steelheader316

Hello all and Happy New Year! I am finalizing my smallmouth quiver after getting a Dobyns Champion XP 764 Crankbait casting rod. I need two more rods to complete my lineup. The first will be a dedicated jerkbait spinning rod. I like longer rods and based upon Dwight’s posts, a 7’2”-7’6” MH (moderate-moderate-fast) spinning rod with braid to UG leader is my jerkbait weapon of choice. I have looked around and researched for a while, and I have narrowed it down to either a 7’3” MH Shimano Zodias or the 7’2” MH Shimano Expride. Which of these two would you recommend for jerkbaits? For bottom contact, I am pretty set on a G.Loomis 872s, but that purchase will be next year, so will the Zodias or the Expride work better for bottom contact until the Loomis purchase? I hope for some opinions on which rod is better for jerkbaits, while knowing I’ll be using it for tubes, football jigs, grubs, etc for a while. if you all think I’m off base or have other rod suggestions, I’d love to hear that too. Thank you! - Jacob

Thank you, Dwight. I figured as much, but I was hoping you would opine on that. Probably more enjoyable to fish as well. I’d imagine a cold water, prespawn bite can be quite subtle, especially from a bigger fish?

Thank you all for the advice. My anticipated fishery is huge water from the bank for now (Dworshak and the Snake River), so the ability to launch a jerkbait is very important. Although, I had my own preferences, I think part of being a good fisherman is being able to follow advice, especially from those with more experience and success. Therefore, I have settled on a either a Falcon Marsh or Falcon Lowrider. Both rods are 7’3” MH (3/8-3/4 oz, moderate action) but one is higher quality graphite and more expensive. I can envision a scenario where the added sensitivity will help detect a March giant’s bite. I will fill a 2500 Stradic FK with 15lb 832 braid to an 8-10lb mono leader (Maxima Ultragreen) to throw 110s, 110 plus ones, and Pointers 78-100, maybe a 128 depending how the rod feels. I believe this outfit will allow me to cast farther from shore, manipulate the bait either very subtly early or more erratically late and be able to successfully play what I hope will someday be a 6lb plus bronzeback. I wanted to fish a casting reel and rod, but the spinning setup will be more versatile, longer casting for smaller baits, and easier to cast very thin braid. Thoughts on Falcon rods or this setup in particular? I appreciate everyone’s responses and acknowledge there are many ways to skin a cat. this site is great!

Thank you, Dwight. I appreciate the feedback. Thank you, sir. I appreciate the input.

Thank you, sir. My preferences aren’t as important to me as fishing effectively. I appreciate your input!

Good evening, I have scoured this website as well as several others seeking to find a good jerkbait setup, casting preferably. This will primarily be used to hunt trophy class northwest smallmouth prespawn. Like many others here, I pay careful attention to what Dwight Hottle and A-Jay have to say on any and all smallmouth topics. As I understand it, both prefer braid to mono leaders on casting setups, with A-Jay preferring faster Alpha Slasher and Dwight an unnamed moderate casting rod, rated a little heavier to an oz. My question: I am not a fan of braid at all. I will use it for bottom contact and plastics for the sensitivity factor, but I prefer mono. I also have trust issues with fluorocarbon, as Seaguar Red Lable 8lb wasn’t super impressive. I like Maxima UG and Crystal Ivory, both of which have proven their worth over three decades of river steelhead fishing. My thought would be to use a 6’8”-7’ 8-14lb basting rod with straight 8lb Ultragreen for 110s and Pointer 100s. The big smallmouth forage primarily on Kokanee where I fish, and a 4-5 inch bait is not big at all. I am new to this technique, other than rapala cd-3s in streams for trout, so any and all suggestions would be appreciated. If braid/leader is optimal for colder jerkbaiting, I will do it, but I’d prefer straight Maxima. Thoughts? What do you

Thank you, sir! You should come out.. it’s a really cool area. Big trees, big water, big smallies.

That’s awesome! Have you ever fished Dworshak or the northwest for smallies?

Dworshak. Had a guided trip this spring with my son, no biggies, but I learned quite a bit. I’m bank bound, but I should be able to effectively fish it preseason and late fall when the big girls come shallow. There are some giants in Pend O’reille as well, but that’s out of my neighborhood. You fish Erie, yes?

Thank you very much for this advice. I love it, since I know from pulling plugs for steelhead there are “swimmers” and then there are time-wasting lures. Unfortunately, I do not have a boat to do this, but when I do, I will follow this advice. Your point is well taken regarding the sensitive balance these lures may have with the weight of stock hooks. I will seriously consider this before changing, if I do. Thank you sir! I appreciate your perspective. I am very OCD about sharpening hooks with an extra-fine EZ-Lap diamond sharpener (one of the best fishing tools there is, IMO), so sharpness will always be there when I’m fishing. After the stock hooks wear, I will look at your suggestion to replace. This place is awesome! Everyone is very helpful, and I really appreciate it. These baits look awesome with the pint and sparkle finish. I was pleasantly surprised considering what they looked like on TW’s website. I’m really excited for the sparkle blue/black June Bug-sequel colored ones. I have a feeling they might be effective in the murky cold water of North Idaho’s pre spawn trophy period.

Thank you for your perspective. The main fishery these baits will be used has legitimate 9lb smallmouth in it. Though I would never expect a fish like that, it could happen on any cast, so I want to be as prepared as possible. The stock hooks on the Normans look decent, so now I’m in a quandary.

Thank you, Dwight. I appreciate it!

I just received a TW care package in the mail including some Norman Deep Little Ns. I had never seen this bait in person and was surprised as I thought it would be smaller. Having acquired some KVD 2x triple grip trebles in 6,4, and 2 sizes, I am considering replacing the trebles on the Deep Little Ns. They appear to be size 4. Any issues going bigger with a size 2 kvd treble? The bigger size seems to fit the bait better, but I do not want to compromise action. any guidance would be appreciated. Thank you!

This is awesome! Such great advice in my opinion.

This is a good point as well. Other than locating fish, confidence may be the most important factor.