Jerkbait Rods

[MUSKY18]

Just wondering what everyones preferred length for their jerkbait rods. With everyone going to longer and longer rods, does anyone still like shorter sticks? I prefer to use either a 6'6" or 6'9", but nothing longer, just don't feel like I have complete control of the bait.

[Dano_the_jigasaurus]

I have the 6' 9" St. Croix, and really like it. I have also used the 7' 2" Loomis jerk and it performs the same. I tend to shy away from my 9 footers for jerkbaits, its just too hard to have excellent control with the long rods, it can be done just not my preference.

happy new year,

dan

[10,000 Casts]

I completely agree, I like a rod under 7'. My jerk bait rod is one of the IM8 Gander Series. It is a heavy 6'9". I like the smaller profile of the rod, it seems like my hand don't get as tired over a long day and I can work any Jerk bait the way it's meant to.

[cjac]

I'm on the other side here, mine is an 8' on a Diamondback blank. I used to use the 6'9" St Croix, but lost several fish because it's harder to keep the rod loaded. Keep in mind I'm in a deep V, so I am a little higher off the water.

I like it since I can cast a mile, and actually think it's easier to make a bait move. Learning lesson for next year is how to better execute solid fig 8s on the jerkbaits and topwaters, can't quit on a retrieve just because you're out of line. Plunge it down and spin it around......

Chris

[PDXFisher]

6'10" Fig Rig Hvy, love it for throwing jerkbaits, but throws bucktails and most other things very well, too. Also have a 6'10" Lamiglas Hvy, which is a little stiffer (therefore less versatile, though a little better on Bulldawgs) and a 6'6" Pete Maina Basspro rod, which I just gave to my father since I doubt I will ever use it.

For the money, I just can't say enough good things about the Fig Rigs. I picked up a 7'6" Muskie Edition at the Cabelas Bargain Cove for half price since it was missing the ring to the lower guide. Any trip I make to MN has to be Muskie related in some way, even in December. Merry Christmas to me. Can't wait to try that one out come June.

[Scoot]

Quote:

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Keep in mind I'm in a deep V, so I am a little higher off the water

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Chris hit the nail on the head- the type of boat you're in will largely determine what will be needed. If you're close to the water, you can do just fine with a shorter stick. For me, anything shorter than 7' in the front of my boat is too short for my preference- I just can't reach the water very well with that short of a rod. If I had a lower profile boat, I'd be more than happy with a 6'9" rod.

[Professional Edge]

I will be the odd ball.

I use my 9 footer for everything. When it comes to jerkbaits or walk the dog topwater, I hold the stick out in front of me rather then down. I still pull down but it does not take much movement to move any bait with a stick that long.

Tip never hits the water.

Keith

[MuskieMojoTackle]

nothing under 8'6" in my boat anymore. Once you get used to working jerks with a longer rod, you'll never go back.

I am on the tall side, and I fish out of a Pro-V so I have basically zero trouble with the rod hitting the water

[RK]

Hiya -

I use longer rods - 7'6" to 8'2" or so. But, I fish from a boat with a fairly high deck. Even at that though, the longer rods are a lot better for fighting fish than a shorter stiffer rod, I think. Mine tend to be a lot softer than typical "jerkbait" rods too. Of the ones I use most often, one is a MH Diamondback, another is a heavy flipping stick built up as a muskie rod, and the other is a heavy Carlina Rig bass rod built as a muskie rod.

Some of that has to do with how I fish jerkbaits though - especially with baits like Suicks and Bobbie baits, I more or less just cast them out and reel them in. Doesn't put too much demand on the rod.

Cheers,

Rob Kimm