Hey BR,

 

Title really says it all, I need a new rod for bottom contact baits such as texas rigs and jigs. I usually throw 1/4oz and 3/8oz tugsten and all kinds of jigs in the same weight category, would I be better off with a medium heavy or heavy rod?  

I always use a MH.  On a suggestion from someone I tried a H and didn't like it.  Back to MH. Could just be my personal preference though.  

Full disclosure......I do use a H for punching though.  

MH would be good for those weights. I step it up to a heavy if I’m throwing 1/2oz or more. Heavier rod may help with hook sets if you are fishing really deep too.

In my opinion you’re better off with MH if you have to pick between the two. 

Just now, 5by3 said:

MH would be good for those weights. I step it up to a heavy if I’m throwing 1/2oz or more. Heavier rod may help with hook sets if you are fishing really deep too.

That's what I was thinking to be honest

Rod ratings can be very different from one manufacturer to another so it really depends on what rods we're talking about. I throw jigs in the 3/8 range on a Kistler rated MH and a Dobyns rated H.

Both are great for bottom contact baits.  I would guess that MH is used more than H.  Let the weight of the bait and trailer that you are going to use be a good starting point.

Those weights are MH territory for me...maybe H in a Dobyns.

Medium heavy for me for almost everything baitcasting and I navigate this by changing action aka modfast, fast or extra fast. I have a couple mediums that I use for jerkbaits, poppers and small swim jigs. Only have 1 heavy and that's for frogs.

1 hour ago, DitchPanda said:

Medium heavy for me for almost everything baitcasting and I navigate this by changing action aka modfast, fast or extra fast. I have a couple mediums that I use for jerkbaits, poppers and small swim jigs. Only have 1 heavy and that's for frogs.

Explain to me the actions of the rod (fast, extra fast etc)

Like power action varies between rod builders...no standards!

In general a fast action rod starts to bend in the upper 1/4 tip down before the rest of the rod bends under light loads. The more the rod bend the slower the action is, moderate being slower then fast. Extra fast is more of a marketing feature to seperate fast from faster, both are subjective.

Using 1/4-3/8 oz jigs with a trailer that weight 1/8 to 3/16 oz most MHF jig & worm baitcasting rods will work for you.

What rod makes are you considering?

Are you casting and retrieving the jigs?

Tom

So I use a modfast for moving baits like chatterbaits, spinnerbaits and squarebills the idea is it gives a little to let them get a hold of it so you don't pull the bait away

Fast action I use for jigs...with an open hook design a little more tip flex helps me snake it through cover without sticking the hook in wood as often..also feel the forgiveness in the tip helps keep jumping bass pinned with that big chunk of lead up top...seems to make it harder for them to throw it

Extra fast I use for Texas rigs...seems I get better bite detection with the super fast tip..also the extra tip power helps in setting the hook through the plastic in my opinion. Throwing the hook is not a concern since the weight is separate because I don't peg my weight 

 

If I was getting 1 rod only for Texas rigs and jigs if get a 7ft to 7ft4in medium heavy fast. Spool it up with 15lb copolymer or fluoro if you prefer and should be good to go.

2 minutes ago, WRB said:

Like power action varies between rod builders...no standards!

In general a fast action rod starts to bend in the upper 1/4 tip down before the rest of the rod bends under light loads. The more the rod bend the slower the action is, moderate being slower then fast. Extra fast is more of a marketing feature to seperate fast from faster, both are subjective.

Using 1/4-3/8 oz jigs with a trailer that weight 1/8 to 3/16 oz most MHF jig & worm baitcasting rods will work for you.

What rod makes are you considering?

Tom

This is true many rod companies are different in how they classify there rods power. I use abu Garcia and st Croix rods for bottom contact..both rods seem to run heavier so I use medium heavy. If I was using Dobyns or falcon I may step up to a heavy since both companies seem to run lighter.

Honestly I’d be happy either way, just depends on rod company. My t-rig rod is a 7’6 heavy extra fast. Loads up super quick, got loads of power to horse then out. My heavier and main jig rod is actually a heavy fast action (glx 894c). Rod just flat out fishes nice. 7’5” in length, fished deep water beautiful, loads of power but super sensitive. My more finesse or small jig rod, dock rod or shallow water rod is an nrx 853c. Shortest of the bunch at 7’, medium heavy and extra fast again. That rod is seeing more use each time I go out as I find it to be very universal for throwing jigs in medium cover, tossing a senko if I want to change it up, a heavier shaky head if I want to play that card. Just cause I enjoy the rod so much I even sometimes throw poppers and such on it. Just my overall favourite set up.