The Quest For The One.... The Jerkbait/topwater Rod

[ziofester96]

Hi fawkes, i'm new in this forum and i'm a relatively noob european bass fisherman.

 

I just wanted to read your opinions about how to choose a jerkbait/topwater rod.

 

Many pros use 5/8 or a 3/4 med-fast rod, even though i've read in this forum that many of you guys prefer a rod with an xfast taper, why is so?

Why a med-fast rod would be preferred over an xfast rod? (or vice versa)

 

For what i know hardbaits need a softer taper in order to have a better hookset, but if the taper is too soft there wouldn't be much bait control, so i guess a med-fast rod would be the deal.

Am I correct?

 

Please i'm eager to read your thoughts about it.

 

And excuse my not so good english

[Preytorien]

Welcome to the forums!

 

From my experience I've seen a lot of discussion that centered around these two concepts.....

 

Guys who use a med-fast taper are using braid or flouro, which has less stretch. The softer tip allows the fish to have that extra split second to keep the lure in its mouth before he gets hooked. 

 

Conversely, the other end of the spectrum would be using a extra fast tip with mono line, which has more stretch allowing the hook to stay in the fish's mouth.

 

The concept is similar, whether using the line or the rod to accommodate the lure in the fish's mouth a bit longer. Both rods are fine for the application, it's just what kind of line you'll have on it that would be what determines your tip speed.

 

I know from personal experience, I have an extra fast rod with 65lb braid, and I have to purposely train myself to wait before hookset because the zero-stretch line + xtra fast tip have lost me a lot of fish. 

[roadwarrior]

My dedicated jerkbait rod is a St. Croix Avid AVC66MF with a soft tip.

 

1. The length is very manageable when working a jerkbait

2. The tip is soft, much like Moderate Action

3. The rod is stout in the middle of the blank after it loads

 

For topwater I like a longer rod. Mine is a G.Loomis PR844C.

 

1. The rod is described as a saltwater "popping rod series"

http://www.gloomis.com/publish/content/gloomis_2010/us/en/conventional/rods/classic_saltwater/popping_rods.html

2. The rod loads for long casts, has a soft tip and is stout when it is loaded

[BobP]

I doubt you'll find much consensus on what is best in a jerkbait/topwater rod because there are many variables that depend on exactly how the rod is used.  For me, the rod has to be the right length so that I can point the tip downward while working a jerkbait or walking topwater bait and not have it hitting the water.  6'6" works for me.  I prefer a moderately fast action rod that is also tip heavy to make the jerk motion as efficient as possible.  Some died-in-the-wool jerkbait fishermen even add weight to the rod tip.      

[F14A-B]

This may not be helpful, but it does somewhat support your theory a bit.

I use a 7' Avid ML spinning rod w/ a 1000 size reel, #6 nylon line. I throw 1/4 Pop "R" type baits.

Also, throwing lighter weight Balsa minnow type baits. This rig throws these baits easily & far.. I have no issues hooking or landing fish. ( FLMB)

As RW stated there is a big advantage in using a shorter rod to impart the needed action for jerk baits or walking the dog type baits. I prefer a softer tip w/ stronger backbone. This is my preference. Many do like extra fast for topwater. It can depend on who makes the rod and what claims they make on action. Size of bait and hooks should also decide your rod selection.

[lmbfisherman]

My dedicated jerkbait rod is a St. Croix Avid AVC66MF with a soft tip.

 

1. The length is very manageable when working a jerkbait

2. The tip is soft, much like Moderate Action

3. The rod is stout in the middle of the blank after it loads

 

For topwater I like a longer rod. Mine is a G.Loomis PR844C.

 

1. The rod is described as a saltwater "popping rod series"

http://www.gloomis.com/publish/content/gloomis_2010/us/en/conventional/rods/classic_saltwater/popping_rods.html

2. The rod loads for long casts, has a soft tip and is stout when it is loaded

This, that Avid is the only St. Croix rod left in my arsenal.  It has been the best jerkbait rod I've ever owned.  It's perfect imo for jerkbaits.  Also it is a good blade bait/swim jig rod so I'm sure it can handle your topwater needs. 

 

My secondary rod is a 6'8 MH/F Cumara. 

[ziofester96]

Welcome to the forums!

 

From my experience I've seen a lot of discussion that centered around these two concepts.....

 

Guys who use a med-fast taper are using braid or flouro, which has less stretch. The softer tip allows the fish to have that extra split second to keep the lure in its mouth before he gets hooked. 

 

Conversely, the other end of the spectrum would be using a extra fast tip with mono line, which has more stretch allowing the hook to stay in the fish's mouth.

 

The concept is similar, whether using the line or the rod to accommodate the lure in the fish's mouth a bit longer. Both rods are fine for the application, it's just what kind of line you'll have on it that would be what determines your tip speed.

 

I know from personal experience, I have an extra fast rod with 65lb braid, and I have to purposely train myself to wait before hookset because the zero-stretch line + xtra fast tip have lost me a lot of fish. 

 

This makes now sense, thanks a lot !!

 

 

And to all the others, i know that jerkbaits rods are short and the discussion was more about the taper of the rod and why to choose one over the other.

 

thanks a lot to everybody and to everybody else would like to share his thoughts.

 

BTW. In your opinion what are the best jerkbait rods in the market ? i'm thinking of getting one that would cost around 150$

          And are you familiar with JPN rods? (i don't mean shimano o daiwa, neither megabass nor evergreen i mean major craft or tailwak rods)

          Does anybody here uses Airrus rods?

 

Thx again

[lmbfisherman]

This makes now sense, thanks a lot !!

 

 

And to all the others, i know that jerkbaits rods are short and the discussion was more about the taper of the rod and why to choose one over the other.

 

thanks a lot to everybody and to everybody else would like to share his thoughts.

 

BTW. In your opinion what are the best jerkbait rods in the market ? i'm thinking of getting one that would cost around 150$

          And are you familiar with JPN rods? (i don't mean shimano o daiwa, neither megabass nor evergreen i mean major craft or tailwak rods)

          Does anybody here uses Airrus rods?

 

Thx again

I owned a spinning rod Airrus but an older version, I gave it to my brother in law.  Nothing against it it was a very good rod, when I started using baitcasters more there was no need for me anyway for MH spinning rod.  It was light and a pleasure to fish with.  I do not have experience with the newer versions though. 

[Hogsticker]

Welcome. Major Craft makes a 6'9 medium power, regular action in there Corzza line. It's right in your price range and makes a great jerkbait stick.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Here's another recent thread on the same topic: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/149192-jerkbaits-rip-baits-rod-taper-action/

[ziofester96]

Here's another recent thread on the same topic: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/149192-jerkbaits-rip-baits-rod-taper-action/

Thanks again !

[ziofester96]

I owned a spinning rod Airrus but an older version, I gave it to my brother in law.  Nothing against it it was a very good rod, when I started using baitcasters more there was no need for me anyway for MH spinning rod.  It was light and a pleasure to fish with.  I do not have experience with the newer versions though. 

i asked because i just got the micropuls x finesse model and i wanted to see if anybody had it (just OT)

[ziofester96]

Welcome. Major Craft makes a 6'9 medium power, regular action in there Corzza line. It's right in your price range and makes a great jerkbait stick.

i was looking for the Go.Emotion series the 6.6 MH rod maybe somebody tried it

 

I also like Falcon rods, in particular i wanted to try the lowrider 20 series i've found both the med-fast and the xfast rod, which tapers produced by falcon are better?

 

[Lucky Craft Man]

If you are truly bored one day, here is a thread I started a few years ago that pretty much goes through the whole evolution on how my "One" Jerkbait rod was created...

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/99721-effects-of-cutting-an-existing-rod-down-in-length/

[Hogsticker]

With that go emotion, the medium heavy regular fast isn't ideal for jerkbait imo. I think you would be better off with the medium regular action. For my preferred Jerking I use braid or fluorocarbon. As DVt stated, a moderate-action rod with a quick tip is perfect. The fast tip recovers quickly and the deep flex keeps fish pinned with treble hooks which is key, especially big smallmouth. This will be harder to do with that medium heavy fast action. It's all personal preference, but this is what works for me.

[ziofester96]

With that go emotion, the medium heavy regular fast isn't ideal for jerkbait imo. I think you would be better off with the medium regular action. For my preferred Jerking I use braid or fluorocarbon. As DVt stated, a moderate-action rod with a quick tip is perfect. The fast tip recovers quickly and the deep flex keeps fish pinned with treble hooks which is key, especially big smallmouth. This will be harder to do with that medium heavy fast action. It's all personal preference, but this is what works for me.

 

the taper isn't fast, it's regular fast

[ChrisD46]

If fishing from shore : <6'6" rod length to prevent rod tip slap on the water surface while working a jerk bait  ...If fishing from a boat or elevated position then a 6'6" length (or greater) jerk bait rod length is fine ... Ask me how I know !

[ziofester96]

any other thoughts ?