Spinning Reels for Jigging

Cookinman

My "winch" is a Jigging master PE 4. 30# of drag at hookset and a max of 60......It will winch up a Volkswagen.....but its 4:1 which is just fine for most all jigging we do off our coast. Rippin speed is not always the answer. However, I was looking to augment the arsenal w a decent big spinner. I know about Stellas and Twinspins, but with one $800.00 rig on board to risk in a dump, I was thinking of something a tad more economical. I had used my old trusty Penn 750 SS with success in the past, but wanted to consider something a tad lighter w a more upgraded drag system ( the 750 is 22 yrs old and is a workhorse, but the max drag is a little light for jigging AJ off a wreck, doable, but I would like a tad more stopping power
)


OK, thats the backstory - What do you use for power jigging, do you like it ? and recommendations for me to research?

jcanracer

you said you wouldnt mind something lighter? how much line capacity would you want, and how much drag exactly?
Also isnt your existing workhorse a conventional reel?

I have a Penn Battle 5000 and I love it. They have a 7000 and 8000 which offer 25#drag. The Penn Conquer which ive used before and some forum members also have, offers 32# when you go to the 7/8000 range. Penn also has the Torque model which has an insane amount of drag: 38#-50# but i've never used it so I can't offer any perspective on that.

Spineyman

If you do a lot of Aj jigging I strongly recommend you get a Saragoosa 18000, a tad on the heavy side but puts out more drag than you will need and won't tear up after a few jigging trips jigging jacks.

Cookinman

Ive read good things on the Saragosa. And you nailed it on the head - Im afraid of the durability of jackin AJ with a locked up drag - necessary to get em from running back into the wreck when kayak fishing, since they can drag the yak.....

I have an arsenal of Cabo's for inshore and open water - the drags are super awesome and they posess great stopping power for each size class - I have caught kingfish on the pier w my cabo 2500 and a gotcha - but I dont think they are designed to be a "Power Spinner"....


So - Saragosa is durable you say ?

Spineyman

Cookinman wrote: »

Ive read good things on the Saragosa. And you nailed it on the head - Im afraid of the durability of jackin AJ with a locked up drag - necessary to get em from running back into the wreck when kayak fishing, since they can drag the yak.....

I have an arsenal of Cabo's for inshore and open water - the drags are super awesome and they posess great stopping power for each size class - I have caught kingfish on the pier w my cabo 2500 and a gotcha - but I dont think they are designed to be a "Power Spinner"....


So - Saragosa is durable you say ?

I blew up an 8000 jigging jacks in 6 months the first time and 4 months the second. I bought an 18000 and have not looked back since and that was 2 full years ago. It does have the power to stop a ragging Jack over a wreck or big reef. I know of several smaller version reels in various makes that have bit the dust jigging jacks. It's like trying to stop a freight train.

REELEMIN

not as light but i also llike the fin nor offshore for jigging hold tons of line a strong drag.. in the 200$ range

Cookinman

Thanks Pete for the Fin Nor recommendation- Hey BTW, in regards to the question you posed on FB - Im planning on yakking next weekend - Drop me an IM W your numbers and we can connect for a little paddling. Im also going to need a rod made to match the reel - Im thinking 50-65 # Braid - Saragosa 18000 or Fin Nor Offshore sized reel.....I will give you creative freedom within a $ range to do as you see fit....We can talk some more when I settle on the reel... Gotta keep up W Ricky and Bolo...lol

So far Fin and Saragosa look to be up to the task - I like price ranges as well.....
( Specially since Im not getting BOLO to part w his Stella ...lol )

Any other of you guys have Jiggin spinners you like or dislike ?

blazing_reels

I would recommend using a Penn Fierce. I have the 8000 and 7000 series reels. They are both reasonable in price and hold up quite well when it comes to fishing. I am going to be buying a Penn Torque rod in the 80-130 lb range. I have a couple friends that have these rods. I personally saw my buddy Hooked, reel in a 60lb Warsaw grouper on his Penn torque rod. He was using the Fin Nor reel. they run around 160.00 @ ****. Hope this helps...gl

Pottymouth

4.1 low gear good power slow retrieve. 6:1 or the new 7:1 52 inches of line per crank… For a spinner I've been using a
Conquer 7000 small and light… for a conventional I use canyon HS-15 Pro series jigging reel 6:1... Insane stopping power..

Cookinman

Ive had a few guys on a few forums try to convince me that the 18000 or even 14000 Saragosa is too big and heavy to jig all day and would be overkill...HMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmm....dunno.

ROB - I love the JM I have and am set for conventionjal - BUT - what do you think of the 7000 conquer - Can it stop an AJ from diving back into the wrecks? As you well know - In yaks, we get pulled a bit so if the fish is taking drag AND pulling me - I gotta believe AJ over 32# wins most of the time........

If you had to do over, would you think there is sufficient stopping power in a reel of that size? ALSO - Do you think the graphite body on that reel will hold up?

I ask because I can get a VERY good deal on a Saragosa 8000.....But am afraid it may not be enough reel....

CrstyCptSWitherspoon

I was on a budget and ended up picking up a trevalla rod and shimano spheros. Not too heavy and it's super smooth. Can't say much about how it holds up as I've yet to really fish with it!

Loki

My Shimano Sustain 8000 brought up many large AJs and groupers from the wrecks. Plus it comes with an extra spool which you could load with mono and use it for tarpon.

Cookinman

Sustains, Gosa and Stradics in the 8000 series are quite similar w subtle differences Im finding out in my readings today....Pricing is not way different either......

But so far Vote 1 from Loki on stopping power of the Sustain...
Rob loves his 7000 Penn as do a couple others and a few Gosa BIG reel Suggestions - Couple3 Fin Nor guys as well.... Good to know I dont need to go super heavy on the spinner....Though I am a little concerned W the graphite bodies on the 8000 series reels, it seems like so far so good from you guys. Good to get this feedback fellas ! Thanks and keep it comin.

palmbeachpete

Take a good look at the Penn 7000 Conquer. For a Penn it is very light and now that I put 50lb SpiderWire on it not much gets away. The last video I posted, I had 30lb on and I could not stop a few. For kayak fishing it is the best when it comes to cleaning. You have to check it out. It is my No.1 reel for kayak deep jigging.

Spineyman

Cookinman wrote: »

Ive had a few guys on a few forums try to convince me that the 18000 or even 14000 Saragosa is too big and heavy to jig all day and would be overkill...HMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmm....dunno.

ROB - I love the JM I have and am set for conventionjal - BUT - what do you think of the 7000 conquer - Can it stop an AJ from diving back into the wrecks? As you well know - In yaks, we get pulled a bit so if the fish is taking drag AND pulling me - I gotta believe AJ over 32# wins most of the time........

If you had to do over, would you think there is sufficient stopping power in a reel of that size? ALSO - Do you think the graphite body on that reel will hold up?

I ask because I can get a VERY good deal on a Saragosa 8000.....But am afraid it may not be enough reel....

I'm here to tell you then they are sissies because I use mine each and every trip out. Yes it is heavier than the smaller reels but the smaller reels don't hold up under heavy drag pressure. Ajs over big structure equals backbreak and heartache when you don't have the stopping power needed to turn him from the wreck. 8000 go for it, if you jig alot it won't last a year. I severely blew two up in less than a years time. I discombobulated the main drive train the second time. I'm tellin ya Aj's are freight trains.

Spineyman

I'll even tell you I had a V groove in my Saragoosa 8000 spool because the rotor flexing from applying too much pressure to stop Ajs.

cudaman

Hey cooking, hope all is going good man....I use Diawa Saltists I ahve a 5000 and a 4500...the 5000 has 33lb drag and the 4500 has 22lb drag....I am using the 4500 mostly because the 5000 is just overkill. Haven't had any problems with the Saltis 4500H...so far 12 amberjacks 20 to 35 pounds and many kingfish and bonitos on it. So far it's a great smooth reel.

yak_angler

X3 for the conquer 7000.

Saltysack

I stick to the basics that have been working for years...update your ssm. That's my personal belief, my go to rod/reel is out the door for 160...almost disposable. (Never had one break though) I just get the Penn 850ssm with the 7' slammer rod it comes with. It holds roughly 600yds of 50# braid, you may think that's too much, but, you never know what kinda **** you'll get into. Plus, when you've about worn your braid out, just flip the spool inside out and your old line is a few hundred yards in. That's my vote, has never let me down, and just grabbed another from BPS today.

REELEMIN

Cookinman wrote: »

Thanks Pete for the Fin Nor recommendation- Hey BTW, in regards to the question you posed on FB - Im planning on yakking next weekend - Drop me an IM W your numbers and we can connect for a little paddling. Im also going to need a rod made to match the reel - Im thinking 50-65 # Braid - Saragosa 18000 or Fin Nor Offshore sized reel.....I will give you creative freedom within a $ range to do as you see fit....We can talk some more when I settle on the reel... Gotta keep up W Ricky and Bolo...lol

So far Fin and Saragosa look to be up to the task - I like price ranges as well.....
( Specially since Im not getting BOLO to part w his Stella ...lol )

Any other of you guys have Jiggin spinners you like or dislike ?

ya i will love to go.. i will bring a very nice jigg rod for you to check out.. look on my website at rod #15 0f 25 on the rods page.. its a bad *** jigger .. i also have it listed on ebay.. but if it doesnt sell i will bring it to pull on and i will be fishing it, so you could at least check it out..


i dont think you or anybody can keep up with bolo he has way to much $$$$..

Pottymouth

There's no perfect reel. I ripped the handle off my penn and broke the bail arm. Penn took care of it.. By the way I have been abusing it for over 2yrs...No complaints.. Even with breakdowns my little penn conq my go to reel.. Pulled up all
Types of fish.. And If I had to do it again I would.
Trust me u want a small light reel after paddling out… jiggen with a big heavy reel sucks... Don't know what kind of deal
Ur getten but u can pick up a new penn 7000 for 140 on ebay,...pick up one for the old man...

Cookinman

Old man? #$%&*(^&*)*#$*@!!#$% !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh im sorry to get all pottymouthed on ya...lol
Thanks for the feedback guys -!!

Pottymouth

Picked one up for my old man.

Cookinman

LOL Pottymouth - Thought you were suggesting I just shut up and buy one LOL which I just may do....haha

PBP - seconds that conquer vote -
Cudaman- Long-time-no-see. Im cure we will meet up again on the planks for the mullet run - One thing I will say about the Diawa recommendation, they are the only one so far in that size class reel that has an aluminum body...

Reelemin - you are right - BOLO is a fanatic in all that he does - AND i love him for it and hope to be just like that one day ! Congrats on selling Ricky your boat, buy the way - He is a great guy, known him for years and Im sure he will enjoy it to the max! I will check out the rod you built for sure!

Joel - I am still a believer in my 750 SS - its bulletproof. But how do you wrangle 30# of drag from it though ? What updates?

I got SOME GREAT Feedback here guys !! Exactly the kind of stuff I needed to help make a choice! Thank you all so much !

Jagerschnapps

I have picked up quite a few large (30+lb) AJs on my conquer 7000. I have never had an issue with the drag. I used Penn 650s and 750s before that. The SS reels were ok but a bit too heavy and cumbersome. I think a smooth drag is important but I'm only using 30lb braid so I don't see a need for more drag then the 7000 has anyways. Remember we are on kayaks and we are going to get dragged regardless. I'm not pushing the conquer over any other reel, just sharing my experience. I do not like jigging with oversized spinning reels from the kayak. It less a weight issue and more about having the reel on your lap or banging into you leg while jigging.

Redfish Chuck

Shimano Saragosa 8000 is my favorite jigging reel!

bnz

I use the Okuma VSystem spinning reels for my offshore adventures, mainly the V-55, end even though overkill for the yak, sometimes my V-65. They hold up to the salt well. No problems at all winching up this guy with the V-65 (not yak fishing)...



Also, have you checked out the Hopper rods for jigging? Capt Harry's carries them.

DAIWA KING

small jigs=ballistic big jigs=saltist/saltiga/bg

KRUSTY

cudaman wrote: »

Hey cooking, hope all is going good man....I use Diawa Saltists I ahve a 5000 and a 4500...the 5000 has 33lb drag and the 4500 has 22lb drag....I am using the 4500 mostly because the 5000 is just overkill. Haven't had any problems with the Saltis 4500H...so far 12 amberjacks 20 to 35 pounds and many kingfish and bonitos on it. So far it's a great smooth reel.

i have the 6500h and this reel is awesome,super strong with 33lbs of drag.:thumbsup

Pinchin Crab

I have a hard time believing someone could actually put 30+ lbs. of drag to a fish from a yak. That is an incredible amount of pressure.

Prop Blast

I'm surprised people are "pushing" the Saragosa 8000F and not mentioning the Saragosa 10000F -- it's an upgraded 8000F with a metal rotor and a few other upgrades.

The Conquer 7000 should work as well. I use a Conquer 5000 as my "light" jigging reel.

PB