I've been using a med *** black 6'9 spinning rod for wacky rigs and hair jigs and have been happy with it for the most part. My one complaint is I seem to lose an obscene amount of fish using this rod. I don't think it's a hook issue(gammy or owner hooks). I'm not sure it's a user error issue either since I don't have this problem with other rods. With that out of the way i managed to break that rod over the weekend and need to replace it. I'm leaning towards a Dobyns champion extreme 703. Suggestions?

What kind of line are you using and what type of hook are you using and the size of the hair jigs. I use a 6'9" medium power, extra fast for shaky heads and there isn't a problem, the hair jig depends on the jig itself, if I'm using a warm water hair jig which the only one I use is a 3/8oz buck tail swim jig then I'm using a casting rod that is medium heavy, fast action with 12# to 15# mono, but my cold water hair jigs I normally use a 6'6" medium power, fast action or a 7' medium power, fast action on 6# to 8# mono. I don't think the rod is the problem unless it is too moderate in action, I don't know but I also didn't know the *** came in a 6'9" version, I thought it was only 6'7" and 6'10" but you learn something new everyday.

St. Croix Legend Xtreme 68/610 MXF

What kind of line are you using and what type of hook are you using and the size of the hair jigs. I use a 6'9" medium power, extra fast for shaky heads and there isn't a problem, the hair jig depends on the jig itself, if I'm using a warm water hair jig which the only one I use is a 3/8oz buck tail swim jig then I'm using a casting rod that is medium heavy, fast action with 12# to 15# mono, but my cold water hair jigs I normally use a 6'6" medium power, fast action or a 7' medium power, fast action on 6# to 8# mono. I don't think the rod is the problem unless it is too moderate in action, I don't know but I also didn't know the *** came in a 6'9" version, I thought it was only 6'7" and 6'10" but you learn something new everyday.

my mistake on rod length. I could of sworn it was 6'9, but close enough. As for hooks with wacky rigs it's either owner or gammy wordless wacky hooks. The hair jigs are 1/4 ounce. As for line usually flouro, either pline or seagar(sp?).

my mistake on rod length. I could of sworn it was 6'9, but close enough. As for hooks with wacky rigs it's either owner or gammy wordless wacky hooks. The hair jigs are 1/4 ounce. As for line usually flouro, either pline or seagar(sp?).

 

You are one of a kind, normally anglers spending $100 or more on a rod and looking at buying a $300+ rod normally know what length they have, and more importantly, know what length they want or need. As for the wacky rigging, what # test fluoro are you using and have you tied other hooks? Why Gammy and Owner only? There is a lot out there and to begin at the rod right away when you didn't know what length it was tells me there is a good chance that operator error could be involved as well as equipment. I've been at this a long time and I'm still learning new things, and one thing I can tell you is I use to tie my own weed guards on wacky rig/octopus hooks because I found the ones on the Gammmy hook was causing me to lose fish and I found this out by going to a hook without any weed guard and the percentage of fish landed went through the roof. Yes, I had the problem which is why I responded and I kind of figured you were using the weedless versions of those hooks. Do this, if you can get away without a weed guard try that and if you have to have the weed guard go with the VMC Ike Approved weedless wacky hook, and if you don't need the weed guard I'll do you a favor and save you some coin in the process, buy the Gamakatsu plain octopus hook, you get a size 1 and in an 8 pack and a 1/0 in a 6 pack for $3.00, twice as many for less than the weedless version.