Most Sensitive Jig Rods 2024

PABassFish007 reply :

Hello everyone,

With Icast 2018 in the past, and holiday deals rolling out, I am looking to buy 2 new rods and reels. I am looking to get 1 baitcasting setup for jigs and 1 spinning setup for texas rigging. I am more concerned about getting the baitcasting setup first but am looking for suggestions on the best rods and reels with the best SENSITIVITY under 250. Taking suggestions on the spinning setup too. Lets hear it!

Stephen B reply :

Are you referring to a rod and reel combined price under $250?

Joshua van Wyk reply :

If you want a rod and reel under $250 you'll probably be best off with getting a Daiwa Fuego off Ebay or Amazon for <$60 and getting a dobyns champion xp 734 from American legacy fishing. They have a 20% off sale on all dobyns rods and you can get an additional 10% off if you sign up for their newsletter.

Stephen B reply :

I'd recommend a SLX reel, Origin A paired with a Curado, Zodias rod. Should be close to your budget.

GReb reply :

You can get a kistler mag 2 for $135 right now after using the additional 10% off code. Then pair that up with a tatula ct or Lews mb.

PABassFish007 reply :

I was thinking about 200 for the rod itself. And maybe 100 or so for the reel... are these some of the most sensitive rods available? I have heard great things about the avids, any opinions om those?

TBAG reply :

On 11/21/2018 at 7:06 PM, PABassFish007 said:

I was thinking about 200 for the rod itself. And maybe 100 or so for the reel... are these some of the most sensitive rods available? I have heard great things about the avids, any opinions om those?

I have several Avids and they're great, plenty of others will agree. Lots of sales going on in the next few days too, I'd also look at a Dobyns or Kistler. I think I'm going to go with a Kistler for a new jig/texas rig rod. I'm currently using an Avid.

Sam reply :

PA, your question is simple but your answers will be personal and all over the map.

First, it is up to you to decide what you want in a rod. I have G. Loomis rods that I love because they are very light and sensitive. I also have a David Fritts Speed Stick Cranking Series Rod that I love for crankbaits, lipless crankbaits, Chatterbaits and spinnerbaits. I use the Fritts Speed Stick all the time and keep the G. Loomis for tournament fishing along with the Fritts Speed Stick.

As you can imagine, there is a very large price differential between G. Loomis rods and my Fritts Speed Stick.

May I suggest you visit the American Legacy Fishing site as mentioned by Joshua, Tackle Warehouse site, and contact Tom at Delaware Valley Tackle for his input. Read what they have penned about each rod they sell and what Tom suggests. Then, take this information and apply it to other rods you are interested to narrow down your search.

As for a jig rod, there are "rod specific application" rods in the marketplace and you can consider purchasing one designed for jig fishing and Texas rigs, only. Just be sure to look at the rod's parameters to make sure they are within the line test and bait weights you use the most, including the Texas rig's weights weight. NOTE: G. LOOMIS HAS ROD SPECIFIC RODS FOR DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS, TOO.

I also suggest putting the reels of your choice on each rod in the store and see how they feel in your hands. This will give you a good feel of the rod's action, weight, and if the length is good for you.

As for the most sensitive rods, you have to understand that there are no set standards rod manufacturers use which means one brand's sensitivity rating is in no way parallel to another brand's sensitivity rating. You can read the BS about all the rods in the market and drive yourself nuts. You will have to do your own research, along with what the guys post for you to consider (which will vary per individual) to narrow down your search.

This is another fun and challenging thing to do in the bass fishing industry: find the one rod and reel combo that you will love and use for many years into the future.

So I can give you what I like (BPS Extreme medium heavy rods that I use all the time, including tournaments but are no longer manufactured and my G. Loomis rods for tournaments) for Texas rigged applications and a heavy rated rod by All Star for jig fishing.

As for reels, too many gear ratios to discuss for too many applications. Just make sure the line test matches with the rod's line test parameters and you like the reel's size. Note if it fits in your hand comfortably.

Once again, you have asked a valid and simple question. The problem you will have is with the information you will receive to consider.

Good luck on your rod purchase and let us know what you decide to purchase.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Dr. Watson reply :

On 11/21/2018 at 1:07 PM, GReb said:

You can get a kistler mag 2 for $135 right now after using the additional 10% off code. Then pair that up with a tatula ct or Lews mb.

I'm sorry to thread Jack the OP, but where did you find that deal? Been wanting a rod with an NFC blank, but there always super expensive. That's doable though.

Edit: nevermind I just got a KLX for $140 off Kistler's website. Looking forward to putting that NFC reputation to the test. Dangit now I gotta find a reel????

GReb reply :

On 11/22/2018 at 5:26 PM, Dr. Watson said:

I'm sorry to thread Jack the OP, but where did you find that deal? Been wanting a rod with an NFC blank, but there always super expensive. That's doable though.

Kistlers website. They are $150 plus MY10PERCENT gets it to 135

Hulkster reply :

I am a Loomis and St. Croix fanboy, so I would say for that budget either a St. Croix Avid or 2018 model G. Loomis E6X (not the first generation which are not as good as the updated 2018 models).

WRB reply :

The Sense O Meter lies between your ears and starts at your fingertips.

Tom

Catt reply :

Lot of great jig rods at that price point ????

Denali N3 Series

Falcon Cara T7

iRod Air Series

Lew's Pro Mark Rose Ledge Series

McCain Hi-Performance Premium Series

You wouldn't be disappointed by any of these!

MickD reply :

As stated above, there is no objective way of evaluating sensitivity, so what you are dealing with here are opinions, not facts. The CCS frequency measurement is probably as close as one can get to objective data, but no one answering the question has the data. If they did they would offer it.

I'm not saying the rods suggested are not good, sensitive, rods, but which is the most sensitive? It's all opinion.

The best you can do, in my opinion, is to buy the rod with the "most premium" blank material (whatever that is) and the smallest, lightest guides. Finding guide weights is no piece of cake, but titanium micros or Pac Bay Minimas are probably as light as it gets.

Burke reply :

I always spend top dollars for a Jig as bottom contact.

Thats why I got the NRX 803c (light duty as texas rig) and 873CCR (Heavy Texas Rig/jigs)

Mobasser reply :

You might take a look at Shimano rods. They seem to get overlooked by many guys, but are very good for the money.

LonnieP reply :

Kistler Helium 3. A little over your budget at 215 at the sale price but well worth it

PABassFish007 reply :

Ive heard lots on Dobyns as well? Anyone have an opinion here

iabass8 reply :

On 11/21/2018 at 7:06 PM, PABassFish007 said:

I was thinking about 200 for the rod itself. And maybe 100 or so for the reel... are these some of the most sensitive rods available? I have heard great things about the avids, any opinions om those?

No, the 200$ range isn't part of the most sensitive rods available but they're still good rods.

Jason Penn reply :

sensitivity is important to me for bottom contact rods, comfort is just as important. i have a couple of rods that have split reel seats on them that are a tad more sensitive than the steez xt rods i primarily use, but the daiwa reel seats are just my favorite, so i stick with them.

Catt reply :

On 11/30/2018 at 12:01 AM, iabass8 said:

No, the 200$ range isn't part of the most sensitive rods available but they're still good rods.

That's funny right there ????

iabass8 reply :

On 11/30/2018 at 7:52 PM, Catt said:

That's funny right there ????

Why is it funny?

Catt reply :

On 11/30/2018 at 8:17 PM, iabass8 said:

Why is it funny?

Price has nothing to do with sensitivity!

The most important part of rod sensitivity is who is holding the rod!

iabass8 reply :

On 11/30/2018 at 9:42 PM, Catt said:

Price has nothing to do with sensitivity!

The most important part of rod sensitivity is who is holding the rod!

Nobody said it was “due to price”. The NRX blank is regarded as “the most sensitive” blank available. He asked if his options were the most sensitive available. They arent. I answered his question. Pretty straight forward.

Catt reply :

Sensitivity strarts in the hands & continues up to the brain.

I've fished everything from Fenwick's first graphite to the top of the line G. Loomis. I currently fish Shimano Crucial which I find every bit as sensitive as any.

Let me explain it this way!

I could put any high end reel on any high end rod, spool it with braid for maximum sensitivity, tie on a Texas rig & then give it to my wife.

She could not "feel" any difference if I had rigged it up on a Berkley Lightening rod!

Why?

Cause what is transmitted up the line, down the rod, through the hands will be lost in the brain.

She doesn't fish & would not be able to interpret what she is feeling.

Even for the average angler a certain amount of "sensitivity" is lost in the brain!

Angry John reply :

On 12/1/2018 at 1:07 AM, Catt said:

Sensitivity strarts in the hands & continues up to the brain.

I've fished everything from Fenwick's first graphite to the top of the line G. Loomis. I currently fish Shimano Crucial which I find every bit as sensitive as any.

Let me explain it this way!

I could put any high end reel on any high end rod, spool it with braid for maximum sensitivity, tie on a Texas rig & then give it to my wife.

She could not "feel" any difference if I had rigged it up on a Berkley Lightening rod!

Why?

Cause what is transmitted up the line, down the rod, through the hands will be lost in the brain.

She doesn't fish & would not be able to interpret what she is feeling.

Even for the average angler a certain amount of "sensitivity" is lost in the brain!

Not every driver is qualified to drive in F1 or ride a GP bike. The machines are still the best even if the driver is not capable. Is that the machines fault, i think not. Do people expect the product to make them better even if their skills are not up to the task, absolutely. Then you have those that believe and buy into the hype, not helping anything. Finally there are those people who think there F1 car is better than your F1 car, and will argue themselves until blue in the face.

MickD reply :

On 12/1/2018 at 1:07 AM, Catt said:

Cause what is transmitted up the line, down the rod, through the hands will be lost in the brain.

She doesn't fish & would not be able to interpret what she is feeling.

I think you have it all wrong. With an old Ugli Stick with mono she would feel nothing. With a modern hi mod graphite with braid she definitely will feel most bites.

Catt reply :

So every Pro angler should be sponsored by G. Loomis, if they are not they are using inferior rods!

According to Greg Hackney he uses the exact same Quantum rods you can order from Bass Pro Shop!

But what does Hack

Attack know about jig fishing?

Arcs&sparks reply :

On 12/1/2018 at 10:11 AM, MickD said:

I think you have it all wrong. With an old Ugli Stick with mono she would feel nothing. With a modern hi mod graphite with braid she definitely will feel most bites.

This^

My buddy is a casual fisherman. I took him to a trout river one day and I told him to grab my spare rod to use, I said it would cast the small jigs better than his old 6’ medium ugly stick, but he declined. Standing side by side I caught 10 fish to his 0. He struggled and I could see he was confused and attempting to set the hook here and there. I told him he must not be feeling the bites and insisted he go grab my spare rod. First cast he caught a trout, and after that he kept up with the numbers pretty well and was blown away that he could now tell the difference between the heavy current, bumping rocks, and a fish biting. Same exact thing happened with my ex GF with a cheap Okuma combo at the same spot 1 year earlier. The difference between bottom shelf and something decent are drastic. The difference between decent and high end are not so drastic.

@Catt well geez I would hope a professional would be able to use mid grade gear. ???? I think you had it wrong that even a beginner can’t be helped by using something decent.

It’ll take an expert to properly cast a $20 fly rod. Same goes for trying to play a $50 acoustic guitar and make it sound good.

FryDog62 reply :

On 11/29/2018 at 10:20 PM, PABassFish007 said:

Ive heard lots on Dobyns as well? Anyone have an opinion here

I’m a fan of Dobyns, and they are high quality well-balanced rods... but in terms of sensitivity, they are just average (not terrible, but not great). I also have Helium 3, ALX and Tatulas and all are more sensitive than Dobyns.

Catt reply :

On 12/1/2018 at 12:34 PM, Arcs&sparks said:

I think you had it wrong that even a beginner can’t be helped by using something decent.

Please show me where I said that ????

Please define "decent"?

There's more Pro Anglers using rods in the $200-250 range than rods above that range.

bayvalle reply :

On 11/29/2018 at 10:20 PM, PABassFish007 said:

Ive heard lots on Dobyns as well? Anyone have an opinion here

I have a Dobyns Fury, a St Croix Mojo Bass, and a Powell Inferno. These are all rods under $140 and on sale less than a $100. It's difficult to say which one is the best it just depends on what you like. I am leaning towards the Dobyns and St. Croix slightly over the Powell but that's just personal preference. I like the shorter handle of the St Croix Mojo Bass for fishing from my kayak and the longer handle on the Dobyns fury for fishing from my boat. I have fished with the St. Croix Avid and didn't notice a significant difference in sensitivity over the St. Croix Mojo Bass. They use the same blank but the Avid has upgraded guides. IMHO the sensitivity between the Fury and Mojo Bass are equivalent. I can't speak to durability because none of these three rods have failed or broken. The Dobyns Fury has Eva on the lower part of the split handle and cork on the top section. St Croix Mojo Bass and Powell Inferno have cork on their split grips top and bottom. On another note I find the rod is far more important than the reel. If you maintain your reels you can make almost any reel last plus it is cheap to upgrade bearings and drag washers if wanted. I have some 15 year old Bass pro extreme reels that work fine because I maintain them and replace broken parts for almost nothing. I also have some newer KastKing reels that cast much further and appeared to be just as easy to maintain although I don't know about the availability of parts. In addition I have some Shimano and Daiwa reels that are nice and smooth but they don't help me catch any more fish than the other reels. I am a recreational fishermen who is now retired and fishes 4 to 5 days a week but if I were going to fish tournaments for a living I would definitely consider higher-end gear. I have fished with excellent fishermen that use $400 rods and $40 rods. I personally have caught many fish on a $40 ugly Stik rod and reel setup. A good sensitive rod helps but more importantly learning how to find fish, determing what they want, and developing technique are the most important qualities for success.

Mobasser reply :

There are really so many good rods out there now, take your pick. Many will work good. It's down to what feels best in your hands, and as others have said, it's not all brand name or cost.Ive known guys who used rods that some would scoff at, and caught lots of fish. Use what works for you. One thing I know- there's more to becoming a good jig fisherman than the rod you use.

Dens228 reply :

On 12/1/2018 at 3:32 PM, bayvalle said:

I have fished with the St. Croix Avid and didn't notice a significant difference in sensitivity over the St. Croix Mojo Bass.

I used to have three of the Mojo Bass and thought they were great................until I tried the Avid. I think the sensitivity of the Avid is noticeably better than the Mojo.

iabass8 reply :

On 12/1/2018 at 1:40 PM, Catt said:

There's more Pro Anglers using rods in the $200-250 range than rods above that range.

And? Nobody asked what they used. Nobody said you have to use it. The question was a blank comparison. I'm sure there's a cool story bro thread somewhere on here you can gloat about how great you are without using the latest and greatest.

Catt reply :

On 12/2/2018 at 3:38 AM, iabass8 said:

And? Nobody asked what they used. Nobody said you have to use it. The question was a blank comparison. I'm sure there's a cool story bro thread somewhere on here you can gloat about how great you are without using the latest and greatest.

35 double digits with a 12 lb 8 oz ????

How many you got on your high dollar rods?

iabass8 reply :

On 12/2/2018 at 4:41 AM, Catt said:

35 double digits with a 12 lb 8 oz ????

How many you got on your high dollar rods?

What does that have to do with anything? And what rods do I use?

Angry John reply :

Not feeling the Christmas spirit around here..

byram bassturd reply :

On 12/2/2018 at 4:41 AM, Catt said:

35 double digits with a 12 lb 8 oz ????

How many you got on your high dollar

my vote for dumbest comment of the year.

no one cares how many double digits you've caught dude.

no one cares what you caught them on either.

Choporoz reply :

I do

Arcs&sparks reply :

Lol title change; “Most Sensitive Jig Fishermen”

On 12/1/2018 at 1:40 PM, Catt said:

Please show me where I said that ????

Please define "decent"?

There's more Pro Anglers using rods in the $200-250 range than rods above that range.

(I’m having trouble doing multiple quotes)

It was clearly in response to the wife analogy. If I’m misunderstanding the point then I apologize. Seemed you were saying that a beginner won’t be able to tell the difference between a bottom shelf rod and a high end rod. That’s where I disagreed. And by “decent” (open to interpretation I know ????) I meant simply not bottom shelf. The rods I mentioned in my example were just Fish Eagle 50’s vs Bottom shelf. The beginners where shocked at the difference.

I don’t think the last part was aimed at me, I wasn’t disagreeing with anything else said. ????

Catt reply :

On 12/2/2018 at 3:38 AM, iabass8 said:

. I'm sure there's a cool story bro thread somewhere on here you can gloat about how great you are without using the latest and greatest

On 12/2/2018 at 4:45 AM, iabass8 said:

What does that have to do with anything? And what rods do I use?

Answer the question ????

On 12/2/2018 at 5:58 AM, Arcs&sparks said:

Lol title change; “Most Sensitive Jig Fishermen”

(I’m having trouble doing multiple quotes)

It was clearly in response to the wife analogy. If I’m misunderstanding the point then I apologize. Seemed you were saying that a beginner won’t be able to tell the difference between a bottom shelf rod and a high end rod. That’s where I disagreed. And by “decent” (open to interpretation I know ????) I meant simply not bottom shelf. The rods I mentioned in my example were just Fish Eagle 50’s vs Bottom shelf. The beginners where shocked at the difference.

I don’t think the last part was aimed at me, I wasn’t disagreeing with anything else said. ????

The point is no matter what rod my wife used she couldn't feel any difference. Not that the "sensitivity" aint there the interpretation aint there.

iabass8 reply :

On 12/2/2018 at 7:02 AM, Catt said:

Answer the question ????

The point is no matter what rod my wife used she couldn't feel any difference. Not that the "sensitivity" aint there the interpretation aint there.

Answer what question? You didnt ask one. You just gave a number of double digit fish you’ve caught as if thats a measure of somebodys fishing skill? If you’re asking how many double digit fish I’ve caught, the answer is dozens. If you’re asking how many double digit bass I’ve caught, the answer is zero. I live in NE Iowa, double digit bass don’t exist here...so again, what does that have to do with anything aside from pointing out you live in the South and I live in the North?

Catt reply :

On 12/2/2018 at 3:38 AM, iabass8 said:

I'm sure there's a cool story bro thread somewhere on here you can gloat about how great you are without using the latest and greatest.

Tells me all I needed to know ????

@PABassFish007 sorry for taking your thread the wrong direction.

Mobasser reply :

On 12/2/2018 at 5:55 AM, Choporoz said:

I do

I do too. He has forgotten more about jig fishing than many of us know! He's right. It's a fact.

Big Rick reply :

On 12/2/2018 at 5:50 AM, byram bassturd said:

my vote for dumbest comment of the year.

no one cares how many double digits you've caught dude.

no one cares what you caught them on either.

Count me as a no one, I guess. I always want to know... I love big fish stories.

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