Large wreckfish caught in New Zealand

Jigging is an incredibly effective method. The appropriate tackle aids in attracting bites and landing trophies like this massive wreckfish, caught off New Zealand.
Chris Wong

When Should I Use a Jig?

The evolution of specialized gear in tackle design follows a cyclical pattern. As jigging gains global interest, tackle manufacturers continuously improve jigging equipment. Concurrently, as manufacturers enhance their products, jigging enjoys corresponding increases in popularity. This sport, a niche in saltwater fishing, has led to a variety of rods and reels specifically designed for jig fishing.

Jigging has become exceptionally favored for nearly all offshore fishing, with the exception of billfish. Bottom species like groupers, rockfish, and snappers are attracted to jigs. Mid-column and surface fish like jacks, yellowtail, mackerel, wahoo, and mahi also respond to jigs. Even various tuna species will strike a jig.

However, not all jigging tackle is created the same: Specific gear is designed for speed jigging and slow-pitch jigging. This difference is crucial since each technique necessitates distinct equipment. Speed jigging typically uses longer, thinner “knife” jigs that are pulled upwards in a quick, rhythmic manner. Conversely, slow-pitch jigging demands more finesse; these jigs are lifted abruptly and then permitted to descend a short distance while taking up slack line created by the lift.

What Reel is Best for Jigging?

Tuna caught using Maxel Rage reel

Lightweight jigging equipment can dominate powerful fish, like this sought-after Pacific species, the kingfish.
Chris Wong

Types of Reels

When selecting reels for fishing, the first consideration is their type—spin or conventional. Experts generally agree that either type can work well for speed jigging. However, for slow-pitching, conventional reels are preferable.

“Slow pitch hinges on finesse and sensitivity,” says Paul Chua, a jigging specialist at Saltywater Tackle. It also requires understanding underwater conditions, jig action, and currents’ effects on the angler through the line and rod. Conventional reels do not have the gyro movement of spinning reels, allowing for a better transfer of jig movements to the angler.

For speed jigging, Chris Wong from Jig Star USA rods also prefers conventional. These reels manage heavier jigs more effectively and endure the “brutality of mechanical [speed] jigging,” including large, tough fish like yellowtail and tuna. He notes, “With spinning gear, I struggled to turn the handle” when hooking such fish. “Spinning reels typically falter here, while conventional reels excel.”

Slow-pitch fans generally opt for lighter lines, often in the 20 to 40-pound range. Some slow-pitch anglers use considerably lighter lines to get jigs deep—over 2,000 feet for certain Japanese experts, according to Wong.

Jigging Reel Weight and Power

Since jigging involves repeatedly lifting the rod and reel, lightweight reels are advantageous. The trend towards smaller reels for jigging has led to incredibly compact conventional reels that can accommodate surprisingly heavy line (downscaling spinning reels without losing performance is significantly more challenging).

“Anything over 20 ounces for a reel starts to feel heavy,” says Benny Ortiz, a Shimano pro staff member. “Once it surpasses 25 ounces, it becomes too much.” He recalls a time when jig anglers relied on 30 to 40-ounce reels (which equals several pounds). Today, he mentions being able to jig in 800 feet of water with a compact lever drag weighing around 15 ounces. However, Ortiz warns against sacrificing strength for lightweight design, which underscores the importance of reel quality.

Spinning and conventional reels for fishing with jigs

Jigging enthusiasts utilize both spinning and conventional reels. Among the favorites for serious jigters are the Accurate Valiant series (left) and Studio Ocean Mark reels (right).
Jon Whittle / Sport Fishing

Fishing Reel Gear Ratio

Once again, conventional reels are typically preferred as many offer dual-speed options. The high-speed gear (generally at least 6-to-1) enables speed jiggers to swiftly move the lure, which is also beneficial for slow-pitchers, Chua states. The low gear provides power for winching a fish from the bottom.

Fishing Reel Line Capacity

Keep line capacity in mind, as well. If you’re planning to fish in very deep waters, a conventional reel is advisable since they often hold much more line relative to their size compared to spinning reels.

Fishing Drag

The required drag for jig fishing is largely dependent on the targeted species. For smaller fish, most quality reels are adequate. However, for larger species, a maximum drag of 25 to 50 pounds or more can be advantageous. Chua emphasizes the importance of drag in slow-pitch jigging because, once hooked, the reel does the majority of the work (in speed jigging, the angler leans heavily on the rod to tire the fish).

The Cost of Quality Fishing Reels

Apart from performance distinctions between reel types, cost can also be a factor, notes Wong: “A high-end spinning reel typically costs more than a premium twin-drag conventional reel.” A jigging reel should be manufactured with precisely machined parts: “no back play or handle slop,” as Ortiz describes. He advocates for a taller, narrower-spool reel for a steadier retrieval rate. Wide-spool reels, with a smaller line diameter when fishing deep, yield fewer inches of line retrieval per crank. While star-drag conventional reels perform adequately, experts often favor lever drags.

What is a Jigging Rod?

Rod bent over while fishing

The bounce-back feature is beneficial and less tiring both when working jigs and fighting fish.
Sami Ghandour

According to Ortiz, jigging rods serve one primary purpose: “to impart action on a jig.” Few rods accomplish this effectively. A quality jigging rod, in Ortiz’s view, “should adeptly work a jig at various depths. A good jigging rod’s hallmark is its ability to manipulate a jig effortlessly in deep water.”

Chua advises, before selecting a jigging rod, to “know your fishing location, the types of jigs and weights, line class, and expected depths and currents.” Furthermore, “beware of manufacturers that rebrand inshore blanks with altered grips and guides, labeling them slow-pitch rods,” Ortiz warns. Serious jigging rods should indicate ratings for both braided line and jig weight. Some critical parameters experts assess in jigging rods include:

Rod Action

Wong suggests rods with softer parabolic actions for most jigging. This design allows the rod to load up during the upstroke and release on the downstroke. “This loading and unloading recoil is felt by the angler; it aids in developing the essential rhythm,” particularly for speed jigging. Stiffer rods are also viable if the angler utilizes larger, heavier jigs. Chua concurs that a parabolic (“slow”) action is optimal; its bounce-back feature is advantageous and reduces fatigue when working jigs and battling fish.

Fishing Rod Length

Speed-jigging and slow-pitch fishing rods

Speed-jigging rods are more durable than slow-pitch rods, like these from Temple Reef (Levitate series), on the left, and Okuma (Hawaiian Custom), on the right, both designed to maximize sensitivity.
Jon Whittle / Sport Fishing

For deeper jigging, Chua prefers speed-jig rods measuring just over 5 feet to 5 feet 7 inches. In shallower waters, with reduced resistance, he prefers rods from 5 feet 7 inches to 6 feet 3 inches. Most slow-pitch rods range from 6 to 6½ feet.

Wong, for speed jigging, favors shorter rods—around 5 feet or slightly more. However, anglers utilizing less aggressive techniques may prefer longer rods, especially with spinning reels. Song typically uses rods between 5 and 6 feet, preferring a moderately fast action with a “soft and delicate tip” paired with substantial backbone for slow-pitch rods.

Lightweight Fishing Rod

In jigging, where anglers lift repeatedly for extended periods, weight remains a crucial factor, similar to reels. Quality jigging rods are generally lightweight. Recent advancements in rod design and materials have yielded incredibly light yet robust jigging sticks. Chua highlights jig rods weighing as little as 10 ounces that can manage 300-pound tuna—“no kidding!” He identifies nano carbon fiber and graphene as likely the most advanced materials for jigging rods.

Many of these rods are available primarily overseas at high prices. Notably, several U.S. tackle manufacturers now offer excellent jigging rods, including models tailored for slow-pitch fishing enthusiasts. Some examples include the Accurate Valiant rod line, Okuma’s Metaloid slow-jigging rod, and Shimano’s Grappler Slow J1 and Trevala S jigging and casting rods.

Choosing Jigs for Fishing

Storm Gomoku jig

Experts often believe that a single assist hook, as seen on Storm’s Gomoku jig, provides sufficient hooking power.

Optimal Metal Jig Styles

When speed jigging in deep waters, Wong recommends streamlined, tail-weighted jigs. “These sink quickly and are less susceptible to being displaced in current.” However, he notes that these jigs offer less action during the retrieve, necessitating hard and fast movement to make them swim. Chua also advocates for bottom-weighted or tail-weighted jigs for speed jigging, as they exhibit sharp darting, wobbling, and sliding movements.

Chua prefers using long knife jigs with a broad profile specifically for tuna; for grouper and amberjack, he opts for long tail-weighted jigs. On the other hand, Song favors short, center-balanced jigs for tuna.

For shallow or moderately deep waters, Wong selects center-weighted jigs that are long, broad, and flat. “These provide significantly more action during lifts and drops. Their flutter provides extra hang time, which becomes invaluable where shallower depths require covering less distance within the water column.”

Jig rigged with hooks

Some anglers, such as Benny Ortiz, rig their jigs with hooks, utilizing split and solid rings as well.

Wong has a preference for the “original, wide-body keel jig,” the design that popularized slow-pitch jigging. “It’s simple to use and responds well to subtle rod movements.” He also appreciates “short, cigar-shaped jigs,” particularly in deeper waters, which offer a rolling, tumbling motion when worked, contrasting with traditional tail-weighted jigs. Chua prefers flat-sided jigs on one side and rounded on the other for slow-pitch jigging.

Ortiz mentions a common misconception that slow-pitch jigs must be short, wide, and overly fluttery. In reality, longer, narrower jigs can effectively serve in slow-pitching, as their shapes allow for rapid descents into deep water. “The key,” Ortiz emphasizes, “is understanding how each jig in your arsenal behaves when it falls.”

An assortment of jigs

The variety in shapes, sizes, and colors means that you can always select the right jig for the conditions you’re facing.
Jon Whittle / Sport Fishing

Opinions on colors vary, but Chua expresses a preference for luminous glow jigs, particularly for deeper waters. Regarding size, many experts recommend using jigs that are not heavier than necessary to reach the desired depth given the conditions. Additionally, Chua emphasizes that it is vital to match jigs to the rod’s action based on their weight, especially during slow-pitch fishing.

About the Fishing Experts Mentioned in this Article

Paul Chua: Originally from Singapore, Chua began fishing trips to Malaysia at age 11. Since then, he has explored the world’s fishing locales and has been in the jigging and popping tackle industry since 2007. He currently lives in the Northeast and is recognized as a jigging expert alongside Sami Ghandour at Saltywater Tackle in Sayreville, New Jersey.

Benny Ortiz: Based in Florida, Ortiz (@mrbennyortiz) is a jigging master whose expertise in slow-pitch techniques has made him a sought-after speaker at numerous seminars and the focus of various regional and national publications. He is affiliated with numerous pro teams, including Shimano.

Kil Song: Described as a “jigging master,” Song has been an active angler since 1980, often fishing more than a third of the days each year, particularly in some of the planet’s most productive jigging environments. He runs the popular online specialty store: jignpop.com.

Chris Wong: An avid angler and owner of a fishing-tackle distribution company based in New Zealand, Wong regularly attends Japanese tackle exhibitions and appreciates the advancements in speed (“mechanical”) and slow-pitch jigging. Since 2007, he has developed his own line of jigging rods—Jig Star—while regularly visiting New Zealand’s Three Kings Islands and Ranfurly Bank, known as some of the world’s most challenging fishing locations.

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