Do you need a dedicated jerkbait rod or can your MH “do everything” rod serve this purpose just fine?

[woolleyfooley]

On 10/23/2024 at 10:56 AM, Ohioguy25 said:

What is short to you?

How long? Also is it possible to make this double as a jackhammer or do everything? I ask because I have been looking at Champions for a while as a repacement.

Maybe the standard champion xp in a 3 power would be a good choice? The dobyns medium heavy is more like a medium but still has a bit more power than a traditional medium.

[Brian11719]

On 10/23/2024 at 9:56 AM, Ohioguy25 said:

How long? Also is it possible to make this double as a jackhammer or do everything? I ask because I have been looking at Champions for a while as a repacement.

I don't own any in the Champion series but I have a Dobyns KD610-4CB and a KD 735CB. I love the 6'10" for jerkbaits and I also throw a mini max on it sometimes as well as 3/8-1/2oz crankbaits / lipless cranks and a popper every once in a while. I really like the KD 735CB for an evo or a thunder cricket...or a spook or a larger crankbait / lipless...Anyway assuming the power and action are about the same with the champion series I think you should be fine with the 685cb or 705cb for larger jerkbaits and could throw standard size bladed jigs on it as well. Some people like a really moderate rod for a chatterbait others like a fast action...I personally am in the middle and think the mod fast style action in the Kaden line works best but to each their own.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Not too many baits like a JB, especially if you like to fish in the winter.  A good JB rod doesn't over work the bait, is casts well and is should be comfortable to fish all day.  Personally I favor the F-XF style M power rods.  A crisp tip helps you, especially if you're fishing a JB or twitch bait for long periods of time.  You dont have to work the bait as hard with a faster tip.  So long the hooks are very sharp, I dont lose many fish at all.  You dont have to spend a ton of money, but a light rod really helps out.  A bunch of good ones out there.  I like SC, and Shimano, but I found 13s shorter M powers to be great for JBs and topwaters and they go on sale all the time.  I found most JB rods fish 2/8-1/2 SBs pretty well.   

[Bass Rutten]

I don't buy into the technique specific deal (with a few exceptions-punching etc.), I could make due with any medium/fast rod from 6'6" to 7'0" for jerkbaits.

 

On 10/25/2024 at 1:44 PM, bowhunter63 said:

I was watching a video with Steve Daniel’s and he has a custom made rod with a weighted tip. He said it improves casting and action on his baits. If anyone would know it would be him. One of the best with a jerk bait 

I did a guided trip with him about 5 years ago with 2 friends. I remember him throwing a rogue jerk at one point, and using a witch doctor rod. It was really tough post frontal bluebird sky day. Really great dude.

[Big Hands]

I have a Shimano SLX 6'10" M/XF casting rod and a Daiwa Kage 6'10" M/F rod that are both marketed as jerkbait rods and both work very well for that purpose. I prefer the casting rod, but it can be a little tricky if I have to cast into the wind. They're the shortest rods I have in my starting lineup. Everything else is 7' or longer.

 

I don't think I could find a better budget jerkbait rod for the money ($99.99 MSRP) than the SLXCX610MA.

[Ohioguy25]

On 10/20/2024 at 7:02 PM, A-Jay said:

@Ohioguy25

Of the presentations you mentioned, many are chunk & wind.

Which is fine.

But IMO, there are very few horizontal moving baits that rely more on 

angler input to generate bites, than a jerkbait.

Many baits sort of whizz by the bass; jackhammers, spinnerbaits and the like.

But a jerkbait hangs right in the basses face, she almost always gets a really good look at it and what it's doing (or not doing)

So while any 'work horse rig' might get a few bites,

having a stick that makes the bait do the magic dance in a manner that elicits many strikes,

can be very beneficial.

We can all accomplish that in different ways.

I use and prefer a slightly parabolic M/F spinning rod for most all of my jerkbait needs.

And I get a few. 

A-Jay

 

Which exact rod and reel do you use?

[A-Jay]

21 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Which exact rod and reel do you use?

Rod is a 7' MF St Croix Avid

And the reel is a Daiwa Tatula MQ LT 3000D-CHX Spinning Reel

It's pictured below.

Seen here as a topwater deal,

However I use the same rig for jerkbaits, including the line & leader combination

 

 

Finally, while this IMO is a most decent set up,

A basshead can do very well with a less expensive rig.

It's not the arrow, it's the Indian. 

Good Luck

A-Jay

[papajoe222]

As someone else mentioned, It's more about matching the rod to the angler than it is about matching the rod to the technique. I personally use a 7'3" MH/ModFast rod for all but my small jerkbaits.  Those I throw on a St.Croix ML/Fast 7ft.  I like the longer, softer rod for the 110's because I prefer to let the rod load up before a sweeping hookset.  For the smaller Rapalas, I set the hook at the first indication of a bite.

[Deephaven]

It is the first bait specific rod I would buy and the one I spent the most in building.  Makes a monstrous difference.  I chose to build a super light med xf to 6'8".  Baitcaster for sure as the walking motion is way easier on your wrists when palming a small reel.

 

As with frydog I do use this rod for other baits, but the primary other use are walking baits and poppers which put very similar needs on a rod.  Small square bills and such it also works great for.

[Ohioguy25]

6 hours ago, Deephaven said:

It is the first bait specific rod I would buy and the one I spent the most in building.  Makes a monstrous difference.  I chose to build a super light med xf to 6'8".  Baitcaster for sure as the walking motion is way easier on your wrists when palming a small reel.

 

As with frydog I do use this rod for other baits, but the primary other use are walking baits and poppers which put very similar needs on a rod.  Small square bills and such it also works great for.

Which specific rod & reel?

[Ohioguy25]

On 10/20/2024 at 6:39 PM, MN Fisher said:

Personally, I like a short/XF rod for jerks....I'm running a Victory 6'8" M/XF for my jerkbaits

 

I know some like a MF action for jerks....while the jerk rod KVD designed for Lews is a MH/F

 

I think pretty much anything will do, long as you can get the cadence down and don't set the hook too hard with the heavier rod so you don't pull out or straighten hooks.

 

On 10/20/2024 at 7:02 PM, A-Jay said:

@Ohioguy25

Of the presentations you mentioned, many are chunk & wind.

Which is fine.

But IMO, there are very few horizontal moving baits that rely more on 

angler input to generate bites, than a jerkbait.

Many baits sort of whizz by the bass; jackhammers, spinnerbaits and the like.

But a jerkbait hangs right in the basses face, she almost always gets a really good look at it and what it's doing (or not doing)

So while any 'work horse rig' might get a few bites,

having a stick that makes the bait do the magic dance in a manner that elicits many strikes,

can be very beneficial.

We can all accomplish that in different ways.

I use and prefer a slightly parabolic M/F spinning rod for most all of my jerkbait needs.

And I get a few. 

A-Jay

 

 

On 10/20/2024 at 8:02 PM, gimruis said:

I also use a shorter rod, 6’6”.

 

I like using a stiff rod but I use mono, so the line offers the stretch needed with a jerkbait.

 

On 10/20/2024 at 8:08 PM, softwateronly said:

@Ohioguy25You should try your jerkbaits on your spinning setups, I believe a mb 110 was intentionally designed to be fished on 8lb line.  I did good on jerkbaits before I ever threw a casting combo once.  

 

scott

 

On 10/20/2024 at 8:14 PM, MN Fisher said:

Ya - while I am using casting gear - my line on the rig is 8#YZH.

 

On 10/20/2024 at 8:21 PM, Drew03cmc said:

I came here to say this.

 

I'm also a kayak guy, but I carry 6 rods most of the time, 3 spinning, 3 casting or 2 and 4. It depends what I'm doing and where I'm at. 

 

I am likely to use my 6'10" M Ark Cobb spinning rod over my 6'11" M Ark Cobb casting rod for jerkbaits this year. I really like the action of the casting rod for flat sides and smaller wakes/paddletails/etc more than jerkbaits. 

 

On 10/20/2024 at 8:37 PM, DogBone_384 said:

I carry 6 rods on my kayak too. @Saltysmalljaws got me into jerkbaits a few years ago and I use a dedicated setup.  I have an older 6’9” Kistler KLX and a 6’10” Shimano Expride for JBs. They’re both medium power. I prefer the KLX because it just feels better in my hand.  I use the KLX for lighter cranks when I need to B/C of it’s mod-fast action.

 

The choice is really up to you. A V110 is a touch light for a MH rod. Especially if it’s got a lot of backbone.

 

On 10/20/2024 at 9:05 PM, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Of all the moving baits I feel like the jerkbait is the most nuanced, and in depth.

 

Jerkbaiting is far more of an artform than a science.    Just like painters, most really great jerkbait anglers fish differently from one another.   It's a very personalized technique.    

 

To me it's one of the techniques that really shines with a technique specific rod.   For me that was the Megabass JDM P5 Destroyer 110 Stick.   Very short and light rod at just 6'3.   Megabass's other 110 specific rods for the American market are much longer.   It's a typical medium fast.   It's the nicest rod I own.   I would only recommend it to somebody who uses jerkbaits a ton because of the cost.     

 

On 10/20/2024 at 9:17 PM, softwateronly said:

So true.  For me even with that perfect stick, if you find a new jerkbait thats an outlier in size, profile, weight, or design you should always try it on other sticks before you give up on the new jerkbait.  I'm now happy with 4 different sticks, only need two to cover everything, and one of them only throws one specific jerkbait.

 

scott

pe 1.5 to 10lb sniper for me.  I do have one rig thats 30lb braid to tieable steel leader so I can keep my fancy nishine md from being bit off.

 

scott

 

On 10/22/2024 at 4:16 AM, KP Duty said:

I also prefer a spinning rod.  Shorter M/Fast 1/4-5/8oz is ideal for me.

I have heard some refer to the Expride as the greatest jerkbait rod you can buy. I understand that this is an impossible statement to validate but is it a pretty safe bet for a starter setup? Just seems a tad long at 6’10”.

[WRB]

Sitting in a kayak is very different from standing and that could impact your rod choice.

I use Iovino Splash-It rod 6’8” MF rated for 1/4-1/2 oz for jerk baits, top water and medium diving crank bait within the rods lure rating. Also works good for 6” T-rigged worms.

I believe any 6’8”-6’10” MF rod you like will work good.

Tom

[Ohioguy25]

26 minutes ago, WRB said:

Sitting in a kayak is very different from standing and that could impact your rod choice.

I use Iovino Splash-It rod 6’8” MF rated for 1/4-1/2 oz for jerk baits, top water and medium diving crank bait within the rods lure rating. Also works good for 6” T-rigged worms.

I believe any 6’8”-6’10” MF rod you like will work good.

Tom

I plan to be standing most of the time I am fishing it. What do you think of the Expride?

[Born 2 fish]

Yes I definitely will always have a dedicated jerkbait rods 

[WRB]

1 hour ago, Ohioguy25 said:

I plan to be standing most of the time I am fishing it. What do you think of the Expride?

Expride B; 6’10 MMF looks 👍 

Tom

[Ohioguy25]

12 hours ago, WRB said:

Expride B; 6’10 MMF looks 👍 

Tom

Any recommendations on a reel to pair up with it?

[rangerjockey]

One of my stick bait rods is a MH. That is the old Falcon weightless worm rod but the tip is as soft as any medium.

The others are mediums. The AA Slasher and Virtus jerkbait rod . 

You can buy any stickbait rod and still not be a stickbait fisherman. 

It's a craft that's honed in nasty miserable weather. 

[mcipinkie]

No!  You don't need a dedicated jerk bait rod.

 

You need at least 2, preferably more.

 

I carry 4 in the Skeeter this time of  year.

 

2 - casters, 2 - spinners.  Plus a couple other rods, than I can use if needed.

 

All of mine are old, 20 years and counting.  Short 6'-6 to 6'-10.  Mostly glass.

 

[Ohioguy25]

14 hours ago, WRB said:

Expride B; 6’10 MMF looks 👍 

Tom

Dang it says the handle is 15”. Doesn’t that seem long when everyone is saying you want a shorter handle for this application?

On 11/11/2024 at 9:31 PM, A-Jay said:

Rod is a 7' MF St Croix Avid

And the reel is a Daiwa Tatula MQ LT 3000D-CHX Spinning Reel

It's pictured below.

Seen here as a topwater deal,

However I use the same rig for jerkbaits, including the line & leader combination

 

 

Finally, while this IMO is a most decent set up,

A basshead can do very well with a less expensive rig.

It's not the arrow, it's the Indian. 

Good Luck

A-Jay

 

52 minutes ago, rangerjockey said:

One of my stick bait rods is a MH. That is the old Falcon weightless worm rod but the tip is as soft as any medium.

The others are mediums. The AA Slasher and Virtus jerkbait rod . 

You can buy any stickbait rod and still not be a stickbait fisherman. 

It's a craft that's honed in nasty miserable weather. 

 

16 hours ago, Born 2 fish said:

Yes I definitely will always have a dedicated jerkbait rods 

 

On 11/11/2024 at 11:49 PM, Deephaven said:

It is the first bait specific rod I would buy and the one I spent the most in building.  Makes a monstrous difference.  I chose to build a super light med xf to 6'8".  Baitcaster for sure as the walking motion is way easier on your wrists when palming a small reel.

 

As with frydog I do use this rod for other baits, but the primary other use are walking baits and poppers which put very similar needs on a rod.  Small square bills and such it also works great for.

 

On 11/11/2024 at 10:30 PM, papajoe222 said:

As someone else mentioned, It's more about matching the rod to the angler than it is about matching the rod to the technique. I personally use a 7'3" MH/ModFast rod for all but my small jerkbaits.  Those I throw on a St.Croix ML/Fast 7ft.  I like the longer, softer rod for the 110's because I prefer to let the rod load up before a sweeping hookset.  For the smaller Rapalas, I set the hook at the first indication of a bite.

 

On 11/11/2024 at 9:31 PM, A-Jay said:

Rod is a 7' MF St Croix Avid

And the reel is a Daiwa Tatula MQ LT 3000D-CHX Spinning Reel

It's pictured below.

Seen here as a topwater deal,

However I use the same rig for jerkbaits, including the line & leader combination

 

 

Finally, while this IMO is a most decent set up,

A basshead can do very well with a less expensive rig.

It's not the arrow, it's the Indian. 

Good Luck

A-Jay

It says the Expride handle is 15”. Doesn’t that seem long for what is billed as “the best jerkbait rod in the world” when everyone is saying you want a shorter handle for this application?

[Born 2 fish]

12 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Dang it says the handle is 15”. Doesn’t that seem long when everyone is saying you want a shorter handle for this application?

 

 

 

 

 

It says the Expride handle is 15”. Doesn’t that seem long for what is billed as “the best jerkbait rod in the world” when everyone is saying you want a shorter handle for this application?

I don’t have a expride my favorite jerkbait rod is a cheap 7’ medium action crankin stick from bass pro. And I’ve tried a lot of rods for jerkbaits.

[LootyDjibouti]

25 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Dang it says the handle is 15”. Doesn’t that seem long when everyone is saying you want a shorter handle for this application?

 

 

 

 

 

It says the Expride handle is 15”. Doesn’t that seem long for what is billed as “the best jerkbait rod in the world” when everyone is saying you want a shorter handle for this application?

Keep in mind that 15" is a TW measurement. They measure from top of the foregrip, most manufacturers (at least that I've seen) do not. So just a fair warning to be consistent on where you're reviewing handle lengths.

But yes, the monocoque handles are longer. I'm also in the market for a jerkbait rod, I also fish from a kayak, and it's a bit of a concern for me as well. I really need to get one in hand. 

Try not be suckered into groupthink. I'm sure it's a fantastic rod, but that doesn't mean it's perfect for everyone. 

[Gera]

On 10/20/2024 at 6:30 PM, Ohioguy25 said:

I am a kayak fisherman, and am limited to 4 setups, 2 casting 2 spinning. One of my casting setups is for swimbaits + A rigs, the other my “do everything” work horse. St Croix Victory, Medium Heavy Moderate Fast I use to throw just about everything from Jackhammers to topwater to spinnerbaits and it serves this function well. 
 

I recently got into throwing jerkbaits, a technique I’ve needed to learn for a while now especially for this time of year. The Lucky Craft Pointer 110 SP I am able to cast with ease, however the Megabass Vision 110 I find a bit more difficult to cast. This is strange considering other 1/2 oz baits I seem to have no problem casting. 
 

In any case, do you think my setup should serve this purpose just fine, and if not what do you consider the ideal jerk bait rod?

This is just bass fishing, I don't  think need anything to be dedicated. Its more a question if you want one or not.

If you do, go for it. If not you will be fine with what you already have. 

[WRB]

3 hours ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Any recommendations on a reel to pair up with it?

Shimano SLX 70 7.2:1 with MGL spool is the reel I use. The SLX * new version has the MGL spool is outstanding casting reel over performs it’s price point.

Tom

 

[Ohioguy25]

21 minutes ago, WRB said:

Shimano SLX 70 7.2:1 with MGL spool is the reel I use. The SLX * new version has the MGL spool is outstanding casting reel over performs it’s price point.

Tom

 

How about on handle length of Expride?

[MickD]

The issue with a jerkbait is : Can you easily impart the action you (and the fish) want with the rod you are using.  The power and the action combine allow this.  I remember a number of years ago when we were fishing glass rods for jerks, and the bass in Lake St Clair wanted a very sharp jerk, and it was tough to get with the rods we had. We found other rods, graphite in this case, that allowed us to get that sharp jerk.

 

Earlier it was mentioned using weighted rod tips.  That is an old practice that at one time was pretty popular, I believe.  But it had to do with getting a slower, more "progressive" jerk, slower accelerating, smoother.  On St Clair, that would have been the exact opposite of what the bass wanted at that time.

 

I often snap small swimbaits off the bottom for smallies and walleye, and some rods just don't work well for that.  It's a lot like jerkbaits.  The rod for them has to have significant give; too stiff just doesn't allow one to easily get the snap, reel the slack, snap again in a good cadence that works.

 

Bottom line, do you need a dedicated rod for jerks?  Not if the rod you want to use has the right power and action for what you are trying to do.