Hi all,

I am in the need for a new rod to cover the techniques of:

* Shakey head (up to 3/8 oz)
* Weightless plastics (up to 3/8)
* Different kinds of jerkbaits (1/4 - 3/8)

Planning to pair this with an adequate reel (prob Aldebaran MGL) and 10 # fluro.

Do you guys have any recommendation here that do not break the bank? 

Thanks all!

Take a look at the St Croix 6’8” M/XF rods in the lineup of your choice

What’s the lowest total weight your looking to use and what’s the highest?  Some rods will throw a 3/8 oz plastic or shakeyheads very well, but not be ideal with 1/4 oz jerkbaits. For me I mostly throw 1/4 oz and lighter jerkbaits with spinning tackle. 

 

I’d suggest the following based on personal experience, but these all will be better a bit above 1/4 oz. 

 

St Croix: 6’8” M/XF or 6’6”/7’0” M/F in whatever series fits your budget and grip/guide preferences. 

 

Kistler Helium 3 6’8” or 7’0” Light-MedHeavy/Fast, this is a great blank and a great combination of power/taper.  Wait for a sale and you can get it close to $200.  For lighter weights might want to look at the Medium power. 

 

Megabass Orochi XX Jerbait Special - I have the gen 1rod that was a regular taper, the gen 2 is now a fast taper but is likely more like a Med Fast. I’d be comfortable throwing all of that on my gen 1 and would expect the gen 2 to be better with the shakeyheads. However it’s lowest weight rating is 3/8 so may not be ideal with 1/4 oz total weight. 

 

No personal experience with them but on paper the Dobyns Sierra 682c or 683c look like good options at a bargain price right now. I’ve owned a Champ 703c and it would have been good with all but the 1/4 jerkbaits. 

 

 

 

 

First what is breaking the bank...  are we talking the same price as the reel.  By what your trying to accomplish I would call DVT and have a rod built on a 7' medium light avid blank.  The best ul rod that I have used "I dont own one" was the ml pheonix k2.