Slow Pitch Jigging off a kayak

[SoCalEDC]

Originally Posted by JohnMckroidJr

Re:SoCalEDC
Thanks for the info. Which SPJ reels did you select? and are you happy with them?

On the PE 2-4 set up I use an Accurate Tern 300x (Star drag, the x denotes the 6.1:1 Gears as opposed to the 4.8 in the non x model. The model I have is rated at a little over 38" of line per crank, and holds a claimed 330yds of 30# braid, although in reality it holds a bit more). I like this reel (initially I did not but after a service its great) but the knob sucks, I don't like Accurate's ball knobs because they get slippery. They recently announced some SPJ handles but they don't offer them for the 300 size reels yet. If you have cranked a big Tranx (400 or 500) or a Talica, they feel similar to how this reel cranks, almost feels hollow when you are cranking it. Fit and finish is a 9.5/10 there is one tiny imperfection in one of the chamfers on the case from machining, but its hardly noticeable and I may have only noticed it because I work in the fabrication/machining industry so I tend to be hyper critical of stuff like that.

On the PE 3-6 set up I use a Seigler SGN (Lever drag, 6:1 ratio on these guys and I have the long crank arm on it. Rated for 38"/crank It'll take about 400yds of 30.) I just got this in December and haven't had it out yet so I will have to report back, although, I have played with it quite a bit and I can say that I like the reel quite a bit in hand, its pretty smooth, but does not have the "hollow" feeling I mentioned above, I actually like the feel of cranking this reel better than those mentioned above because it feels like I am using a beefy piece of machinery if that makes sense. fit and finish is really like a 8/10 though. Everything is smooth, the tolerances are great, and the reel functions flawlessly from what I can tell, but there are tooling marks all over the thing. No burrs or sharp edges or anything but rather than finishing the frame and handle with some kind of polishing/buffing procedure or tumbling I think they go straight from finish machining to anodizing. Its not rough on the hands or anything like that but if you are expecting it to be as pretty as a Talica or a Saltiga don't get your hopes up. Then again its a 300 dollar reel not a 600 dollar reel and its 100% made in America so I don't know that its fair to expect that level of cosmetic refinement. Seigler is a pretty small company who machines everything in house, QC varies. I have another Seigler (SG), and it is nearly flawless, I think that kind of variance comes with the territory.

[JohnMckroidJr]

Originally Posted by SoCalEDC

On the PE 2-4 set up I use an Accurate Tern 300x (Star drag, the x denotes the 6.1:1 Gears as opposed to the 4.8 in the non x model. The model I have is rated at a little over 38" of line per crank, and holds a claimed 330yds of 30# braid, although in reality it holds a bit more). I like this reel (initially I did not but after a service its great) but the knob sucks, I don't like Accurate's ball knobs because they get slippery. They recently announced some SPJ handles but they don't offer them for the 300 size reels yet. If you have cranked a big Tranx (400 or 500) or a Talica, they feel similar to how this reel cranks, almost feels hollow when you are cranking it. Fit and finish is a 9.5/10 there is one tiny imperfection in one of the chamfers on the case from machining, but its hardly noticeable and I may have only noticed it because I work in the fabrication/machining industry so I tend to be hyper critical of stuff like that.

On the PE 3-6 set up I use a Seigler SGN (Lever drag, 6:1 ratio on these guys and I have the long crank arm on it. Rated for 38"/crank It'll take about 400yds of 30.) I just got this in December and haven't had it out yet so I will have to report back, although, I have played with it quite a bit and I can say that I like the reel quite a bit in hand, its pretty smooth, but does not have the "hollow" feeling I mentioned above, I actually like the feel of cranking this reel better than those mentioned above because it feels like I am using a beefy piece of machinery if that makes sense. fit and finish is really like a 8/10 though. Everything is smooth, the tolerances are great, and the reel functions flawlessly from what I can tell, but there are tooling marks all over the thing. No burrs or sharp edges or anything but rather than finishing the frame and handle with some kind of polishing/buffing procedure or tumbling I think they go straight from finish machining to anodizing. Its not rough on the hands or anything like that but if you are expecting it to be as pretty as a Talica or a Saltiga don't get your hopes up. Then again its a 300 dollar reel not a 600 dollar reel and its 100% made in America so I don't know that its fair to expect that level of cosmetic refinement. Seigler is a pretty small company who machines everything in house, QC varies. I have another Seigler (SG), and it is nearly flawless, I think that kind of variance comes with the territory.

Thanks for the reviews. I am not fond of the metal reel knobs either. I love the feel of an Avet's handle. I have heard good things about both of those reels. In my area, I prefer faster line retrieval. Like over 44" per crank. Sometimes I will mix it up with a little speed jigging. I would like to spring for an Ocea Jigger F 2001NRHG, but would have a hard time using it on a kayak. I wish some of the US companies would produce something like that at an affordable price.

[SoCalEDC]

Originally Posted by JohnMckroidJr

Thanks for the reviews. I am not fond of the metal reel knobs either. I love the feel of an Avet's handle. I have heard good things about both of those reels. In my area, I prefer faster line retrieval. Like over 44" per crank. Sometimes I will mix it up with a little speed jigging. I would like to spring for an Ocea Jigger F 2001NRHG, but would have a hard time using it on a kayak. I wish some of the US companies would produce something like that at an affordable price.

Yea, I those are nice but man they are expensive, I know capt. Mike from the video you linked above uses the saltiga line of star drag reels. Those seem to be pretty damn fine reels as well. The shimano you mentioned i think the f series has that free spool lever brake or what ever they call it. its a wierd gadget but some guys love it.

The seigler LGN (large game narrow) retrievs 52" per crank if im not mistaken and the accurate valiant 500N pulls in 46" per crank if i remember correctly. might be worth looking into. the SGN is about 150 bucks less than the valiant, but I think you would probably prefer the handle on the valiant if you went that direction. Then again you are in OJ territory price wise for the the valiant.

[JohnMckroidJr]

Originally Posted by SoCalEDC

Yea, I those are nice but man they are expensive, I know capt. Mike from the video you linked above uses the saltiga line of star drag reels. Those seem to be pretty damn fine reels as well. The shimano you mentioned i think the f series has that free spool lever brake or what ever they call it. its a wierd gadget but some guys love it.

The seigler LGN (large game narrow) retrievs 52" per crank if im not mistaken and the accurate valiant 500N pulls in 46" per crank if i remember correctly. might be worth looking into. the SGN is about 150 bucks less than the valiant, but I think you would probably prefer the handle on the valiant if you went that direction. Then again you are in OJ territory price wise for the the valiant.

Ocea Jigger J is out of my budget, but I will keep an APB for a used deal. Getting the jig to sink fast is critical in my fishery as it is a race against the current to make it to the bottom in a vertical presentation. A minimal resistance free spool would be a definite advantage. Siegler LGN would make a good candidate for me -- thanks. For a better grip on a metal handle, I am trying Plasti Dip on my latest used aquisition.

[Oolie]

For the reel, consider the depth at which you will be fishing. Most Ocea Jigger users are targeting fish at depths far beneath where our target species live. As such, we can get away with much smaller spooled reels. Unfortunately, those are also some of the more sought after sizes of reel in our market to begin with, but the prices are much lower.

[vincentek9]

I don't think SPJ fishing has caught on too well here. I personally have a few SPJ outfits primarily used to target rockfish. I cant use it for yellowtail here as I need rod backbone to turn the fish ASAP.

as for tuna... bait and shimano flatfalls are king. fishing flatfall is 95% on the drop or stop. has nothing to do with the action of SPJ rod so why not use a broom stick on the cows.

another thing is that I think california law states 2 hooks max. for flatfalls and SPJ, i always set both hooks on the top. It's personal preference and I don't think putting them on the bottom would make much of a difference.

[SoCalEDC]

Originally Posted by vincentek9

I don't think SPJ fishing has caught on too well here. I personally have a few SPJ outfits primarily used to target rockfish. I cant use it for yellowtail here as I need rod backbone to turn the fish ASAP.

as for tuna... bait and shimano flatfalls are king. fishing flatfall is 95% on the drop or stop. has nothing to do with the action of SPJ rod so why not use a broom stick on the cows.

another thing is that I think california law states 2 hooks max. for flatfalls and SPJ, i always set both hooks on the top. It's personal preference and I don't think putting them on the bottom would make much of a difference.

Yep, 2 hook max for ground fish I fish it in the same configuration, 2 hooks at the top, no hooks at the "bottom". I also notice that I snag less without the bottom hooks.