Jerk Bait Rod and Line

[zachvii]

Hi All,

I have seen and heard of people using every different action and tons of differnt lines while throwing a jerk bait.  I have personally used not strech line such as firewire or some type of fluorocarbon in the 10 to 12 pound range for smallies.  I have used MH rods with fast or extra fast tapers as well.  I have seen people use rods that flexed like noodles before as well to fish jerk baits.  I want to know what everyone uses while tossing a jerk bait.  I mainly throw staysee's or other types of deep diving jerks.  Line diameter is another thing I know is important so you can get the bait deep enough to fish out west.  Please let me know line, rod action etc that you guys use.  

[Lucky Craft Man]

I've tried several different rod and reel (as well as line) set-ups for jerkbaits.  What I found to be the absolute best jerkbait rod is the XPS Performance 6'6" MH Power rod.  Bass Pro doesn't carry this rod anymore, but the MH power on this rod is really in-between a traditional M and MH (for Pass Pro rods).  The rod and tip are rigid enough to really jerk the bait effectively, but the action of the rod is soft enough so bass don't throw your lure easily.  I also use 12 lb. flouro. line, which is much better then mono for jerkbaits for having low stretch.  I also use a Quantum Energy PT 7.0:1 reel, because I like to be able to pick up the slack quickly between jerks.  I mostly use LC Pointers and LC Staysees for the deeper clear water of Lake Erie.  In my opinion, I couldn't imagine a better jerkbait set-up and I know the XPS is not a top of the line rod, but I feel for this specific application, it outperforms any rod you could give me.

[roadwarrior]

For all treble hooks lures I recommend Moderate Action, Slow Action or Fast Action with a SOFT tip. My "all around " baitcasting rod for a variety of lures, including most jerkbaits, is a St. Croix Avid AC66MF (soft tip). For big baits (Pointer 128) and deep diving lures (DD22), Lamiglas SR705R (glass). For light jerkbaits (X-Rap) and at night, I fish spinning tackle: Fenwick Techna AV AS70MM.

On my baitcasting rigs I fish Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #12; on my spinning tackle, mostly Ultra Soft #6.

[TournyFish001]

you have seen what I use, 10lb flouro, Bass Pro 6'6" Med Lt crank'n stick, shimano chronarch 6.2:1 reel.  I don't like the fire line with the leader cuase I lost probably $60 in jerks that way- takes too long to rig up and with the flouro you need to re-tie a lot more.  My dad still uses the leader but our catch ratio is about the same.

[Ben Lipiec]

When I am throwing a jerkbait, I am usually using a Kistler MgTWJB68.  I like 8-12lb. gamma edge.  I think it is the strongest line out there.  Because of it, I really got into fishing 6 lb. test last year for smallies.  I can get a lot more bites and with gamma 6lb. flourocarbon I can swing a 4 pounder in the boat no problem.  I also use this rod for topwaters in the summer time, but I do switch out the spools to 12lb. gamma co-polymer.  For my bigger jerkbaits, I use a MgAPSMH69 with 12lb. gamma edge. What a nice stick. I usually use it for spinnerbaits, but it works perfect for bigger jerkbaits.

ben

[.ghoti.]

For all cranks except jerkbaits I like a moderate action rod with a soft tip. For jerkbaits I like something a bit stiffer. I use a Daiwa Light & tough 6'3" MH rod, Daiwa Millionaire reel and 10lb test Vanish. I set the drag lighter to compensate for the stiffer rod and line, and thumb the spool on the hookset.

Cheers,

GK

[justfishin]

I am going to go against the grain here. For smallies in the river I use a 6' MH X Fast spinning rod with #8 test line.

For green bass on a lake, I use a 6' 6" MH X Fast baitcaster with #10 or #12 test.

[The_Natural]

I use two:

6' M Croix' Avid spinning rod with 8lb fluorocarbon

6' M Steez casting rod paired with a Pixy and 8lb fluorocarbon

[Munkin]

6'3" Shimano Crucial, 5-1 Quantum reel, 10lb Big Game mono. Now for Staysees and deep diving jerkbaits I just use one of my crankbait rods.

Allen

[Hot n Tot]

Both casting and spinning, close to what The Natural uses, both are 6' MF St. Croiix Legend Elites, depending on the wind and weight of the baits. For Rapalas, AC Shiners and other lightweight balsa lures I use a 6-1/2' loomis spinning rod, specifically the SJR782, this rod has a very soft tip and makes twitching the small light  baits a joy.

[basspro48]

I use a 7' Medium Heavy Kistler rod for fishing LC Ponter 100's and any other big jerkbait. But for Rogues and husky jerks I like a 6'6" Medium action rod with a soft tip. And for line I use mostly 10-12lb fluorocarbon or 10lb monofilament.

[Infidel.]

I use a 6'6" med Compre with a morrum 1600 spooled with 10lb Izor XXX for jerk baits.

[Micropterus salmoides]

I use a G Loomis CBR845C Crankbait series rod. It is a Mod-Fast action Medium-Heavy power rod. I use it for all my crankbaits, ripbaits, and topwater lures that have treble hooks. For ripbaits, staysees and pointers for example, I use 10 lb P-Line CXX. I'll upgrade to 12 lb when I'm fishing pointers and flash minnows in shallow vegetation. This rod has a powerful butt section and a more limber tip, yet I have no problem horsing 3-6 lb fish from vegetation. For example, during the post spawn I will cast sammies and zara spooks over vegetation that has come to the surface to get to the small area of open water up against the bank. When I hook up I have to bring that fish back through the vegetation that is 5-8 feet thick. This rod handles that situation well.