Jigging rods. Do you jig and what do you use?

[Itinerant]

Prospector asked me a question about jigging rods in the Mantua Reports & Conditions thread, and rather than clutter that thread with posts unrelated to Mantua I told him I’d answer his question and start a discussion here. A side benefit is that newer members who can’t view the C&R boards can join the discussion. I’m also interested to know how many of you actively jig when you’re out. I don’t pay too much attention to what others are doing out on the ice but in my travels I do see a lot of folks who seem to be just soaking a lure or bait since I see so many rods sitting on chairs, in rod holders or just plain laying on the ice.

Anyway, Prospector asked what rods I used. I have a handful of Thorne Bros. rods ranging from their 28” Panfish Sweetheart to a 42” pro custom that I use depending on species targeted, lure weight and water depth. The huge majority of my ice fishing targets panfish so my lighter rods, the Panfish and Perch Sweetheart models see the most action with the Panfish Sweetheart being my go-to anytime I’m fishing perch, gills or crappie in water less than 20’ deep. I use 2# test line and fish Wolfgram jigs ranging from 2.5-4mm in size with this rod. Whenever I’m fishing deeper, such as at Pineview, I’ll step up to the Perch Sweetheart and 4# line to better handle the heavier offerings such as Halis that I use to get down quickly. And so it goes up the line, heavier rod and line to handle jigging raps or airplanes or whatever is suitable for the species and conditions.

What say the rest of you?

[muskyon46]

I like to do some jigging but have never had a preference on any brand name of rods, i just go by the feel of them when making a purchase. I have been doing most of my pk (1/8oz) jigging for pan fish and average trout with a 24" southbend celcius medium combo using 4lb test but really its more like medium light to me. I prefer these combos as the reels have a super smooth drag. When im jigging for bigger fish mainly burbot or lakers i have been using 28" & 30" southbend north star medium light rods that feel more like a medium to heavy to me, setup with my reels i use on the soft water with 8-10lb test. On all my rods i do use indicators, wire and spring. It does help me detect the lightest bites in between jigging when deadsticking

[Darn0]

Since I got a two pole permit, I always jig with one pole and deadstick with the other.  I'm also a big fan of Thorne bros rods and for panfish fishing at Utah Lake I use a powernoodle or a quiverstick.  For Trout and Lakers I use a Perch or Walleye Sweet Heart.  My go to and my most versatile rod I use for jigging and/or Deadsticking for both panfish and trout is a custom 36" Tb deadstick. 

[Nite Runner]

    I also have a 2 pole permit and will often jig with both poles esp. on Starvation. Seems that most of my Rainbows at Starvation are caught in the 8 to 10 ft range so I jig one pole there and one close to bottom. As far as poles I have a 30 in. Med. action Ugly Stix with a Mitchell310X reel and a 26in. Lite action Ugly Stix with a Dave Gienz True Blue reel. I will at times dead stix one the same depth as I'm jigging and found that fish will often take the dead stix while circling my jigging setup. I have also noticed that with Trout, if they show up while jigging keep jigging, if they come to a dead stix it is best to leave it sit until they take your offering.