Would be highly appreciative of some input regarding bait casting reels.  I've been using them now for about a year for spinnerbait and crankbaiting action.  Right now I'm looking for a new rod and reel combo to use for jig and pig fishing.  Which is the best gear ratio for jig and pig 6:3:1 or 7:2:1?  Also would you go with a long medium-heavy rod.  Thanks for the advice and happy fishing!

Contact baits are where sensitivity shines, purchase the rod that feels the most sensitive in your hands, and has features (guides, reel seat, full or split-grip) that you prefer.  Rod length can be anything that you are comfortable with but will benefit from being 7ft or longer, power will depend on the weight of the baits that you intend to throw the most and the cover you fish, I prefer and XF action for my jig rods.

 

A moderate to high IPT reel works well for jig fishing.

6'8"-7'2" MH. XF wil cover you for most bottom contact baits unless your fishing super heavy cover. Price and sensitivity pretty much go hand in hand. The Tatula is a really nice,sensitive rod for the money and although I don't own the *** everyone raves about the rod and it's sensitivity. As far as gear ratios go for bottom contact baits, the biggest advantage to a high speed reel is if your pitch or flipping out of a boat. Typicaly your only presenting your bait to a small area and then burning it back in so higher speed reels allow more casts per hour and let you cover more water. If your doing a lot of bank fishing either speed should be fine. Also make sure you get a real with a strong enough drag( at least 10 pounds) as you might want to lock it down at time tossing a jig. Hope this helps

6'8"-7'2" MH. XF wil cover you for most bottom contact baits unless your fishing super heavy cover. Price and sensitivity pretty much go hand in hand. The Tatula is a really nice,sensitive rod for the money and although I don't own the *** everyone raves about the rod and it's sensitivity. As far as gear ratios go for bottom contact baits, the biggest advantage to a high speed reel is if your pitch or flipping out of a boat. Typicaly your only presenting your bait to a small area and then burning it back in so higher speed reels allow more casts per hour and let you cover more water. If your doing a lot of bank fishing either speed should be fine. Also make sure you get a real with a strong enough drag( at least 10 pounds) as you might want to lock it down at time tossing a jig. Hope this helps

Ditto on the reel. As far as a rod goes, it really depends on where and how you plan on fishing a jig. I use anywhere from a 7'3" MH to a 7'11" H depending if I'm pitching, dragging a FB jig, or flippin.