Rod/reel Specs For Jerkbait/topwater

[buzzed bait]

I'm looking to put together a new combo that could split time between some topwater action (spooks, sammys, poppers) and some jerkbaits.  I'm looking for some opinions on what the ideal lengths, power, actions, specs of this rod would be.  Also, what would your preference be for the reel (slower or faster IPT)?

Thanks.

[roadwarrior]

My dedicated jerkbait rod would work just fine for most topwater lures.

This is an Avid AVC66MF with a soft tip. The reel is a Scorpion 1000.

 

 

 

[IAY]

Everyone has their preference on this topic. Some guys like under 7 foot rod with medium or medium heavy power and fast action, others like 7 foot plus with moderate action. I really enjoy a moderate action, medium power rod in the  6'5 to 6'10 range. For reel, I like something with high IPT so I can pick up the slack you make from the rod movement a lot easier.

[gardnerjigman]

For reel, I like high speed for the exact reason mentioned above. You are constantly making slack in your line and you need to lose that as quick as possible for both applications.

[ColdSVT]

I like a 7 mh mod for jerkbaits with a 7.1 reel

topwater i like a 7 mhf with a 6.2-6.4 reel

However if i could only have one to do both it be a 7mhf with a reel pulling in 28-32 ipt

[hatrix]

I like a rod that would be 6'6"-7' and a 7:1 reel would be ideal but a 6:4 can get the job done also. As for rod rating that varies cause not all brand are the same. Generally though I would prefer a Medium Fast or maybe a M/H Moderate. Not all rod are the same so its hard to say. One rod could be a M/H and be very similar to another rod that is a M in how it feels.Also something that can load well with lighter lures. Some jerkbaits can be super light and give you trouble trying to cast if you don't get the straight shot with no fluttering. A moderate action actually helps reduce helicoptering I think. My moderate swimbait rods hardly ever helicopter my Deps or S-Wavers where as the stiffer rods seem to all the time.

[Cgrinder]

I can tell you what I use for 1/2 oz to 3/4 oz walking baits and jerkbaits with great success: 7'1" MH *** Black, CH201E7 (sporting a Hawgtech 102mm handle), 40-50 lb. original Power Pro. The setup bombs lures, the hooksetting at distance is fantastic, and I don't lose fish (Carbontex helps). 

[Chris at Tech]

My dedicated jerkbait rod would work just fine for most topwater lures.

This is an Avid AVC66MF with a soft tip.

Yup. I've got a 6:1 Revo STX on mine and it does great for jerk baits and topwaters

[EvanT123]

Top waters or jerkbaits 5/8 or under i like to throw on medium/fast spinning gear. When I fish these baits the water is stained to clear and I like the longest cast I can get.

[smalljaw67]

I think I can help you here and provide you choices. There are two separate groups of anglers who use completely different set ups and even among pros it varies. The first group use sharp downward stroks of the rod to impart action to the bait, that group usually prefers a medium power, fast action rod from 6'3" to 6'10" in length, the fast action allows total control of the bait while the medium power offers forgiveness to fight the fish when hooked on treble hooks. The other group of anglers prefer longer, moderate action rods as they use a kind of sideways sweep to impart action to the bait, they don't have the bait control of the shorter, faster action rods but they offer longer casts and better fish fighting ability. I think if you use primarily suspending type bait in cold water, the longer, moderate action rod will work, but if you like working a bait aggressively, a shorter, faster action rod would be the choice. I have several jerkbait set ups, I have a G.Loomis JBR 752C which is a 6'3" medium power, fast action and it is awesome but it kind of struggles with the larger baits. I have a Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth 6'10" MH-MF for larger 1/2oz to 3/4oz baits, and I have a Fenwick Aetos 6'6" ML-M and that is what I use for the smaller Pointer 78, Twitch Stick and X-Rap size 8. I would say that it comes down to how comfortable you are with your retrieve, if you like to use sharp downward rips then a shorter rod is going to keep you from hitting the water, but if you feel better using the sideways sweep, then a longer rod will be better, it all comes down to how you like to use those baits.

[fishguy613]

Medium or med-heavy rod depending on bait size with a moderate fast action, quick enough to work a bait but soft enough to keep fish pinned especially with small size 6 trebles on jerkbaits

[ColdSVT]

One other thing about jerks

I like 12# flouro most of the time, however if i want it to hang alittle higher i use 20# or 30# braid

[timsford]

I think I can help you here and provide you choices. There are two separate groups of anglers who use completely different set ups and even among pros it varies. The first group use sharp downward stroks of the rod to impart action to the bait, that group usually prefers a medium power, fast action rod from 6'3" to 6'10" in length, the fast action allows total control of the bait while the medium power offers forgiveness to fight the fish when hooked on treble hooks. The other group of anglers prefer longer, moderate action rods as they use a kind of sideways sweep to impart action to the bait, they don't have the bait control of the shorter, faster action rods but they offer longer casts and better fish fighting ability. I think if you use primarily suspending type bait in cold water, the longer, moderate action rod will work, but if you like working a bait aggressively, a shorter, faster action rod would be the choice. I have several jerkbait set ups, I have a G.Loomis JBR 752C which is a 6'3" medium power, fast action and it is awesome but it kind of struggles with the larger baits. I have a Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth 6'10" MH-MF for larger 1/2oz to 3/4oz baits, and I have a Fenwick Aetos 6'6" ML-M and that is what I use for the smaller Pointer 78, Twitch Stick and X-Rap size 8. I would say that it comes down to how comfortable you are with your retrieve, if you like to use sharp downward rips then a shorter rod is going to keep you from hitting the water, but if you feel better using the sideways sweep, then a longer rod will be better, it all comes down to how you like to use those baits.

This sums it all up. I personally prefer a 6'3" m fast fenwick elite tech for almost all my jerkbait and topwater spinning. Its the only spinning rod i use for baits over 1/4 ounce. If its a large bait over say 5/8 oz or 4.5" size i use a 6'6" mh casting rod with a fast action but im thinking of having a custom 6'3" mh rod built. I work my bait with hard snaps with my rod almost perpendicular to the water when using jerkbaits and about the only hard topwater i use is some type of walking bait. I think the fast action rod gives you more control and the bait looks more erratic. I get more strikes using these setups and rwtrieves than a softer longer rod using the sweep motion. Thats my preference anyways. I do lose a few fish but i get more bites so i still lip more than i did sweeping and thats what counts. If you go with a fast action id advise using mono and setting your drag as light as cover demands and you will get more to the boat

[Ozark_Basser]

7'MH fast action st. croix premier is perfect for both.  It has a little more bend than most 7' MH fast action rods.  Reels don't seem to matter as much but I prefer a high speed gear ratio.

[SirSnookalot]

When I fish jerk baits, top water lures, swim jigs I'm twitching and pausing or moving the lure a few feet at a time.  Moving the lures mostly with an arm or wrist movement there isn't that much slack, IPT are not real important to me, I probably fish this way more than anything else. The heaviest I fish for bass is 7' med spinning 15# braid, most of the time it's ml and light with a 6'6 rod.

I lose fish all the time, simply because I let them jump, you just won't land them all.  I'm there for the fun, catching a 20-24" bass on top water with a light rod and having it jump a few times makes my day, bass swims off healthier and I've enjoyed myself, win win !  Yesterday I did it with a ul, even better.

[thehooligan]

I dont throw anything heavier then 1/2oz. My ideal setups have been 6'5-6'6 medium fast rods. For reels, gear ratio has to be 7:0 or faster. 7:0 has been great for jerks, and 8:0 for topwater is awesome.