more jig talk please!:D !

Stroth, that's why you gotta acid wrap:D i've yet to see guides be twisted off a rod. closest thing is offset on the rod. thanks for all the replies, keep 'em coming:)

Canal Conventional
 

Canal + Conventional + Sprial Wrap (acid) = :D

Have a 1209 I'm spiral wrapping now thats 75% finished.
It's a telephone pole for sure... but sometimes you need it out there. Have been using the 1208 for the past two years and it's a great rod, but can't argue that sometimes you just need more rod.
Everyone has their own likes and dislikes when it comes to rods at the canal. Just have to find what feels good for you.

Theres a canal????

Yes , that tunnel is there so you can drive under the canal.

acid wrap?
 

so a spiral wrap is an acid wrap huh?

i have never fished one, but I saw a couple last week--they are pretty cool

Just make sure whatever rod you choose you put on high quality guides.

I have built with sic and it is great, but I am not sure it is worth all of that dough. but, if you have the money to burn......get them.

IMHO---the key to jigging the canal effectively is your line and your terminal connections...you will find out soon enough if the rod is not beefy enough to handle what is on the end....

One tuesday morning at around 3:15 a.m. I had a fish put a substantial bend in the 1209. I held on as long as I could (about 40 seconds---but man it felt like 10 minutes!!!) and then my knot gave way.

What I learned from that exp is that you to have the absolute faith in all of your connections. I now tie all of my leaders ahead of time and as a wise ol' snickers eatin' cigarrette smokin' canal rat told me--"check them constantly". If I feel the slightest knick I will re tie a fresh one. Palomar knots all the way.

Stroth,

Yep. The best gear money can buy is a slave to your ability to tie a knot.

And......, just when you think to yourself " that nick isn't TOO bad", WHAM !!!! A LARGE will prove you wrong.

I'm a stickler when it comes to tien my rigs.A palomar with floro in 50lbs an up can be tuff to tie.U gotta help it.I got a little set of tools to make life easier.My problem is I get lazy on the water an probably fish with a nicked leader too often.I actually loosen my drag.At the ditch u seem to get frays about 6" up the line so i cut out the bad section.I can't remember it coming into play yet.Fishing time seems to go so quick.start out at 10pm next thing u know the suns comin up.Takin time to retie could cost me three casts.Anyone one else fish with this kinda urgency.I gotta learn to slow down a little when fishing................I do everything else slow.I take forever to prepare for the nights fishin.dillie dallieng.New rigs, new baits, coffe, smokes.its always right after this smoke.but once out there i can't stop.

For me that kind of urgency happens at certain times. Like the hour or two before the sun comes up. Man you can't get enough casts in.

NIB--you are right about the line fraying six inches above. I'm guessing that the line is actually skating along the bottom with your jig and that is why it frays like that.

Combo for Canal Jigging
 

The best combo I've found is a Hand Grenade and a Cast Net.

Tie on a long leader to start. Like about 10 to 12 feet. Then check that foot just above the jig all the time. You almost always have to pick off a weed so run your fingers over the leader above the jig. Retie if there is anything not smooth. It takes 1 minute to retie the jig if you have cutting pliers in your pocket.

Tying the leader to the running line takes some time. Take the time to do a good job there. Use a tough running line. I like Cortland spectron. It must be used on a conventional , it won't work on a spinner. Toughest stuff around from a wear standpoint.

Never cast into the water unless everything about your gear is just right. Nothing worse than losing a big fish because you were not prpared. Bad luck you can deal with but losing a big one cause you were lazy or stupid and unprepared will haunt you for years.

And......,

Always check your guide rings for cracks ( usually they're very small).

You'll never know most of them are there until a big fish puts the strain on the braid running out of the first three guides. Taut braid hits the nick/crack and SNAP!!!!! Fish gone.

What about spraying some sort of lubricant into the guide rings once.

I was fishing for blues a couple of mays ago and I met this guy who sprayed wd-40 all over his guides. I didn't say anything to him, but in my head I am thinking.....jesus wd-40 is a solvent and that is really going to foul things up...

Anyone ever spray stuff on the guides?

used it in a reel. can't figure out why he would do that. it wouldn't increase distance any, if at all. i've heard of doing it in the winter to prevent icing on the guides, and also on rollers offshore.