Best Megabass jerk bait rod (spinning)

[Rodney Smith]

I have owned a Megabass Ronin, their spinning rod designed for jerk baits. I prefer a little longer rod since I throw various light finesse stuff on it. I throw regular Vision 110’s on an Expride 6’10 M, but I prefer to throw the 110 jr’s on a spinning rod. Which Destroyer spinning rod would you recommend?

[rangerjockey]

Personally, the Orochi whipsnake.

[Kevhead19]

I have a Cookai Gulf 72MS that I really like for the jrs and 1/2oz class jerkbaits. The Cookai is the salt oriented Destroyer P5 variant. It is a 2 piece rod (mid shaft ferrule). I think it was intended for 1/2 - 5/8oz hard baits for mackerel and other same class fish.

 

Other than being a two piece rod, I believe it is similar in specs to the p5 Windbuster.

 

 

[thunderblack]

The 6'-11" Megabass Valkyrie is the best spinning rod for jerkbaits I have ever fished out of any brand. It is incredible and worth the coin. I have fished ronin as well and its not even close. 

[Scud_Muffin]

On 2/6/2023 at 7:29 AM, thunderblack said:

The 6'-11" Megabass Valkyrie is the best spinning rod for jerkbaits I have ever fished out of any brand. It is incredible and worth the coin. I have fished ronin as well and it’s not even close. 

How does it compare to the whipsnake variations? I imagine it has to be heavier, but can it also have adequate sensitivity for finesse worms? Do you run braid or straight fluoro?

 

Sorry to dig it up but having trouble finding info on that particular model.

[thunderblack]

I have not fished the whipsnake but the Valkyrie is not heavy at all. I fished braid and I think it could do some finesse work as well. I have never fished a rod that was like it. Super unique. You have to fish it to know what I mean. Bends pretty deep into the blank too when you hook a good one. Would be a great topwater stick too. 

[Scud_Muffin]

34 minutes ago, thunderblack said:

I have not fished the whipsnake but the Valkyrie is not heavy at all. I fished braid and I think it could do some finesse work as well. I have never fished a rod that was like it. Super unique. You have to fish it to know what I mean. Bends pretty deep into the blank too when you hook a good one. Would be a great topwater stick too. 

Thanks for your thoughts! I have the 71MH and love it completely. I was wanting a rod to handle small shad raps up to a jackal rerange on fluoro, with maybe a spare spool of braid to switch it up and try drop shot, neko, etc. But mainly I’ve been trying to decide between a casting and spinning in jerkbaits. I’ve tried the Oneten Stick and Special, and really really like them in casting. For spinning, the ronin never got my jive, and the Windbuster is just too dang long for my tastes to use a long time for jerkbaits. Basically just trying to see if the levante whipsnake (which I hear is a weird sleeper in the lineup that is better than the orochi version) or the Valkyrie would meet the needs better. Edge would go to the lighter or more versatile one. 

[thunderblack]

I've always enjoyed spinning gear for jerkbaits. I'd rather hold onto the rod handle than palm a reel when I am working the bait. I've tried every spinning rod I can think of including both series of  ronin which need to be 6'-10 + in my opinion. 6'-8" is too short. I thought about trying the 7' M orochi (shakeyhead) but never did. I have moved past MB for the technique but wish I kept the Valkyrie. Killer rod. 

[Scud_Muffin]

40 minutes ago, thunderblack said:

I've always enjoyed spinning gear for jerkbaits. I'd rather hold onto the rod handle than palm a reel when I am working the bait. I've tried every spinning rod I can think of including both series of  ronin which need to be 6'-10 + in my opinion. 6'-8" is too short. I thought about trying the 7' M orochi (shakeyhead) but never did. I have moved past MB for the technique but wish I kept the Valkyrie. Killer rod. 

Interesting, you said you moved away from MB, what are you using now for this stuff?

Agree 100%, I think it was short enough to be awkward. But since I’ve seen too many Blaukat videos and think he makes a good argument, I’m dying to get into a spinning rod that fits what I’m looking for. 

[Darth-Baiter]

1 hour ago, Scud_Muffin said:

Interesting, you said you moved away from MB, what are you using now for this stuff?

Agree 100%, I think it was short enough to be awkward. But since I’ve seen too many Blaukat videos and think he makes a good argument, I’m dying to get into a spinning rod that fits what I’m looking for. 

didnt RB say, 98% of fisherman prefer that 83% jerkbait fishing be 19% longer casting?

[Scud_Muffin]

2 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

didnt RB say, 98% of fisherman prefer that 83% jerkbait fishing be 19% longer casting?

Believe it was 99%, let’s not underestimate such an important statistic! ?

[thunderblack]

3 hours ago, Scud_Muffin said:

Interesting, you said you moved away from MB, what are you using now for this stuff?

Agree 100%, I think it was short enough to be awkward. But since I’ve seen too many Blaukat videos and think he makes a good argument, I’m dying to get into a spinning rod that fits what I’m looking for. 

 

Right now I use a 6'-10" Shimano crucial M Fast jerkbait rod and just bought a SC Legend MF to hold me over for a bit. NRX or GLX 842S are also great for smaller jerkbaits. 

[FishTank]

I hate to say it but I haven't seen a spinning rod in the P5 or Orochi XX that has felt good to me. I have a few P5 casting rods and I really like them but I don't care for reel seat on the spinning.  I wasn't blown away by the Orochi spinning rods. Not sure why. I haven't held the Valkyrie spinning rods but I like the two casting rods I have. I hate to recommend something I haven't held but 6'11'' Med Valkyrie might be the ticket. The butt of the rod can be shortened to accommodate working a jerkbait. 

 

My personal favorite for small jerkbaits baits 3/8 and under,  like the 110 Jr., is a G Loomis NRX+ 842S SJR or BFS gear if real light.  Anything heavier goes on casting gear.

[Darth-Baiter]

@FishTank  windbuster?  no?  that one is on my list.

[FishTank]

2 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

@FishTank  windbuster?  no?  that one is on my list.

Sort of on mine as well but I think I could get use to reel seat. It's just different. In the same way the reel seat is different to me on the P5 Super Destroyer and it too took me awhile to get use to but I do like this rod. 

 

I just think, based on what I already have, that if I do another spinning rod I would be looking at one of two rods..... the Windbuster or the G. Loomis NRX+ SJR 843S. Between the two, I think the Loomis would be the right choice. When I was looking last time for a spinning rod, I got to hold a few P5 rods and hold a few NRX+ rods. Holding one in one and one in the other, I just like the NRX+ feel better in a spinning rod. It might be that it's just what I am use to. 

 

I might also consider the Megabass Valkyrie 6'11'' M as well. 

[Darth-Baiter]

thanks FT!

[Scud_Muffin]

2 hours ago, FishTank said:

I hate to say it but I haven't seen a spinning rod in the P5 or Orochi XX that has felt good to me. I have a few P5 casting rods and I really like them but I don't care for reel seat on the spinning.  I wasn't blown away by the Orochi spinning rods. Not sure why. I haven't held the Valkyrie spinning rods but I like the two casting rods I have. I hate to recommend something I haven't held but 6'11'' Med Valkyrie might be the ticket. The butt of the rod can be shortened to accommodate working a jerkbait. 

 

My personal favorite for small jerkbaits baits 3/8 and under,  like the 110 Jr., is a G Loomis NRX+ 842S SJR or BFS gear if real light.  Anything heavier goes on casting gear.

 

Not gonna lie, that MH Valkyrie has me really wondering how that spinning rod is too. If I get lucky, I can find a spot nearby that actually has one in stock. Last I saw, Megabass rods were getting out a bit more often. Here's to hoping.