Best spinning reel for blackfish jigging

[Jigman13]

Rather than hijack the jigs thread I figured I'd ask this question separately.

I used a daiwa ballistic 2500 while jigging a few weeks ago. It felt a tad small and holds 15 lbs of drag. I'm sure there are better options and some of you sharpies here are using other reels. So i ask you--what's the ideal spinning reel for jigging blackfish? What are you using? Looking forward to your input!

[Gerry Zagorski]

A little on the pricey side but I and several others I know are using a Shimano Stradic CI4+ 4000FA. Very smooth, lightweight and 24lbs of drag...

They do however have some issues with their anti reverse system as I know a few people including myself who have to had to get them repaired. If you do a search on it there are apparently several people having the issue. In my case and some others it seems to happen when the reel is cold, so probably some oil or grease that makes the mechanism sluggish... Hoping a good cleaning will resolve it...

[Jigman13]

Thx Gerry. Not too steep in price compared to what's out there. Some of the reels I've been looking at are asinine in price. I guess my biggest concern is how they'll hold up to saltwater. I know my ballistics are made for fresh. Some of the newer LT series Daiwas can withstand some salt as can the stradic fks.

I've been looking at the 3000D daiwa tatula and others in that price range. I'm not dropping $300+ that's for damn sure lol. Eager to hear more feedback!

[Gerry Zagorski]

From what I've read they are good for SW use. The special C14 alloys will not rust or corrode like aluminum or steel and the major components are sealed.

The drag on this reel is strong and silky smooth too... Was fishing with Will (River Bass Fishing). He was reeling in his tog jig and got slammed by a 40 plus lb Striper... It was touch and go for a minute since the fish was peeling a lot of line off his reel but he finally got her turned, gained some line and actually landed his PB Striper..

[Jigman13]

That's incredibly reassuring!

[Capt. Lou]

Canyon reels 3500 series all the bells n whistles medium priced , great capacity n drag , lightweight , repaired if required right in NJ ! I purchased several last season since the sizes fit my particular needs .
I've used them all year for tog , fluke & various other applications no issues . Also use n own Ballistic , Stella's , BG's , Stradics , Saragosa etc .
One year is not a totally fair comparison but I judge on issues , the Canyons have given me none !
Might check em' out .

[hammer4reel]

Check out the Penn slammer 3
Im using the 3500
Enough drag to fight a tuna in a light package

[Gerry Zagorski]

Light is key here for sure, both the pole and the reel... It really does increase your feel for the light bites you typically get with jigs and also allows you to feel a lighter jig make contact with the bottom.

[Tuna Tales]

Might just be me...however I found that I have to turn the drag knob many times on the Daiwa ballistic reels to either obtain more or less drag. I use the 3000 model for blackfish and the 2500 model for fluke.

I like the reels overall but I don't like having to turn the drag knob so much...especially if I am using very light line and I want to "back off" on the drag a little...



Joe T.

[Jigman13]

Might just be me...however I found that I have to turn the drag knob many times on the Daiwa ballistic reels to either obtain more or less drag. I use the 3000 model for blackfish and the 2500 model for fluke.

I like the reels overall but I don't like having to turn the drag knob so much...especially if I am using very light line and I want to "back off" on the drag a little...



Joe T.

I agree with you on this. The endless knob turning is a bit of a pain. Great reels aside from this function. I'm wondering if they've modified this on the new LT models.

[frugalfisherman]

Why a spinning reel? I caught my first jig tog on the Angler 2 weeks ago using a small Shakespeare spinner. It was a pain reeling in and it was only 15 inches. I'm going to use one of my Squidder Jrs next time. I noticed that when the guys tossed out jigs either by the time they hit bottom they were next to the boat anyway or if there was some current they ended up tangling with the guys next to them.

[Jigman13]

Why a spinning reel? I caught my first jig tog on the Angler 2 weeks ago using a small Shakespeare spinner. It was a pain reeling in and it was only 15 inches. I'm going to use one of my Squidder Jrs next time. I noticed that when the guys tossed out jigs either by the time they hit bottom they were next to the boat anyway or if there was some current they ended up tangling with the guys next to them.

B/c it is what I want to use. I enjoy it with a spinning set up.

[SaltLife1980]

Also the daiwa BG reel

[Cy_YakFishing]

I used a Stradic FK and the newest Ci4+ both in the 4000 size for Tog jigs this past season and actually prefer the “sturdier” feeling of the FK. I actually sold the Ci4+ I’m going to try a Twin Power XD this upcoming season. Found an awesome deal on a lightly used one.