Smaller Jerkbait 78 Series Users ?

[ChrisD46]

I have seen some recent jerkbait videos where anglers have had good success using the smaller 78 series jerkbaits - a size category I never considered ... What dictates your usage of the smaller 78 series jerkbaits ? What is your set up ? ...Thanks in advance !

[5fishlimit]

What dictates the usage are the fish. If they aren't biting the bigger size them moving down is a good idea. 

Setup will be with whatever ml/f spinning rod I have on me. 

[iabass8]

depends on the bait.

I use the same set up I use for point 100s. 68mxf st.croix and a 50 size curado

[kickerfish1]

The 78 series LC pointer is a 3/8 oz jerkbait. I usually toss mine a medium or medium light spinning rod. I have used a ML casting rod but I didn't care for the rod I had so I sold. Haven't decided if I will purchase another ML casting rod for smaller jerkbaits yet. I usually run 6 or 8# line for these smaller baits.

[thebillsman]

That's my go to size jerkbait, Pointer 78s and Jackall Squad Minnow 80s.

I decided to pull double duty with my MH/MF deep cranking rod because its backbone really provides a great twitch. Whatever you do I'd recommend moderate action, but to each his own.

[Goose52]

I usually have a Pointer 78 tied on all winter. Since winter is often windy, I usually toss it on a 6'8" MXF spinning rod. If I do use a BC rod, it's a 6'8" MF. I'm of  the school of thought that even though it's a treble hook bait...you go with a fast or x-fast rod to get a sharper jerk and faster tip recovery.

FWIW

 

[smalljaw67]

I like the larger 100 size better and that applies to all jerkbaits but I also enjoy the 78 size. For me I normally start with a larger bait and let the fish tell me but there are times when I begin with the smaller bait. During the cold water period I will use the 78 when the water temps are falling or if the water is at the lower end of when I use jerkbaits, for me that water temp is 40 degrees. If a cold front has come through I'll start with the 78 but when I'm using a 100 size or larger I watch the way the fish react or don't, to my larger bait. When I get followers or I'm getting fish on the rear treble and or losing them consistently, that is when a switch to the smaller bait comes in. I like throwing the smaller ones on my finesse cranking rod, a 6'6" ML-M casting rod which is very similar to the Falcon 6'6" M-M cranker. The reason I like the moderate action rod for the smaller jerkbaits is because it makes me slow down with them, I like to fish jerkbaits aggressively and the smaller baits seem to lose action when worked too quickly and so a moderate rod really does the trick.

[Silas]

A big bass in my small bayou is 3 lbs!  Most average 1 1/2 pounds. I have found these smaller bass tend to strike the 78 about twice as much as the 100. 

  I also have several Vision 110s and love to throw them and watch their action. 

But, darn, the 78 Pointer STILL outfishes them!!  

 

[Bluebasser86]

I fish the 78 and even the 65 pointers quite a bit. I have good luck with them when bass seem to be avoiding the bigger baits. I really like them in ponds too.

The smaller STX is another finesse jerkbait that I like that runs a little shallower and has a little thinner profile. It's a good bait when they're eating emerald shiners.

[ChrisD46]

Good reples  ... Thanks !

I will have to look to add the 78 series jerk baits as I see they definately have their place !

[68camaro]

Stupid question here, but when people speak of size 78, 80, 100, 110 etc are they talking millimeter size? And is this consistent across manufacturers?

[Bluebasser86]

26 minutes ago, 68camaro said:

Stupid question here, but when people speak of size 78, 80, 100, 110 etc are they talking millimeter size? And is this consistent across manufacturers?

Yes and it is standard for the most part. 

[MDBowHunter]

I like them early in the year when the baitfish are still on the small size, and again when the fish start highly pressured and are shying away from bigger baits. The smallies love the smaller profile also, I throw all my jerk baits on a St. Croix 6' 8" M/XF.

[Hogsticker]

22 minutes ago, MDBowHunter said:

I like them early in the year when the baitfish are still on the small size, and again when the fish start highly pressured and are shying away from bigger baits. The smallies love the smaller profile also, I throw all my jerk baits on a St. Croix 6' 8" M/XF.

Pretty much this. Majority of bait fish in my neck of the woods seem small. 78 seems to work better for finicky smallmouth. I prefer a medium power rod with a fairly deep flex and fast tip. 

[Evan K]

18 hours ago, thebillsman said:

That's my go to size jerkbait, Pointer 78s and Jackall Squad Minnow 80s.

I decided to pull double duty with my MH/MF deep cranking rod because its backbone really provides a great twitch. Whatever you do I'd recommend moderate action, but to each his own.

 

Interesting, how do you manage to throw a 78 size with a MH setup? I don't think I could more than 10 feet.

[buzzed bait]

1 hour ago, Evan K said:

Interesting, how do you manage to throw a 78 size with a MH setup? I don't think I could more than 10 feet.

i'd say the MF action is helping, but all those rod ratings are subjective....  my jerkbait rod is a 6' "MH" rod that feels like a M by most other ratings.

[RB 77]

I definitely tend to favor the 100 size, but always have  the 78 in the box just in case they aren't hitting the 100 proper.

[Scott F]

I fish pre-spawn smallmouth and they like the 78s. I've had a couple of years where the 65s were the only thing they'd hit. Then last year, the 110s in the Shadow Raps did well. Keep a selection and let the fish decide.

[thebillsman]

3 hours ago, Evan K said:

 

Interesting, how do you manage to throw a 78 size with a MH setup? I don't think I could more than 10 feet.

The tip on my KLX definitely lends itself to a good cast, even with ~1/4oz baits. 

[Raul]

4 hours ago, Evan K said:

 

Interesting, how do you manage to throw a 78 size with a MH setup? I don't think I could more than 10 feet.

Easy, with thin line ( 8 - 10 lbs ) and low brake and cast control settings.

[Jaderose]

12 minutes ago, Raul said:

Easy, with thin line ( 8 - 10 lbs ) and low brake and cast control settings.

That's funny...when I throw smaller Cranks on my MH BPS Extreme, I actually turn the mag brake UP a little and turn the cast control way down.  Works a little better...for me.

 

[Evan K]

1 hour ago, thebillsman said:

The tip on my KLX definitely lends itself to a good cast, even with ~1/4oz baits. 

That's pretty neat!