I am looking to buy a jerkbait/topwater rod, on a budget of $150 or less. I am not set on a certain brand. Does anyone have any recommendations? 

Thank you for any help. 

At that price I would find a lightly used or brand new during a sale, St Croix Avid/Avid X 6'8 MXF. Best rod for the price for those techniques if you ask me.

Dont over look the new St Croix Mojo line up, theyre now being made with the scIII blank which is the same as the Avids. I just picked one up a month ago and its a really nice rod, and for $110 bucks it'll give a few extra to spend on a reel. If you go this route just make sure your getting the newer model with scIII blank not last years scII blank. It will say right on it what blank it is, their jerkbait/ topwater rod is a 6'8" med xtra fast rod..

Dont over look the new St Croix Mojo line up, theyre now being made with the scIII blank which is the same as the Avids. I just picked one up a month ago and its a really nice rod, and for $110 bucks it'll give a few extra to spend on a reel. If you go this route just make sure your getting the newer model with scIII blank not last years scII blank. It will say right on it what blank it is, their jerkbait/ topwater rod is a 6'8" med xtra fast rod..

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Cashion 6'9" MH crank & jerk bait rod.

Tom

Thank you for all the help. I am going to go to the local tackle store and see what they have. 

Mojo bass 68MXF

Powell Max/ Inferno 6104 CB Glass composite.

Avid 6'6" M/F and don't look back.

I've been using a 6' 8" M/F Ethos Micro for a couple years and it has become my favorite jerkbait and spook rod. About half what you're looking to spend as well.