Jerkbait Rod $100 - 150

[n8cas4]

I'm looking for a 6'6" to a 6'8".  It needs to be Medium power Fast action.  So far, I contemplated a Lews Custom Speed Stick Topwater that was Medium Light - Fast, but it felt a little rigid.  Bass pros did not have the lews jerkbait rod that is 6'7 mf.  I liked the st croix premier 66mf, but it's a little tip heavy and closer to a medium heavy (most older st croix's seem heavier? than listed to me).  I have an old Kistler TS magnesium 66mhf that was just too similiar in my eyes to the premier.  I finally got my hands on (at the store, not fished) the new and improved St croix mojo bass jerkbait rod, but the tip seems extra-fast to me.  Has anyone fished the new mojo jerkbait rod?  I'm leaning towards the premier at the moment.  

I'll sacrafice the rod balance and sensitivity in order to fit the price range.  The right blend of power and action are my main concerns.  I am not opposed to buying a used rod off the forums as well.  

[zell_pop1]

St croix 6'6" premier mlf is probably what you need. It is basically like most med powered. 

[n8cas4]

2 minutes ago, zell_pop1 said:

St croix 6'6" premier mlf is probably what you need. It is basically like most med powered. 

They only have a 70 in ML casting, unless I'm mistaken

[zell_pop1]

I use to have a 6'6"mlf premier, but I just looked it up on croixs website apparently it's discontinued.  They still have the avid neo in 6'8" m/f in their shop on closeout.

[n8cas4]

4 minutes ago, zell_pop1 said:

I use to have a 6'6"mlf premier, but I just looked it up on croixs website apparently it's discontinued.  They still have the avid neo in 6'8" m/f in their shop on closeout.

Never did like the rage rod - also, I want to stay away from microguides - I will probably use this rod for topwater as well. I would like the option to throw braid with a FC leader, and I hate microguides with any leaders. Thanks for looking out though. I do love me my st croix rods

[iabass8]

I prefer xf for jerkbaits. The mojo 68mxf would be my choice

[n8cas4]

12 hours ago, iabass8 said:

I prefer xf for jerkbaits. The mojo 68mxf would be my choice

Just curious, because everyone is different in what they like (for this technique specifically), why do you prefer extra fast? 

I have a quick trigger and always worry that I'd be taking it away from the fish too quick.  Jerkbaits are by far not my forte, so maybe I need to rethink this. 

[illinifan4152]

12 hours ago, iabass8 said:

I prefer xf for jerkbaits. The mojo 68mxf would be my choice

X2. I'm currently using a St Croix avid X 6'8 mxf. In you price range I would look for a used avid with these specs or a new mojo bass with SCIII. 

[iabass8]

4 minutes ago, n8cas4 said:

Just curious, because everyone is different in what they like (for this technique specifically), why do you prefer extra fast? 

I have a quick trigger and always worry that I'd be taking it away from the fish too quick.  Jerkbaits are by far not my forte, so maybe I need to rethink this. 

Easier to work the bait and i know exactly what and where th bait is doing/going when i make a twitch. I have a super quick trigger as well. Hooking or pulling a bait away from a fish on thr hookset isnt really an issue with quality jerkbaits/hooks. The hooks are so sticky sharp that if a fish barely grazes th bait idds are its hooked.  Some people like a mod fast for jerkbaits. Both will work. Different strokes for different folks. 

[smalljaw67]

From all the back and forth that I've read and from all the rods I've used (I love fishing jerkbaits), here is what I can tell you. Those who like a medium power, fast action rod tend to like the shorter rods and will sacrifice a little fish fighting ability in order to gain lure control. The other side who like moderate action rods tend to favor longer rod and they will sacrifice a little lure control for fish fighting ability, and the truth is that there is no wrong or right way. The extra fast action for jerkbaits are the ones that have a really soft tip rather than the stiffness we normally see on an extra fast action rod. If I was looking for a new jerkbait stick I'd take a serious look at the Lews Custom Speed Stick 6'7" M-moderate fast, I know you want the fast action but this rod is jerkbait specific and those tend to be a little stiffer. I'll bet it works similar to a fast but bends a little further down the blank, and the other thing is that the rod is rated to 3/4oz so if you throw larger jerkbaits like I do, you'll like that as you have your medium power stick that can throw larger jerkbaits with.

[n8cas4]

2 hours ago, smalljaw67 said:

From all the back and forth that I've read and from all the rods I've used (I love fishing jerkbaits), here is what I can tell you. Those who like a medium power, fast action rod tend to like the shorter rods and will sacrifice a little fish fighting ability in order to gain lure control. The other side who like moderate action rods tend to favor longer rod and they will sacrifice a little lure control for fish fighting ability, and the truth is that there is no wrong or right way. The extra fast action for jerkbaits are the ones that have a really soft tip rather than the stiffness we normally see on an extra fast action rod. If I was looking for a new jerkbait stick I'd take a serious look at the Lews Custom Speed Stick 6'7" M-moderate fast, I know you want the fast action but this rod is jerkbait specific and those tend to be a little stiffer. I'll bet it works similar to a fast but bends a little further down the blank, and the other thing is that the rod is rated to 3/4oz so if you throw larger jerkbaits like I do, you'll like that as you have your medium power stick that can throw larger jerkbaits with.

Thanks for the response!  I guess I want a fast action tip because it is what I am used to.  I mainly have St. Croix, Gloomis, and Dobyns Rods (from triumphs up to champion extremes).  They all have such great 'feel'.  The blend of power and action on these high quality rods just feel 'right' to me because I've caught my fish on them.  However, when I take a newer abu garcia veritas or Lew's Speed Stick or even a more expensive Daiwa zillion rod, the bend just feels too rigid to me (almost unnatural - like it'll snap on me when I give the tip a bend). The Skeet Reese yellow rods, on the other hand, feel like noodles / too whippy.  Maybe it is a specific blank material that I'm not liking too much.  The Lews Custom Speed Stick - Topwater is listed as medium-lite fast, but it does NOT feel medium light to me (more like a medium - medium heavy). 

Maybe it's time to start using one of these rods to see how they are when I actually have a fish on.  Obviously, they must work if they're going to charge big bucks (like the zillions, even the steez's). 

[roadwarrior]

 

 

[WIGuide]

If I were you I'd probably go with the new Mojo Bass in the 6'8" M/F. Although I haven't fished the new blanks yet, I've heard nothing but good things about them and I liked the previous gen as well. I fish my jerkbaits on the m/f rods. With jerkbaits having such sharp and light wire hooks on them you don't need a huge hook set, and with the fish generally being less active I don't have issues with losing fish or pulling the bait away. The fast action will allow you to work the bait easier than with a moderate action, and will also give you better control over it. Not that my theory is right or wrong, but it works for me and that's my rational behind it. 

[MDBowHunter]

I have the new Mojo jerkbait/top water rod and so far I love it, they're leaps and bounds above the old mojos. I bought it towards the end of last year, I wasn't sure how much I was going to like it when I first got it. But now that I used it a bunch I really like it a lot. 

[n8cas4]

13 minutes ago, WIGuide said:

If I were you I'd probably go with the new Mojo Bass in the 6'8" M/F. Although I haven't fished the new blanks yet, I've heard nothing but good things about them and I liked the previous gen as well. I fish my jerkbaits on the m/f rods. With jerkbaits having such sharp and light wire hooks on them you don't need a huge hook set, and with the fish generally being less active I don't have issues with losing fish or pulling the bait away. The fast action will allow you to work the bait easier than with a moderate action, and will also give you better control over it. Not that my theory is right or wrong, but it works for me and that's my rational behind it. 

Thanks.  I'm leaning towards the m/f mojo or avid 68

3 minutes ago, MDBowHunter said:

I have the new Mojo jerkbait/top water rod and so far I love it, they're leaps and bounds above the old mojos. I bought it towards the end of last year, I wasn't sure how much I was going to like it when I first got it. But now that I used it a bunch I really like it a lot. 

Nice!  The old one is $89 on the st. croix website.  But, I think I want to go with the new Mojo jerkbait 68mf or Avid 68mf.  Do you have both the new mojo jerkbait 68mf and the new mojo topwater 68mxf?  If so, which one do you like better for both?  Thanks.

[MDBowHunter]

I'm sorry I should've said 6'8" MXF top water, that's why I said I wasn't sure if I'd like it. After using it a lot I've found that I can really make a jerk bait shine with this rod. The tip allows me to be able to work the bait back and forth like a walk the dog and the bait hardly moves forwards at all which keeps the bait in the strike zone longer and drives the fish nuts. This rod serves double duty as I will use it for poppers, pencils and walk the dog stuff.

Oh I will add that I wouldn't go with the older model make sure it the scIII blank and will fish just like an avid, the only difference is guides and reel seat from what I can see

I probably shouldve also added my buddy I fish with a lot has an avid that 6'8" mf that I've fished with and I like the XF tip over the fast tip just because I feel I can work the bait better with less movement of the rod.

[n8cas4]

Thanks for the input! 

[FryDog62]

7 hours ago, illinifan4152 said:

X2. I'm currently using a St Croix avid X 6'8 mxf. In you price range I would look for a used avid with these specs or a new mojo bass with SCIII. 

I sprang for the extra $ and bought the St. Croix Avid X 6'8" mxf last year.  Very happy with the XF action over my previous rod which was just "fast."

[n8cas4]

1 hour ago, FryDog62 said:

I sprang for the extra $ and bought the St. Croix Avid X 6'8" mxf last year.  Very happy with the XF action over my previous rod which was just "fast."

another for xf.  Interesting - I forget if they had a new mojo topwater 68mxf at Cabelas so I can check it out before buying.

[backcast88]

I bought a Mojo 6'8" mxf.  It is the older version but it was on clearance so I only paid $60 for it.  It's way better than the old crankbait rod I was using. I don't have a ton of confidence in a jerkbait but I've manage to catch more fish on a jerkbait this year and haven't lost any fish or feel at a disadvantage with the xf tip. 

[Hogsticker]

I've been through more jerkbait dedicated rods than I care to mention. Mentioning your current arsenal including Dobyns, I can tell you one of the better jerkbait sticks I've used was the 6'6 medium heavy Savvy. I'm not a big Dobyns fan, but this rod was close to perfect for jerkbaits imo. The power and action was as close to spot on that I've found in a factory rod for this technique. The handle length was about perfect too, and it fishes more like a typical medium. You could step down to the Fury model but I don't know if the blank will behave the same. 

[n8cas4]

2 hours ago, Hogsticker said:

I've been through more jerkbait dedicated rods than I care to mention. Mentioning your current arsenal including Dobyns, I can tell you one of the better jerkbait sticks I've used was the 6'6 medium heavy Savvy. I'm not a big Dobyns fan, but this rod was close to perfect for jerkbaits imo. The power and action was as close to spot on that I've found in a factory rod for this technique. The handle length was about perfect too, and it fishes more like a typical medium. You could step down to the Fury model but I don't know if the blank will behave the same. 

This 663 savvy was up for sale used and I just missed it - I don't think they make a 663 fury. I have a savvy 734c that has awesome balance, power and tip. The heavy fishes like a mh - I would love to find a 663 savvy

[illinifan4152]

According to TW, they have a 663 in the fury. $109.99. If you wait till the spring fishing sale, I'm sure you can get it for 15% off plus free shipping. 

[adam lancia]

I picked up an 6'7" MHF *** Black and used it for jerkbaits and topwater walk the dog type baits and really like it! The tip is soft enough to make light roll casts. I didn't try to cast really light baits with it but 3/8oz wasn't a problem at all.

[FryDog62]

2 hours ago, illinifan4152 said:

According to TW, they have a 663 in the fury. $109.99. If you wait till the spring fishing sale, I'm sure you can get it for 15% off plus free shipping. 

I have a shopping basket full at TW and just waiting fro the spring sale - anyone remember when it was last year?