I'm throwing a jerkbait enough and liking it enough that I'm ready to get a devoted jb combo. To date I've been throwing it on my Dobyns Fury 733C and Lew's Tournament MP. This setup has done pretty well, but...I've heard the preferred setup is a M rod with a fast tip. I was throwing a smaller jb (Lucky Craft Pointer SP) on my M action Dobyns Fury spinning combo today, and I really liked the way the M action rod handled it, so that convinced me to take the plunge.

 

Based on my (limited) experience so far, and everything I've read and watched on YT, here's what I think I want in a jb combo:

--Around $200-225 (tops) budget

--M/Fast rod

--I think I want something 7' or just under, like 6'10", based on what I've heard/read...but open on that, my 7'3" Fury doesn't seem inappropriately long (and that includes fishing it from the bank a lot)

--I think I'd like to put 8 or 10 lb line on it (Sufix Advance; I'm just not a fluoro person, but that's a different story), so I'd like a reel that will handle that size line--I'm going to be throwing mainly Vision 110, Vision 110 Jr, and comparable size Lucky Crafts; I've heard several people say to use 8 or 10# line if possible, lets the bait get deeper and have better action

--I'm guessing a 6 or 7:1 reel is good

 

So, please let me know your recommendation for a rod/reel in my price range; and if I'm headed down the wrong path on any of the specs, please let me know that as well!

 

 

If they weren't so ugly, I'd buy a BPS 6'-6 to 7'-0 medium Crankin Stick and a Pro Qualifier reel.  Every one is in love with high dollar tackle.  I'm probably better off financially than the average person, and this is what I throw jerk baits on.  This and an old Daiwa VIP glass rod that isn't made any more.  My Crankin' Sticks are the old one's with cork handles.  Very fine rod for the money.  I think they list under $100 and can be found for $70 or so.  The PQ's are on sale now for $70.  If you want to go up a little, look at Revo - X for $100.  6 or 7 to 1 works well. 

 

I wouldn't use the PQ reels where I was going to be hard on them.  Flipping, pitching, punching, frogging, etc. where you shock the reel.  For jerk baits, IMHO they are all you need unless you are hunting status. 

Rod: Shimano SLXCX610M - It's 6'10" medium with an extra fast action, and excellent for jerkbaits @ $99 MSRP

 

Reel: Daiwa Tatula SV TW (TASV 103XS) 8.1/1 gear ratio. Available at another site for $129, no tax unless you're in KY (I think), and free shipping.

Rod: St Croix Bass X 6’8 M/XF (1/4-5/8) lure rating. If not, another option would be the 6’6 M/F. 

 

Reel: Shimano SLX in whatever speed you prefer. I think 7:2.1 is optimal.

Okuma EVX medium action jerkbait rod. $90.00 - 100.00. Depending on where you buy it.

Diawa  tatula 100 6.3.      $119. 00 On a couple e bay sights.

This my current jerkbait setup. Balances well and will cast light to heavy jerkbaits with ease.

 

I prefer the tatula sv for some applications, but the 100 casts farther with jerkbaits.

 

 

The combo you've been using has done well but you want to change it up - not because of performance - but because of what you've "heard"? Let me tell you: the Dobyns Fury 3 power is used by many many people for treble baits because it's more of a M/MF and does really well.

31 minutes ago, ironbjorn said:

The combo you've been using has done well but you want to change it up - not because of performance - but because of what you've "heard"? Let me tell you: the Dobyns Fury 3 power is used by many many people for treble baits because it's more of a M/MF and does really well.

Not replacing just for replacing's sake, or because I've read or heard anything...I want to have a dedicated jerkbait combo, for several reasons including wanting to keep it strung up with lighter line than I typically fish on my Fury 733 combo. The Fury 733 combo is a great general cranking/treble hook/Whopper Plopper/walking bait combo for me, so I'd prefer to keep 12# on it. I am envisioning a bunch of scenarios in the future where I'm going to want my current Fury laying on the deck with a crankbait, and a jerkbait rod laying on the deck with a jerkbait.

 

So, if I'm going to add another combo, I'd rather add one that's 100% right for jerkbaits rather than 90%. I suspect that the 7'3" of my Fury is a little too long for the ideal jerkbait rod. Plus, although the 733's "MH" that's on the light side of MH works pretty well, I like my 703 spinning rod's true "M" just a little better for jerkbaits.

 

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I'm going to comb through the sales right now and see what matches up with these suggestions. I'd probably have already bought an SLX but it seems like everyone (certainly everyone with Black Friday sales, like TW) is out of the SLX in the 6'10" M.

Keep a check on megabass leviathan rods.  When they are released again which should be soon would be ideal for what you want.  But you can get buy with much less if like.