JustinU1X Posted October 12, 2015 Posted October 12, 2015 I just ordered a 7' M/MF rod for squarebills, lipless cranks, and jerkbaits. After snooping around on the forums it sounds like everyone uses a MH for squares and lipless cranks. But then what do I use for jerk baits!? I'm now considering getting a MH and using my topwater rod for that and jerk baits. If I do that then I have to pick a buoyant line that's also good for jerks. What would you guys do in my shoes? Quote
Super User Angry John Posted October 12, 2015 Super User Posted October 12, 2015 Depends on your cover. I use a st Croix 66mf for all square bills and jerks. I run traps on mhf rods usually 7'. 1 Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted October 12, 2015 Global Moderator Posted October 12, 2015 I like a shorter rod for jerkbaits, to keep the tip from slapping the water when I twitch the bait. I use a 6' 2" M/XF Avid and a 6' 8" M/F Ethos depending on the size of the jerkbait. Both reels are spooled with 10lb Big Game or Pline. That 7' M/MF would be a rod I'd probably use for small squarebills, but most rods I've used with that rating are pretty light and wouldn't be capable of doing what I like to do with squarebills and traps. 1 Quote
Super User WIGuide Posted October 12, 2015 Super User Posted October 12, 2015 I use a 7'2" M/M for squarebills and other small crankbaits and it works really well. As for jerkbaits and lipless crankbaits I don't use a moderate action rod, but usually us a fast action rod instead. For jerkbaits I'll use a 6'6" m/f as it allows me to control the bait better. With a moderate action, I find I'm just pulling the bait more than twitching it because there's so much give in the tip of the rod. As for the lipless crankbaits I'll throw those on a MH/F as it allows me to rip them out of the grass better. If I was just using them in open water, I'd be able to get by with a slower action I think. Quote
UKCATSBASSER Posted October 12, 2015 Posted October 12, 2015 I use a 6'6" medium action rods for jerkbaits and topwaters. I just switch the reels out. One with fluro other with mono. I through my traps and other cranks including squarebills on a 7'0" MH mod action crankbait Rod. I love throwing squarebills and hope to pick up a 6'6" cranking Rod for better accuracy in and around cover. Quote
Super User Fishes in trees Posted October 12, 2015 Super User Posted October 12, 2015 Try it, if you don't like it, try/buy a different one. Me, I fish square bills, traps and jerk baits enough, that means 3 different rods for me as I'm very likely to fish those 3 baits in the same trip. I fish square bills & traps on similar rods, I favor the square bill more around brush/woody cover and traps more to tick the top of any grass/vegetation around. Jerk baits require a different rig. Bluebasser 86 mentioned a shorter rod, I like that also. I prefer spinning gear for jerk baits as I have fewer " wind issues." I like a 6' or 6'3" spinning rod, my current favorite is a Med/Med light action with an extra fast tip. (It is a ten or twelve year old Shimano rod, not sure about what grade it was right now.) A wide spool spinning reel with thin braid or Fireline and a short, 18" or less fluorocarbon leader of around 15 lbs. Having mentioned all this, the primary reason that I carry different rods for those particular techniques is that when I'm fishing, I don't want to stop and tie knots if I don't have to and if I carry 3 different rods, I won't have to as often. Hey, I realize it is self indulgent and not really economical, but I'm not that concerned. Quote
Super User WRB Posted October 12, 2015 Super User Posted October 12, 2015 I just ordered a 7' M/MF rod for squarebills, lipless cranks, and jerkbaits. After snooping around on the forums it sounds like everyone uses a MH for squares and lipless cranks. But then what do I use for jerk baits!? I'm now considering getting a MH and using my topwater rod for that and jerk baits. If I do that then I have to pick a buoyant line that's also good for jerks. What would you guys do in my shoes? Since there isn't any standard to compare rod ratings we don't have a clue what rod you have ordered without knowing the mfr & model number??Tom Quote
Super User J Francho Posted October 12, 2015 Super User Posted October 12, 2015 I use a m/xf rod with a short butt grip, around 6-6'6" for jerk baits. 1 Quote
JustinU1X Posted October 12, 2015 Author Posted October 12, 2015 Since there isn't any standard to compare rod ratings we don't have a clue what rod you have ordered without knowing the mfr & model number?? Tom It’s an Okuma tcs 7’ Crank/jerkbait rod. Someone used the analogy of a wet noodle when they described it though which makes me nervous for squarebills and lipless cranks. In WI don’t fish a whole lot of timber but will be around docs. That’s what’s making me consider the 6’9 MH/MF. Should I make my topwater rod a jerkabait rod? Then eventually maybe a longer rod for med/deep diving cranks? I’m trying to limit myself to 6 rods since I don’t have a ton of space or a boat. My rods so far: 7’6 Heavy Okuma TCS – Flipping/Frog 7’3 Medium Heavy Duckett MM - Jigs/t-rigs 7’ Medium Okuma Helios – Topwater àShallow cranks/Traps???? àMedium/Deep Cranks???? 7’ Medium Duckett MM Spinning - finesse Quote
Capt.Bob Posted October 12, 2015 Posted October 12, 2015 I use my 7'2" MHM for deep cranks and spinners baits, I use my my 7' MM for most shallow cranks and square bills, for jerk baits and topwater I use a 6'8" MXF,,,, of course ST. Croix's,,,,, 1 Quote
JustinU1X Posted October 13, 2015 Author Posted October 13, 2015 I use a m/xf rod with a short butt grip, around 6-6'6" for jerk baits. Hey, I just read your review of the Okuma tcs MH/MF 6'9. I just ordered it actually. You said it handles jerk baits fine, I would be using McSticks. Hopefully that's the case then I can keep my dedicated topwater rod. Great review! Quote
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