Rod for hard jerkbaits

[allenriddle]

Hello all, I'm in the market for a new hard jerkbait rod. I've got 2 Loomis rods, and I love them. Would the IMX MBR782, or maybe even the CR722 be a good choice? It would be nice if it could fish other baits too.

[cart7t]

I prefer using medium action rods with fast tips.  If I was throwing something like an X rap and really wanted to get that bait moving under water, an extra fast tip would be better.  That said, I prefer a 6 foot rod and am planning on adding a second 6' 4", med fast to my arsenal by next spring

[roadwarrior]

I prefer using medium action rods with fast tips. If I was throwing something like an X rap and really wanted to get that bait moving under water, an extra fast tip would be better. That said, I prefer a 6 foot rod and am planning on adding a second 6' 4", med fast to my arsenal by next spring

WOW!

That's why we have have so many differnt opinions. I fish a St. Croix Avid AC66MF with a SOFT tip for medium weight lures (X-Rap, LC Pointer 100, Rapala Husky Jerk, Smithwick Rogue). For heavier treble hook lures (DD22, LC Pointer 128, Sammy, Zara Spook) Lamiglas SR705R glass. Generically, I recommend a Medium Power/ Moderate Action rod for most treble hook lures. For heavier lures, MH or Heavy Power/ Moderate or Slow Action.

Take a look at this thread: http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1141187546

[ww2farmer]

I am with cart7, I like for the most part a 6' M fast rod for jerkbaits. When I jerk the bait I went the lure to move, not the rod,  thats why I like a fast action for this. My "shock absorbtion" is the mono line and lighter drag setting.  

[Jig Man]

I tend to go heavier than many.  I use an IMX 844c for the heavier jerk baits and an IMX 843c for the smaller ones.

[.ghoti.]

Welcome aboard, Allen.

You've just asked what I think is the hardest rod application question. I'm really on the fence about this one. Generally, I prefer a moderate action rod for all treble-hooked lures. But, I find it harder to get the action I want out of a jerkbait with the soft tip. My jerkbait of choice is the X-Rap. Except in really cold water, I want that bait to MOVE. They call it a "slash" bait, and I've caught a lot of fish on it when I can get it to really "slash".  When you jerk it sharply, after a pause, you don't know which direction it's going to go. I believe that erratic motion is the key to this bait. It's harder to do with my regular, softer, crank rods. I can get the action I want out of the bait using one of my Team Daiwa L&T rods. This is a fast action rod, rated for 10-17lb line. It doesn't say medium or medium-heavy on it, but the line rating puts it in the MH range. The problem with this is that I've lost a couple of nice fish because I forgot to back the drag off after the hookset. And, the handle is too long to be comfortable working a jerkbait. At 6'3" it the right length though.

So what's the answer?, Beats me. I will say that unless you're really tall, a 7' rod is too long for jerkbaits. I'm 6'1" and I'll slap the tip in the water trying to fish a jerkbait with a 7' rod. I think you want a short handle too. I ususlly were a vest when fishing, and the rod I use is always getting tangled in the vest because the handle is too long. The perfect rod for me me may very well be a 6'6" medium power, fast action rod with a pistol grip.

To answer you're other question, if you find a rod you like for jerkbaits, it will probably make a good rod for small and medium spinnerbaits too.

Cheers,

GK

[Solo]

Tough one. Are you ripping the bait to the side etc?  Longer softer rod might work better for you. Are you truly "jerking" downwards like the earlier post said with respect to x-raps? Shorter, faster rod may work better for you. Me, I use 2 rods: one 6'6" Medium fast for jerking (e.g. X-raps), and the other a 7 ft. Medium Fast for "ripping" and "husky jerk" type baits where I want a lot of distance and use a steady retrieve. The 6'6" rod is stiffer and a bit faster than the 7 ft rod. My $.02