Jigging Outfit Advice Needed - Overhead or Spin?

[Bracey]

Would like to pick the brains of anyone who has an opinion on which setup is better for jigging. The common answer (and most logical to some extent) is just whatever feels comfortable. I'm after something a bit more specific if possible. I currently have a t-curve deep jig 200 with a spheros 10000FB. I think this goes ok as a medium priced spin outfit. Considering whether I want to shell out for a decent mid priced overhead setup.

So what are the pros and cons of both? Both for jigging and for fighting a fish vertically in 100m. As an example I recently read that it takes longer to reach the bottom with an overhead vs spin. Not a biggie but a slight negative all the same. What about fatigue? Is one system better than the other? How much is budget a factor? Certainly all the jigging videos out of NZ have most fish caught on overheads.

Any help appreciated. Cheers, Bart

Edited October 16, 2014 by Bartdude

[Crossfire63]

Overheads are harder work unless you get one with a level wind mech. They used to use O/H gear for big Kings and similar mainly because they had better drags and bigger line capacity

With the advances made in spinning reels and braid your better off with a good hi speed spinner like a new Spheros or a Saragosa

Edited October 16, 2014 by Crossfire63

[pjbink]

I prefer overheads for jigging. You want one with a narrow spool and you will find laying the line becomes

automatic after a few trips. You don't have to spend as much money on an overhead to get a reel strong

enough compared to a threadline. I'd look at the Okuma Cedros 10 or the Finnor Maquessa 16 for jigging

with 50lb braid.

[benm]

Proper overhead jigging reels are usually narrow so you don't need to thumb the line. Take a look at Accurate, Jigging Master, or Alutecnos reels. They are best in class when it comes to jigging. But in the end, I think it comes to personal preference and not everyone can afford a reel made for jigging tuna.

[Bracey]

Thanks guys. Definitely looking at a narrow spool reel something max 30mm so hopefully laying line not an issue. Do you think there is any difference in the action or fatigue with an overhead. I was jigging for up to 2 hours the other day (on and off, not continuously) and it is tiring. What about drag issues. My spheros has a fair bit of build up above what the drag is set at before it gives line. I thought that might be due to the vertical angle with the rod fully loaded up. Was wondering if a overhead would help alleviate that a bit.

Bart

Edited October 16, 2014 by Bartdude

[adventureman]

have a look at shimano torium 16, i jigged with one for years and found it to be up to the task at 12 mile. extend the handle (there are two positions for the handle) from the factory setting as this helps keep your rhythm. never had a problem with line lay, i did upgrade the drag with greased carbotex washers and there is very little starting inertia as the drag starts to work. star drags (torium) get you down faster than lever drags (fin nor marqueser) because the spool disengages completely however lever drags allow you to set your drag accurately at home before you hit the water.

good luck

[Bracey]

have a look at shimano torium 16, i jigged with one for years and found it to be up to the task at 12 mile. extend the handle (there are two positions for the handle) from the factory setting as this helps keep your rhythm. never had a problem with line lay, i did upgrade the drag with greased carbotex washers and there is very little starting inertia as the drag starts to work. star drags (torium) get you down faster than lever drags (fin nor marqueser) because the spool disengages completely however lever drags allow you to set your drag accurately at home before you hit the water.

good luck

Thanks for that. How do you compare it to jigging with a spin reel?

Bart

Edited October 17, 2014 by Bartdude

[Robofish]

Hi,

I bought a fin-now marquesa 20 overhead, have landed somee nice kings with it and have been really pleased with it. It's got plenty of grunt but also a good retrieve ratio which is important if you are mechanical jigging as lower ratios can lead to line wrapping round the tip. I reckon it's all down to preference but I found jigging more comfortable with an overhead that's fits nicely in my hand.

Dave

[The Incredible Hull]

I've been jigging a couple of times now, used both spinning and overhead, and the overhead is 50 times easier and a more smooth and faster retrieval.

[Bracey]

Hi,

I bought a fin-now marquesa 20 overhead, have landed somee nice kings with it and have been really pleased with it. It's got plenty of grunt but also a good retrieve ratio which is important if you are mechanical jigging as lower ratios can lead to line wrapping round the tip. I reckon it's all down to preference but I found jigging more comfortable with an overhead that's fits nicely in my hand.

Dave

G'day Dave

Which rod did you match that reel to?

Cheers, Bart

[adventureman]

overheads are easier for me, i find the rotor on a spin reel flying around puts me off my rhythm. you also get a lot more reel for your money when you buy an overhead. this is a pic of my setup at the moment, i love her. her name is sally.

[Bracey]

photo.JPGoverheads are easier for me, i find the rotor on a spin reel flying around puts me off my rhythm. you also get a lot more reel for your money when you buy an overhead. this is a pic of my setup at the moment, i love her. her name is sally.

Thanks for the info. That looks like a t-curve deep jig. I've only used mine twice (spin version) but I'm not 100% happy with it. The butt is about 4cm too short I reckon. Thinking of getting a jigging master terminator II in the overhead version. Still undecided on the reel.

Cheers, Bart

[Kirks]

Hey Mate,

I use a relatively simple but strong setup

Daiwa Saltist 30 Lever Drag 2 speed

Daiwa Monster Mesh Jig Rod 3-6 Pe

50lb Braid

I find it works really well, the reel is relatively narrow so I don't worry about line lay and it goes hard!

Have used both overhead and spinning I prefer over head !

Cheers

[Bracey]

Hey Mate,

I use a relatively simple but strong setup

Daiwa Saltist 30 Lever Drag 2 speed

Daiwa Monster Mesh Jig Rod 3-6 Pe

50lb Braid

I find it works really well, the reel is relatively narrow so I don't worry about line lay and it goes hard!

Have used both overhead and spinning I prefer over head !

Cheers

Had a look online at the Saltist. Looks very nice. Seems like the vote goes to the overheads so far.

Cheers, Bart

[Hooked-Up]

I like both,

i use the overhead for short jerky fast jigging and i prefer a large spin reel 6500 size for a longer jigging action to get the jig pumping out a long way side to side..

if i had to choose one it would probably be the spin for me.

i say go for it mate and swap between both outfits on the day to see which technique is working better.

[SZ1]

I suggest if your undecided try play (air jig) with overhead and spin to feel which feels in the hand for you. I have both overhead and spin and I always revert to spin. The best advice if try stretch the budget and get quality, as jigging is hard on the gear and from memory the drags on the saltiest over head ain't that good (speaking from experience) Personally have a look at a 8000 sized spin like a Saragossa or something in that range.

[Bracey]

I like both,

i use the overhead for short jerky fast jigging and i prefer a large spin reel 6500 size for a longer jigging action to get the jig pumping out a long way side to side..

if i had to choose one it would probably be the spin for me.

i say go for it mate and swap between both outfits on the day to see which technique is working better.

I suggest if your undecided try play (air jig) with overhead and spin to feel which feels in the hand for you. I have both overhead and spin and I always revert to spin. The best advice if try stretch the budget and get quality, as jigging is hard on the gear and from memory the drags on the saltiest over head ain't that good (speaking from experience) Personally have a look at a 8000 sized spin like a Saragossa or something in that range.

Thanks for the input guys. I like the way your thinking, just get both and swap. What do you think of the Jigging Master rods. The Terminator is toward the bottom of their range but it all seems really good quality and well balanced.

Bart

[Kirks]

I suggest if your undecided try play (air jig) with overhead and spin to feel which feels in the hand for you. I have both overhead and spin and I always revert to spin. The best advice if try stretch the budget and get quality, as jigging is hard on the gear and from memory the drags on the saltiest over head ain't that good (speaking from experience) Personally have a look at a 8000 sized spin like a Saragossa or something in that range.

In my use of the Saltist I haven't had a problem and it's been ramped up a bit but hey there is always some problems with tackle that some experience and others don't!