Topwater/ Jerk Bait Rod

[swmofisher]

I'm looking for a good rod to double as a topwater and jerkbait rod. I've been looking around on the internet and have found several different rods and characteristics. I have seen where a M backbone is the best option but if I were to use a deep jerk bait I would want a MH. As for tip action I was thinking about going for Moderate or Moderate Fast just because I will get more action out of the lures and have better hookups than with a Fast action. Any advise???

[Bass_Fanatic]

I prefer a M/F rod for both topwater and jerbaits. I would recommend a St. Croix Avid 6'6" M/F or a Shimano Crucial 6'6" M/F.

[bigbassctchr101]

I have been using a 6'9" MH carrotstick. I am in the process of switching many rods to APR and have been using the 6'10"MH for my topwaters lately. I'm tall so anything below a 7' I think will work with ease. I like to be able to throw a topwater and jerkbait a long way so that usually rules out the 6'6's for me, but they do allow you to put a lot of action to your bait.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

For keeping them hooked up on trebels the conventional wisdom of a Mod action makes sense. As for action, I think a faster tip translates the rod movement more directly to the bait. A "popping" type blank works great since they have a fast action combined with a soft tip.

[piscicidal]

I would start my search with a 6'6" to 7'0" rod with a fast action and a short handle. The short handle is a must for me with topwaters/jerkbaits.

[J Francho]

I use a pre IPC Avid AC62MXF. It has a shorter rear grip, a really fast recovery time when twitching or popping, and with a fish on, bends more like a moderate action rod. The length is just right for a short guy like me. This rod works fine for Spooks, Sammies, Pointers, Deep Diver Pointers, Staysees, etc.

[SirSnookalot]

I agree that a short handle is easier to operate top water lures, especially for bass fishing. Other types of fishing using a top lure I prefer a longer rod with a longer butt, I use 7, 7'6 an 8, doing it so much I'm accustom to it.

[swmofisher]

Thanks for all the advice everybody! I'm going to Bass Pro this weekend to look at the Veritas, Carrotstix, and Skeet Reese rods. They seem to be great rods for the price. I'll keep reading posts if someone wants to change my mind.

[Bass_Fanatic]

The Clark Wendlandt Cara rods are on sale for $99.99 at ***.com. They have a 7' MH/MF rod which would suite you well. They are normally $200 rods.

[breezy]

I use a 7' M/F Carbonlite for small poppers and small jerkbaits (primarily rogues). Usually not fishing these around cover so I don't need a lot of power and feel like the Med action is almost perfect. For heavier jerkbaits (pointer 100's), spooks, etc I use a Dobyns 733. It's rated MH/F but the tip is softer than the 'norm' for a MH/F rod and it works well. I don't like true moderate action rods (like my LTB70MHM) for either techniques--just too hard to work the bait properly IMO.

Length is a personal preference. I used to hate using a rod 7' or over when fishing a topwater or jerkbait. After fishing them with my 733 (out of necessity) on a few trips even the 7'3 rod feels perfectly normal and I have no problems working baits. For me the handle length is more important; I can adjust my retrieve to keep the tip from slapping the water but it's impossible for me to fish if the handle is getting caught on clothing.

[Fishes in trees]

I'm not a tall guy. I don't care about handle length so much. I find when I'm fishing jerk baits, any rod over 6'6"and I'm smacking the side of the boat alot. I haven't broken a tip yet, but that's just a matter of time. Most of the time, I use an even shorter rod, a 6'3" med action spinning rod. That lets me throw a half ounce lucky craft a long ways (14 lb fireline).

Anyway, that's my current approach to jerk baits.

[Bluebasser86]

I use a pre IPC Avid AC62MXF. It has a shorter rear grip, a really fast recovery time when twitching or popping, and with a fish on, bends more like a moderate action rod. The length is just right for a short guy like me. This rod works fine for Spooks, Sammies, Pointers, Deep Diver Pointers, Staysees, etc.

I use the same rod. It's super light so it doesn't wear your wrist out and fights fish very well. Plus I'm not slapping the water all the time like I would with a longer rod.

[zell_pop1]

I use Team Daiwa S Topwater/Twitchin rod. It is 6'3" so I dont slap water, and has a short handle which I like.

[swmofisher]

About the Falcon Clark Wendlandt Cara rod. Is it similar to the Bucoo rod or is it alot better? The reason I ask is I picked up a M Bucoo rod this weekend and it seemed pretty flimsy, and at comparing pictures of the two Falcon rods I can't tell a difference except in graphite quality.

[swmofisher]

About the Falcon Clark Wendlandt Cara rod. Is it similar to the Bucoo rod or is it alot better? The reason I ask is I picked up a M Bucoo rod this weekend and it seemed pretty flimsy, and at comparing pictures of the two Falcon rods I can't tell a difference except in graphite quality.

The Clark Wendlandt Cara rods are on sale for $99.99 at ***.com. They have a 7' MH/MF rod which would suite you well. They are normally $200 rods.

[Bass_Fanatic]

About the Falcon Clark Wendlandt Cara rod. Is it similar to the Bucoo rod or is it alot better? The reason I ask is I picked up a M Bucoo rod this weekend and it seemed pretty flimsy, and at comparing pictures of the two Falcon rods I can't tell a difference except in graphite quality.

It should be quite a bit more stout than a Bucoo M because this is a MH/MF not a M/F. I have never used one or held a Clak Wendlandt Cara, but I have a 6'10" regular Cara and it is GREAT!