Hey guys, I am looking at investing in a new rod for dragging 3/8-1/2 oz football jigs over rocks and sand in 15-45 fow since I do it a lot. I have been looking at the Kistler Helium 3 in 7'3 H/XF, 7'4 MH/XF, and the Megabass Orochi XX EMTF. I was wondering at such deep depths, if I should use a heavy rod? I currently use a medium heavy, but at these depths, was wondering if a heavy would result in better hooksets or if it is overkill. I will be using 30lb braid with 12lb fluoro leader. Would you go heavy for better hooksets, or is it overkill? Thanks

If I have a 1/2oz jig rigged up its on a heavy. With a trailer it can weigh 3/4oz or more. As I'm sure you already know there is no industry standard in rod power ratings. I've owned heavy's that are really a medium heavy and vice versa. If your current rod is fine at the job then there's no need to really change.

I have the H3 7'1 MHXF and would find no issues dragging a 3/8 to 1/2oz jig /w it. I'm one that generally prefers a more powerful rod when throwing most baits but dragging I prefer to stay towards the upper end of a rod. For example, I pitch/flip a 1/2oz jig on an NRX 894 and it is perfect in every way for that but I find it too much rod for dragging 1/2oz football jigs and do so on the 893 instead. I also throw 3/8oz shakey heads, specifically the pumpkin Ed /w that beefy hook, on the H3 and it feels perfect dragging in rocks. I use straight  fluoro for everything.

I definitely go heavy for those long hooksets.

I use a Powell max 3d or endurance 775. I'd highly recommend one of these rods for that. The extra length is huge for fishing deep. I would go with a heavy rod but I don't throw anything less than half ounce with football jigs. The thing I like most is the length and the backbone.

I use a Powell max 3d or endurance 775. I'd highly recommend one of these rods for that. The extra length is huge for fishing deep. I would go with a heavy rod but I don't throw anything less than half ounce with football jigs. The thing I like most is the length and the backbone.

I use the same rod for 1/2+oz jigs and c-rigs. If you want a shorter rod, the powell max 3d or endurance 714cef is a great jig rod too.

A hookset in deep water with a football jig is different than a hookset pitching a jig to a dock, at least for me it is. I use a 7' 1" MH/XF with a high speed reel to wind like crazy while the rod loads before I sweep into the fish instead of crossing their eyes like in shallow water. 

I use the 7'3" HXF Helium 3 for football heads in deep water.  I find it perfect for dragging 1/2 and 3/4 oz baits.  If you throw mostly 3/8-1/2 oz jigs on braid you could probably go with MH.  The rod itself is very sensitive and great for that purpose.  I use fluoro for all my jig fishing.

The rods you are looking at are high end and you may want to consider a custom jig rod with all the components; rod blank, guide train, handle design to meet your specific requirements.

When you say dragging a football jig, to me that means presenting a jig by casting it horizontal and retrieving along the bottom structure. The jig design becomes more important than the rod used to cast it. The line needs to be strong enough to apply the force to set the hook when a strike detected. Relying on the rod to detect a strike isn't your primary concern, it's a factor and the rod shouldn't dampen whatever the line movement maybe. The rod weight, guide train and balance with the reel all combine to help detect strikes that you feel and see from line movement.

The primary job is casting the jig easily the distance you want, have enough power to set the hook with the jigs you use and be able to control the bass from the moment you achieve the hook set to putting the bass into the boat or landing it. I wouldn't go lighter than a 4 power jig rod.

Tom

PS, read OldSchool Horizontal Jigging thread on this site.