Title says is all, I am in the market for a new fishing rod and would like to pick the brains of everyone here. My primary use for this rod would be pitching and vertical jigging light (primarily 1/8 oz or less and never over 1/4 oz) jigs.

I want something that is light and sensitive enough to maintain feel with very light presentations and still has enough backbone to drive the hook home.

My initial research has led me to three top contenders so far. Does anybody have any input on these rods or had the chance to compare them? Is there something else out there that would work perfectly for me? Budget is around $150.
- St. Croix Premier 6' ML fast
- St. Croix Eyecon 6'3" ML extra fast
- Fenwick Elite Tech Walleye 6'3" ML Extra Fast

I have 3-4 of the Fenwick line and 3-4 of the St. Croix models.. I choose to jig with the St. Croix Premier 6ft ML fast every time with 1/8-1/4 ounce jigs. The Fenwich with the x-fast tip would also be interesting to use...

I'm telling you, I don't think there is a better quality, more sensitive rod with a lifetime warranty for $100 than the Fenwick HMG. For what you want to do, if you're fishing out of a canoe, I'd go with the one piece, six foot even, medium-light action spinning rod. This is one sweet rod. Then slap a Plueger President size 30 spinning reel on it and you are good to go.

Oh and by the way, I have two St. Croix Premiers, both six footers, one in medium-light, one in medium, and I'll take the Fenwick HMG any day of the week over the St. Croix.

quote thinblueline: "Oh and by the way, I have two St. Croix Premiers, both six footers, one in medium-light, one in medium, and I'll take the Fenwick HMG any day of the week over the St. Croix."

Interesting. I have a 6'6" medium HMG and absolutely love it but it's just too much rod for light jigs. I have never owned a st croix or used an extra fast tip so those had me intrigued. Maybe I should stick with the old trusty, I will definitely add it to the list. Thanks!

I have 2 Shimano Cumara rods that I use exclusively for Walleye jigging. Very nice rods! I built custom rods for years working my way through college and after. I can assure you there is a point of diminishing returns on money spent. I would add I'm a big fan of 7' + rods for light lures in general for casting distance and hook setting in a canoe. That is the same reason I'm a fan of braided superlines with floro tippet for light walleye jig fishing. They touch it you know it.

Have to agree with BnD on rod length...

I prefer a 7' rod. A medium light St. Croix premier works well for me. I feel like, the longer rod allows me to control the fish better or cast further.

T

For a full day of jigging, I prefer a 6' rod and the two that I have are both St. Croix - one Avid and one Premier. Both are MF with good backbone for hook setting and fighting bigger fish. I think they're both fine rods but I've never fished with a Fenwick. Maybe someday. Sounds like a good option though.

I just find the longer rods too much length for the all-day up-and-down jigging motion. My two cents...

I generally gravitate to longer rods for most purposes but jigging is definitely the exception and 6' seems ideal and 6'6" being the max. I would probably get the rod with the line in mind.......braid would likely get the slightly longer rod. Most rods in true jigging applications have an extra fast tip.

I have several St Croix and quite a few Loomis and for freshwater applications the St Croix is a real value.

quote thinblueline: "Oh and by the way, I have two St. Croix Premiers, both six footers, one in medium-light, one in medium, and I'll take the Fenwick HMG any day of the week over the St. Croix."

Good to know for the next time I am looking.

For rod length I assume in canoe country you are casting and jigging. If it is all vertical jigging then I get the preference for a shorter one as well.

T

quote timatkn: "

quote thinblueline: "Oh and by the way, I have two St. Croix Premiers, both six footers, one in medium-light, one in medium, and I'll take the Fenwick HMG any day of the week over the St. Croix."

Good to know for the next time I am looking.


For rod length I assume in canoe country you are casting and jigging. If it is all vertical jigging then I get the preference for a shorter one as well.


T"

I bought the 6' medium light HMG before a week long trip last September. Two co-workers who went along also took my recommendation and they each bought the exact same rod. We all put the Plueger Presidents, size 30, on them as well.

We were all thrilled to death. We were all vertical jigging lead head jigs and plastics, and even these two newbies jig fishing had no difficulty whatsoever detecting bites. One of the guys was so inexperienced this was his one and only fishing rod, and he had no trouble picking off walleyes. I caught the biggest Walleye of my life on it, a fish that went about 26 or 27 inches, and that rod handled it like a champ. Not to be out done was the other newby who battled a good 15-17 pound pike for no less than 10 full minutes on than rod, and it handled that fish beautifully.

When we weren't jigging, we were casting jitterbugs, hula poppers, and small spinners with it. It's just a great all around canoe country rod, with enough backbone to handle big fish, but a light and fast enough action to keep the small fish a ton of fun.

I went with the six footer because, as crazy as it sounds, the extra half foot of rod length does seem to exact a slightly more tiring toll on the wrist. You wouldn't think it, but it seemed that way to me.

I don't use the Fenwick, but I do have the St Croix 6' Premier in ML. You will absolutely love the rod.

I forgot to mention just be sure you get a fast or extra fast action rod for jig fishing. Anything more moderate action is simply going to lose feel since the rod is softer (more overall flex). It does make a difference. Fishing rods are like cars. Everyone likes a different one, however, there are excellent cars and there are serviceable cars. Good luck with your choice.

Thanks guys. Certainly a lot to think about. I was hesitant to consider a 7 foot length because the 7' ML gander guide series I have is too soft for good hooksets while jigging. I really like it for live bait rigging and slip bobbers though. They labeled it a fast action but I'm guessing a higher quality rod would probably have a faster action.

Time to go to cabelas for some test driving.

6'3"-6'6" is a perfect length for a jigging rod, IMO, especially in a canoe.
My slip bobber set up is an Eyecon and it is a stellar rod, BUT of the options you listed, the EliteTech is by far my preferred choice for jigging. I've owned 4 over the years (2 stepped on by others, and 2 in fine shape).

If I can offer another option, I'd highly suggest the 13 Fishing Muse Gold 6'6". Taking 10% at Gander or taking advantage of other online options would put it just around $150.

Interested in hearing what you decided on!

All else equal, will a fast action rod cast further than an extra fast?

I have the St. Croix Eyecon in the same action as you. I really like it except it is a one piece and so I don't take it to the BWCA. It is my favorite rod but I can't speak for the other ones.

I really like the action on the Eyecon and I can feel the bites exceptionally well on it.

quote tarnkt: "All else equal, will a fast action rod cast further than an extra fast?"

Long story short .....rod action does not correlate to casting distance period. Casting style and characteristics yes.( I.e. Lobbing live bait rig vs. throwing crankbaits on a line) Personally, I prefer throwing for accuracy + distance. Additionally, I prefer the feel of an xfast rod for jig fishing. The bottom line is you and only you have to like the rod and it only needs to fit your fishing style and preferences.

Lots goes into casting distance including the action of the rod. I think what BnD is trying to say is it is not the predominant factor but rather part of a combination of factors.......but of course the rod has much to do with casting distance including the action.

It's all back to physics......number of eyelets, length of rod, rod material, spacing of eyelets and yes the action plays a part in how the rod "loads" and transmits its energy.

And of course the reel and line also play a part. One of the best things you can do to increase casting distance with spinning gear is to use a wide (large) diameter spool.

My all time furthest casting rod was a combination of the old Zebco Cardinal reel (before Garcia ruined them) and a Shimano SST rod. The Cardinal had a rather wide spool and the 8' SST rod was made from fiberglass and would load and sling an original J-11 rapala an incredible distance with 4lb xt. This was critically important in the early spring when bass would invade the shallow marshes of Lake St. Clair. I lost the top 1/2 of the rod and figured it could be replaced easily but the graphite rods loads entirely differently and the incredible distances are now a thing of the past.

quote thinblueline: "I'm telling you, I don't think there is a better quality, more sensitive rod with a lifetime warranty for $100 than the Fenwick HMG. For what you want to do, if you're fishing out of a canoe, I'd go with the one piece, six foot even, medium-light action spinning rod. This is one sweet rod. Then slap a Plueger President size 30 spinning reel on it and you are good to go."

Search this on Amazon and you can find someone selling an HMG/President XT combo in varying lengths for $130 which is an insane deal if you don't mind a 1 piece. I'm on my phone but can find the link tomorrow if anyone is interested. For reference the rod alone runs around $100 and the reel is $70-80ish.

I bought my first decent jigging rod last year, a 6'6 ML Fenwick HMX and found it to be incredible. The sensitivity compared to my other rods was night and day. I put some 6lb equivalent powerpro on it and was able to feel every detail of the bottom and pick up on the lightest hits. If the HMG improves on this I don't think you can go wrong here.

i broke my elite tech and they replaced it for nothing but shipping the broken one-like 5 bucks.
a very good rod for what you describe.