jerkbait rod help...???

[Carrot_Stix]

I am having trouble trying to decide whether to get a medium power or medium heavy power rod for jerkbaits and shallow crankbaits.

I feel like medium will not have the backbone I need to fight a fish...especially a big fish.

I understand the medium is better for the action of the lure but CAN a medium heavy still impart the action of the lure just fine?

Thanks for the help.

[Hooligan]

Sure, a MH can work, but given most of the jerkbaits I fish are 1/2oz and under, I'd really rather have the Med.  I've yet to have an issue when it comes to fighting fish on the rods, either.

[Beastie Bass]

I was thinking of posting the same question! I fish mostly 78 pointers and I use a Avid AVC66MHF. I read a couple other posts that said most guys use medium actions. I also have a 6' M that I recently bought just for jerkbaits. ;D I have lost a few GOOD fish with a MH but I think it was my fault for hooking too hard > A small sweepset is definetely recommended. With that said, i have also landed fish up to 7lbs with this rod. So if its too stiff it only shows on the hookset. I have caught a FEW fish on the M action but I never felt the bite like did with the MH, I just felt resistance. Presto, have fish but never felt em bite!? :-? I think I'm sticking with the MH for jerkbaits. Shallow cranks get fished on a 7' MH Mojo Crankbait rod. This rod is sweet for those shallow cranks as it has a very sensitive tip but has good backbone for big fish too. I tried fishing this rod for jerkbaits but I'm 5'10 with boots on

[Chris at Tech]

For me, it's a medium casting rod.  Specifically a St Croix Avid AC66MF

But I also throw quite a bit with a MH spinning rod

[Lucky Craft Man]

I use a MH rod that has a lure rating from 3/8 oz. to 1 oz. It has a moderate fast action, which I feel is really a perfect combination for jerkbaits. I throw Pointer 78 up to Pointer 128 with this rod. I like a little heavier rod, because I hook a lot of musky in the spring while bass fishing and I want to have enough power to get them in. It is all a personal choice, but I tend to go heavier in power than most (I don't think I even own a medium power baitcaster. If I need a medium powered rod, I pick up a spinning outfit).

[Jig Man]

I'm way the other way with my favorite jerkbait rod.  It is a 6'10" Bronzeback that is medium light.  It has been working great for me.

[roadwarrior]

For me, it's a medium casting rod. Specifically a St Croix Avid AC66MF

But I also throw quite a bit with a MH spinning rod

Two peas in a pod!

 

[LAO162]

A quality Medium power rod should be able to haul a large fish out of open water.  However, that may not be the case if you are also pulling in another 8 lbs of grass & weeds.

On the other hand, a MH power rod with tons of backbone may not load and cast well with small 1/4 oz baits such as shallow cranks or small twitch baits.  Even a 7'6" MH rod may not cast shallow crankbait was well as a 6'9" Medium if it is not loading appropriately.

I was recently given the advice of medium action for open water to moderate cover, and MH for heavy cover.

When I was looking a crankbait rod, I did not consider many popular MH models because the lure rating started at 3/8 oz.  Most of the baits I throw are in the 1/4 to 3/8 oz range...

[Primus]

I use a 6'9" Daiwa Med action spinning rod with a Shimano Stradic 3000 size reel spooled with 8 lb. Trilene 100% Florocarbon for jerkbaits and small crankbaits. I've been happy with this combo so far.

[dude loves to fish]

I like a medium for this application. I use a Kistler magnesium and the new z bone for jerkbaits and it works perfect for this. Plenty of backbone and still has the action for the baits. also use medium for shallow cranking.

[brnzebckhuntr]

I'm using a 6'6" med spinning rod with a 3000 stradic reel which works good for me. A buddy of mine is using a 6'6" lite casting rod and loves it. It casts a size 8 x rap really nice, it is lite enough  to give the bait a good action but plenty enough backbone to fight a good fish.  ;D

[uicdent11]

7ft. Medium Mod/Fast for anything under 1/2oz. that suspends around 3-5 ft.

7ft. MH Mod/Fast for anything 1/2oz. and havier that suspends deeper than 5ft.

Both rods double w/ crankbait duty and occasional topwater.

Both are graphite rods.

[Incheon Basser]

Me I have really started to fall in love with my 7' MH Bucoo. It has real limber tip of a med rod but the backbone of a MH in the lower end... it's rated 1/4-3/4 and is awesome at shallow, med cranks and rip baits along with lipless cranks 1/2 oz or less... when you get up towards the 3/4 mark it starts to load real hard and it scares me, (like I might bust a tip) but I love the weight, balance & sensitivity of this rod. I bought the rod for plastics which it does well at but where it has really started to shine is in 1/4-1/2 oz moving baits.

[Hot n Tot]

I normally use a Loomis 6'-6" M power casting rod or a 6' M power Loomis spinning rod for jerkbaits...depending on the baits and conditions.

[chadwick902]

I use the 684 dobyns cb rod for my jerkbait duties. Very nice feel to the rod.