I would look at the power of the individual rods. I know they are both mediums, but the Lightning Rod is a pretty stiff rod, IIRC. I like a rod with a little power in the tip, that makes it easier for me to make a jerk bait "dance". A really limber rod works me to death fishing a jerkbait, lol. But, I think though that the Lightning Rod, being stiffer, will end up with some lost fish due to jerkbaits being treble hook lures. For me a jerkbait rod is something with a little more power than a crankbait rod, but not as stiff as, say, a spinnerbait or worm rod. From handling both in the stores, I think the Cherrrywood would give you enough tip to not work yourself too much getting the right action from a jerkbait, but not so stiff the hooks will pull out of the fish.