What setup do you use to fish your Jerkbaits? Shorter, stiffer rod or more flexible?

What about the reel, fast retrieve?

How do you fish them? Jerk, jerk, pause, repeat?

Discuss

I throw mine on a 6'6" MB782 blank from MHX. I use a 6.3:1 shimano curado and 12lb Seaguar Red Label. I usually like to work them fast but typically have to adjust to whatever the fish want.

For me a 7' medium acton rod, 7-1 ratio reel and 12lb fluorocarbon or monofilament is my standard set up. I don't believe the reel speed matters, I just like Revo 7-1 reels. With any higher speed reels you have to be cognizant of the reel speed to avoid working the lure faster than you want. And yes, while I'm flexible my go to presentation is old school "jerk-jerk-pause". There are times when a slow constant retrieve works best. Also, it's the length of the pause that can be infinitely adjusted the the fishes mood.

I like a 6'6" medium action rod, in the cold water months I use a 5:1:1 reel... helps me make sure I slow down. Why the shorter rod? The way I work a jerkbait anything longer than that and the tip of the rod would be in the water. Its not a bad idea to also have a set up on a spinning rod so you can utilize both arms and not just wear one out. Fishing a jerkbait for 8 hours hurts, LOL.

The most important thing I can convey about fishing a jerkbait is LIGHT LINE! I dont fish them on anything heavier than 10 lb line, sometimes as low as 8 lb line on a fairy wand. The action of the bait lost with heavier line is substantial. I'm sure there are applications where you need heavier line, just know that with every size you go up will result in the bait losing action.

I like 8lb Pline copoly. Other copoly line brands, mono, and braid float. Fluoro sinks. Thus, I like the neutral buoyancy of Pline with most jerkbaits. Medium, flexible rod, same one I use with smaller topwaters.

I believe that there's no single perfect rod length for a jerkbait presentation. More accurately, there's a height combination to be taken into account to determine a good rod length for each angler - the angler's height and how far off the water he normally fishes (standing on the deck of his boat, for instance). For a given height, a good rod length will allow an angler to point the rod at a more downward angle in front of his body without submerging the tip; the lure retrieve is more in-line this way. Control and sensitivity are maximized. With a rod that is too long, the rod angle has to change to keep the rod tip out of the water. This becomes more awkward and the feel is different; the angler may even have to switch to a side-sweep configuration to twitch the lure. This offers less sensitivity, and twitches can get out of control more easily.

I find a 7' rod to be too much for me as I'm not a tall person; it probably works fine for taller guys. I have an expensive custom-built jerkbait rod that's only 6'4". I would never have gotten it that short if the builder had not talked me into it. It turns out he really knew what he was talking about when he educated me on the info I've shared here. For your given height combo, try a "shorter fit" rod and a longer one just as an experiment, and you may feel the same thing I did. I would not have predicted that the short rod would become my favorite jerkbait rod until I tried it!

Do yall reel down once the bait hits the water, or do you immediately start the jerk-jerk-pause? I've always wondered if jerking it at the start gets it down to depth or if you have to crank it to the depth first.

Good question, I usually start with a jerking motion, but wondering if I should reel down before starting.

I fish them a lot and for nearly 40 years. I throw mine on a 7 foot medium action rod (my lakes are not full of 10 pounders)Duckett ghost or an old original Falcon 7 foot medium. I don't use a stiff rod because the way a fish loads on it, a stiff rod will rip the trebles out of a good fish and a limber rod is what gives the bait a better darting action. I reel down about 3 cranks usually before I start twitching unless I think it may be too shallow. I usually twitch or quick pops 2 or 3 times and let sit for about 5 seconds between sets of jerks. Length of time will change with colder water. I also change sometimes to a slow pull about 3 or 4 feet and let sit instead of jerks sometimes.

+1

for me, i use a 6-6'' M duckett micro magic paired w/ curado 200 6:3 on 12-15lb sunline assasin fluro. method as most have said changes depending on the situation, but in my opinion it is a great beat for searching while fishing new water. i have noticed that even if the fish are not willing to crush the bait, they will often shark it in towards the boat at least letting you know there is definite interest. i know they are crazy expensive, but megabass 110's have been my go to. the sadness that comes if (when) you lose one is outweighed by the amount of quality keepers i have put in the livewell in tournaments. retail for $24-$27/ ea

G. Loomis Jerkbait Rod

For the rod I use the JBR812. It's 6'9" in length, medium power, fast action. It's literally the perfect jerkbait rod. It has enough power/backbone to cast lighter jerkbaits with ease, but enough delay for the fish get hooked well. It's a super light rod and it's very sensitive. I really like the full cork handle too because I can control the rod better and fire out a long, accurate cast.

Shimano Chronarch CI4+

I use the HG model because it has a high speed (7.6:1) gear ratio. I really like a faster gear ratio because I can pick up the slack real fast when there's a lot of it my line. This is a quality reel, it's lightweight, and it has a super smooth retrieve. It's become one of my favorite reels.

Sunline Reaction FC

I use the 8 or 10 pound test depending on what cover is around. I seem to fish the 10# more often than the 8#. This line is the best when it comes to a reaction bite; it's specifically designed for those types of applications. It's has a little bit of stretch and coupled with superior knot strength and sensitivity, it's one of the best lines on the market.

I don't have a method for how I fish a jerkbait other than I try to vary my retrieve and cadence until I get a bite and the fish tell me how I should be working the bait. The colder the water, the slower I work it.

Quick tip: people think jerkbaits only work during the cold months of the year. You'd be amazed at how many fish I've caught on a jerkbait during July or August!

6'6" M Falcon Lowrider
6.3:1 Chronarch
usually 10-12lb fluorocarbon

Here's something to think about. Try longer pauses. Especially on suspending models.

I used to use a casting setup but find a spinning setup is easier for me to pop the bait with. 8# test fluorocarbon, 6.5 ft rod. If I get fatigued I'll change to a soft action 6.5 or 7 ft casting rod for awhile.