Rods

ROD OVERVIEW

The rod is the base of a good jigging system as a proper foundation is to a large building.

Most of our emphasis is on deep jigging and speed jigging. The selection of the rod is CRUCIAL to your chances at this game.

The rod must be extremely strong for its thin diameter, and very supple.  Most of these rods are designed to make a darting activity of varying speeds for jigs, typically having 100 to 500 gram weights .

Each of these systems must allow the rod to bend in a controlled way, producing a parabolic arc. When jigging, the rod loads up when the angler pulls up, and after it reaches the crest of the arch, the lure fires upward as it unloads the energy to create advanced acceleration of the jig. At the same time, the angler is reeling madly to create the highest speed possible through the water from a still boat. The rod also requires the strength to handle the target that latches hold of that presented bait. The alternative is a rod that will handle all hooked fish, but WILL NOT PRESENT the lure in the required fashion (that of a fleeing bait fish) and triggering an attack.

Speed Jigging rods are extremely well built and have top hardware to handle fish wars. This includes guides placed properly for the bend of the blank and capable of sustaining the friction of heavy modern braids under pressure and at high speeds (approximately 55mph) with Tuna and Wahoo. Worse, getting hit at 55 mph causes an instant change from 0 mph, an explosion more than an acceleration. Some less specialized rods would shatter with this impact.

Extended battles must not undo guides, reel seats, and on many, even rod gimbals. Yes, rod gimbals.  For larger fish, such as some Tuna, the new generation of rod and reels offer such high drag possibilities that you could call on enough to find yourself water skiing barefoot! Larger Bluefins require a stand up belt system which keeps pressure low on the anglers, from the waist down.

JIGSTAR

Although new to the U.S., Jigstar represents a proven line, for fish with bulk, power, and attitude, some unequaled in ferocity in the U.S.

The JigStars have been designed and developed by Chris Wong  (ChrisW on some boards) and the late John "Kojak" Goffin in New Zealand. Kojak is legendary as a master at getting the most out of a blank, through redesigning and refining.

The new  Mark II series,  available for the first time in the U.S., is a further development of the original  Mark I series.

Extensive testing, building, and rebuilding on the previous  models has resulted in an absolutely superb range of Jigging rods, the 250, 350 and 450 gram in conventional and the 250 and 350 in the brand new Kojak spinning versions.

All rods are made on blanks constructed of Toray, Japan graphite, have a color matched gimbal with rubber cap, and are enclosed in a custom quilted rod cover.

These Rods have accounted for some incredible fish in South Africa, notably Yellowfin to 180 pounds in the Canyons and Dogtooth Tuna in the 132 pound class on the 350, and recently some solid Giant Trevellays to 77 pounds and Doggies in the 88 pound class on the 250 gram. Here in the states, a 350 conventional took a 450 lb shark over a 2 hour plus period.

JigStar brings top quality performance and build, with some unique features, at a price that’s  attainable to more anglers.

In conventionals, the 250 is $335, 350 is $355, and the 450, $375. The 250 and 350 spinners are priced the same as the conventionals. The 450 spinner is still a prototype in testing.