Looking for some info on what you guys are using, never spent much time using one. Figure this fall and winter I'm going to spend some time learning how to catch them on a hard jerk bait.

I've seen people use moderate and fast action rods, usually 6'8" or so. I don't throw one much, but I will in the coming months.

Medium action rod, 6'9" 10-12 mono or flourocarbon. It's a twitch and pause retrieve. You can detect a strike on the lighter action rod.. I use lucky craft or rapala or mega bass jerk baits. If you use smaller baits may need a extra fast tip on rod. Sharp hooks are very important.

Same set up I use to throw a senko with

Don't over think it

But keep hooks handy to change them out if they dull or bend

I honestly throw a jerkbait on a 7' medium spinning rod with 10lb fluorocarbon.

Probably my least favorite way to fish; I told myself the last two years I was going to throw it more (and didn't), I'm going to commit to it this year. 7' medium spinning rod also 20 or 30lb braid to 10lb fluoro leader.

Lots of good articles online about jerkbait fishing. KVD is a master with them. Grab a few Mcsticks, x-raps or Pointers in a color you like and start on wind blown point and fish it to the back of the creeks. Use it like a search bait much like you would a crankbait. Don't be afraid to let it sit for a full minute every few twitches. If you find brush pile with 5 to 8 foot of water over the top, twitch it down to the top of the pile and let it sit.

The biggest fish I've caught on one were while the bait was sitting still.

Don't be afraid to point the rod directly in front of you and rip your arm to the side a full 45 degrees. Some of the twitches can be fished that fast and violently. Mix it up till they show you how they want it. If you have a favorite smallmouth lake, they can excel there in the winter.

love fishing a jerk bait on texoma for small mouths. they murder those things. it's getting to be that time of year too.

I'm using this Denali Brad. You can search and find them on sale. I'm using it for topwater too and love the action. I'll use 10#-15# Big Game and sometimes switch to 12# InvisX for the jerkbaits. Really light and just the right length. I like it better than my longer rods and I'm 6'4".

Started messing with them last year a bit but I have a LOT to learn. I use a Megabass Orochi XX Jerkbait Special with a Daiwa Tatula Type R 6.4 ratio reel and 12lb fluoro.

IMO braid is not the best line for a jerkbait, would make it set nose up on the pause. Best seems to be nose down or horizontal on the pause. Also braid would not get down as deep I would think. 10-12 fluorocarbon should be fine. Find a rod you like lighter on action, and as long as they stay buttoned should be fine. If you lose a lot of fish may change rods.

I've got a decent 7ft medium fast shimano rod with a curado 200e7, that is what I had planned on throwing it on. Need to change my line though before I start fishing a jerk bait, had planned to spool it with 12lb big game. I have a couple rapala jerkbait right now, will probably stick with them for now until I get some confidence in them. Need to change all the hooks out on them anyway, they have been sitting in a Plano box for several years. What type of hook set do you guys use?

It's like crankbait fishing, the rod will load up. Use a line that doesn't develop a memory in cold weather. I like P-line premium but not the extra strong for this reason.

Once you catch a few fish on it north of you, you will give up on powerplant lakes in the winter!

I can't tell you how many fish I have caught over the years on a 6' medium rod with an Ambassadeur 5000C and 15# Big Game throwing a Bomber Long A or Rogue. From Texoma to Sandlin to T-Bend. There was no such thing as fluorocarbon then and we still caught 'em. I have upgraded my rod to the Denali with a Lew's reel now and I do favor the fluorocarbon now and use the Big Game for topwater...tried braid and it kept fouling in the front hook. They usually take them on the pause and will just be there when your start to move your lure again. If anything I just use a sweeping action and keep a tight line. One of the most fun ways to catch 'em along with topwaters.

Once you start getting good bites on them they can be addiciting kind of like a jig. Love the feeling of a big thump while it's just sitting there.