What rod should I use for jerkbaits?

[JFlynn97]

I really want to get into fishing jerkbaits this fall because I have consistently found very little success using them in the past, so I'm looking for a little advice regarding rod selection. These are the current rods in my arsenal:

 

6'9" medium/fast, spinning (Dobyns Sierra)

7' medium-heavy/fast, casting (Abu Garcia Silver Max)

7' medium-heavy/fast MBR, casting (G. Loomix IMX)

7' medium/moderate, casting (Duckett Micro Magic Pro)

7'1" medium-heavy/fast, casting (ALX Zolo)

7'3" heavy/fast, casting (Dobyns Fury)

 

Which, of these, would be best suited for jerkbaits? I am open to buying a new rod but not looking to spend much (currently I have my eyes on a $50 Ugly Stik Elite 6'6" medium/x-fast). How important do you find sensitivity to be when fishing jerkbaits, and will I miss out on much by cheaping out on the rod? Also while we're on the topic, what lines do you most prefer? I've heard fluoro for suspending baits and mono for floating ones but I'd love some input!

[Finessegenics]

I’d go with the medium fast spinning. First off, when wind becomes a factor it is just so much easier to throw on spinning gear. Some of the jerkbaits I throw are pretty light (under 3/8 oz) and even though I have a DC reel I don’t get much distance. You can really bomb a jerkbait out there on a windy day with spinning gear. Secondly, a M/F spinning can be used for a lot of things so it’s pretty versatile if ever you want to throw something else on it. IMO, you don’t need a sensitive rod for jerkbaits. The hits are obvious, it’s not like you’re slow fishing something off the bottom. I’d still want a nicer rod because you’ll be working the rod a lot and a lighter one, like the Dobyns Sierra (im assuming it’s considerably lighter and more well balanced than the uglystik) will be more comfortable than the Ugly Stik. If you truly want to save some money though, the ugly stik should get it done.  A shorter rod is also more comfortable for jerkbaits since you’re making that slashing motion. A long rod will be cumbersome and I don’t recommend anything over 7’. Most people use 6’6-7’.  
 

As for the line; Even if it is a suspending bait, fluoro isn’t a great choice because that will cause it to sink. Even if it’s braid to fluoro. I’d use mono or YZ hybrid as my line/leader so that the baits run true.

 

 

[bwjay]

Mono floats. I've had great success with fluoro for jerkbaits. I doubt mono would cause it to rise, just like I don't think fluoro makes it sink. What you should be concerned, regardless of which type of line you go with, is memory. You want straight, supple line that will not retract into coils when you are pausing the lure. You need it to stay right where it stops. As soon as it starts drifting on its own, the fish lose interest.

 

I do think the 6'9 Sierra is one of your better rods for this, but I don't know about spinning for jerkbaits. Sure it would help you cast far in windy situations, but the nature of jerking the rod and creating a lot of slack and snapping that slack might give you wind knots and guide wraps and all sorts of un-fun things. I'd recommend trying your 7' MHF IMX Pro. The MBR taper will help keep fish pinned and hopefully the tip won't be too soft to easily work the jerkbait. It's about as long as I think most people would want in a jerkbait rod, but it's not bad. You might find the tip hits the water occasionally, or the handle is a bit long and slaps the inside of your elbow a lot, but the taper might be the best you have for jerkbaits.

 

Just my two cents.

[jimmyjoe]

  Like many people, I have the best luck in cooler water with jerkbaits. My all-time favorite is the Bomber 13A, which is 1/4 ounce. I use that in spring, in shallow water that's warmer than the rest of the lake. Yes, it's a floater. A lot of people really hate floating jerkbaits, especially in spring. I don't know what to tell you; it works great. I'm not going to abandon something that works great for me just because other people say it doesn't work for them.

   For that little baby, I use a ML/F Avid-X spinner from St. Croix. Right now I have 6 lb. Stren on it, but I have used braid in the past. I got better action out of the lure with braid, but I had problems with the braid (line twist) so I went back to nylon. Your Sierra would be perfect.

   As water warms up a little, I also use the Bomber 15A, which is 1/2 ounce. It's OK, but not equal to the 13A. I think this is because the 15A won't act as crazy and erratic as the 13A.

   Post-spawn I use the Rapala Countdown. I use the CD9 and the CD11. No, they don't have rattles. No, you can't walk the dog with them. But if you keep your rod tip a little high, you can fish them stop-and-go from 4 feet to 8 or 9 feet of depth quite successfully. I fish them with a 6'-06" Avid spinner, M/F with a Stradic 2500 and 15 lb. test PowerPro. I use that rod for other things, too, but I LOVE it for Countdowns.

   I also have some 7/8 oz. chinesium knockoff suspending jerkbaits that I've had for a couple years now. I regret that I got them. I've learned my lesson. I don't waste my money and time on cheap stuff. I've not caught one fish with them. I got them because I wanted to try jerkbaits with baitcasting gear.

   Now that's one thing you might want to consider; namely, the difference between using a spinning setup for jerkbaits and using a baitcaster. I find that using the spinning is far more effective for me, because I'm using my strong side. It makes a difference. At least to me it does. I'll be 70 next spring. A lot of things make a difference to me.   ?

   So ... as you can see from my choice of rods, I like a stiff-tipped rod for jerkbaits. I want them to act erratic in the water.  This business of "swimswimswim - pause - repeat" has gotten me fish (it's how I fish the Countdown), but not as many fish as making the Bombers go crazy with persistent and random snaps.

   I have no idea whether this will help you. I hope so, because catching lots of fish makes fishing a LOT more fun.  ???   jj

  

[webertime]

Expect a billion opinions on this, all valid and work for the person suggesting.  I'd start with your spinning rod and move to the moderate action rod next.

[kayaking_kev]

I had a Fury 703c I used at the beginning of the season for jerkbaits, I liked it so much I bought the Fury 663c to have something shorter and I'm happy with it. I've tried them on my Conquest 843 and Xtasy 723 and other rods and I like the Fury 663c better for Jerkbaits.

 

Another good option that is pretty cheap is the Lew's Hank Parker Speed Stick from Walmart for $40. I have the 6"10 version and it's pretty good with jerkbaits also, I just like shorter rods. That rod is also very sensitive for the price, more sensitive than a lot of my higher end rods. It's IM-8 and pretty light at 4.2 oz.  

[bwjay]

35 minutes ago, webertime said:

Expect a billion opinions on this, all valid and work for the person suggesting.  I'd start with your spinning rod and move to the moderate action rod next.

Moderate rods load way too much to get the snap you need for jerkbaits. I would not recommend this to anyone. Mod-Fast at the very softest.

[webertime]

Except for the guys that like to use moderate rods...  I have an old Nutter built custom jerkbait rod made of glass with a counter weight wrapped around the top of the blank.  My favorite jerkbait rod.   

[bwjay]

14 hours ago, webertime said:

Except for the guys that like to use moderate rods...  I have an old Nutter built custom jerkbait rod made of glass with a counter weight wrapped around the top of the blank.  My favorite jerkbait rod.   

Sure. But you are in the minority. Most people will struggle to use impart the proper action on a jerkbait using a moderate taper and there are far better tools for the job. It's tough to find a perfect jerkbait rod, stiff enough to impart the action but soft enough to absorb the fight. I maintain that a moderate (read: crankbait, moving bait) rod is not the right rod for jerkbaits.

[soflabasser]

I mostly use a medium heavy rod when fishing with jerkbaits.

[thunderblack]

Any of these would work for jerkbaits. If the MH is pretty powerful just adjust your drag. I'd be throwing that 6-9 the majority of the time for this technique.

 

6'9" medium/fast, spinning (Dobyns Sierra)

7' medium-heavy/fast, casting (Abu Garcia Silver Max)

7' medium-heavy/fast MBR, casting (G. Loomix IMX)