Jig rod?

[Coonhound]

First i want to thank the Kistler team for a great product. I won an Ultimate Tackle Pack from Jasper Engines and Transmissions in April and chose a Kistler Magnesium Senko Special. It's been absolutely incredible for tube and worm fishing! I'd never handled a Kistler before this rod, and i'm absolutely in love!

I do have a question to pose to the Kistler experts, however...

With my new-found love for Kistler equipment, a few weeks ago i ordered a Helium 2 LTX 7' Heavy (He2HC70) for jig fishing. Now, don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful rod and will serve it's place in my arsenal.

But it's quite a bit more than i wanted. What i mean by that is that while i'm in love with my Senko Special, it's just a bit too...whippy?...for fishing 1/2oz to 5/8 oz jigs in my opinion. I've done it a few times, but it just feels a bit light to me for this weight of jig. The Senko Special reminds me of a medium action in other rods i've been using...St Croix comes to mind. I thought if i ordered a heavy in the Helium, it might maintain the sensitivity i was blown away with in the Senko Special, but give a bit more backbone.

Whe i got the Helium, i was excited to get my new Revo SX on it to pitch some heavy jigs. I was shocked to find that it's a totally different beast than the Magnesium. I'm not really sure why that surprised me so much, but it did. Anyway...it's really too heavy for what i had in mind. And for all but the heavy 5/8oz jigs, it seems like i lost quite a bit of sensitivity.

So my question is this: What would be a good choice for a pitching rod, preferably in the 7' range, that will be used to pitch light cover like docks, stumps, and rocks, but will have a medium-heavy feel?

I mostly fish an Ohio reservoir (Caesar's Creek) that doesn't have much in the way of heavy cover...the heaviest i'd be fishing in would be lay-downs...and even then i mostly fish the outside edges. So the sensitivity is more important to me than horsing big fish out of the thick of the cover. Is there a good balance between strength and sensitivity?

Thanks for the help!

Oh - attached is a pic of two smallies i caught Wednesday on my Senko Special fishing a green pumpkin Venom tube.

[skeeter20i]

If you are looking for a jig rod with plenty of backbone I would recomend the Manesuim Jig n' Toad rod MgJTH70, or the LTA 7' extra heavy rod HE70XHC. Both of these rods have plenty of backbone, super sensitive, and are pretty light. I use the Magnesium for my jigs most of the time, but either way I think you would be in good shape.

[Coonhound]

Thanks for the reply, Skeeter!

I admit i hadn't seen the jig'n'toad Magnesium. I'd really like something with the same feel as the Senko special. How does the heavy action of the JnT compare to the MH of the Senko?

Something else is the extra inch of butt length in the JnT. I'm kind of a short guy. Pitching with the 7' LTX is a bit harder with the 11" handle. Is there that big a difference in the Magnesium between the 10" and 11" handles?

Thanks again for the help. I really, really wish there was a Kistler dealer nearby, here in Ohio, so i could just go play with 'em to find what i want.

[Chris Wiggins]

If you like the feel of the Mag Senko Rod, I would go with the Mag Jig and Toad. The rods are similar, but the Jig N Toad has just enough tip to work a 1/2 ounce jig very well with a lot of control and sensitivity. It has plenty of backbone for what you want to do, but still offers a finesse type feel. I think it would be a great fit.

[Coonhound]

Well, thanks for the help, guys. I ordered a J'n'T. We'll see how it does!

I'm like a darn little kid on Christmas waiting for stuff like this. I've got the tracking info pulled up on UPS, and i hit refresh about every hour to see the status!

[Chris Wiggins]

That is too funny. I am the same way, especially when getting a new rod. You'll love the feel with those jigs, etc... but I have also been pleasently suprised with the versatility.

Those smallies in the pic are quite the catch...very nice.

Good luck.

Chris

[skeeter20i]

I am sure you will be happy with the rod. I love mine, and am thinking about getting another one. Let us know how it works out for you.

[Blister72]

I too have been bitten by a BIG Kistler bug, since getting the Mg "Chatterbait" rod for Christmas. I love that stick! It is great for swimming jigs, 3/8-1/2 oz. jigs and trailers, 6" worms on 3/0 hooks with 3/16ths Parasite Tungsten weights. Very versatile!

You can just FEEL IT ALL! Subtle ticks, taps, rocks, etc...and then set the hook and light 'em up.

It is a 6'10" MH, with the split grip handle being just long enough to winch them in, and not get hung up on clothing, life vests, and stuff, and is the perfect diameter blank and light weight.

I just can't stop buying Kistlers, and now they have "Father's Day" deals.

I have already forwarded that newsletter to the Mrs. Wish me luck, maybe I'll get another rod soon...LOL! How many does 1 guy really need?!?

If I keep buying gear, I'll never get that target down payment for a Skeeter next year! Nice smallies and boat BTW!

[Coonhound]

I have a new best friend. It's name is "JT".

I used it for a few minutes last night just to see how it felt. Perfect with a 1/2oz jig! Really wanted to get on the water today, but we're getting ready to get slammed with yet another huge storm front.

Guess it'll wait until tomorrow.

Thanks again for the great advice. I'll post a pic or two of catches with it!

[skeeter20i]

I knew you would like that rod. It is also the best frog rod I have ever used.