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Favorite jerkbait rod/ reel/ line?

I know some of you guys like Marc have spent a lot time with the jerkbait in the spring. Ive been looking into a quality setup for next spring so like the post says, what is your setup?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Doug Jorgensen on November 30, 2013 at 7:31pm

They all seem to work at one time or another. Just have to try a few throughout the day and see what really triggers them. Perch, bluegill, and smolt patterns work best for me.

Permalink Reply by troy kelly on December 2, 2013 at 4:05pm

I bought a smithwick perfect 10 and its a pretty big bait. Not saying it wont work, but when compared to a LC pointer it's huge.

Permalink Reply by Tyler Brinks on December 4, 2013 at 10:43am

I did a review of the Denali jerkbait rod a few weeks ago after fishing it all year. I have been impressed with it and it is the one and only Denali I own. It also works great for poppers and small topwaters.

Here is the link to the review: A Review: Denali Michael Murphy Jerkbait Rod

For reel and line, I like the smaller sized reels for this rod. Currently I have my old (discontinued) Chronarch 51MG, but also have used some of the smaller Curados. 10lb Seaguar InvizX fluoro works great for jerkbaits and I will even go down to 8 early in the year.

If I go with a larger jerkbait, like a Pointer 128, I'll throw it on my Cumara spinnerbait rod and go up to 12lb line.

Permalink Reply by Marc Marcantonio on December 4, 2013 at 10:31pm

I haven't answered this question because frankly I think my answers may raise more questions than they will answer. I love to fish jerkbaits, spring, summer, and fall up here in Washington. I currently use several models of rods, and could use more. I never seem to be satisfied with what is on the market. One of my goals when I retire is to dedicate the necessary time to design my own actions that will meet my needs.

I use so many different model jerkbaits (LuckyCraft) of different sizes, weights, diving depths, and in different conditions that all change the rod that I want. The main thing I want in the rod is a slow action (parabolic bend) so that fish take the jerkbait fully, and to keep the fish hooked up during the fight. Sensitivity is not important to me at all. Short lengths are easiest to work the lure, and make accurate casts especially around docks and under over-hanging objects. Long rods are necessary in very clear water and in other situations where long casts are necessary.

Reels: use whatever you like; I can make almost any reel work fine and don't consider it important. I use Calais reels and Core reels for the main purpose they cast far and they are strong enough to withstand the abuse of jerkbaiting.

Line: I am stuck on using fluorocarbon (10 and 12lb test here, 8-10 in places like Southern CA). I want my line to sink and remain straight in line between my rod tip and a suspended jerkbait.

Line Clip: I always use one if the lure permits (Staysee's have a recessed eye, so these are tied direct). I want the line clip for freedom of movement, and to protect from knots breaking from stress.

I use Gamakatsu EWG trebles, including their short shank EWGs. For any jerkbait above 78 mm I try to upsize to a #4 or larger hook. Flash Minnows are an exception.

I have some new jerkbaits that I can't wait to try out...come on April!

BTW, I will be doing a jerkbait seminar again this year at the Puyallup Show...hope to see you there. It is a great way to see how these lures look in the water, and how bass pay attention to them.

ciao,

Marc

Permalink Reply by Ronald Hobbs, Jr. on December 8, 2013 at 5:38pm

I have been on the search for a good all around here bait rod for years. I do not like fiberglass for her baits I think you do not get enough "pop" on small twitches of the rod tip this is just my opinion on short lip jerkbaits. With longer bill jerkbaits like stay sees I think that glass would be fine since it's usually a sweep pause. But then again I am not a huge staysee fisherman.
So that being said for normal sized jerkbaits like vision 110 or any that are in the 85+mm size I use a Loomis GL2 SBR811. I like the GL2 material for its slower properties and the rod just seems to be perfect as far as casting, working the bait, and landing fish. This rod has a spinner bait on the blank but I think it's Crappy for its intended purpose and perfect for jerkbaits. Like I said I have been searching for 10 years for the perfect rod that suits MY needs I think I have found the perfect blend that I am looking for in my her bait rod.

I also use a spinning rod for my smaller jerkbaits like the pointer 78 I use a falcon bunch rod called a cracker spin which is 7 ft in length that I bought at Walmart on clearance for $35......As you can see I am not a rod snob, but use what I think has the best attributes and Taylors to way I fish.
These rods I just mentioned may or may not suit what you want in your jerkbaits rods but they more than ssuit my needs and they are not super expensive as far as rods go.....God luck!

Permalink Reply by Joel Alinen on December 9, 2013 at 10:17pm