 No Major wrote:I am looking for two jigging set ups that I will also use for live baiting and trolling Rapalas. As a general rule I like to fish light, but also want to ensure I have enough rod power, and drag capacity to ensure fish are less likely to find themselves left carrying jewellery. Up until now I have primarily used a JM PE5 on a Shimano Revo, and a Trini 40N on a xzoga. I have also used the Shimano OJ, and Stella 20,000 for both live baiting and jigging. I am looking at a light - medium set up that would be used for jigging and live baiting around the Hauraki Gulf with kingfish generally ranging between 8-18kg, at depths of up to 50meters. Rods I have been weighing up for this are around the $500 mark and so far include -Jig star twisted sista PE 2-5 -JM Ocean Devil PE 3-6 -Others for consideration and why? Jig Star Rods - Ninja L ($440), Twisted Sista L ($550 approx), Battle Royale L ($660) These rods can handle to PE5 and 300g jigs easily. They are perfect as your light option. Reels I have been weighing up around the $1000 mark and so far include -JM PE5 -Stella 10,000 or 14,000 -Other for consideration and why? Reel - easy, Maxel Transformer F50CH or F60H ($800 approx). Maxel Transformer reels need no introduction. Cheaper than JM, Twin drag, huge power handle, high or low gears, cast control, ergonomic T-bar handle, smooth transmission, 5 year warranty. I am also looking for a medium - medium heavy set up for jigging and live baiting at places like the Mokes, Alderman pins, Tutukaka and further afield; with kingfish in the 20kg+ category and depths ranging 50 - 200 meters. Rods -Twisted sista M or M/H -JM Ocean Devil 3-6 or 4-8 Twisted Sista ML Nano, can jig 800g and PE8, we prove it time after time at the 3 Kings. ($570 approx) Battle Royale ML Nano, does much the same but has better Fuji SIC guides. ($680) Ninja ML has very similar blank action and power as the Battle Royale for less $'s, $450. You won't find better performance or value with any of the above rods at any price. Because of the ML model having such a broad jig range, it is our go-to rod for most jigging or live bait situations keeping the MH model in the rod rack more often now. Reels -JM PE6-7 -Stella 20,000 Maxel Transformer F70 at $850. Apart from its great looks and high performance, compare its price against the other twin drag reels. All the forementioned features plus 5 year warranty at a cheaper price - unbeatable. So my questions are -Are there any obvious omissions from my list in that price range (such as accurate reels), and why you think they would be a better option? -I prefer OH for jigging, but have wondered if I should have one set up spin? -I transitioned quite some time ago as a right hander to left hand wind for soft baiting so my more coordinated/stronger hand/arm would be on the rod, and there would be no need for a transition after the strike. I am wondering how people have found this transition in jigging, and if they think it is worth buying LH reels for jigging? There are anglers who have carried over the LH in jigging reels but the problem has always been a real lack of quality and availability of these reels. As an owner of a LH reel you will be a rarity, there is a very small resale market for LH reels so don't plan on changing your mind after you have brought it. Very few reel brands produce a purpose-built lefty, Maxel do at slightly higher prices to their righty reels. So a Lefty Maxel is available by special order in your choice of gear ratio and colour, just place your order. -What are peoples opinion on braid and leaders for these set ups, i have tried Ocea, Goosen, and Rovex. Everyone has a favorite braid but the better brands would be YGK Ultra, Varivas and a few others. For leader material, I only use Fluorocarbon and choose the brands that are actual line companies - Seaguar, Yozuri, Momoi and a few others. -Other factors worthy of consideration such as servicing and parts availability. We are carrying parts for Maxel reels and will service as required. Thank you in advance for your advice. No Major In case you havent already guessed, I am a tackle manufacturer and distributor of Maxel and Jig Star. Chris Wong BCS Enterprises Ltd Maxel, Jig Star distributors. |
| No Major wrote: haha thanks G Spot, if I could afford to go high end reel AND custom rod I would! For the light jigging is was still wanting to target kings specifically, just with a lighter combo that still had plenty of power built for jigs to around 350 gram. I am actually looking for a couple of slow jig reels also. So far a trini 12 and calcutta 300D are the leaders in the 350-500 range but maybe I should have a look at the smaller accurates? |
ChrisW wrote:
Maxel produce a reel designed for Slow Pitch Jigging called the Rage. Capacity around 400m PE2, twin lever drag with a gradual cam that allows use of PE0.6 braid. Super smooth transmission and cute sizing for $800 approx. An alternative is the Transformer F30CH which is slightly larger than the Rage but has the standard drag cam which gives it 15kg max drag. Has all the fruit of the larger Transformers as well as magnetic cast control which is perfect for casting out unweighted pillies for straylining. This reel is a true multi-purpose small powerhouse and would be our most popular seller given its flexibility. $750 approx with a 5 year warranty. If the above twin drag reels are too much, Maxel have its popular Hybrid reel. This is a SINGLE drag reel similar to the Shimano but that's where it ends. Super high drag performance with cast control. Unsure of price but around $600.
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| laidbackdood wrote: Could you also recommend a single hook to pair with your jig star 160/180 stick baits. Looking to swap out the trebles and, wondering if they will still swim well. Presume you mean the starwalkers........ 6/0 for the 160's and 7/0 for the 180's..... Plenty to choose from....Jigstar do inline singles....so do decoy.....mustard..... Nomad(bkk)........Mustard are the cheapest but still do the job.......Nomad (bkk) are the best.....The bkk are the only in this list with a welded eye........8 mm split rings.....either owner or decoy(heavy).....swage are also good.....I generally use decoy....IMHO they swim better with inline singles than trebles.....especially the floaters.....head pops back up quicker and you can get them darting around better.....I will leave chris to answer the rest.
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No Major wrote:
Thanks for the thorough reply Chris. I have had a play with the old style twisted sisters and was impressed, especially in the smaller PE2-5 L version. Just wondering what reel you would recommend to go with this lighter rod? Paul Chen has kindly lent me his Maxel Rage to put through its paces, and have also heard positive things about the little Maxel Hybrid reel. Could you also recommend a single hook to pair with your jig star 160/180 stick baits. Looking to swap out the trebles and, wondering if they will still swim well. Cheers |
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