line for jerkbait fishing

[Chris at Tech]

I was out throwing a Pointer 100 most of the day yesterday, and throwing it on my Revo/Avid AC66MF combo wore my wrist out.  So now I'm pondering throwing these baits on a spinning rod or getting a 6ft pistol grip baitcaster rod.

I was using 12 lb Floroclear on my baitcaster yesterday, but if I switch to a spinning reel, I'm trying to determine which line will sit on the size 2500 spinning reel nicely enough as well as handle these baits.

Anyone have any input?  10lb test?  12lb?  Assume I'll be throwing the 7/16 size Xraps and the size 100 Pointers.

[Lucky Craft Man]

That jerking motion with any type of rod and reel will wear you out.  In the Spring of last year, I went on a 3 day fishing trip for Smallmouth and they were crushing the jerkbait.  After three days, 12 hours a day, of the same motion, I had some serious pain.  I had continued numbness in my hand for a few months after that.  So to make a long story short, you sometimes have to make physical sacrifices in order to catch fish.

[KevO]

I was throwing jerkbaits yesterday without any luck but I was using a spinning reel (stradic 2500) with 8# sufix elite.  I got plenty of distance on casts without much effort and my arm felt fine.  I suggest you make the switch.

[Chris at Tech]

That jerking motion with any type of rod and reel will wear you out. In the Spring of last year, I went on a 3 day fishing trip for Smallmouth and they were crushing the jerkbait. After three days, 12 hours a day, of the same motion, I had some serious pain. I had continued numbness in my hand for a few months after that. So to make a long story short, you sometimes have to make physical sacrifices in order to catch fish.

I love fishing and all, but I just assume have full use of both my hands

[Jeff H]

Lucky Craft man,

What rod were you using?

[Micropterus salmoides]

A rod and reel combo that is lighter and balanced helps out. Even then, if you use jerkbaits a lot or haven't used them in a while and start again the result can be wrist pain. Try doing some stretches and strengthening exercises for your hands, wrists, and forearms. It works.

[crankybaits]

i use a 6'6 M crankbait rod with 10 lb mono.  I always thought you wanted a little stretch when fishing jerkbaits.  

I believe i remember a KVD video where he was showing a good technique to avoid wearing out your wrists.  He was saying to use your hips rotating your upper body to move the bait as opposed to using your wrists all day.  I guess this really deponds on how you are presenting the bait as well.  

[cart7t]

That jerking motion with any type of rod and reel will wear you out.  In the Spring of last year, I went on a 3 day fishing trip for Smallmouth and they were crushing the jerkbait.  After three days, 12 hours a day, of the same motion, I had some serious pain.  I had continued numbness in my hand for a few months after that.  So to make a long story short, you sometimes have to make physical sacrifices in order to catch fish.

It's not uncommon for me, a 50 year old, to have numbness for about a day or so after using fishing techniques like jerkbaits that are wrist intensive.  I've also got tendon problems along with some carpal Tunnel syndrome.

If you're experiencing wrist numbness for that long after just 3 days of jerkbaiting, I'd suggest seeing a doctor.  Sounds like you may have carpal tunnel setting in.  In the meantime I'd suggest wearing wrist supports.  

[TournyFish001]

That jerking motion with any type of rod and reel will wear you out. In the Spring of last year, I went on a 3 day fishing trip for Smallmouth and they were crushing the jerkbait. After three days, 12 hours a day, of the same motion, I had some serious pain. I had continued numbness in my hand for a few months after that. So to make a long story short, you sometimes have to make physical sacrifices in order to catch fish.

x2- I live in Jerkbait Smallmouth country and it is just part of the game- I think it would even be more akward/painful with a spinning rig IMO.  I use 100% flouro for suspending baits. 8 to 12lbs-

[TournyFish001]

it helps to use the lightest rig possible.  I really like my curado 101d 7.4oz with my kistler mag 6'6" rod- a smaller reel and lighter rod will definately help but yeah it can tire you out for sure.

[David P]

Keep throwing it on a BC, either way, it's the same motions.

I usually use a RH Baitcaster, but for jerkbaits, I use a LH so that I jerk the rod with my right arm (stronger arm) and I've had no problems.

[Sam]

Chris, sent you a PM

[Chris at Tech]

Keep throwing it on a BC, either way, it's the same motions.

I usually use a RH Baitcaster, but for jerkbaits, I use a LH so that I jerk the rod with my right arm (stronger arm) and I've had no problems.

Yes, the motion is the same, but the way I hold a baitcaster vs a spinning reel is the issue.  I palm the baitcaster.  Even when fishing jerkbaits, I can't NOT palm the reel.  And the jerking motion with the reel palmed is where the discomfort sets in.  

The way I hold a spinning rod/reel is much more conducive to the motion for jerkbait fishing, IMO.