Japanese jigging rods

[Brandon Khoo]

I'll almost certainly continue with the Nirai as my regular jig rod but I want a real beast to fish for big doggies with. I'll be using it for jigging but also to drop big live baits down.

I spend my time in the gym (very unhappily) because I need to be able to reel a 70kg GT in   

[Greg Burt]

 Bernie, I didn't think you needed the gym with all your match practice .

[Brandon Khoo]

I don't spend as much time fishing as people think!!     What?! You think I don't have to earn a living?

I would like to be off on a trip once a month   

[Greg Burt]

I would like to fit in your suitcase

[Brandon Khoo]

I'm sure there are lots of people on this forum who get to go on more fishing trips than me. I admit I go on some good ones but you have to understand, I'm on a mission for a 70kg GT and what the hell, while we're on it, a 100kg dogtooth 

if I manage to catch both of those, I might focus on something like a 2.5 kilo bream to give the body a rest for a few years........

 

[Luke Wyrsta]

if I manage to catch both of those, I might focus on something like a 2.5 kilo bream to give the body a rest for a few years........

 

Haha, don't even joke!

[Brandon Khoo]

how about a really big garfish? 

[Greg Burt]

A 2.5 kg bream on an 80lb outfit would be good to see

[Brandon Khoo]

I used to be a very keen mulloway fisho when I was a lot younger (and poorer). I used to have to work so hard to get those live mullet and then some bloody mongrel 1kg tailor would come along and eat it.

[Chris Wong]

My advice would be to buy a rod with a higher rating than you think you need, running a rod at 75% will hopefully allow for most mistakes made by experienced jiggers.

Neil

The only problem with this Neil is that such a rod is too stiff to work the jig properly when jigging the Japanese jerk/crank style.  A properly matched rod to jig load makes a huge difference to my jigging technique and gives me and less fatigue. 
Solution might be to more aware of your fighting techniqe i.e. less high sticking or avoid slaming the loaded rod against the rail etc.

[Brandon Khoo]

I've seen highly experienced GT fishos highsticking  - its just unavoidable when fighting a fish at times.

I have also seen jigging and popping rods subjected to the most horrendous abuse against the rails of the boat notwithstanding the best efforts of the fisherman to avoid it! I had this at Shoalwater recently when I was fully locked up including having my hand on the spool and I got slammed. Almost got slam-dunked as the mongrel thing actually managed to lift my feet off the ground when it pulled me tight against the rails.

The drag was at an obscene level but if I didn't hold on for dear life, the fish was a goner and as it turns out, I still got my butt smacked   

[Cam Foley]

Have nearly been pulled out of boat twice to avoid slamming rod on side ,one time my mate grabed me by the back of my shorts i was a gonner feet well of the deck ,he saved my stella from getting wet and me.