"budget" salmon jigging set ups

[blackpowderhunter]

Would like to get a few jigging set ups on my boat.
for trolling i use the shimano TDR rods, with okuma cold water reels.  nothing fancy, but they catch fish.
was hoping to find a set up to put together in that same general price range/level...although i understand i probably wont be finding a jigging rod for 30 bucks 
an ugly stik in a 6'6 or 7 ft medium light for around 70 seems like an option.
spinning vs casting reels? ive seen guys run both.  id lean casting due to being able to run a line counter reel..
anyways...help me out!
thanks 

[lokidog]

I don't jig for salmon, but it seems 6.5-7' would be a lot of work compared to an 8.5' rod? I bottom fish with 8.5's and really like that length.

[Crunchy]

I jig a lot for salmon.  Prob 50/50 with trolling.  I use a Loomis 1084 9ft rod.  I would look for something 7-8 foot that is stiff.  Spinning rod can be done.  Only problem I see with that is sometimes you get bit dropping the jig to the bottom.  Easier to feel/see the slackline with a bait casting reel.  Minus for bait casting reels is you get bite, set the hook, sometimes the fish shoot straight up so a fast retrieval is not its strong point.  It is a plus for a spinning reel though. 

[ASHQUACK]

Kunnan started producing rods again and they have an 8'6 moderate action rod that is the best jig rod I've used. Serious backbone and they were 69.99.

[Antlershed]

Not $30, but the Okuma SST’s are a good value and I think can be found on sale for $70ish. I’d look for something no longer than 8’6”.

[BigGoonTuna]

I don't jig for salmon, but it seems 6.5-7' would be a lot of work compared to an 8.5' rod? I bottom fish with 8.5's and really like that length.

shorter rod = more leverage = less fatigue. About the only plus of using something longer is lessening the chances of a fish coming unbuttoned on a run towards the boat, you can keep tension on the line more easily.

I usually use an older 8'0" heavy action Shimano, but kick myself for not grabbing the brand new Lami puget jigger I saw in a pawn shop a while back.

[WapitiTalk1]

I think I have a cabellas downrigger rod with counter on reel. Really haven’t used it in years. Would give u a great deal on it. Geez, I might have two? 

[Tiger1358]

Fishandsave.com usually has bomb deals, a lotta stuff for extremely cheap prices. Used to buy jigs, spoons and spinners from there for 50 cents and stuff.  Think it's free shipping when you're a first time buyer.

[lokidog]

I don't jig for salmon, but it seems 6.5-7' would be a lot of work compared to an 8.5' rod? I bottom fish with 8.5's and really like that length.

shorter rod = more leverage = less fatigue.

I guess it would depend how much you want to lift the lure. There would be less wrist movement to lift the tip the same amount with a longer rod. I've tried bottom fishing with a shorter rod and, at least to me, it seems to be a lot more work.

[Skillet]

Without question, if you're jigging lead (buzz bomb, pt wilson dart, crippled herring, etc) the best route is a shorter, stiffer rod.  That's universal in all fisheries from ice fishing panfish to black cod in 200+ fathoms.

My fave for salmon/ling/Chelan laker depths up to 6oz was the 7'-2" Berkeley AIR IM7 Buzz Ramsey series rod with an Abu C6500LC spooled with 40# Power Pro and an appropriate mono topshot.  I have two well used copies on the boat right now. They don't make that rod anymore, but there are several similar rods in the sub-$100  range.

If you're considering mooching as well, you need a longer rod with a slower tip than an optimal jigging rod.   Some downrigger rods will do double duty as mooching sticks.

Jigging lead with too long of a rod with too slow of a tip will wear you out and result in far fewer hookups.  It can be done, but you'd not be maximizing your time on the water.

[T-Bone]

Stiff rod...YES and use  a good braid for a main line. Mono has way too much stretch in depth situations.

[blackpowderhunter]

medium heavy or heavy?
Was looking at picking up a shimano travala, daiwa harrier, or one of the berkley jigging rods (cheapest option)