rod suggestions for jigging raps

[basshead]

Rod suggestions for small jigging raps , mainly panfish

[abishop]

Any light action should work fine. I mainly use a #5 rap and use a 26-28 light rod. Using 4# line. Never caught any monsters, but, many 2 pound walleye. If you are going for a size 2 or 3 and trying for pan fish a 24 inch ul should be good nuff.

[tightliner812]

I would look for a medium light to a medium . I think the one I have is a 26" medium it works great for smaller spoons and raps up to #3's

[high_flags]

 I have a few diff rods for raps...  the one I use the most is set up for bigger fish,    I use mostly #7's Raps,   Bass, walleye ,Pike ...My current fav set up is a 4'6" Shakespeare snygery  UL  with a ABU Garcia Black max bait caster, 8# mono with a barrel swivel and 2' of floro and a quick snap.

I love the action on this set up its a perfect balance with this weight rap, and the longer rod gives you more jigging line snap.

I use a ultra light 24" rod  4# test for  2 and #3 raps,same as AL said too.  I tip the center hook with a spike.  Orange gold for perch.  try to match the feel of the rod to the weight of the lure, sometimes you have try out a few rods....   

[abishop]

IMHO if you are targeting smaller fish you want a rod that will let you detect the light hits. A med. is a bit heavy. Just my 2 cents.

[basshead]

Thanks for the good information.

[imob34]

Salmo makes a chubby darter rod, light tip & good backbone   I don't think there's a better jigging rap rod available   And it only cost $29

[crappiekilr]

I got 2 28" okuma light action rods I use for fishing jiggin raps for crappie on the reservoirs.   I agree you dont want to go to heavy when the bite is light

[river_scum]

my favorite rod for larger raps is an old fiberglass rod and a small bait caster. i like the spongy whippy feel of that old rod. you can sorta feel the glide to the side so to speak. lol smaller raps for gills i like a light gill rod, so it acts overloaded on the jig up. i think the softness of the jigging action sends it out farther to the side. swim a huge circle or three, then let it settle under the hole with some twitches on the way. next time you jig there is weight! you know what im talking about.   lmao

lil glow tails, glued to them, dont seem to hurt either.

[bldfrt]

I use an oldish gander med light for those. It's got a little bend and a little backbone. It probably depends somewhat on the brand you choose

[High Tide]

Good topic! IMO "ultralight" is a relative term as each rod manufacturer is different. I don't worry about feeling the fish bite, because gills, crappie, and the othe bigger species don't usually hit raps light. I'd rather go with a stiffer action (fast action) tip to give me power to control the weight of the rap, control the snap, and set the hook. You really could get a away with using the same rod for 1/2 pound gills as you could 4 pound eyes (#2 to 5 raps). Lower end rods that work, the list is very long (my cheapos are Genz sticks), and my higher end rods are customs with St. Croix blanks. When those break, I'll be switching to the Sweathearts, which are ridiculously good rods. Bret can tell you the action/model.

[bret]

Good topic! IMO "ultralight" is a relative term as each rod manufacturer is different. I don't worry about feeling the fish bite, because gills, crappie, and the othe bigger species don't usually hit raps light. I'd rather go with a stiffer action (fast action) tip to give me power to control the weight of the rap, control the snap, and set the hook. You really could get a away with using the same rod for 1/2 pound gills as you could 4 pound eyes (#2 to 5 raps). Lower end rods that work, the list is very long (my cheapos are Genz sticks), and my higher end rods are customs with St. Croix blanks. When those break, I'll be switching to the Sweathearts, which are ridiculously good rods. Bret can tell you the action/model.

I would agree with HT.  A firm rod tip is better to control the action of the jigging rap.  I prefer a tight bounce or even a quivering motion as most guys do.  I have a cheap South Bend rod that works well with the 3,5 & #7 raps.  But my two favorites are the Thorne Bros perch sweetheart for the #2, #3 and even the #5 raps.  I also have the Thorne Bros. 28" outside Medium walleye rod that handles the 5,7 & 9 raps.  They are great, sensitive rods & when combined with a low stretch line... they really telegraph the bite.

[Fish_Tko]

I like the thorne bros walleye sweetheart 28" m. For spoons and had them make me a 30" m with a little faster tip this year to absorb some of the bounce after the snap. I also have the perch sweetheart in 28 ml that is ideal for the even smaller lures. They make an awesome rod