Jerkbait Setup 2025
Brett's_daddy reply :
Okay, so I have a Berkley Lightning Rod Shock 6'6" Medium (and I'm assuming a Fast tip but Berkley doesn't list it on the rod) casting rod that I was thinking of pairing with my Shimano SLX 6.3:1 for a jerkbait setup but for some reason I just can't quite get out of my mind that a better rod would be more beneficial. I see TW has the Shimano Exage on sale for $79.97 plus with the coupon code you get $5 off so it's down to $74.97 and i was looking at the 6'10" MH/F...is it worth it to pull the trigger on that rod or should I take my blinders off and give the LRS rod a chance?
fvogel67 reply :
If you can find a Falcon Jason Christie 6’8” MHF casting buy it.It’s a fantastic jerk bait stick
Dens228 reply :
I use a MH/Fast for jerkbaits. For ME I just don't feel I get as crisp of a jerk with a medium.
Brett's_daddy reply :
On 7/15/2019 at 7:57 AM, Dens228 said:I use a MH/Fast for jerkbaits. For ME I just don't feel I get as crisp of a jerk with a medium.
What size though? Believe it or not the lure size ratings on the medium LRS and the MH Exage are the same...1/4oz. - 3/4oz.
Big-Bass reply :
Megabass Levante Jerkbait Special/Daiwa SV103H or XS depending on pickup...
Daiwa OG Tatula 7' ML RB/Megabass IP68.
Reels are interchangeable but those rods are excellent for jerkbaits.
I am sure the Exage would be nice but if your budget fits these rods and/or you can find them on a deal, you won't be sorry. Thanks and best wishes on the water!
Dens228 reply :
On 7/15/2019 at 8:06 AM, Brett's_daddy said:What size though? Believe it or not the lure size ratings on the medium LRS and the MH Exage are the same...1/4oz. - 3/4oz.
90% of my jerkbaits are 1/2 oz.
smithy97 reply :
x2 on Megabass Levante Jerkbait Special
Boomstick reply :
I have used my glass M/MF cranking rod for jerkbaits without issue, but my #1 jerkbait rod is a St. Croix Mojo Bass topwater which is a 6'8" M/XF rod. The XF tip gives it a much better action and also transmits a bite on a twitch much better than rods with a more moderate tip, as when they hit it right as you're jerking it through the water it can sometimes be difficult to tell the difference between a bite and a weed or at times the action from the water.
Brett's_daddy reply :
On 7/15/2019 at 9:11 AM, Big-Bass said:Megabass Levante Jerkbait Special/Daiwa SV103H or XS depending on pickup...
Daiwa OG Tatula 7' ML RB/Megabass IP68.
Reels are interchangeable but those rods are excellent for jerkbaits.
I am sure the Exage would be nice but if your budget fits these rods and/or you can find them on a deal, you won't be sorry. Thanks and best wishes on the water!
Hard pass on the Megabass...not in the budget. My choice is stick with the 6'6" Berkley Lightning Rod Shock or get the Shimano Exage or possibly a 6'10" SLX rod if it's on sale somewhere. I really can't afford much more than the $80 if I chose to buy another rod so looking for deals or stick with the LRS and spend my money on other things is the current dilemma.
Kidflex reply :
If money’s that tight, just use the lightning rod. It’ll work just fine.
Brett's_daddy reply :
On 7/15/2019 at 11:54 AM, Kidflex said:If money’s that tight, just use the lightning rod. It’ll work just fine.
I can afford $80-ish if the Exage would be a big enough upgrade.
Choporoz reply :
In what way(s) is your current rod not cutting it? Sounds like it might be fine. What line did you use? What jekbaits did you try?
Tizi reply :
I use the SLX M-XF for jerkbaits. Very happy with it. I use SLX 7.2:1 reel with it. Got it from American Legacy.
I have the Exage 6’10” MH-F and it’s a nice rod. I have it paired with a Citica. It would work for jerkbaits. I use it for flukes and senkos.
Brett's_daddy reply :
On 7/15/2019 at 10:07 PM, Choporoz said:In what way(s) is your current rod not cutting it? Sounds like it might be fine. What line did you use? What jekbaits did you try?
That's the thing, I've never even used the BRS...I just can't get past it in my mind that somehow it's an inferior rod...it's not a Simano, Daiwa Lews etc. You know what I mean. It's probably all in my head because all of my reels are Shimano and Daiwa and my rods are mostly Dobyns but if the Exage is legitimately twice the rod of the BLS I could justify it for $75.
Junger reply :
I use a 7' ML/R Daiwa Cronos and a Tatula SV TW. I throw 1/4oz-3/8oz jerkbaits mainly. The rod also doubles as my light duty shallow cranking rod.
Give the LRS a chance, can't hurt to see.
Hook2Jaw reply :
I think I'm the only person on this forum that'll suggest it, but I've currently got 5 13 Fishing F.a.t.e. C.h.r.o.m.e.s, and they're excellent for that 80 dollar budget. They have a plethora of lengths. I can feel slack line hits on my 7'1" MF spinning, and the 6'7" MF will absolutely put a half ounce jerkbait in the distance.
That said, my old Lightning Rod caught plenty of fish, but I'd put the sensitivity of those sticks below what I'm currently using.
Choporoz reply :
Shake off the monkey and try it first!
I think you will find that rod is just fine. Then save your $80 and when the monkey comes in a couple months and tells you to get a $150 or $200 bottom contact rod, you can listen.
How often do you throw jekbaits?
What else will you use it for?
Brett's_daddy reply :
On 7/15/2019 at 11:44 PM, Choporoz said:Shake off the monkey and try it first!
I think you will find that rod is just fine. Then save your $80 and when the monkey comes in a couple months and tells you to get a $150 or $200 bottom contact rod, you can listen.
How often do you throw jekbaits?
What else will you use it for?
I'm just getting into jerkbait fishing. I've had some jerkbaits before but this is the first year where I'd really like to fish them a lot...especially in the Fall.
Dwight Hottle reply :
For me jerkbait rods are in the same category as bottom contact rods. Buy the best you can afford with sensitivity in mind. Some guys like medium or medium heavy moderate action rods paired with braid and leader. The rest like mf or mhf paired with fluoro or mono line.
FishingGeekTX reply :
Unless you're sure your rod isn't performing and the upgrade will perform, if you're on a budget, don't bother.
Go to some lake in the area, fish irrelevant, and try it out. You should be able to figure out of the tip works for jerking, and if it feels comfortable.
Given similar action/taper/weight, no rod will be 2x better if you're going from $50 to $80. Much of a rod (especially jerkbait) is about how it fishes for you, personally. Does the action/taper match the spec and style you use it for. How heavy is it (and does weight matter much to you). Does it cast well for the lure size you use? The vast majority of "feel" in a rod is because it's a long lever...line hits that rod tip and moves it...just physics. For less expensive rods I tend to just favor weight. I *know* I'll enjoy a lighter combo long term..and if the action/taper feel good fishing, it's a "good rod" IMO.
rangerjockey reply :
I wouldn't worry so much about the rod as I would learning the technique. The majority of the time they get it on the pause anyway.
The stickbait is a religion here in the Ozarks and I think the best stickbait fisherman are here on Table Rock and Bull Shoals but you will find different rods , reels and line being used..
The rod won't make someone good at fishing the bait.
Brett's_daddy reply :
Some of the jerkbaits I have are larger like the Jackall Rerange 130 which is a 3/4oz. bait, would like something that will throw that well which is why I was looking at a 6'10" MH/F Exage.
NHBull reply :
Alpha Slasher or MB Jerkbait or flatside special.
I am using Defier or Defier Armilo.
I loved the feel of braid to leader, but defier Armilo gets far more in the boat
gilkeybr reply :
I find it pretty tiring to fish a jerkbait on a MH/F rod. I think M/F (M/MF) are much better suited to your typical 4-5" jerkbaits. Also I think castability is better with the lighter rod.
Jerkbaits are like cranks IMO when it comes to required rod sensitivity. Typically you'll be doing your next sequence of jerks and you'll feel the fish on. Doesn't require a super sensitive rod: They're either on or they're not once you feel them.
Brett's_daddy reply :
My local tackle shop has the Shimano SLX in a 6'10" M/F for $99 and they have the same size in a Curado for $129.99...I just so happened to have won a $90 gift certificate from a store contest they had over the weekend so i won't have to come up with a lot extra...would the Curado be worth the extra $30?
FishingGeekTX reply :
On 7/17/2019 at 11:57 PM, Brett's_daddy said:My local tackle shop has the Shimano SLX in a 6'10" M/F for $99 and they have the same size in a Curado for $129.99...I just so happened to have won a $90 gift certificate from a store contest they had over the weekend so i won't have to come up with a lot extra...would the Curado be worth the extra $30?
Doubtful anyone can answer that for you. If you can hold both, do that. Weight, handle, taper, etc. all play a role.
Curado definitely looks like a step up.
Cork grips..I'd choose split grip personally, it looks like they have both.
Curado also uses Fuji guides and real seat.
SLX uses a custom reel seat and ? guides, and has EVA split grips.
If I liked the feel of the Curado, I'd get it over SLX for $30. If you plan on fishing for a while, I'd get the best you can budget reasonably.
Mikeltee reply :
On 7/15/2019 at 8:42 PM, Brett's_daddy said:I can afford $80-ish if the Exage would be a big enough upgrade.
If you can wait, save your money and spend 200$. You probably won't notice much if a difference between your existing rod and an 80 rod unless you scoree a deal on here for a used one. A very popular JB stick is Aloha Angler Slasher. That will be my next purchase. Its $200.
Brett's_daddy reply :
On 7/18/2019 at 8:37 AM, Mikeltee said:If you can wait, save your money and spend 200$. You probably won't notice much if a difference between your existing rod and an 80 rod unless you scoree a deal on here for a used one. A very popular JB stick is Aloha Angler Slasher. That will be my next purchase. Its $200.
That would be nice but I don't have the time or money for that. I have my 2nd child on the way, making my last few fishing purchases for a while before I focus on the important stuff to come...like diapers, baby clothes, car seats etc. 
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