Ideal Jerkbait Rod/reel/line Set-Up

[Jason Shellhammer]

Hello Everyone,

I've been fishing for about 10 years now pretty seriously, and I'm ready to make a solid investment into a jerk bait dedicated rod/reel/line set-up - I'm looking for advice in what would make a great set-up.  Here are some important details for those who would be willing to give advice:

My Height: 5'10"

Primary fishing waters:  Freshwater - Lakes of varying size (Pennsylvania) 90% from shore or wading/10% from boats, docks, or piers - most waters are stained or occasionally clear

 

Primary Lures: Rapalas ~ Original Floaters, Husky Jerks, X-Raps, Countdowns, and several other styles; several soft jerk baits.

 

Fish species targeted: LM Bass, SM Bass, Striped Bass, Pickerel, Muskie, Walleye, and Perch

 

What I'm looking for in the setup: MUST BE A SPINNING ROD & REEL COMBO - I'm looking for a combo that can provide both vigorous and subtle action, have the ability to have a deep cast, is not heavy will allow me to work all day without causing stress to tendons - and not tire me out (I work both from the side twitching and classic up and down), can handle the load of a 10+ aggressive fish.

Additionally, I'm not brand loyal.  I am expecting to invest some $$$ in the set-up.

Please help.

[EvanT123]

St croix 66mlf or rodgeeks custom 66mmf.

[tomustang]

I wouldn't recommend a spinning outfit for your setup.

A baitcaster will be more conformable for What your requiring in weight, the action you want out of a lure, and ergonomis. They also have more options available for comfort/weight savings.

The only setup I would do that on is my avid 6'8mxf & stradic ci4+ 2500. It's not comfortable if you work jerkbaits on it long.

[smalljaw67]

This isn't going to cost you an arm and a leg but it fits with what you are looking for. Rod, that will be a Falcon BuCoo 7' medium power, the number is 4-17 rated 1/4oz to 1/2oz baits, the newr ones they call the all-purpose special but originally they were called a spin cranker. My fishing partner has 3 of these, he keeps on in his lake Erie boat, one in the river boat and one in his bass boat, and he does that so ne never forgets it. What he uses it for is cranking with shallow to mid depth cranks with light line, he likes throwing a Jackall Bling 55 on 8lb line and he hates using 8lb on a casting rod. Anyway, he told me by doing that he can get a longer cast and get the bait to go a little deeper than designed, he uses it in spring or whenever we have lightly stained to clear water, and he has taken 6lb smallmouths and a 7lb 4oz largemouth with it and has no problems, in fact after the 7 pound largemouth is when he got the other 2 but for what you want to do it sounds like what you need. For your reel, I would think the fastest 2500 to 300 size reel that you like and line I'd go 10lb mono or copoly but you could also use braid on that set up with no adverse affects.