Rod help : Jerkbaits

[Functional]

Jerkbaits have now become a steady part of my fishing ( I blame you @A-Jay) and I'm looking for a rod that is going to fit me and the technique better.

 

I've been playing with what I have on hand to get a feel for what I want between casting and spinning and power/action. For reference I keep my entire hand in front of the reel on spinning setups. I also use braid to leader on my spinning setups and do not intend to do anything different here. 

 

Tried List:

6'10" Poison Adrena Casting - Liked it but like the distance of spinning better and less wind issues

7' 703 Dobyns Fury - Best hookup and keeping them pinned, tip is a smidge soft for action but workable, I hate the grip with my preferred hand position. Would also prefer a bit shorter

ALX Zolo ML+ 7' - Tip is better to get action but seems hookup and keeping them on is a bit more challenging because of it. Grip is good, overall could be a bit shorter. 

 

Basically I'm looking for something like the Fury with a better grip, more sensitivity and can handle up to 1/2oz jerkbaits. I can look at rods all day long but have little chance to get hands on to see the action and need to defer to your experiences. For cost I'd prefer to keep it 200ish and below but if there is an outstanding choice closer to 300 I'll be game. Been eyeing the Daiwa tatula 6'8" (current favorite), St. Croix Victory 6'8" for the "low" end and the Shimano Exprid B 6'8", Megabass Orochi XX 6'8 ML. Open to others with similar handles that fit the action/power bill. If anything I have listed doesnt work like I want, I'm all ears. 

 

For reel I've been eyeing a shimano vanford/ vanford FA (is the only difference long stroke vs non?), shimano stradic FM, Daiwa Tatula MQ LT

 

What do you all have for recommendations to match up to what I want?

[Bass Rutten]

Love my daiwa feider 69ml jerkbait rod. Great reel seat/ergos and under 200.

[Reel]

Here is what I use and like.  For larger jerkbaits ( 110 size), I use an original Expride 6' 10'' with a Shimano Curado DC.  I like the DC but could very use a regular Curado or Chronarch.  This gives me all the distance I need and the flexibility to give the jerkbait the right action and keep fish pinned.  The rod is moderate/fast.  

For smaller jerks (95 and under) , I use a Zodias spinning rod ( under 7 feet) 6' 9 '' MHA with a Stradic 2500 reel.  I prefer the Stradic for jerking.  I like a stiffer spinning rod because it gives me the same  (lure) action as a softer casting rod.  

For me, sensitivity would be one of the last criteria for a jerkbait rod.  A good grip is one of the first.

[A-Jay]

10 hours ago, Functional said:

Jerkbaits have now become a steady part of my fishing ( I blame you @A-Jay) and I'm looking for a rod that is going to fit me and the technique better.

 

I've been playing with what I have on hand to get a feel for what I want between casting and spinning and power/action. For reference I keep my entire hand in front of the reel on spinning setups. I also use braid to leader on my spinning setups and do not intend to do anything different here.

 

Past decade or so of presenting jerkbaits to brown bass

has seen me using several different spinning outfits with an assortment of lengths & actions

that I had varied levels of success with. 

Do not see the need to list them here as I believe it may only confuse the issue.

Instead, I add what I have settled on, for what and why.

First off length; the Pro-V bass sits a little higher in the water which permits me to use a bit of a longer stick without slapping the water all day.

This allows for longer casts.

Big Fan. 

Second, I hate XF action anything and even the super high modulus graphite Fast action sticks are too much for me.

Not looking for a noodle rod, but a blank that loads every time I need it to, and stays loaded when I need it to, is my preference.   And if we're getting picky, full cork grips make me happy.

All that said, I'm currently digging 2 St Croix rods.

Both from the new Avid spinning line.

For smaller jerkbaits like the Megabass Vision 110 Jr +1 (and smaller) I go with the 7 ft ML F

For just about all my other standard size jerkbait deals, the 7 ft M F gets it done. 

You didn't ask about reels so I'll not clog this response up with that info.

Good Luck shopping.

A-Jay

 

[Brian11719]

What specifically about the fury grip was off? I ask because I use the kaden 6'10 for a jerkbait rod and it's actually one of my favorite setups (and I pretty much only throw a 5/8oz lucky craft pointer minnow) so just wondering if it might have been something w/ the fury line or their grips in general...

[Functional]

@Bass Rutten I had seen great feedback on that rod but I'm looking for a spinning rod. Unless I missed something I've only seen that in casting. 

 

@Reel a spinning expride is on my short list but I ruled out the zodias based on the metal/plastic grip above the reel seat. I'd prefer cork or if I have to Eva. 

 

@A-Jay thank you for the suggestions. I looked and I'm not sure the avid would fit my bill. The 6'8 is extra fast and like you I agree I think an XF would be too much for a JB rod. I also think 6'6 is too short, at that length I might as well use my PA casting rod. Really looking for a 6'8 to 6'10 , my boat sits higher like yours but I'm short and the 7' rods I've been working have been slapping in water often enough as is. 

 

I was told as a young engineer one of the stupidest things I could do is to ever turn down free advice.... so if you have any on reels I'm open to hear it. 

 

@Brian11719 the spinning series of fury rods only have a plastic reel nut above the reel seat. With my grip (entire hand above the reel stem) I'm grabbing bare reel nut and rod blank. Not the most comfortable and it doesn't give me the control/grip I'd like out of a rod. I bought it long ago before I really started getting a feel for what I wanted. The blank itself I'd say is nice for the money, almost debating seeing if a rod guy can swap the whole grip setup to something I like. 

[A-Jay]

12 minutes ago, Functional said:

@A-Jay thank you for the suggestions. I looked and I'm not sure the avid would fit my bill. The 6'8 is extra fast and like you I agree I think an XF would be too much for a JB rod. I also think 6'6 is too short, at that length I might as well use my PA casting rod. Really looking for a 6'8 to 6'10 , my boat sits higher like yours but I'm short and the 7' rods I've been working have been slapping in water often enough as is. 

 

I was told as a young engineer one of the stupidest things I could do is to ever turn down free advice.... so if you have any on reels I'm open to hear it. 

 

Prefer the mid price point stuff. 

I'm a 3000 size user & abuser.

I like the line capacity and line management qualities.

A long spool is helpful but with thin braid it's almost a wash for me.

All that said,  It's either Shimano or Diawa.

But I do not have a clear favorite at this point.

Top performers for me have been the Vanford and the Tatula MQ LT.

I will agree with you that the newest Vanford FA might be worth 

taking a look at when it comes out too. 

A-Jay

 

 

[Brian11719]

If it's a spinning jerkbait rod you are after I'd take a look at the mojo bass 7'2 medium moderate. You would be holding it above the reel but since that sounds like it would work for you it would be about another 4" off the length and put it exactly at the same length as the kaden I use. I really like the feel of st croix spinning rods (in fact their blanks are pretty much my favorite) and I even like the new trigon handles, but I keep my hand behind the reel with spinning rods so I can't really do much with most of their spinning rods these days (RIP old mojo bass) and have had to look elsewhere...although I did make an exception for my drop shot rod and still use a victory. The abu winch was another one I was looking at back when I was looking at spinning rods for jerkbaits and small crankbaits...haven't had any experience with it but it also looks pretty good and might be worth looking into a little more.