All good rods but if I was choosing out of those listed I'd personally go for a Ripple Fisher, and for sambos probably the heavier of those listed (I assume that's supposed to be 5215 not 5125?) - you might find the 350g jig weight of the 5210 a little on the lighter side for Sambos.

I'm probably going to get a custom 5220 for Dogtooth very soon...

Definately go with a SW20000, they're sweet reels.

Thanks Jay,

From what I've gathered I'm no where near strong enough for a 5520. 

Did you get to try out the 5215 when you went out with nomad? I'm just wondering how the grip diameter compares with the shimano t-curve (which I have tried). I suppose if you go for a custom ripplefisher you maybe able to choose your grips.

How much is the custom ripplefisher 5220 costing you? (are you getting it through nomad or overseas?)

I'm going to say something really naughty here ... but the sambos don't really care what you jig with, they don't even care what jig you use, as long as its not blue.

Not in the least against getting something really princess for the job, but if you're not really doing any other jigging, and the sambo jigging season is pretty short, thought about what else you might use it for?

I was jigging using PE4, I have to concede its not very smart on charter boats although its probably fine on private boats.

Do you particularly want these heavy poundage rods/setups? Technology has come along in leaps and bounds! I think you could easily run a PE5/6 style setup with maybe a Stella 8000/10000SW and still put plenty of hurt on the sambos with big drag. You can spool it with something like Varivas Big One PE5 (78lb) line for the "poundage". Cheaper, lighter, sporting - awesome.

Rods - where to begin and where to stop!! Fisherman, Zenaq, Xzoga, Sevenseas, Carpenter, HOTs, Valley Hill, Evergreen etc. So so many to choose from......it's really up to how much you want to spend.

Not necessarily cheaper Huggy, a good quality PE5-6 setup will cost almost as much as PE8 combo, being sporting isn't always the best option especially when on charters.

you are already $200 ahead. And generally the rods a re cheaper as well (depending on what you buy). Not to mention the 300g or so you dont have to jig all day.

I dont think 78lb is overkill, nor is it underkill for a charter yet is still a bit sporting. A heavier outfit makes sense for you as you will utilise it for other things (ie doggies), but Ectopic is chasing a sambo outfit and those heavier units are a little too heavy IMO for merely chasing sambos.

Thanks for the comments,

till: I agree expensive gear is a luxury than a need. But I also reckon the more expensive stuff is lighter, stronger, and easier on the angler.

HuggyB: I was under the impression that 300-400g jigs are pretty standard for sambos on the charters; due to drift/current and the rods that I've looked up for these jig weights seem to be PE8 rods.

Eventually I'd like to go on an annual charter elsewhere e.g. Nomad and I want gear that I'd be able to take with me. I think my wife and I would have had even more fun at Bugatti if we weren't popping with the heavy shimano GT specials they (Nomad) provided. Of course if the charter already provides T-curves and stellas for clients you're not gonna take your own gear along if it ain't better than what they've got.

Then go for the elephant guns!

I'd definitely go the SW20000 and then any number of rods will fit the bill.

Can't comment on the RF or the Hots but both seem to be fairly popular throughout the jigging market.

But as i have loaded up both the Nirai and 52EX, and both have completely different actions. Not a fan of the 52EX's action as it is too fast for me, and by the action of it, it would be more suited to centre weighted "darting" jigs.

Each to their own but on the other hand the Nirai is a dream fast mechanical jigging rod easily jigging PE8, and when loaded up it just gets stronger the more its loaded. Made from the same blank as the Tokara, it has certainally proved itself!

Will both comfortably jig 500g, but by the sounds of things the Nirai would be more suited for you.

Of course the Ripplefisher could be nicer rods, but with out fishing with one let alone seeing one i can't comment.

Matched with a SW20K, would be ideal..

Thanks SamC, that exactly the kind feedback I'm after.

 

HuggyB: I'm also be interested in a PE6 spin outfit for the wife *cough*.

 

From the above list I get the impression that the Smith AMJ52EX and Hots Wei world would pair nicely with a smaller stella (JDM SW10000PG or Aust SW8000PG) to fish PE6 .

not really, leaning towards a definate nope

as an idea, the weiworld has landed amberjacks to 65kg and some very big doggies - an 8000 is not intended to do that.

I'd still match a 20K on a 52EX

Will match up fine...

The best way to choose a rod would be to have a look at them all but sometimes this is impossible with availabitlity in australia.

Ive got a RippleFisher 5215. Im only small like yourself  and find this rod great. Loads right up to the foregrip and doesnt put much pressure on your back.

Get in touch if you want to have a look.

Cheers

Rob

Yeah I'm just saying don't but them for the sambos, look at what else you might want to use them for.

The RF 5215 is a very nice rod with a very not so nice price tag. If you are 95% local fishing, and gets out like a dozen times a year, primarily sambos....I look at whats readily available.

I personally dont get to fussed about top end rods anymore as with jigging rods there's a huge amount to choose from. There's Xzoga, Jigging Master, custom built Calstars, BlueRose, HR Top Gun (what Im using atm) and many more...

Ask DazSam what he thinks of the HR Top Gun with a bit more drag than he asked for....hehe
I love this rod as its short, powerful, parabolic and I use it for 300gm and over jigs. I got this rod primarily to jig heavy jigs in deep water. Ive used jigs upto 650gm and over 300m deep. Comfortable to use and lightweight.

Sorry to shift the topic slightly but it maybe of help..

A question for Sam C or others but what gives a rod the ability to work different styles of jigs, I'm not much into the speed jigging thing but do like the centre weighted dart/flutter style jigging . I'm looking at another rod so any info that might make it easier would be much appriciated ...

Cheers fishfish ...

Reel....there's only 1 for me now....Stella SW 20K !!

A slower, parabolic action rods are designed for bottom heavy large jigs where you just bouncing it on the way up. They generally have fairly stiff tip but bends throughout the blank. A rod that designed for centre weighted darting jigs have a faster action as you want to feel the hits as the jigs flutter back down. Generally for me I use faster action rods for lighter line class and jigs, ie PE4 and under. PE5 and over I use parabolic rods as you are generally targeting larger fish and wants the rod to load right up and set the hook without the fish pulling the rod off your hand.

Hard to explain here so I hope you understand. Easier if I can show what I mean on the water...

I'm gonna throw the Valley Hill Mogi Special 53XXS into the equation for good measure. It's a brute stick - not for the faint hearted. It isn't heavy though - so you can jig with it all day long.

Locally though, I'd suggest the HR Top Gun. My experience from it the other day was nothing short of awesome. Honsu probably gave me a bit too much drag... and the rod liked it... liked it alot!!! But, I didn't like the feeling of almost being pulled overboard.

The Hots Wei Worlds are nice rods - strong & super light weight. They require more respect than most other rods. Essentially, you need to have some good jigging experience under your belt. You'll need to know how to work angles appropriately - counter angles against a heavy swell & hard fighting fish. Also limit the use to your mates that know how to fish. Strictly no 'accidental' high sticking under load with this rod.

I also like the RF5215 - Though, they are quite expensive locally. The blanks are high quality & I beleive they come with a 'snap' warranty through Nomad.

Evergreen make some superb rods in the light/middle weight scale. My PSPJ410 can outperform the 52EX AMJ or 54H IMO. Open to debate of course.

Everyones touched base with very good points so you'll need to consider what your intended purpose is in the long run & how much money you're willing to outlay based on the purpose & amount of use. Expensive gear isn't just a flashy fad, it's all engineered exceptionally well for results.

As for a reel - SW stella.

Most of the high end jigging rods recommended here can be used for a variety of jigging situations as well. You won't be limited to sambos - especially if you head out with Nomad again.

Although, as previously mentioned, each rod has a particular purpose & is better suited to a particular jig weight & design.

From your list and your intentions, the Smith AMJ 52EX is the most value for money buy.

Have you considered the Smith Fremantle?? Very fitting rod...hehe

Anyone try the OTI range of jig rods preferably in the 600g version , they seem quite cheap and popular ????

Cheers....

Pretty sure no one in aus sells the OTI stuff.

True, just a general question to see if anyone had fished with one before and maybe compare to something localy in that price range ??

Cheers...