Kayak Jerkbaiting, blank selection

[Hook2Jaw]

I'm seriously entertaining the idea of building my own rod for throwing 1/2 ounce, 3-6' diving jerkbaits.  I am throwing H2O Xpress Ultimate Jerkshads, and will eventually be filling my jerkbait boxes with Berkley Cutters and Skinny Cutters.  I have been doing so on a 6'7" Medium Fast 13 F.a.t.e C.h.r.o.m.e, and greatly enjoy the rod due to it's casting capabilities, balance, and the slight amount of parbolism the budget blank offers.  It has served me well working jerkbaits from the bank and spooks from the kayak.

 

Sadly, it seems rod manufacturers base their jerkbait offerings on the boater.  They are long, much too long for the downward twitch to be performed comfortably from the standing position on my Hobie PA14.  I have no problems jerkbaiting bass from elevated banks, but my catch rates seem to suffer once I am forced to incorporate sideways jerks to impart action.  I feel I am not presenting the lure correctly with sideways jerks.

 

So, BR rodsmiths, that's my dilemma.  My jerkbait rod is too long to work well from my kayak, so I -think- I want a rod in the 6'3" range to allow me to impart action.  I've been looking at the rods offered by Mudhole customs, since I'm already more than likely to purchase my rod building equipment from them already.

 

The blanks I'm thinking will suit my needs and wallet best are the MB782 and MB783 because I'm used to fast action sticks.  Alternatively, I think my best option might be an extra fast, but I worry there won't be enough bend down the blank to keep small trebles set.  From what I understand, the Mag Taper offerings from Mudhole have good action in the tip with almost a second stage of action down the blank, which is the softness I desire after the cast and hookup.  So, the MB782XF and MB783XF are also in the running.

 

I realize I'm all over the place.  Proofreading and phrasing aren't exactly my strong suite.  Here's a TLDR version of my post.  ?

 

- I want to build a 6'3" Jerkbait Rod to throw shallow jerkbaits weighing 1/2oz.  If a blank exists that will also throw heavier, deeper jerkbaits on the same stick, that's a huge plus.

- I only have experience with fast tips.  Will an extra fast tip require less movement to impart the proper action?  Space is at a premium when I'm close to the water.

- How do these Mag Taper blanks I'm looking at perform?  There are no videos and very little information.  My understanding is they have tip followed by parabolism when loaded with a fish.

- Which blank, of those four, would you suggest?  Should I buy a different blank altogether?

[OilfieldCowboy]

Since you are all over the place anyway, and I have no experience with the blanks you listed, have you considered United Composites?

 

They have a bunch of 5'6" and 6' 0" options that meet your requirements of jerkbait weight.

DHX Dual Helix - UC56XXH-L has a lure rating of 1/2 - 2oz.

DHX Dual Helix - UC56XH has a lure rating of 3/8 - 1 1/4oz.

[spoonplugger1]

You've hit the nail on the head of a discussion we used to always have till the mid 90's. "what type boat are you fishing from and what is your normal presentation stroke?" Many a customer stood on a chair, or stood on the floor to simulate how far they were off the water while fishing. The first from an elevated casting deck, the latter from the floor of a john boat, or in your case your kayak while standing. A lot more 6 ft. rods were sold back in those days with shorter handles that didn't impede the angler's wrist in the presentation, because the majority didn't have a big bass boat. The tip has to be close to the water, but not in it to get the most natural presentation from the average angler and since it's a tip down presentation, balance isn't an issue and shorter rods aren't the problem the longer rods are anyway. The shorter handles also put near the same amount of rod in front of your hand on a 6 ft. rod over the long gripped 6 1/2 footer.

Have you looked at blanks similar to the Shooter series of MHX blanks? If your worried about durability because of your restricted mobility in the Kayak's deck the DHX, dual helix wrapped, blanks from United Composites are certainly a more durable all graphite blank with little sacrifice in blank weight. Though the poster above got a little carried away with blank suggestions.

All things being equal, the XF rod will have a softer tip than a F action rod and will be damaged far faster in a high rod tip situation found in kayak angling.

[Hook2Jaw]

@spoonplugger1, my kayak deck is a tad elevated off the water, and I think a 6'3" will work well for me at 6'.  I really wish I could get my hands on a 6' and 6'3" stick, but I will keep those shooter blanks in mind.  They have some really unique weight ratings, but I think they're a touch lighter than what I'm looking for.

 

Yes, the poster above definitely tried to recommend me a 6' rod with a flipping stick weight rating.  I suppose if I need to skip a 1oz jig under a dock I know where to look in the future, so that's a plus!

[spoonplugger1]

Extend the shooter blanks 3 inches if you want, easy to do. G Loomis had a 6 ft casting rod series for decades, until recently when discontinued, they were well received jerkbait rods. The CR series of rods.

[Hook2Jaw]

8 hours ago, spoonplugger1 said:

Extend the shooter blanks 3 inches if you want, easy to do. G Loomis had a 6 ft casting rod series for decades, until recently when discontinued, they were well received jerkbait rods. The CR series of rods.

I didn't know I could extend blanks, that's pretty neat.  I'll look into it as soon as I'm done replying.  @spoonplugger1, do you have experience with these shooter blanks?  I'm wondering what would make them a good rod for the application I have in mind.

[Hook2Jaw]

10 hours ago, OilfieldCowboy said:

Did the two I post not satisfy the requirement as stated here? And did they not illustrate the point that there are more options outside the box you found yourself stuck in?

ETA:

 

That poses the question of did you click the link I provided and start looking at the specifications of the blanks that are on offer? If not, enjoy your echo chamber while expecting to be spoon fed.

You posted two pool cues, one rated to 2 ounces and another to 1 1/4oz.  No, that does not meet the requirement.  I'm looking for a rod designated for jerkbaits with a fast to extra fast tip for working 3/8-3/4oz baits.  I'm looking for a rod that loads into the blank on the back cast to accomplish distance as well as be soft enough to keep a bass pinned on small treble hooks. 

 

No, that did not prove there are more options outside the box I am "stuck in".  Those blanks you mentioned aren't going to perform very well for the lures I intend to use them with.

 

As far as the idea that I did not click the link, you'd be incorrect.  I clicked the link to examine what else UC had to offer besides the two rods you suggested, because, as explained above, you made bad suggestions.  I'll enjoy my echo chamber before I reply to you again, but thanks for the useless recommendations.

 

ETA

 

Added more insult since you want to insinuate that I desire spoon feeding.

[spoonplugger1]

Don't used MHX blanks much, being a westcoaster and near the rod blanks meccas of Woodland and Sequim, WA, I stay close to home.

Noticed MHX makes a 6' 3" XF jerkbait bank, the MB753XF-MHX.

[Hook2Jaw]

7 minutes ago, spoonplugger1 said:

Don't used MHX blanks much, being a westcoaster and near the rod blanks meccas of Woodland and Sequim, WA, I stay close to home.

Noticed MHX makes a 6' 3" XF jerkbait bank, the MB753XF-MHX.

Yep, I have looked at those with interest.  That's probably my move.  Thanks again, @spoonplugger1

[Hook2Jaw]

28 minutes ago, Batson said:

The RainShadow Revelation REVS62M will work well for Jerkbait, built up as either casting or spnning rod. It's 6'2" and good for up to 5/8oz.

Those are good looking sticks.  I'll keep them in mind.  I'm currently trying to figure out how to match up all the components that goes into building a rod off a blank.  Sadly, I can't find any kits for Rainshadow blanks which would make it incredibly easy for me to ask for that as a Christmas gift.

[J Francho]

I throw those baits with an Avid AVC62MXF.  Add in topwaters as well for that rod.  It has an ultra fast recovery after the twitch that I prefer, and a slightly shorter rear grip than the 6'6" model.  I find it perfect from all vessels.  It's also nice for short cast sniper spinnerbaiting.

[Hook2Jaw]

8 minutes ago, J Francho said:

I throw those baits with an Avid AVC62MXF.  Add in topwaters as well for that rod.  It has an ultra fast recovery after the twitch that I prefer, and a slightly shorter rear grip than the 6'6" model.  I find it perfect from all vessels.  It's also nice for short cast sniper spinnerbaiting.

Nice to know another kayak guy had the same line of thought probably long before me!  @J Francho, I'm probably going to shoot you a PM in the near future about the rod I'm planning on building.

[Hook2Jaw]

1 minute ago, Batson said:

If you click on the "Blueprints" tab, there's a PDF with a bunch of rod blueprints in there you'll find a setup for this blank. Any of our dealers can price it out. Or you take the blueprint and replace the component with what you'd like and make it custom just for you - a kit is great but it might not have all the parts and pieces you want... that's why we do custom:)

Odds are you won't find many kits for a rod this size specifically for jerkbait, most kits are designed around best selling blanks. 
 

That's awesome!  I fully plan to figure out kits versus buying all the components individually and you guys taking the time to reply and educate is definitely swaying me towards a Revelation.

 

I know it's a tall order, but how does that blank compare to rods from larger companies?  Are there any rods it's similar to?  IIRC, a 6'2" will cost me about 60 bucks.  I think it will cost me in the area of another 30 bucks for some Fuji guides and a tip top, and I haven't gotten around to pricing handles.

[Batson]

1 hour ago, Hook2Jaw said:

That's awesome!  I fully plan to figure out kits versus buying all the components individually and you guys taking the time to reply and educate is definitely swaying me towards a Revelation.

 

I know it's a tall order, but how does that blank compare to rods from larger companies?  Are there any rods it's similar to?  IIRC, a 6'2" will cost me about 60 bucks.  I think it will cost me in the area of another 30 bucks for some Fuji guides and a tip top, and I haven't gotten around to pricing handles.

Compared to factory rods. Closest comparison would be St. Croix as our head designer was their head designer before coming here. Then there's some influence from the Loomis side of things from before that as well. The Revelation blank would be on the lower end of a high-end rod - so the equivalent would be about $150 rod on the shelf (longer rods are obviously more expensive)

Otherwise we're the largest Rod Blank wholesaler / distributor in the U.S. - we supply a lot of OEM's in addition to custom rod building industry.

[Paul Roberts]

I'm a float tuber/yak'er too, and I like short crisp rods for jerks. Mine are 6fters, both cast and spin. And I'm building one for smaller lighter jerks now, starting with a 6'6" blank. It'll likely end up a bit shorter before I'm done.