Blackfish Jig Reel

[BugEye Chris]

I have always been a traditional blackfish guy but reading
About the success of the jig I was wondering what kind of
reel the way to go.
Thanks

[SaltLife1980]

Shimano Stradic CI4

[Gerry Zagorski]

2xCi4

[Walleyed]

Originally Posted by Gerry Zagorski

2xCi4

Make that 3x on the Ci4 (I use a 4000 myself)

[Gerry Zagorski]

Only issue I have with this reel is the anti reverse mechanism which does not work sometimes when cold. It's a fairly common issue and the problem is that this is a dry mechanism and if any oil or grease gets in there when it's cold it tends to stick. You need to take it apart and clean any oil or grease out of the mechanism and you're good to go.

[Capt. Lou]

You may look a Daiwa Ballistic , I use the 3500 and 4000 ! They are tough and smooth drags with more then enough power to best tog !
They are very light with good size spools and oiling system that will not allow oil to thicken in cold weather thus making reel hard to operate !

[rubberheels]

I love my VS VR50 and my Shimano Talavera med. rod for jigging for Tog.

[Chrisper4694]

i might be the only, one but i use a baitcaster (daiwa lexa). i keep my finger on the line while fishing and feel absolutely everything but then still have the power that i never felt like i had with a spinning reel to crank the big ones off the reef

[reason162]

The Ballistic LT is a great reel, they've redone their sizing to match Shimanos.

Like Crispr, I generally prefer baitcasting for togging...Lexa 300, Tranx 300, an old abu revo Inshore that's still kicking. For short change the Daiwa Feugo CT can be had for 65 bucks on fleabay all day everyday...alum-framed brass geared reel from Daiwa, for that money it's a steal.

[Gerry Zagorski]

This is totally different then rig fishing where you drop down 8 or 10 ounces, keep it still and wait for a big thump.... It's a way different feel all together.

They key to any reel for this type of finesse feel fishing, be it a spinner or conventional is to keep it light (weight wise) as possible... A light set up allows you to notice and feel the slightest scratches, ticks, bites, change in jig motion or difference of the weight of the jig, all if which is your clue that you have a fish working you.

As important, the reel also has to balance well on a light and sensitive rod with enough backbone to set the hook and pull the fish out of the wreck. No fiberglass rods here... They've got to be some sort of composite or they'll be too heavy....

If you don't go light you're going to be reeling up a lot of empty hooks because your bait's been stolen and you didn't even know it.