Jerkbait rod suggestions?

[PBBrandon]

So currently I throw all my jerkbaits on a 7’0” MLR Daiwa Tatula rod. I really like it for small cranks and smaller jerkbaits. But it feels a little soft when throwing a full size Vision 110. Any suggestions? I’d like to keep it under 300 or so. Mostly gonna throw Vision 110s, McStick 110s, Provoke 106s, and their +1 counterparts on it.

 

I will also add that I have a 7ft medium Expride B spinning rod with a Stradic 2500 on it, and if anyone has experience throwing JBs on that, I might just do that as well. Thanks!

[Brian11719]

Kaden 6104cb. On sale right now at Tackle Warehouse and a great value for the price...I've been very happy with mine and mostly throw jerkbaits, smaller lipless crankbaits and an occasional mini max on it...can also swap out the reel for 30-40lb braid and throw a popper on it too when it's warmer...the action on it is great...mod fast so a little more bend but the kaden series in general is a little faster than some of the others in the lineup and I really like it for these lures.

[FishTank]

Megabass P5 Z Crank Elseil. Works great for small cranks but excels at the Vision 110jr and it can handle a regular size 110 (this would be its max though). It has the perfect tip that is soft and recovers quick. 

[new2BC4bass]

Unless the Bait Monkey has you in a headlock, I would try the spinning rod first.

[DogBone_384]

I rotate 3 rods for jerkbaits.

1. 6'9" Kistler KLX, M/MF.  Lightest of the 3, nearly identical action to Expride. Most comfortable handle.  Made in Texas.
2. 6'10" Shimano Expride A, M/MF.  Caught it on sale.  Good rod, Handle is OK. No hook holder. Made in China. Retail price is $100+ higher than KLX.
3. 6'8" Kistler Magnesium 2, LMH/MF.  Light-medium-heavy has great tip and more backbone for X2 deep jerkbaits.  Made in Texas.

Best of luck finding your favorite jerkbait rod.

[FryDog62]

If you go with a baitcaster, check out handle length on the TW website. I think those with a 13 inch handle are the best for jerk baits… 14 is marginally ok, and 15 inches too long.
 

In other words you might find a good rod with the right action, but it could have a long handle (Expride) and be a PIA to jerk all day long. 

[softwateronly]

Love this rod, excellent for jerkbaits and my favorite for the 110 jr+1 out of what I own.

 

All in, including shipping and tax, $141 ish. Shipping isn't very fast, 7-10 days total if I remember correctly.

 

https://shimreels.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=40107

15% off code: SRMERRY

 

scott

[lunkerboss923]

11 hours ago, DogBone_384 said:

I rotate 3 rods for jerkbaits.

1. 6'9" Kistler KLX, M/MF.  Lightest of the 3, nearly identical action to Expride. Most comfortable handle.  Made in Texas.
2. 6'10" Shimano Expride A, M/MF.  Caught it on sale.  Good rod, Handle is OK. No hook holder. Made in China. Retail price is $100+ higher than KLX.
3. 6'8" Kistler Magnesium 2, LMH/MF.  Light-medium-heavy has great tip and more backbone for X2 deep jerkbaits.  Made in Texas.

Best of luck finding your favorite jerkbait rod.

I'm getting rid of all my Kistler's. Not a big fan. I would say go with the Expride B 6'10 

[Maverick2017]

I throw 110’s on a Phenix Feather 6’9” medium heavy. It actually feels and fishes like a medium. Perfect action and length.

[bigspirit]

21 hours ago, Maverick2017 said:

I throw 110’s on a Phenix Feather 6’9” medium heavy. It actually feels and fishes like a medium. Perfect action and length.

How small are the guides? Will a braid to leader knot go through easily?

[rangerjockey]

Depending on what your willing to spend the Alpha Angler slasher has the right action and handle length. It also makes a nice top water rod when jerkbait bite goes away.

[Rockhopper]

On 12/15/2024 at 5:31 AM, FryDog62 said:

If you go with a baitcaster, check out handle length on the TW website. I think those with a 13 inch handle are the best for jerk baits… 14 is marginally ok, and 15 inches too long.
 

In other words you might find a good rod with the right action, but it could have a long handle (Expride) and be a PIA to jerk all day long. 

For me 13" is way too long on a jerkbait rod.  I prefer a shorter handle of 9" to 10".  Same goes for a pitchin/flippin stick.  I do not want the handle impeding with my arm or sleeve.

[LootyDjibouti]

1 hour ago, Rockhopper said:

For me 13" is way too long on a jerkbait rod.  I prefer a shorter handle of 9" to 10".  Same goes for a pitchin/flippin stick.  I do not want the handle impeding with my arm or sleeve.

Going by TW measurement or manufacturers... always fun to do conversions ha

[FryDog62]

58 minutes ago, Rockhopper said:

For me 13" is way too long on a jerkbait rod.  I prefer a shorter handle of 9" to 10".  Same goes for a pitchin/flippin stick.  I do not want the handle impeding with my arm or sleeve.

I hear ya, hard to believe people snap a 15 inch handle jerk bait rod all day and can tolerate it… 

[Maverick2017]

On 12/18/2024 at 3:14 PM, bigspirit said:

How small are the guides? Will a braid to leader knot go through easily?

Absolutely. You shouldn’t have any issue. 

[lunkerboss923]

On 12/15/2024 at 6:47 AM, DogBone_384 said:

I rotate 3 rods for jerkbaits.

1. 6'9" Kistler KLX, M/MF.  Lightest of the 3, nearly identical action to Expride. Most comfortable handle.  Made in Texas.
2. 6'10" Shimano Expride A, M/MF.  Caught it on sale.  Good rod, Handle is OK. No hook holder. Made in China. Retail price is $100+ higher than KLX.
3. 6'8" Kistler Magnesium 2, LMH/MF.  Light-medium-heavy has great tip and more backbone for X2 deep jerkbaits.  Made in Texas.

Best of luck finding your favorite jerkbait rod.

Ever since Kistler changed the guides, the rod quality has suffered severely. I don't understand it. I've broken two tips and a broken guide in the middle portion of the rod. I will agree that they fish well, but they are not high quality. 

 

The Expride B 6’10 M  is a fantastic rod. I paired with a Daiwa 70 SV XS. This combo is incredible. It throws everything from Vision 110jr to Provoke and Vision 110. 

[DogBone_384]

1 hour ago, lunkerboss923 said:

Ever since Kistler changed the guides, the rod quality has suffered severely.

It’s unfortunate you had bad experiences with their newer rods.

 

I have Kistlers going back 10 years and haven’t had any bad experiences.  There are many good rod manufacturers out there. I like them and will support a small American company before any big corporation if I can.

 

Everything is subjective.  Merry Christmas.

[Brian11719]

1 hour ago, DogBone_384 said:

I like them and will support a small American company before any big corporation if I can.

[PBBrandon]

Well I went to Scheels with some gift cards I acquired during the holidays looking to snag a 6’10” M Expride, the praise it gets is unmatched, but it was slim pickins today. I managed to grab the last 24’ Poison Adrena they had (7’2” ML spinning) as I have been wanting the Expride version to pair with my 7’ M spinning rod. Looks like I’m gonna give throwing JBs on the Expride spinning rod a shot 👍 thanks to all for your help!