When working a Jerkbait, do you want tension on the line at all times, and how important is parabolic bend?

[Ohioguy25]

Some context:

 

I have recently begun throwing jerkbaits, specifically the Vision 110. I just got the Shimano Expride which I was told is “the best Jerkbait rod in the world.” Is this accurate? It seems fine but I’ve noticed it does not bend as much as the spinning rod I was using, and I’m wondering if that’s good or bad. Throwing it on a Curado MGL 70 spooled w 12 lb sniper.  
 

Prior to my new setup, I was throwing it on my 7’1” MF St Croix Legend Tournament Spinning rod. Working a Jerkbait on this rod “felt” right, or at least gave me confidence as the bend of the rod kept tension in between the rod & and the bait. With the Expride, I am somewhat struggling to maintain this level of tension without reeling up slack. 

 

My question is do I need/want this tension, and is that how it is supposed to be for this application or is that just in my head? I‘m not sure if this difference is a result of the rod being longer or if the LTB is simply more moderate? Both are rated roughly the same power, with the nod in favor of the Expride having a moderate fast action (unless this only effects the tip in which case the parabolic bend I’m experiencing is specifically in the power.)

 

I WANT the Expride to work, as I have heard countless people hail the Expride as the gold standard and emphasize the importance of the 6’8-6’10” range as the sweet spot on length. I just want to be sure this loss in bend/tension isn’t of any importance or necessary.   

Anyway, apologies for the excessive detail I have just read here how specialized this technique is and I want to get it right!

 

[newapti5]

I fish jerkbaits for river/creek smallies mostly, and I don't reel in the slack. I am sure others have valid reasons against mine, but I feel that when I reel in the slack, the jerkbait will inevitably move a little, which change the pattern of "jerk - pause - jerk - pause" to "jerk - creep - jerk - creep."  To make sure I can still detect subtle bites, I use fluoro for better slack line sensitivity, and of course a sensitive rod. I also make sure the hooks on jerkbaits stay sticky sharp so fish would hookset themselves. 

 

Again, these are all for the subtle bites. When fish are active in Spring/Fall, I will use mono and composite rods for better casting distance. I still don't reel in the slack, but the bites are so violent that I won't need sensitivity.   

 

About the parabolic bend on the rods, I feel like there're so many opposite opinions out there. I know some use braided line + parabolic rods for jerkbaits, and others use mono line + fast action rods.  I am more of the latter.

 

 

[gim]

What kind of line are you using?  Generally speaking there should be a point of "give" somewhere when using a jerkbait.  Whether that be in the rod or the line.  A stiff rod combined with braided line creates zero give and most jerkbaits don't have stout treble hooks.

 

For this reason, I use a stiff rod but equip my reel with mono which has stretch.

[Ohioguy25]

4 minutes ago, gimruis said:

What kind of line are you using?  Generally speaking there should be a point of "give" somewhere when using a jerkbait.  Whether that be in the rod or the line.  A stiff rod combined with braided line creates zero give and most jerkbaits don't have stout treble hooks.

 

For this reason, I use a stiff rod but equip my reel with mono which has stretch.

So I use 12 lb sniper, however I am referring more to working the bait than keeping the fish pinned in my OP.

[Team9nine]

IMO, jerkbait is one of those techniques where you can truly use either rod type and be just fine. You’ll find equally good arguments for both - and I’ve used both extensively. You definitely want to drop some degree of slack between twitches/pauses because tension will drag the bait forward, then line watch for the “jump,” though often it is like blade baits where the next time you go to twitch, the fish is just ‘there’.

[Ohioguy25]

3 minutes ago, Team9nine said:

IMO, jerkbait is one of those techniques where you can truly use either rod type and be just fine. You’ll find equally good arguments for both - and I’ve used both extensively. You definitely want to drop some degree of slack between twitches/pauses because tension will drag the bait forward, then line watch for the “jump,” though often it is like blade baits where the next time you go to twitch, the fish is just ‘there’.

How about for the motion itself - how much if any bend do you want on each jerk?

[FryDog62]

Zero tension in the line... semi-slack is key to get the right back and forth snap action of a jerk bait.  Rod manufacturers vary - but a Fast or sometimes even a extra fast action tip will keep the dog a walkin'  A parabolic bend would not work and be a PIA to fish all day and try to impart the right action. 

 

A guy named Kevin did a video on this awhile back... slack in the line is key and all his signature rods are fast action: 

 

 

 

[Ohioguy25]

9 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

Zero tension in the line... semi-slack is key to get the right back and forth snap action of a jerk bait.  Rod manufacturers vary - but a Fast or sometimes even a extra fast action tip will keep the dog a walkin'  A parabolic bend would not work and be a PIA to fish all day and try to impart the right action. 

 

A guy named Kevin did a video on this awhile back... slack in the line is key and all his signature rods are fast action: 

 

 

 

Ok gotcha. So I am in good shape as far as my setup goes? Have you heard the Expride referred to as the best Jerkbait rod?

[rangerjockey]

Nope. You always want to jerk it on a slack line. Don't drag it with the reel. 

I make the cast then give it a few cranks to get it down and let it soak. Then a couple three jerks and a pause and so on. They will usually get it on the pause.

Honestly, it seems like your obsessed with the rod . It's you who's going to get them to bite or not.

As to the Expride, I'm sure it will work fine. It's not my personal choice but that's not to say it won't be good for you.

[SkippinJimmy]

Lot’s of video’s online to see the action if you are a visual learner.  Throwing slack between jerks is where you get your erratic, darting action.  You can mix up your tempo/cadence depending on situations including throwing in an upward jerk on occasion.  No one size fits all as far as working a jerkbait.

[Team9nine]

1 hour ago, Ohioguy25 said:

How about for the motion itself - how much if any bend do you want on each jerk?

You have to vary the jerks and pauses - let the fish tell you what they want. Some days really hard and fast twitches with little pausing works; other days just slight twitches with little movement and long pauses are best. This is where different rod types can come into play and be equally effective depending on the mood of the fish. Just to make that point, here’s another video on jerkbaiting and you’ll see the recommendation is for a ‘very parabolic’ (slower) action. You’ll find this difference in preference across a range of pros.

 

M Stefan jerkbaits
 

 

 

[Ohioguy25]

18 minutes ago, rangerjockey said:

Nope. You always want to jerk it on a slack line. Don't drag it with the reel. 

I make the cast then give it a few cranks to get it down and let it soak. Then a couple three jerks and a pause and so on. They will usually get it on the pause.

Honestly, it seems like your obsessed with the rod . It's you who's going to get them to bite or not.

As to the Expride, I'm sure it will work fine. It's not my personal choice but that's not to say it won't be good for you.

What is your personal choice? Not obsessed anymore than I am with doing anything else correctly, the overwhelming sentiment here has been this particular technique is very specific and sensitive to things like equipment and line, not just angler input.

[SkippinJimmy]

28 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Ok gotcha. So I am in good shape as far as my setup goes? Have you heard the Expride referred to as the best Jerkbait rod?

Rod choice is personal preference…just like most everything in fishing.  My dedicated jerkbait rod is a Megabass OneTen Stick but I’m fine with work with most medium, moderate to fast rods.  However I do want one with a shorter handle and shorter overall length.  Much easier to work if you’re not constantly catching your shirt or hitting the water with the tip.

[A-Jay]

Do jerkbaits even work ?

A-Jay

 

 

 

[Ohioguy25]

18 minutes ago, SkippinJimmy said:

Rod choice is personal preference…just like most everything in fishing.  My dedicated jerkbait rod is a Megabass OneTen Stick but I’m fine with work with most medium, moderate to fast rods.  However I do want one with a shorter handle and shorter overall length.  Much easier to work if you’re not constantly catching your shirt or hitting the water with the tip.

How does the MB compare to the Expride?

[Choporoz]

I like 40# braid to fc leader most of the time.  The stretch of fc and mono kills my confidence in my 'jerks' - just feels like the stretch sucks the snap out of the jerks, especially when using a somewhat soft tip (for casting and landing).  That said, I have a MM baitcaster with a fairly stiff tip and I like fc on that rod for jerkbaits.  

  Wish I had an easy button for you.  But really just got to try different limes on the different rods you have available to you.  It isn't complicated.  But I can make it complicated.  Tip and action and stretch all work to affect cast, jerk, pinning and landing.  So it is harder to advise beyond "just try stuff and see what YOU like"

[Catt]

19 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Do jerkbaits even work ?

A-Jay

 

 

 

 

They make the Bait Monkey smile 😃 

[rangerjockey]

38 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

What is your personal choice? Not obsessed anymore than I am with doing anything else correctly, the overwhelming sentiment here has been this particular technique is very specific and sensitive to things like equipment and line, not just angler input.

I have too many but the ones that I have that are still available are the alpha Angler slasher and the Virtus jerkbait rod. I like the Falcon weightless worm rod and it's really popular around here also. 

One of the best stickbait fisherman on tablerock and bull shoals passed away last year and he use a old 5 1/2 ft pistol grip. 

Long before there was a vision 110 or a + or +2 he would pull the lips out of the old rogues and replace them with some of his on making to get them to dive deeper .

I still have one he sold me but it stays at home in the man cave.

 

[Ohioguy25]

1 minute ago, rangerjockey said:

I have too many but the ones that I have that are still available are the alpha Angler slasher and the Virtus jerkbait rod. I like the Falcon weightless worm rod and it's really popular around here also. 

 

Ok and what is the action like?

[rangerjockey]

22 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Ok and what is the action like?

Medium power/fast action. The Falcon is labeled as a MH but the tip is medium .

I use 10lb flouro.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

"Tap the slack" is the proper term and technique for cold water suspending jerkbaits.   

 

For non suspending or warmer water jerking, it's not nearly as important. 

 

The goal when you pause your suspending jerkbait, is that it remains totally motionless and unencumbered by a taught line.    If you don't have slack on the pause, you'll drag that bait forward.

 

A slack line jerkbait bite is about as cool of a bite as there is in Bass fishing.    That feeling never gets old, and is totally unique.   

 

 

ETA:    You can throw out all the traditional rules and techniques for jerkbaits when you combine them with FFS.   

 

The whole motionless long paused technique is pointless when you put the bait on top of their faces.    It's mind blowing watching the Elite Series guys fish jerkbaits.......I can't remember the last time I saw a pro pause a jerkbait longer than a second or two. 

 

Without FFS you're relying on fish coming from further away hints the longer pauses and importance of having that bait remain motionless.     

 

 

[SkippinJimmy]

1 hour ago, Ohioguy25 said:

How does the MB compare to the Expride?

I’m not familiar with the Expride.  I like the OneTen but it is way overpriced.  I had the money and wanted to try it but I would never suggest someone spend $400+ on a jerkbait rod.  It is small and super light.  I put an Aldebaran on it and it feels like a toy…lot’s of fun to fish.

 

These are the specs on the OneTen

LENGTH	6'5"
POWER	MEDIUM
LINE RATING	8-20LB
LURE RATING	1/4-3/4OZ
TAPER	SLOW

[Aaron_H]

I don't pay any attention to the load of the rod when working the bait, the rod loads when I am casting, and when I am fighting a fish. Working the bait is about slack line. Stiffer rod or less line stretch will allow you to work the bait with less effort, but a softer rod will load deeper and keep those trebles pinned. Gotta find the balance that works for you, but the Expride 6'10" M/MF is a fine example of that balance IMO. I use the 6'10" M in the SLX A line and it works well.

 

YMMV

 

[woolleyfooley]

3 hours ago, rangerjockey said:

Nope. You always want to jerk it on a slack line. Don't drag it with the reel. 

This right here. Always pop it on a slack line. You want it to dart erratically. Not just pull forward.

[FryDog62]

5 hours ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Ok gotcha. So I am in good shape as far as my setup goes? Have you heard the Expride referred to as the best Jerkbait rod?

Yes I have heard that, many Expride fans out there. I have two Expride rods but not the jerk bait rod. I tried a friend of mine who had one - but I didn’t like it because the handle was too long and would bang off my side or forearm all day. I found it awkward to consistently get the right action without fatigue.
 

If you look at the TW web site, they list handle length and the Expride is 15 inches which I find is too long. Those with a 13-14 inch handle are much more comfortable for jerkbaiting and less fatiguing IMO.

 

I have a Dobyns 685 CB which has a 13 inch handle. So even if it is a slightly shorter rod than the Expride, the casting length is the same because the Expride’s additional length is behind the reel. A lot of us feel the Dobyns is one of the best regarded jerkbait rods in addition to the Expride.
 

Other rods with a 13 inch handle include the 6’11” Levante and the 6’9” ALX Zolo jerkbait rod. I also have the Dobyns 705 CB and is 7’0” but still has only a 13.5 handle. That’s a good one if you prefer a longer jerkbait rod.