope this isn’t any time soon
For those of you who may have been under a rock this past
year and do not know the ever growing
legend of Paul Mueller. You know the virtually unknown walk-on angler who went
from 47th place on Day 1 of the 2014 Bass Master Classic to breaking a single
day record on day 2, and then finally coming within ounces to taking home the
title by the end of Day 3. What you may not know, and I can tell you from personal experience is that
the stories of Paul's friendly on and off the water demeanour and professional
attitude are real and not just part of the legend.
So recently when I reached out to some members of the Dobyns
team in support of this article Paul was one of the first people to respond and
offer his support. In typical Paul fashion a simple "call me" was
followed by "what can I do to help". And although the original plan
for this article was to focus mainly on Anglers that also own or work for jig
companies, how could I pass up his generous offer
Bass Master Elite anglers are not known for giving up their
secrets, but below Paul spills the beans on why he believes Dobyns makes some
of the best jig rods on the market today...
"The DX764SF is my all around favourite
multi-purpose spinning rod for light finesse jigs and hair jigs. It is an
exceptional finesse swimbait, tube, and even light texas rig rod but is my rod
of choice when fishing small finesse jigs such as the Punisher hair jig.
Because of it’s extra length, it provides a unique balance between tip and
backbone. It has plenty of backbone to drive a hook home on a long cast when
fishing in deep water. The extra length enables you to pick up more line on a
hook sets, resulting in better hook to landing ratios with your catch. I really
enjoy how soft the tip is on that rod. It allows me to feather a jig over and
through heavy cover and the blank on the champion extreme detects even the
lightest of strikes”.
For deep water football jig fishing you can't beat the
DX745c. It is also an exceptional jig rod for skipping docks with larger jigs
and is a great pitching stick for a variety of applications. Plenty of backbone
in this rod but enough tip to work a jig properly. The sensitivity and balance
of this rod is what separates it from others. This is as powerful and sensitive
as it comes and is a must for any serious jig fisherman"
"Whenever I am fishing a big jig, 3/4 oz. and up and
especially when I am fishing super thick cover, the 736c is my rod of choice.
It has the power of a flipping stick but measuring in at 7’3”, it makes for a
very comfortable pitching stick. This rod's extra fast extra heavy action is
excellent for solid hooksets and driving a heavy gauge jig hook home. The extra
power in this rod enables me to get a fish’s head up, turn him and keep him
coming, moving him away from thick cover. When there’s heavy cover or big fish
are in the equation, this is the rod"
Be sure to follow Paul's exploits in 2015 as he competes in a full schedule of Elite Series events. You can also stay in touch via his Facebook or get schooled by his many YouTube videos
So there you have it, four fisherman who live and breath jig
fishing, all of whom entrust Dobyns to make the rods that allow them to perfect their
technique or dare I say art form. Anglers so demanding about the quality of their baits that when they couldn't find the right jig, they went out and made their own., and If these guys choose Dobyns why don't you?
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