Rods for everything

[GreenvilleSC_fishing]

Hello! Longtime lurker, but this is my first post.

 

I’ve bass fished my whole life in the southeast, but always as a casual angler. Recently I decided to do a deep dive, purchase some nicer gear, and expand from fishing almost exclusively Texas rigs and classic topwaters on cheap gear.

 

3 high quality rods I just purchased:

7’ MHF Baitcasting

7’6” HF Baitcasting

7’ MM Baitcasting

 

A usable rod (but cheap) I also have:

6’6” MLF Spinning (very light line, using for ned rigs and the like)

 

My question is - can I fish a jerkbait effectively, and what should I use for it? The 7’ MM is an awesome crankbait rod, but the moderate action seems like the opposite of what you want for ripping a Jerkbait. The MH fast is an all-rounder, so I’m thinking I may just use that even though it might be a bit heavy. My understanding is that something like M very fast would be the best for Jerkbait.

Open to any feedback and thoughts here, thanks!

[JediAmoeba]

I am sure you could get away with using a moderate action rod for a jerkbait but you really need the fast action to get that effective quick snap. The problem with a MH fast is the trebles on a jerkbait are small so you would really need to get your drag dialed in properly or risk losing fish which may happen anyway since the rod won't absorb the headshakes and jumps as well. 

 

Depending on the MLF spinning rod, it may be your best choice for smaller rip baits. For jerkbaits I use MLF casting rods. 

[wvhunt]

I'm not up on all the correct rods, lines, and techniques since I grew up with an ultralight rod, a heavy rod for big fish, and a rod for everything else    Only recently have I tried to expand my fishing with more "correct" equipment, but I'd think of the options you have, the 7' MHF would make a better jerkbait rod. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Don’t think in terms of correct or not, everyone has an opinion and there’s degrees of “better”.  You’ve got enough rods to cover the main techniques of bass fishing. 

[TOXIC]

This^^^. I pay little attention to what a rod is “supposed” to be good for or what it’s labeled for and use it for what works best for my style of fishing.  For example, I have a Woo Daves worm rod that works great for vertical jigging blade baits for me.  Would it for you?  I don’t know.  I do have dedicated Ned and dropshot rods that weren’t specifically labeled as such and I do have a couple of crankbait rods that are.  

[DaubsNU1]

You have a good sable of rods. Don't get too caught up in the "technique specific" rods.

 

I've been fishing the same rods since the early 1990's...they catch fish.

 

Might add another spinning rod or two...I really like fishing braid-to-leader on my spinning set ups. Adds to versatility.

[Captain Phil]

11 minutes ago, DaubsNU1 said:

Don't get too caught up in the "technique specific" rods.

 

Good advice. I have a garage full of fishing rods. I only use three when bass fishing.  One 7' 2" MH that I use for flipping, pitching, crankbaits, frogs and spinnerbaits.  One 6' 10" MH that I use for soft plastics and one 6' 6" MH spinning rod that I use for wacky rigs and finesse baits.  To me, the most important aspects of a fishing rod are weight, backbone, sensitivity and comfort.  If it feels right to you when you hold it, it will work for you. Lately, I have been using more braid. I use a floro leader if the water is clear. 

[osummerer23]

I agree with all the above. Ratings are a guide, and differ from company to company. 

 

Personally, I prefer slower rods. I use a MM for jerkbaits and crankbaits. I think fast action for jerkbaits doesn't bend enough, i throw them on 10lb test. If going finesse, i'll throw smaller 1/4oz jerkbaits on 6 or 8lb fluro leader on spinning gear. Rod is an xfast wallye rod, but has a good give to it. Setting drag properly also greatly helps. 

 

Even saltwater, I like slow surf rods, and I use MM or MH Mod for bucktailing for fluke in < 20fow. 

[WRB]

Comfort, weight-balance with reel, how well the rod cast the lures I use. Rods are not sensitive, finger tips are!

Too long of a rod the hits the water working a jerk bait is my only consideration for your rod set.

I use a 6’8” MF for jerk baits and top water poppers w/Armilo Nylon line.

Tom

[Bankc]

I lot of people like moderate action rods for jerkbaits, because they believe they keep the fished pinned better with those treble hooks.  I don't have issues with a moderate action rod and jerkbaits.  You might have to jerk a little harder or alter your snap to get the same action, but it's doable.  You might consider switching to braid (with a leader if you prefer), or a thicker fluoro or mono if you have problems getting the action you desire from your jerkbaits, to lower or eliminate the stretch of the line and help make up some of the softness of the rod.  

 

But ultimately, it's a personal preference thing.  There is no "best" rod for any technique.  It's all what one person or another prefers.  

 

The most important thing for me is how well a rod casts the lure.  If it can cast the lure properly, I can deal with the other faults and make it work.  In all of my years of fishing, I have only experienced one scenario where the rod was unusable for a given technique, despite it casting the lure well.  And that was with a 5'6" medium/moderate (maybe even slow) rod I tried with deep diving crankbaits.  On long casts, I struggled to set the hook.  Between the rod's short length, soft and slow bend, and the elastic 10lb mono I was using, I couldn't get enough leverage to overcome the stretch and get good penetration.  Switching to braided line fixed my problem though.  

 

As a kid I fished bottom contact lures with dead fiberglass rods on mono line that wouldn't let you feel a thing.  That's okay because I kept a finger on the line.  I learned that if a rod is too fast, you can still keep the fish pinned with a properly set drag and good technique.  If a rod is too long for jerkbaits, just twitch it more to the side than straight down.  Just about any problem you can run into, there's a solution for.  It might not be ideal, but it'll get the job done.  

[Dwight Hottle]

@Bankc Good summation. I like using MHM rods for jerk baits with braid & a leader. The braid gives better hook sets & helps with imparting action to the bait. The moderate rod action does help keep hooked fish pinned. Also the better quality rod almost always has a crisper feel to it & helps working the bait. With a MHF action rod I like using low stretch mono that keeps keep the fish pinned & gives a similar feel to working the bait. 

[Shadow1]

I really like the perspective that is being put out on this thread.  I have used cheap Wal Mart and DSG set-ups for years.  Finally got the kids through college, so I'm looking for a nice spinning combo for $300 or less.  There are so many rods out there with different ratings for all kinds of applications.  You can get real confused fast.  Thankful for the info on here.  

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Whoa guys. Ease up on the technique specific rods.  You’ll put me out of business. Lol

[JediAmoeba]

3 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Whoa guys. Ease up on the technique specific rods.  You’ll put me out of business. Lol

Pfft. I not only match my rods to techniques, I match my reels with it too. I have way too many combos. Lol 

[thunderblack]

I fish jerkbaits 90% of the time and what I have found is some rods that seem right for it at a medium power are not and some ML rods can be depending on manufacture. Most MH rods seem too powerful but at the same pt. some baits are 1/2 oz - 5/8 oz and overpower most ML rods. I prefer a medium power stick that is powerful for a medium but fast action. A couple options for you below.

 

St. Croix Medium Fast (like the 7'-0" length for casting)

G. Loomis 842 - small jerkbaits

Shimano Expride M Fast - spinning or casting

Shimano Expride Glass might work too

 

[GreenvilleSC_fishing]

Thanks for the replies, folks! This is very helpful!

[Boomstick]

Tons of people have used M/M rods for years to fish jerkbaits, so you may be fine.

 

My favorite jerkbait rod is a M/XF, but the medium runs light so there is bend throughout. M/F generally works well too, and MH/M is passable. I like the lightter rod with a faster tip because when you get hit on a twitch you will feel it.

 

However once hooked, the moderate rods will kept the fish pinned the best.

 

 

[JackstrawIII]

On 1/9/2024 at 11:35 AM, JediAmoeba said:

Depending on the MLF spinning rod, it may be your best choice for smaller rip baits.

That was my first thought as well. At least give it a shot to see what you think. 

[TOXIC]

Let’s also not forget there’s no standard for rating rod action and it can vary widely between manufacturers.  

[KP Duty]

On 1/9/2024 at 11:49 AM, DaubsNU1 said:

 

 

I've been fishing the same rods since the early 1990's...they catch fish.

 

This is inspiring.  I'd be good with my rods from 20yrs ago (IMX/GLX) but not my Lightning rods/Quantum Tour Edition rods from the '90s.