Extreme Jigging: Dogtooth Tuna, Yellowtail Kingfish (Hiramasa), Amberjack, Samson Fish > Tackle & Techniques

Japanese jigging rods

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Brandon Khoo:
I've made a few observations on the high tech Japanese jigging rods which are now quite common on the market. No please note these are only my own observations and I am interested in what other think based on their experience. I'm not interested in getting into a angry debate with anyone who may be using one of these. I'd point out that all my jigging rods fall into this category.

I have a general view that the rods struggle to live up to the claims of the manufacturers in terms of the weight of line they made designed to fish. For example, there are many of these rods which are supposed to fish up to PE8. The problem is I don't feel at all confident that they will fish PE8. To date, I've seen two go when loaded up and they were both among the supposed best and most expensive on the market. I was also recently advised by a tackle shop owner that his very expensive top of the range jig rod went on him. Interesting that one of the rods I saw blow up was the same model and I've heard of one other example.

The other one I saw go has unfortunately established a reputation for blowing up being 100% graphite.

Is it a matter of bad technique (eg high-sticking) or are these rods simply not strong enough and incapable of fishing the weight claimed?

Neil:

I'll deny all knowledge of that conversation mate  :-[

I think the problems mostly stem from running the rods at max load most of the time.
At this level the margin for error must naturally be lesser.  A diet of fast taper yank style stroker  rods doesn't help either as they are virtually unbreakable and teach us bad habits. When you compare a GT rod with a 15kg limit to a jig rod with the same you'll see a massive difference in butt strength.
 
These rods are fabulous to jig and fight fish with but sometimes they can go bang. I'll keep using them because they outfish everything else I've used , but maybe a cheaper one on doggies!!

Neil

AustralianAngling:
All Japanese rods have specific load capabilities at different angles.
Just because a rod says it can take 8PE which can be 100lb does not mean it can take max load at 90 degree angle.
An example maybe 15kg at 45 degree / 12kg at 60kg but only 9kg at 90 degree.
I have visited several different Japanese rod builders work shops have seen many tests done, they all do break tests several times.

If you lock the drags and try and pull the fishes head of with off keeping an eye on your rod angle everything will break.

Brandon Khoo:
thanks for you comments, guys. Like Neil, I am going to continue using them because I love the way they feel so I am simply going to have to run the gauntlet with them. After plenty of practice, I'm reasonably good at avoiding high sticking but it's only a matter of time.

I'm currently usingh a Nirai and a Miller custom rod and they are just so sweet. 

MarkR:

--- Quote from: berniek on March 24, 2007, 07:15:34 PM ---Is it a matter of bad technique (eg high-sticking) or are these rods simply not strong enough and incapable of fishing the weight claimed?

--- End quote ---

I personally feel that "high-sticking" is part and parcel of the game. Unavoidable sometimes, especially with a big fish and angler fatigue on multi-day trips. Tackle failure can obviously be attributed to angler error but I believe that some products fail more regularly than others. There are some PE8 rods out there in the market which I feel are not strong enough to fish their heavy ratings as claimed. Anglers must also be aware of the limits of their tackle. Understanding specific load capabilities at different angles is important. Knowing whether their jig rods are constructed of 100% carbon/graphite or a blend of composites is also important in helping the angler adjust his fishing technique. A PE8 HOTs jig rod and PE8 Sevenseas rod will require very different fighting styles.

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