The Outdoor Line Forum

I'm looking for some advice on a good mooching rod. Like to keep it under 200.00 but willing to spend more of it makes sense. Also would it be OK to use as a jigging / dart rod or is that a different animal?

Hey LM,
As far as I'm concerned mooching and jigging require two different sticks altogether...
A jig rod is required to lift a jig with minimal effort and have the backbone to set the hooks hanging on the lead jig deeply into the grill of a salmon. Think 7'6' one-piece 15-50 lb rods.

A mooching rod on the other hand needs the length and forgiveness to allow a wary chinook to mouth the bait without feeling the rod flex. I like a 9'6" to 10'6" rod for mooching.

Perhaps our resident Mooch Master Robbo Endsley can weigh in on the subject

Check out the Lamiglas 1308-T Salmon Moocher. I've used them for years here in Alaska and they are perfect for both silvers and kings. I like the 8'6" model...easier to handle especially in a smaller boat. That's my .02

gonna second what Rob said about the 1308. Was lucky enough to fish with him up there at the end of June using those rods and they are phenomenal!!!!!!!!

I too like an 8 foot 6 inch rod (fishing out of 16 foot boat) for my mooching rod.

Here in the Puget Sound my preference would be a medium action rod rated for 8 to 12 pound lines. That is a bit lighter than what Robbo is using in Alaska but then our fishing and fish are a bit different here. I think the lamiglass model that would be a 1306.

Tight lines
Curt