Jerkbait Rod For 100$

[Justin2]

I'm new to the forum and I'm looking for a jerkbait rod around 100$, I know jerkbait rods come with a lot of opinions so let me hear them! Thanks and tight lines

[ww2farmer]

I have, or have had several $100 or less rods that I fished jerkbaits on, all of them were great. Pick one that feels good in your hand and go try it. Personally I like a 6'6" M power, fast action rod.  Some like longer, some like shorter, some like a more moderate action, etc......your going to have to buy one and see what you like. The worst you can do, is not like your choice for jerkbaits and have to try something else. I know I would hate fishing jerkbaits if I fished them on some of the rods other people like. Why? Because I am not them, and I like what I like.

[flyfisher]

I like a M XF in the 6'8"-7' range for my jerk bait fishing,  I fish soft jerk baits more often than the hard ones but i use the same rod for both presentations with good success. 

[Justin2]

Thanks for the reply. Bought a shimano compre and just didn't care for it much at all.

[smalljaw67]

Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth, I use the 6'10" MH-MF casting rod and it is absolutely the most versatile reaction bait rod I ever used, I had to get a second one for square bills. That said, the 6'10" M-F casting rod is also a great jerkbait rod, and if I remember correctly, jerkbaits were one of the intended uses for that rod, go to Fish USA, $99.95 with free shipping.

[Naplock]

Welcome!

I have a couple of Fenwick (Eagle GTs; one casting, one spinning). Work ok for me for general purpose, including jerk baits.

[Justin2]

Do you throw jerkbaits on your 6'10 mh? I've picked up this rod and really liked it but at the time didn't have the one I wanted.

[new2BC4bass]

Well...I am going to go out on a short limb here and say that smalljaw in fact does fish jerkbaits on his 6'10" MH-MF.  His opinion on the Smallmouth series is what got me to buy my first Smallmouth rods.  The next one will be that exact rod because of how well he likes it for several different techniques.

 

I have the 6'10" MF, but haven't tried it with a jerkbait lure yet although I have tried several other type lures.  It is a very versatile rod.  This year I dug out my Smallmouth 6'9" M XF for the first time (purchased last year, but spent little time on the water that year) and guess what lure I tried on it first.  Yup, a hard jerkbait.  Never really fished jerkbaits before.  I find I like using this rod for that technique.  Only wish I could say the local boat ramp on the Lehigh River had yielded a fish or two on it.  Unfortunately the only lure to catch fish in this area for me has been a black or black and blue spinnerbait.

 

I think you would be very pleased with any of the Fenwick Smallmouth series.  They are an under-rated rod.  Usually by those who have never fished one. 

[KC5TTC]

Take a look at the Denali Signature Series Murphy Jerkbait rod.  It is a little more than $100 but the extra is well worth it.  I have one and absolutely love it.

 

www.denalirods.com

[cbass12]

I use a 6'6" M/F Carbonlite for jerkbaits and it works well for me. 

[Loop_Dad]

Well...I am going to go out on a short limb here and say that smalljaw in fact does fish jerkbaits on his 6'10" MH-MF.  His opinion on the Smallmouth series is what got me to buy my first Smallmouth rods.  The next one will be that exact rod because of how well he likes it for several different techniques.

 

I have the 6'10" MF, but haven't tried it with a jerkbait lure yet although I have tried several other type lures.  It is a very versatile rod.  This year I dug out my Smallmouth 6'9" M XF for the first time (purchased last year, but spent little time on the water that year) and guess what lure I tried on it first.  Yup, a hard jerkbait.  Never really fished jerkbaits before.  I find I like using this rod for that technique.  Only wish I could say the local boat ramp on the Lehigh River had yielded a fish or two on it.  Unfortunately the only lure to catch fish in this area for me has been a black or black and blue spinnerbait.

 

I think you would be very pleased with any of the Fenwick Smallmouth series.  They are an under-rated rod.  Usually by those who have never fished one. 

 

Yeah for Fenwick Smallmouth! It is totally under-rated. I have 6'9" MHF. Sorry Justin2, I haven't fished the jerkbait with it, so I don't have input for jerkbait use, but I can say It is very nice rod to fish with.

 

new2BC4bass, would you say their lure rating for M rod is accurate? (1/8-5/8)

[new2BC4bass]

new2BC4bass, would you say their lure rating for M rod is accurate? (1/8-5/8)

 

Smallljaw or someone else will have to answer that for you.  Pretty sure the jerkbait on the rod right now is a 1/2 oz.  Handles it fine.  Didn't really "fish" this past year after my trip to Florida the end of May even tho I spent more time casting last season than any other year since getting back into fishing in 09.  What I did from June on was go to a local boat ramp on the Lehigh River, and practice with different outfits.  Had no expectation of actually catching any fish there.  Was surprised when I did catch a few smallies and one Musky.  Wasn't trying to catch fish.  Wanted to test different combos, and improve my casting.  I can now cast a true 3/16 oz. lure on 3 combos with ease.  The 1/8 oz. lures still give me fits.  Need more practice. 

 

Therefore I seldom switched lures.  In the case of the 6'9" M XF, not once.  Chronarch 101A wouldn't tighten down, so I put a Zillion on it.  Hence the 1/2 oz. lure.  I should be able to give you an answer sometime next season.  Plan on swithing out the Zillion.  Maybe replace it with a Patriarch XT.

 

I communicate some with smalljaw.  I know he says the rods are true to claimed action.  I'm thinking they may be true to rated weights.  I do know he was impressed with how well the spinning rod of the same configuration handles light lures, as well as impressed with its sensitivity.

[smalljaw67]

Do you throw jerkbaits on your 6'10 mh? I've picked up this rod and really liked it but at the time didn't have the one I wanted.

 

I throw jerkbaits on my Elite Tech 6'10" MH-MF, if the rod was just a medium heavy with a fast action then I wouldn't even consider it. The 6'10" medium heavy, moderate fast action is a special rod, it isn't a soft parabolic type rod normally associated with crankbaits, it does flex through more of the blank but it still has more backbone than any cranking rod. The reason it works for jerkbaits is the action is basically fast which make working the bait super easy, unlike cranking rods were the tip of the rod flexes hard on a pull, especially when working a jerkbait aggressively, however when you hook a fish and apply pressure you notice right away that you got some added play in the rod, when the fish makes that sudden surge at the side of the boat the rod will give a little more than a normal fast action rod and it is perfect, it is just enough to keep the fish pinned without being too soft to work the bait. Because of the action it makes it great for any moving bait, you can rip lipless cranks out of grass yet still have the flex needed to fight the fish, the same thing with square bills and I can even fish spinnerbaits and chatterbaits in cover with it as it allows you to rip it out of cover without bending in half like a cranking rod. The 6'10" medium power, fast action would be another one for jerkbaits, the rating, 1/8oz to 5/8oz is accurate, I've used it to fish 1/16oz shaky heads with a slender 4.5" worm which together might have weighed 1/8oz and I had no trouble casting and it didn't over power the head, I could feel the bait without any problems. So both of those rods would work for you and work well.

[new2BC4bass]

After my first retirement check arrives there very well may be a 6'10" MH M-F headed my way!  :teeth:

 

I have the 6'10" MF, but haven't tried it with a jerkbait.  Have used several other types of lures...nothing more than 3/8 oz., and maybe not that heavy.  It is a very versatile rod.  Originally mounted a Curado 51E that was purchased about the same time.  It will be going back on this rod.  They make a very light combo, and work together like they were made for each other.  One sweet combo! 

[kingkong85]

For the owners of the elite tech smallmouth rods, have you fished for stripers aka stripped bass with this rod using jerkbaits? If so does this rod have the power to fight big fishes like the stripers? I'm asking cause if I get one I will be using jerkbaits for stripers too.

[IowaHusker28]

I use a the 6'6" St. Croix Mojo Bass jerkbait rod with the fast tip. I freaking love it but its $110, only $10 over but never the less. Its a great rod for the money. I've tried a 7' rod but I just feel you have more control on 6'6" rod. It may be because I'm not the tallest but I do love the 6'6" medium, it also keeps the trebles in really well while using the light line. But like everyone said above its all about personal preference and thats just what works for me!

[Loop_Dad]

 

Therefore I seldom switched lures.  In the case of the 6'9" M XF, not once.  Chronarch 101A wouldn't tighten down, so I put a Zillion on it.  Hence the 1/2 oz. lure.  I should be able to give you an answer sometime next season.  Plan on swithing out the Zillion.  Maybe replace it with a Patriarch XT.

 

 

Why wouldn't Chronarch tighten down? Is that because of the reel seat design? I know it has rather unique reel seat. BTW I was wondering if I can carve a little bit of underside cork directly below the reel for better grip.