Finding the best jigging rods for the UK

Jigging rods are specialist lure fishing rods designed for use when fishing vertically from a boat with metal lures.

The closest thing to jigging we had in the UK in the past was the use of ‘pirks’ for cod. Cod pirks were pretty much bits of shiny metal, often with a muppet above them (a squid imitation lure). These are dropped down over wrecks or onto the sea bed, and then ‘jigged up and down – lifting the rod sharply and then dropping it sharply to allow the pirk to rise and fall quickly. The rods were generally thick and heavy, as we the reels and the lines, and yes, the lures themselves.

But in fairness to us Brits, the modern method of jigging is essentially the same, only the tackle and techniques have become far more refined. Most importantly, the jigging rods have become far more fun to use, and the techniques more effective.

This refinement of jigging methods began in Japan, then the Americans jerked themselves into a mania, starting in South Florida. We on our small island then joined in when we realised that our demersal species often strike a slowly falling jig much more readily than a fast-fall and dull rise we had been offering them in the past.

Slow pitch jigging and jigging from a boat should not be confused with shore jigging, with casting jigs. That’s a whole different topic. The lure action in the clip below shows how a shorejig looks to fish on a horizontal straight retrieve. Very different from fishing vertically…

Photography credit: @pechefacile – shorejigging, as above, is very different from vertical jigging and so the rods are very different also

Goodbye, thick boat rods, oversized multipliers, heavy lines and muppets… Hello to what is probably set to become the dominant technique in British boat fishing (with lures, anyway)…

Choosing a jigging rod

Rod Length & Selection

Jigging rods are generally about 6ft. The main thing is to match the rod to the size of jig you will be fishing with, as you will get a better action on your lures this way.

Parabolic action – is it really necessary?

Jigging rods have parabolic actions or ‘slow actions’ – this just means that the rod bends more towards the middle than the tip. When you lift your jig up sharply, the whole rod will bend into it, rather than just the tip. This is so that the rod can ‘load’ fully, such that when it recovers to the straight position, the jig is lifted upwards much further and more rapidly. This creates a larger range for the jig to fall and rise each time, even with a rod of just 6ft. This is why it’s key the jig is appropriately weighted for the rod, otherwise the rod cannot do its job.

Jigging rods are also designed to impart action into your jig without you having to lift the rod so that you don’t get tired during a long days fishing. The second effect of this slow action is that it makes the jig rise in a controlled, deliberate way rather than an erratic, sharp motion.

The final reason that a slow action rod makes sense when jigging is that when a monster fish grabs your noodle-rod and bends it in half, the rod can absorb the hit better and it’s less likely to snap in sheer fright.

A longer rod is more tiring to use after a while, but does give you better connection to your lure if there is tidal current pulling your line into a bow. A longer rod may also be able to be pointed into the water to allow a fish to run under the boat without scraping your line along the hull. Finally, in deeper water they can help to impart more action into your jigs. Shorter rods are easier to use and manoeuvre on a boat and the extra length is usually simply not needed since you’re not casting out. The main reason jigging rods tend to be so short however is that when fighting bigger fish, the extra length works against you. You might think the length would give you more leverage on the fish, but I’m afraid the fish was thinking the same about its increased leverage on you!

Slow jigging rods tend to be longer and lighter then fast jigging rods.

What casting weight for jigging in UK waters?

A 200g jigging rod is perfect for jigging in the UK, and is still a sporting outfit. For those that want to have extra grunt for the biggest fish a 300g rod will give you that, but will be overkill for most of your more typical catches even over wrecks. A 150g or under rod is suitable for inshore jigging in waters where you’re not expected to hook into larger fish – e.g. shallower reefs for bass etc.

baitcasting reels — FISHMAG was fortunate to be able to fish on the Daiwa Japan field testing boat while filming overseas. Unfortunately, the reel above is a prototype and not available to buy just yet. It was inspiring to see the attention to detail they took with their jigging technique.

What reels to pair with a slow jigging rod?

Slow Jigging reels tend to be small narrow-spooled multiplier style reels with a large handle to make retrieve in deep water easier, but bait caster style reels are also now proving popular too thanks to the instant jig drop ability with the thumb spool-please button.

Slow-Pitch vs. Speed Jigging

With slow jigging, the upward and downward movement of the lure is… slower. Slow jigs are designed to flutter when raised upwards and then flutter slowly downwards. Fast jigs – or more traditional jigs, often have no movement when lifted up, and fall sharply downwards on the drop. This more erratic movement can work well, but suits fish that are in a very different feeding state.

Here’s the table with multiplier reels on top, fixed spools below, and both ordered from lower to higher casting weights:

Now everything is sorted correctly! Let me know if you need any tweaks.

Jigging rods for each purpose

Which casting weight rod should you go for? It depends what size jigs you’re using more so than how big the fish are. If you are fishing deeper water or water with more current, you may want a heavier jigging rod. This is to help you maintain direct connection to your jig, and prevent your line forming a bow shape in the current. The reel is doing most of the fighting via the drag, so your best bet is generally to go for the lightest rod you can given the water depth and movement. Having said that, if you’re trying to pull bigger fish away from deep sea wrecks, the extra grunt in the rod may be essential.

As a bit of a reference point…

Casting 150g and under

HTO Tempest Inshore
Reel Type: Fixed Spool
Casting Weight: Casting 7-35g, Vertical 90g
Length: 8’
Notes: All-rounder inshore boat lure rod, designed for fishing soft plastics or jigs
available here

Rapture Deep Fall Slow Pitch Spinning 100g
Reel Type: Fixed Spool
Casting Weight: 100g
Length: 6’6”
Notes: Inshore reef, lighter – slow pitch specialist
available here

HTO Nebula Light Boat Jigging
Reel Type: Fixed Spool
Casting Weight: 40g
Length: 6’
Notes: Ultra-light inshore jigging rod for use with much smaller lures
available here

HTO Nebula Light Boat Jigging
Reel Type: Fixed Spool
Casting Weight: 40g
Length: 6’
Notes: Nebular – light inshore stuff
available here

Rapture Deep Fall Slow Pitch Casting 150g
Reel Type: Multiplier
Casting Weight: 150g
Length: 6’
Notes: Medium heavy
available here

Rapture Deep Fall Slow Pitch Casting 150g
Reel Type: Multiplier
Casting Weight: 150g
Length: 6’6”
Notes: Low price
available here

Penn Conflict Tataki Boat 7’4” 20-150g
Reel Type: Fixed Spool
Casting Weight: 20-150g
Length: 7’4”
Notes: Squid rod
available here

Casting 200g

Penn Battalion Solid Jigging Spinning Rod 200g
Reel Type: Fixed Spool
Casting Weight: 200g
Length: 6’
available here

Penn Conflict Jigging 200g
Reel Type: Fixed Spool
Casting Weight: 200g
Length: 6’
available here

Sakura Mitsio Slow Jigging MICSJ Casting 200g
Reel Type: Fixed Spool
Casting Weight: 200g
Length: 6’3”
Notes: Slow jigging specialist, proper slow action, Mitsubishi blank Japan
available here

Sakura Ryokan RSWS641 SJ2
Reel Type: Fixed Spool
Casting Weight: 90-200g
Length: 6’3”
Notes: Low price
available here

Jigging rods casting 250g

Savage Gear SGS2 Jigging 5’9” 100-250g
Reel Type: Fixed Spool
Casting Weight: 100-250g
Length: 5’9”
Notes: Budget option
available here

Jigging rods casting 300g

Penn Battalion Solid Jigging Spinning Rod 300g
Reel Type: Fixed Spool
Casting Weight: 300g
Length: 6’
available here

Penn Squadron II Jig 662
Reel Type: Fixed Spool
Casting Weight: Jigs 150 – 300g (40lb)
Length: 6’6”
available here

Penn Conflict Jigging 300g
Reel Type: Fixed Spool
Casting Weight: 300g
Length: 6’
available here

Sakura Mitsio Slow Jigging MICSJ 300g
Reel Type: Fixed Spool
Casting Weight: 300g
Length: 6’3”
Notes: Same as above
available here

Penn Retaliate X Solid Jigging 6ft 300g
Reel Type: Multiplier
Casting Weight: 300g
Length: 6’
Notes: One-piece blank
available here