Short jerkbait rods: expride vs orochi xxx

[Joshua Vandamm]

I’m looking to get a good jerkbait rod in the 6’6 range for wading. 
 

Can anyone compare the 6’6 expride A with the jdm 6’5 orochi xxx for ½ oz jerkbait fishing?

[FryDog62]

Just an opinion here, but I’ve spent the last couple years experimenting with jerkbait rods.  One determining factor for me has been rod handle length.  If it’s too long, the handle is always rubbing on your arm or side.  I had a rod with a 15 inch handle (according to how Tacklewarehouse measures) and it was frustrating to use.  So I experimented with one of these specific jerkbait rods that Lew’s makes with a 10 inch handle.  Man it was easy to maneuver.  But the downside is once you hook a fish (or get snagged) there is little/no handle to use as leverage to fight the fish or pull weeds. You end up just using your wrist and it’s also a bit awkward.  
 

Without sounding like Goldilocks, I found a rod handle right in the middle at about 13 inches to be ideal.  Jerks great, doesn’t interfere, but enough handle/backbone for the fight.

I have both Orochi and Shimano rods (not the jerkbait models) and they are excellent products.  However they have 14-15 inch handles.  
 

My recommendation is if you can find one in a store and put a reel on it and see if it’s too long and awkward to jerk.  It may be fine for you, but I know is too long for me.  
 

The rod I settled on is a Dobyns Champ XP that was made specifically for jerkbaits.  It’s the 685 which is 6’8” in length.  So it might be longer than what you were looking for but handle length also makes a difference in the overall maneuverability equation.  
 

Good luck in your search!  

[FrogMann]

Expride!