Im sitting here reading all the posts and have dec

[crackerkid]

Im sitting here reading all the posts and have decided to put this topic out here just to get an idea of what the general preferences on the subject are, and I geuss to stir the pot a bit...

I have used both types of reels for jigging and can definitely say I prefer the spinning option over the conventional for the following reasons: 

-Spinning reels are alot more user friendly, by this I mean one can just crank the handle and not worry about line lay. I know with the narrow frame conventionals one does not normaly guide the braid on, but tell me you never check to see you are level winding.

-Spinning reels seem to have a lot more torque which makes jigging heavy jigs a lot easier.

With all the development that has taken place with top end spinning reels the most important development has to be the fantastic drag advances, with the use of high breaking strain braids manufactures had to develop drag systems that could cope with these advancements.

The line capacity of the top end spinning reels is also more than adequate,400yards of 80pound braid with more drag than any one can handle,  sure sounds like a good deal.The only slight down side though is the crazy prices  we have to pay for these toys.

I would sure like to hear anyones views on this topic and I hope I didnt stand on any toes with my thoughts!LOL                                   

 

[fedu]

Hi crackerid,

I think we are going to "loose" these survey here in SA, guys seem to use conventional reels a lot "down south"

Been trying to adapt to both up until now, I think in the end it will all have to do with personal preference.

I prefer jigging with Spinners because:

-I cast my jigs a lot of times to try to compensate the drift and this is much easier with a spinner

-I don't have to lay line while fighting the fish at the same time

-Sometimes, with a conventional if you set the initial drag to high and the reel it's not properly spooled, the line will dig into the spool resulting in a broken line and a lost fish :-(

-The handling of the rod is much more natural with a spinner, the weight of the reel is "facing down" so the rod doesn't spin that easely

-The sound of the line  being pushed by the fish from the reel in a spinner gives an extra adrenalin and dimension to the fight   ZZZZZZZZZzzzzzz   zzzzzzzzzZZZZ  ZZZZZ

-For me it's easier to perfect the presentation of the jig with a spinner, mainly when you need speed like you do when you target Amberjacks

-If you also do popping its much easier to change to the popping/spinning rod if you see any surface action, no need to readapt, or you can even cast your jig to the surface to strike a passing school of fish, like I did with this dorado

I reconize three advantages in conventionals:

-Price

-"feeling" strikes on the way down

-line capacity, only needed if you are deep droping with jigs (more than 200 meters deep)


On Popping I don't even see any advantage on convetional reels except price.

 

[ChrisW]

all good and sound reasoning Fedu, I have to agree!

I'm in the conventional camp because I wasn't breastfed long enough as an infant, I'm doing my best to catch up though.

The only problems I have with the spinners is the line twist and also the leader coils off too easily under slack line tension.

Oh, did I say that the reels are on the the wrong side of the rod?

 

[Nepptune]

HAHAHA Chris you make me laugh mate.... taken from the teat too early huh? Mr Smith would love that one!

Well I guess I too was taken from the teat too early, but I was obviously stuck back on it after a while as I fish both Spinners and Conventionals...

All the pros and cons for each have been well listed above but a few things I will add:

Personal Preference - For me, this is ultimately the most important, and what suits your jigging style best, and is most comfortable for you.
I personally started off on Spinners only, partly due to my love affair with Shimano Stella's, and my first 3 jigging sticks were all Spinning models, and I was sure I would stick with spinners for good.
I then picked up a couple of conventional set ups, and have since spent alot more time jigging with them than my spinners on recent trips.

I have found that Mechanical Jigging with our JigStar Rods with overheads far easier than with spinners. I've put in alot of time and practise to get my technique right for the overhead versions, and really find it alot easier when mechanical jigging, to achieve the right rhythymn and technique, and can maintain it for longer with heavier jigs.... I enjoy the fish fighting side of it as well, with the overhead versions, and have no trouble with the reel being on tiop of the rod.

Now for higher speed jigging, and using lighter jigs, I definetly find the spinning reels easier... I also love their multi use functions in being able to easily cast surface lures if needs be, and LOVE fighting fish on a spinner.... They are defintely easier to use for beginner anglers, but in a moderately experienced anglers hands, I see no difference in ease of use between overheads and spinners.
I do hate the way heavy leaders spiral and spin off a spinning reel, especially as it usually happens during a hot bite, but with a little concentration, its not an issue.

On shorter rods, Overhead seems to be the way to go, and spinning reels seem to handle longer rods a little better...

I wouldn't choose between the two, and I'm lucky enough to have numerous set ups with both which I enjoy equally.

For heavy jigs I seem to find the overheads easier to jig with, and easier to achieve and maintain a smooth fluid mechanical jigging action.
Spinners are easier at speed, and nothing beats the sound of braid ripping off a wound down drag on a Stella....

Tough choice, but if you have the chance, try both....

 

[fedu]

ChrisW wrote: 

I wasn't breastfed long enough as an infant, I'm doing my best to catch up though.

You and me my friend, you and me ;-)

 

[FREE THE FIGHTER]

For me ... no contest - overheads period. The debate is here.....OJ4/5000P vs G12/G12C vs Z40/50 vs L120. Stella is my aunties name !!

 

 

[royboy]

I'm with FTF on this one - bias aside, For jigging I find it easier to work a jig with the overhead, and then fight a fish with gimbal in fighting belt. That is probably because it's the only way I have ever done it and I am comfy with it. Then there is also the phenomenal drag and torque of the purpose built jigging overhead reels.....

Popping - without a doubt a very good spinning reel,and FTF's Auntie Stella is the queen!!!!

 

[fedu]

FREE THE FIGHTER wrote:

Stella is my aunties name !!

 

Reading previous posts I would say that Andre & Roy are in love with your auntie!

 

[ChrisW]

FREE THE FIGHTER wrote:

For me ... no contest - overheads period. The debate is here.....OJ4/5000P vs G12/G12C vs Z40/50 vs L120. Stella is my aunties name !!

 

I think you can throw in the Jigging Master PE4 & 5 reels into this now.  They are also phenomenal reels and certainly look the part!

 

 

[ChrisW]

these are the PE4 sized reels and are quite small, about similar size to Saltiga20, Avet SX but have bigger balls.

 

 

[tkei]

Aunty Stella better watch out now theres a little guy with Big balls walking around town.
Chris, those look great. Scared to hear the $$$$$ though.

as for overhead vs spinning, Im a averhead guy, Why, cos thats what i have. Unfortunately i have toruium 30 which does cause a bit off wobble, but i dont have the $$$ now to upgrade, so it has to do. One day when I am big I will get a moffie reel like a stella sargosa but that will be my reel for sabikis.
I like the overhead as sometimes space is limited on our boat for rods, so the jigging stick can be used as bait stick for catching live bait, then a jigging stick and if needs be a trolling stick. a spinner would do the 1st 2, but doesnt work in the flat trolling board holders too well.

 

[royboy]

Chris, those JM's are pure REEL PORN!!!!!! Taking Form, Function and Bling yet another step forward. (Pony doesn't have a few of those that he would "loan" to Andre and I for "Long term" testing does he????)

Kil has very good things to say about them! Whew they are magnificent!

 

[ChrisW]

tkei wrote:

Aunty Stella better watch out now theres a little guy with Big balls walking around town.
Chris, those look great. Scared to hear the $$$$$ though.

Prices are not too bad, only a 1,000!

NZ$'s not Rand! :cens:cens

 

 

[fedu]

ChrisW wrote:

tkei wrote:

Aunty Stella better watch out now theres a little guy with Big balls walking around town.
Chris, those look great. Scared to hear the $$$$$ though.

Prices are not too bad, only a 1,000!

NZ$'s not Rand! :cens:cens

 

Still Cheaper than Auntie Stella

P.S. - FTF I hope you don't really have a aunt called Stella, her ears would be on fire by now

 

[royboy]

Whew Chris....that's not a small number (in any currency....with the exception of Zimbabwe that is......well not anymore, they are moving to USD as base)

On that note - even more so, is it possible for Pony to forward 4 or 5 of those little lovelies to us for evaluation? Of the pre-sales variety? I wish........ Ohhhhh, would be Soooooo Niiiiiice!!!!!

 

[Nepptune]

Damn those new JM's look good..... Seems from all your reports Chris that their performance matches their looks...superb....

That little PE4 reel on a 250 JSR would be just the ticket I reckon.....

 

[royboy]

Fedu on a more serious note - Chris has been really good ....no, more like AMAZING in facilitating the relationship with JSA and Jigging Master, and in the next few months some pretty impressive stuff will be happening - as in wonderful new gear being made available to us African fisher-crazies.

We are a 3 month old (new) company so still "early days" and we already have very significant investment in stock from Jigstar, Alutecnos and others, and that stock is growing - so when the sales volumes start growing and showing we can then bring in more GREAT stuff in better numbers at (hopefully better prices after we deal with Shipping, SARS, Customs etc.)

Best measurable, is if somebody - an individual - purchases high value goods overseas (at a great price) and then pays for shipping to SA, and then for Customs add 10% as duty, and then you pay VAT at 14% on THE TOTAL) that becomes not such a good deal....... which is where there should be a benefit in a company such as ourselves bringing the gear in. Oh yes, the word "company" means that we also have to be profitable.......and with the support we are getting form you guys that is starting to look promising. Nobody in JSA will get rich, but we are showing small profits (at nobody's expense!) which in todays hard economy is encouraging.

Exciting stuff happening at the moment, and the JSA team/hooligans will keep you posted as it materialises

Thanks everybody. Hail the Jigging & Popping Revolution!

 

[fedu]

royboy wrote:

Fedu on a more serious note - Chris has been really good ....no, more like AMAZING in facilitating the relationship with JSA and Jigging Master, and in the next few months some pretty impressive stuff will be happening - as in wonderful new gear being made available to us African fisher-crazies.

We are a 3 month old (new) company so still "early days" and we already have very significant investment in stock from Jigstar, Alutecnos and others, and that stock is growing - so when the sales volumes start growing and showing we can then bring in more GREAT stuff in better numbers at (hopefully better prices after we deal with Shipping, SARS, Customs etc.)

Best measurable, is if somebody - an individual - purchases high value goods overseas (at a great price) and then pays for shipping to SA, and then for Customs add 10% as duty, and then you pay VAT at 14% on THE TOTAL) that becomes not such a good deal....... which is where there should be a benefit in a company such as ourselves bringing the gear in. Oh yes, the word "company" means that we also have to be profitable.......and with the support we are getting form you guys that is starting to look promising. Nobody in JSA will get rich, but we are showing small profits (at nobody's expense!) which in todays hard economy is encouraging.

Exciting stuff happening at the moment, and the JSA team/hooligans will keep you posted as it materialises

Thanks everybody. Hail the Jigging & Popping Revolution!

Roy,

Your no compromise aproach to jigging tackle is greatly apreciated, by no compromise I mean you are only selling top quality stuff that you belive in.
Jigging Master is also a great adition, best of breed in everything they do!

Back to the topic, since the first day I talked to your friend "tacklewhore" I told  him you should also have spinning options, and if JigStar branded the better (althought Chris has made a point that he is a harcore overhead guy ), because in the end it will all go dow to personal preference/adaptation, this poll in SA and NZ will go to overhead but for example in the States has gone to spinners, in France will probably go to spinners also, it also got a lot to do with the fish and depth you target, by the way those kiwis are totally crazy, jigging 200 to 300 meters depth!!!! Out of this world!!
Good to ear that JigStar will be making a prototype of a spinner jigging rod line.

To complete the picture you need to start with quality popping tackle (I've noticed Nepps looking a lot to OR rods, again best of breed ), with all that surfcasting tradition in SA, popping will pick up probably even better than jigging.

I know that with all the stock investment made until now that is not easy, theres a Portuguese saying that translated says something like these:

"Rome and Pavia weren't made in only one day"

In Portuguese its more musical "Roma e Pavia não foram feitas num só dia" , but it means just that, you can not do everything in just one day, with time..

All the luck to you guys.

P.S.- I know what you mean by taxes and transport cost, here in Angola is even worst...

 

[ChrisW]

I am very aware that spinning outfits remain THE MOST POPULAR for jigging tackle and Kojak has been busy designing some extra special Jig Star Spinning rods.  At this stage, we get far more business selling Over Head (Conventional) rods and we can just manage the factory minimums.  We couldn't justify the minimum orders for Spinning rods at the moment.  Hopefully the SA market will develop quickly enough for us to make those orders so until now, we have to be a little patient.  We are planning to produce limited runs of Kojak designed Spinning rods based on 350 and 450g blanks but this won't be until later in the year.

 

[fedu]

ChrisW wrote:

I am very aware that spinning outfits remain THE MOST POPULAR for jigging tackle and Kojak has been busy designing some extra special Jig Star Spinning rods.  At this stage, we get far more business selling Over Head (Conventional) rods and we can just manage the factory minimums.  We couldn't justify the minimum orders for Spinning rods at the moment.  Hopefully the SA market will develop quickly enough for us to make those orders so until now, we have to be a little patient.  We are planning to produce limited runs of Kojak designed Spinning rods based on 350 and 450g blanks but this won't be until later in the year.

Good to ear Chris, by the way what about by special order limited editions of those incredible Acid Rods or "Spiral Wrapped Rods" ?

I'm trying not to push to hard, but my TAS sometimes takes over me