Can't decide on a jerkbait rod

[Big Hands]

On 3/7/2024 at 6:53 PM, mcipinkie said:

You notice how no one ever uses an inexpensive rod.  Rich guys, I guess.

 

It sounds like you're using the term "rich guys" as a slur/insult. If someone else has the resources to drop some decent money on a jerkbait rod (or 114 jerkbaits), I see no reason to insult them. If you're not trying to insult them, please accept my apology for reading this incorrectly.

 

For the record, I use a Shimano SLXCX610M for my jerkbait rod, which can currently be had for the princely sum of $69.99USD, with an ABU ProMax 3 (which sold for around $70 before being phased out recently). And I am the proud second owner of a 1648 Tracker Grizzly with a 40 hp tiller. I may, or may not be financially wealthy. I don't consider myself financially wealthy.

On 3/7/2024 at 6:53 PM, mcipinkie said:

I had 112 in the Skeeter and bought 2 more today at the BPS sale.  My crack cocaine.

 

Maybe you're just trolling, but on the off chance you're serious, the irony is delightful. Thanks for sharing.

[Stratocat_Joe]

On 3/7/2024 at 9:53 PM, mcipinkie said:

You notice how no one ever uses an inexpensive rod.  Rich guys, I guess.

 

Right now, I would buy a BPS Crankin' Stick 6'-6 ML or M, what ever feels better.  $70 in the BPS sale flyer.  I use the Crankin' Stick in various lengths and action for all my movement baits - jerks, cranks, lipless, bladed jigs, spinner baits, buzz baits, etc. 

 

My favorite is a Garcia Ike Series Delay rod.  6-'6 MH.  It's 10 - 15 years old, but still the best JB rod I have ever used, even better than my old Loomis CBR.

 

Ever $ you don't spend on a rod, or reel, you can spend on jerk baits.  At last count, (last week), I had 112 in the Skeeter and bought 2 more today at the BPS sale.  My crack cocaine.

My Dad bought me an Abu Garcia Silver Max combo years ago when I was first learning how to use a baitcaster.  It's a 6'6 MF rod and it's what I use to throw jerkbaits, poppers, and smaller crankbaits.  When my Dad passed, I acquired a bunch of his higher quality gear, including a Powell jerkbait/topwater rod.  But I still use the old Silver Max...it just seems to work better for me.  I keep both rods in the boat though as it feels like I'm still taking Dad fishing.

[Dwight Hottle]

@mcipinkie The point of using more expensive rods is that they utilize higher modulus blanks which transfer or transmit lure actions quicker & more efficiently. I use better blanks because they help me feel what is going on with the bait I'm using. They also allow more action with less rod movement. And the better blanks weigh less making them more angler friendly when fishing a jerk bait for eight hours straight. @A-Jay fishes a jerk bait differently than I do as do many other good jerk bait fisherman I have fished with but we all catch numbers & quality. So do your thing but realize there are many different ways to skin a cat. Technique & tackle selection is just part of the puzzle.

[Hook2Jaw]

If you want a blank that imparts action quickly but loads up nicely with a fish, I've been jerkbaiting with 13 Fishing blanks since I first tried it with a 13 Fate Chrome 6'7" MF years ago.  Admittedly, I haven't been ripping nearly as long as some folks in this thread, but I'm pretty in tune with the technique and fish them often.

 

Every single 6'7" MF from 13 has been awesome for jerkbaits for me, from the budget stick I started with to the more high dollar offerings from the company.  A moderate rod that loads under the pull of a jerkbait will work the tar out of you and it's not my cup of tea.

[Swest18x]

Just couldn't resist commenting here. Not a rich man, a poor man because I made the mistake of buying a P5 Windbuster as my first high end rod. I justified the purchase because it was supposedly going to be a "do all" rod for me. Designed for jerkbaits, but super sensitive for bottom contact, I was using a Berkely Lightening rod before that but once I got a taste of high end rods I was ruined forever. There really is a difference. Then I got into baitcasters... now I have a P5 110 Stick and an Expride 6'10 Medium, both are supposed to be phenomenal jerkbait rods but I keep going back to the Windbuster instead. I caught a mess of smallies on it today in fact, throwing a 110 Jr. +1. I had my 110 Stick with me and fished the two rods side by side but after awhile packed the 110 Stick up. The Windbuster may be a spinning rod, it's longer than most people prefer for jerkbaiting, but wow it is such a sensitive, crisp rod there's really nothing else like it IMO.

[MassYak85]

I recently picked up a 7'1" MH Phenix Feather and it has been great for jerkbaits.  Very light and responsive. 

[Bankc]

I say, just fish with what you have.  I don't own a specific jerkbait rod.  I've not felt the need to.  But if you fish with what you have now, you'll learn a little bit about what you might want in a jerkbait specific rod, if you decide to go that route in the future.  

 

As noted, there's a wide variation of preferences when it comes to jerkbaits.  So the only way to know what YOU prefer is gain some experience and learn from that.  Figure out what your current rods do well and don't do so well.  Then you'll know which direction you need to go.  

[Huckfinn38]

I have gone knee deep over the last 12 months on finding the best jerkbait rod and here are a few things that I have found.

A balanced rod or even a slightly butt end heavy rod is best but still overall light in comparison to other rods.

Light rods are huge especially if you are doing it all day.  Also a light low profile reel makes a huge difference for me as well.

Lastly I prefer a moderate fast action rod over a fast action rod.  For me a little softer rod tip helps with consistent jerk and for me easier while sitting down in a kayak.  

With that being said I plan to order a Dobyns Champion 705cb and a Dobyns Champion 704cb to see how they work.  After that Im done.

Currently my favorite rod is a Rainshadow Eternity ETEC70MH-SS custom rod.  It is a fast action rod but it has a softer tip meaning for me it is closer to moderate fast action vs fast action.

[Brian11719]

I like to use a 7'2" medium or medium heavy with moderate fast action for jerkbaits. One of the nice things about going that route is you can also throw other things like squarebills, smaller lipless cranks and poppers on it as well. In my case I prefer spinning rods for this setup since I don't like lighter lures on a baitcaster, so I got a Lew's TP-1 Black (MH MF) when they were on sale earlier this year and have been very happy with it. The St. Croix Mojo, 6th Sense Fishing Lux and Abu Garcia Winch were the other spinning rods that looked good but it was hard to turn this one down for $75 with a $25 rebate on it...

[Dangerfield]

Daiwa Fuego MR 6' 9" Casting rod works great for topwater and jerkbaits on a budget, got mine for less than $100 CAD a piece. Having two of the same blank is handy when I want to load up on the same technique for opposite ends of the season. 

[MRQturbo]

Just picked up a Shimano expride b 6'10 medium... Haven't had chance to test it out until our water unfreezes... Was using a dobyns champion 705cb in the past and didn't think it was parabolic enough for jerkbaits...