The past two years I have been primarily fishing finesse style.
Added chatterbaits in the later part of the year.

So with the new year, looking to add suspended jerk baits.
Reading articles and watching videos, it looks like a medium fast rod is the best choice ???

I read where it's recommended to water weigh your jerk baits. But the ones I
got (KVD brand) have weights that move from the nose to tail, so how do you know
when they are balanced ??

Without spending $25-$30 for Megabass models, what are some better options ??

Sorry if this is elementry to some, but I'm just trying to expand my techniques.
Thanks

Rogue suspending jerk baits are good. Fish slow this time of year

This time of year use loooong pauses between jerks. The jerkbait bite often feels like a worm bite - more of a tap. Once you get hooked you will want some 110s. Nothing like them.

Jackall Squad Minnow 115 is about $15, Luckycraft Pointers are about the same price, Smithwick elite 8 and 10's are less than $10 and good baits. There are too many good ones to list. I don't mind spending the money on a jerkbait, I hardly ever lose one and they don't wear out like a spinnerbait or a crankbait bill will. If you have one that gets the paint wore off of it from teeth marks, it is worth getting that one repainted!

Rapala makes good jerk baits also.

Get a container full of water And check to see if it sinks or floats. From there you can upsize hooks if it�s rising or downsize split rings if it�s sinking. Generally they suspend with the nose a little higher. Hope that helps

Caught some bigguns on this one

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Bom...ait/descpage-BSPLA.html#customer_reviews

Something else I will mention. If you are trying to fish the bait very slowly with long pauses between jerks, you may want to use mono as opposed to Fluoro. Fluoro sinks and will pull your bait deeper. This may be okay if you are fishing open water, but if you are fishing around timber you will stay hung up. Mono has neutral buoyancy and will let this bait stay around 4-5' down.

If you are going to the Fun N Sun show we will have some dang good sales on some jerkbaits!

Spot on with the mono. I use mostly the lucky craft pointer 65 series. Not sure why but I tend to get more feesh on them. Mono is the way to go with long pause fishing and a good time to use Berkley Big Game.

I like McCoys Mean Green for all moving baits except deep crank baits. I use Fluorocarbon for baits like a DD22, 6XD and deeper.

dude, ever heard of the term counter balance? the weight is designed to move during the cast to increase distance.

Tis' true. You very rarely lose them. Some of my funnest fishing times ever has been on that lake up by you when pre-spawn was on....Mr. Grand can put out some jerkbait fish! I love the 110's, but my absolute favorite JB of all time is the LC Slender Pointer 97MR in Aurora Black.

Mega Bass 110. Long casts. Crank it down 2-3 times hard. Figure out what cadance the fish want it.

The Rick Clunn jerk baits use the exact same body as the vision just a little different weight transfer system. Had one that was great and have one that isn�t. They are probably hit or miss but at the price I think it�s worth it.

I love Academy brand jerkbaits in natural shad and ghost minnow.

Have fished with other guys throwing Megabass and other brands. Ive never had a day when others were catching and I was not.

I always have an H20 jerkbait tied on.