So the keys to a good jerkbait combo in our mind are as follows:

1) A shorter length that you can twitch easily downward.

2) A medium action with a moderate tip for casting and working the bait.

3) A low profile reel that you can grip easily while jerking all day.

4) A high-speed ratio reel that can take up slack quickly on a bite.

5) A light combo can alleviate fatigue when jerkbait fishing all day.

What jerkbait combos do you like? Any perfect rigs you've found?

So the keys to a good jerkbait combo in our mind are as follows:

1) A shorter length that you can twitch easily downward.

2) A medium action with a moderate tip for casting and working the bait.

3) A low profile reel that you can grip easily while jerking all day.

4) A high-speed ratio reel that can take up slack quickly on a bite.

5) A light combo can alleviate fatigue when jerkbait fishing all day.

What jerkbait combos do you like? Any perfect rigs you've found?

YES!

Specifically: Avid AVC66MF/ Scorpion 1000/ #12 Sunline Super Natural

1) A shorter length that you can twitch easily downward.

2) A medium power with an extra fast tip for fast recovery after the twitch.

3) Any reel that feels comfortable.

4) Any gear ratio is fine, since you take up slack on the pause.

5) A balanced combo can alleviate fatigue when jerkbait fishing all day.

I've got a 6'4" team Diawa Mike Iaconelli jerkbait rod paired with a 7:1 bass pro extreme reel. Love this combo for jerkbaits and topwater fishing.

6' st croix premier with curado 50e - 10 lb abrazx

I have a custom made rod (John Nutter made it about ten years ago) that was gifted to me by a close friend. It's 6'2" and I have it paired With my Daiwa Sol. That reel does get switched to different rods on numerous occasions, but it's the only one I use with this rod. I know John is still in business, but I'm not sure if he still builds rods. My attachment to this rod isn't just emotional, the tip action was chosen specifically for this presentation and the balance is perfect with my Sol. If I ever come into some money, I'd bribe this guy to make me a cranking stick. I still haven't found one that has gotten past the infatuation stage for me.

Depends on what I'm doing, I guess. I fish jerkbaits on everything from a 6-2XF Avid or 6-3 Cumara to a 7' MH. The vast majority are on on my trusty old GLX 782 and 783 with the Cumara 6-3 Medium.

1) A shorter length that you can twitch easily downward.

2) A medium power with an extra fast tip for fast recovery after the twitch.

3) Any reel that feels comfortable.

4) Any gear ratio is fine, since you take up slack on the pause.

5) A balanced combo can alleviate fatigue when jerkbait fishing all day.

Agreed. My #1 jerkbait rod is a 6' 2" M/XF Avid with a Curado 50E and 10lb C21. I can make my bait do what I want a lot easier with the extra fast tip than a "normal" jerkbait rod. Fish in colder water when I usually fish jerkbaits tend to be swimming a little slower so a high speed reel isn't needed and a little slower reel helps me slow down. The 50E on that super light rod is easy to fish all day long.

That's mine too, except I have a righty Alphas or a lefty JDM Zillion on mine. Depends on which one I was using the day before, and how sore I am, lol.

My favorite rod is a St Croix legend extreme XC72MHM. I like this blank so much I had a custom rod built so I would have two. It's 7'2" medium heavy moderate action. Handles 3/8 to 1 ounce baits. I pair it up with a high speed reel of your choice loaded with 10lb braid suffix 832 and a maxima super green mono leader of 12lb or 15lb test. I work my jerk baits with the rod parallel to the water thus a longer rod doesn't hinder the action. I'm fishing from a moving boat not stationary.

My favorite rod is a St Croix legend extreme XC72MHM. I like this blank so much I had a custom rod built so I would have two. It's 7'2" medium heavy moderate action. Handles 3/8 to 1 ounce baits. I pair it up with a high speed reel of your choice loaded with 10lb braid suffix 832 and a maxima super green mono leader of 12lb or 15lb test. I work my jerk baits with the rod parallel to the water thus a longer rod doesn't hinder the action. I'm fishing from a moving boat not stationary.

And boy, does it work.

I fish from a stationary boat and prefer spinning gear. 7'M LTB Tube rod w/ a Revo Premier spinning reel.

It seems whenever I go to fish jerk baits, it is windy out. Me and wind and bait casters and long distance casting don't play well together. I've given up on using bait casters for jerk baits. (mostly pointers, but occasionally other brands) I use spinning gear and 14 lb. fire line and a fluorocarbon leader. I get that it is a compromise set up, but it works ok for me.

Daiwa Fuego on a 6'6" ML casting rod... Works like a charm for me, and I am becoming severally addicted to that reel!