Best slower loading jerkbait rod for smallies. casting or spinning. 6'10" to 7'. $200 or below.

[Ersteman]

Hey guys,

I'm hoping someone can help me find a very particular style jerkbait rod to fit my needs under $200.

I'm throwing 1/2 oz jerkbaits such as vision 110s, jackall reranges, stunnas, and xrap10s.

It has to be a slower loading jerkbait rod to pin big smallmouth, but still has a decent tip to snap jerkbaits.

Not slow like crankbait rods; a little faster than a crankbait rod, and like I said with more of a tip.

I need a shorter rod handle to work the jerkbaits.

I also don't want a light, wimpy rod. I'm not looking for a ned rig powered rod. 

The Veritas 7' Medium comes very close to what I need, but I wish it loaded a little slower and or had a little more give. 

I strongly dislike XF actions, such as the lews kvd jerkbait rod, so all quick loading rods are out. 

I'm most comfortable throwing rods with a length of 6'10 to 7'. 

I cannot do a 6'6" or a 6'8" rod.

I don't want to venture over $200, so please keep it under $200.

I would also prefer recommendations from people who have used the rod to throw jerkbaits.

I've found certain rods labelled "jerkbait rod" to come up short for one reason or another.

I realize I'm very particular here, but hoping someone can relate to what I'm talking about.

Thanks!

-Mike

[A-Jay]

Hi Mike ~

I do a bit of jerkbait fishing for smallies, much of it is with a spinning rod.

I think I get what it is that you're looking for,

as much of what you've described in blank characteristics, falls in line with what I prefer.

In the past 15 years plus I've fished many different sticks looking for the right one.

And after a fairly long search, I do believe that I have found "The One".

At least for me. 

So much so that I bought three of them right out of the gate. 

St. Croix Avid Series Spinning Rods ~ 7 ft Medium Handle length is listed as 14 3/4 inches.

I prefer mid priced gear, and this one MSRP is $ 235.

I realized that it's more than you want to spend, but for the price of a few gallons a gas, you'll have what you're looking for.

Been fishing them hard and they take it all and seem to be looking for more.

Good Luck with your search.

A-Jay

 

 

 

 

[Big Hands]

1 hour ago, A-Jay said:

St. Croix Avid Series Spinning Rods ~ 7 ft Medium Handle length is listed as 14 3/4 inches.

 

What is gained by the 14 - 3/4" handle (which seem a bit long, essentially making a 7' rod fish more like a 6'8" to 6'10" rod)?

[DogBone_384]

I have two jerkbait rods. My #1 is a 6’9” M/MF Kistler KLX. My #2 is a 6’10” M/MF Shimano Expride A. The Shimano’s tip is just a shade faster than the Kistler, but the Kistler’s grip is more comfortable and a little shorter.

 

The Kistler is super light and very sensitive. It’s hand made in Texas too.  
 

Kistler has dedicated jerkbait rods too. They’re 6’10” LMH/MF, and retail for around $200.
 

I have other Kistler LMH (light-medium-heavy) and find them to be a perfect blend of a medium tip with a little more back bone further down the blank.

 

Best of luck picking out your jerkbait rod.

[A-Jay]

35 minutes ago, Big Hands said:

 

What is gained by the 14 - 3/4" handle (which seem a bit long, essentially making a 7' rod fish more like a 6'8" to 6'10" rod)?

Might not be a gains vs loss type deal.

Perhaps more of a full cork and effective action situation.  Just the way I like it.

A-Jay

 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

JB rods are designed with a shorter butt.  Your not losing any length aft the grip, when you compare a 6'10 JB rod to a 7'.  SC makes a good JB blank and so does Daiwa with Daiwa being a little slower action wise.  Victory or Tatula are solid choices.

[casts_by_fly]

I’m new into fishing jerkbait, but I think I know the rod action you’re looking for. Have a look at the falcon finesse jig/topwater in the expert line. 6’10”, medium heavy power so when you hook up you have enough to fight a fish.  ‘Fast’ action but I’d put it on the border of moderate fast.  It’s my current front runner in my setups for a jerkbait. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

A med or mh mod/fast possibly labeled as a crankbait rod sounds like it would fit your criteria. 

[Ersteman]

On 4/13/2024 at 2:21 PM, A-Jay said:

Hi Mike ~

I do a bit of jerkbait fishing for smallies, much of it is with a spinning rod.

I think I get what it is that you're looking for,

as much of what you've described in blank characteristics, falls in line with what I prefer.

In the past 15 years plus I've fished many different sticks looking for the right one.

And after a fairly long search, I do believe that I have found "The One".

At least for me. 

So much so that I bought three of them right out of the gate. 

St. Croix Avid Series Spinning Rods ~ 7 ft Medium Handle length is listed as 14 3/4 inches.

I prefer mid priced gear, and this one MSRP is $ 235.

I realized that it's more than you want to spend, but for the price of a few gallons a gas, you'll have what you're looking for.

Been fishing them hard and they take it all and seem to be looking for more.

Good Luck with your search.

A-Jay

 

 

 

 

Thanks A-jay. I'll look around for when I can get one on sale. I saw American Legacy had 25% off all St. Croix rods, but they were out of stock of that particular model. Do you have a second best option just in case? Have a good one.

23 hours ago, DogBone_384 said:

I have two jerkbait rods. My #1 is a 6’9” M/MF Kistler KLX. My #2 is a 6’10” M/MF Shimano Expride A. The Shimano’s tip is just a shade faster than the Kistler, but the Kistler’s grip is more comfortable and a little shorter.

 

The Kistler is super light and very sensitive. It’s hand made in Texas too.  
 

Kistler hasdedicated jerkbait rods too. They’re 6’10” LMH/MF, and retail for around $200.
 

I have other Kistler LMH (light-medium-heavy) and find them to be a perfect blend of a medium tip with a little more back bone further down the blank.

 

Best of luck picking out your jerkbait rod.

Thanks for the options. I'll look into it. I had a feeling someone was going to mention the Expride. From Tactical Bassin's videon on jerkbaits recommending them to Omnia claiming it's their best selling jerkbait rod. I might have to bite the bullet. 

[DogBone_384]

54 minutes ago, Ersteman said:

Tactical Bassin's videon on jerkbaits recommending them to Omnia claiming it's their best selling jerkbait rod.

I fell into the Tactical trap … I found the Expride on sale and took a chance. It is a really nice rod, but I just prefer the Kistler handle. They feel more comfortable in my hand. Purely subjective. 
 

Best of luck picking a jerkbait rod, or rods … 

[mcipinkie]

If I was  hunting a jerk bait rod and couldn't find an old Daiwa VIP Glass, or a Garcia Ike Delay, I'd buy a 6'6 M or ML  BPS Crankin' Stick.  It's a good as any of the high dollar rods. 

[A-Jay]

2 hours ago, Ersteman said:

Thanks A-jay. I'll look around for when I can get one on sale. I saw American Legacy had 25% off all St. Croix rods, but they were out of stock of that particular model. Do you have a second best option just in case? Have a good one.

 

I don't - but Calelas says that have one ~

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/st-croix-avid-series-spinning-rod

 

A-Jay

 

[5by3]

Dobyns champ 704 cb loads up nice when a fish bites. Can probably find a used one for less than $200. They also run sales all the time for dobyns. 

[PaulVE64]

Older Fenwick HMG felt great. Had a 3000 BG on it with braid 

[FryDog62]

I traded off a 6’10” Expride because the handle is too long. Bangs against your forearm/side all day. Went with a Dobyns 685cb and it Is awesome for smallie jerking. Favorite jerkbait is the Stunna. Go with the 705cb if you want something longer. Buy on sale close to $200. 

[Ersteman]

14 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

I traded off a 6’10” Expride because the handle is too long. Bangs against your forearm/side all day. Went with a Dobyns 685cb and it Is awesome for smallie jerking. Favorite jerkbait is the Stunna. Go with the 705cb if you want something longer. Buy on sale close to $200. 

Interesting. I'll check it out. Do the stock hooks on those stunnas hold up for smallies or do you change them out? 

[Born 2 fish]

I do a lot of smallmouth jerk bait fishing and I’ve tried a lot of rods and for me the 7’ m bps crankin stick is money. It has a nice snappy tip with a good bend to keep them pinned I also use the 7’ mh crankin stuck for the deep jerkbaits. It’s worth a look.

[FryDog62]

37 minutes ago, Ersteman said:

Interesting. I'll check it out. Do the stock hooks on those stunnas hold up for smallies or do you change them out? 

The hooks have worked great for me on smallies, never felt I needed to change them out.  

 

The key for me on a jerk bait handle is 13-14 inches in length (if you use Tacklewarehouse measurements). When you get longer than that it becomes a pain IMO.

 

Another $200 rod that looks intriguing is the Megabits Levante 6'11" Jerkbait rod. I haven't fished with it, but the handle is 13-3/4 inches and it fits your price range. 

[Reel]

I have been using the old style 6' 10'  Expride for quite a while for jerkbaits but last Spring I got a seven foot medium Shimano Sellus rod for my grandson.  He had an SLX reel and he liked the color of the rod.  For the price ( way below 200$), I was very surprised at the performance of that rod for jerkbaits.  He likes it a lot also, so I can't borrow it.  It has a nice short handle. 

[DogBone_384]

On 4/14/2024 at 6:05 PM, FryDog62 said:

Favorite jerkbait is the Stunna

Ditto … I put a slightly heavier hook on the front to keep it from rising too much.

[Ersteman]

Go with the 705cb if you want something longer. Buy on sale close to $200. 

 

I have a Fury 705CB. seems a bit too whippy. Does the Champion have similar action to the Fury?

[THE_Vue's]

Look into the new Daiwa Tatula Patrick Walter Jerk bait rod non ags.  It's like a Expride 6'10 and a Double X jerkspecial had a baby.  I've got both the other rods and the action and bend is what I really like for the great lakes smallie.   Tip rebound is soft but it rebounds so fast during those smallie head shakes and the rod has a nice parabolic bend to it that loads up at the same time.  The reel seat are way more comfortable than both the shimano and megabass.   As for spinning rods I really like the Daiwa flexlite but those are out of your budget

[Ersteman]

On 4/15/2024 at 9:54 AM, Reel said:

I have been using the old style 6' 10'  Expride for quite a while for jerkbaits but last Spring I got a seven foot medium Shimano Sellus rod for my grandson.  He had an SLX reel and he liked the color of the rod.  For the price ( way below 200$), I was very surprised at the performance of that rod for jerkbaits.  He likes it a lot also, so I can't borrow it.  It has a nice short handle. 

I actually have that Sellus rod and use it for jerkbaits. It works for sure. I wanted to upgrade and treat myself a bit to a lighter rod and one that was more comfortable in the handling. 

[bloodkitty]

To me, the Megabass Levante 110 Special sounds pretty close to what you are looking for. 

[rangerjockey]

Stick bait rods are really a personal thing. Some guys like a quicker action some a more moderate. You have to decide what is best for you. 

I live where the stickbait is a religion, it was invented here and still it's a winter/pre spawn deal and then they pretty much get off it once the water warms. Point is, I'd buy a rod that could double up as a crankbait or topwater rod .

I'm not a Dobyns guy but the 704 cb is good as well as the St. Croix if you like a faster action. I've been using the Fenwick elite 6ft 10 medium, it leans to the moderate side of fast which suits me, also Falcon weightless worm rod is really good.