I have a couple jerkbaits that I bought and I never fish them even during what is supposed to be "prime" time for throwing them.  Is there any specific rod/reel/line setup to maximize casting distance on such a light lure? I only bank fish so finding deep water is sometimes a challenge for me from the bank.  I've tried on my medium fast action 6'6" in rod and the lure doesn't travel very far.  I tossed it once on my baitcaster and bird nested so bad I never tried again.  Still trying to perfect my thumbing technique on a baitcaster so I tend to keep the brakes on relatively high to assist me.  I'm in the market for a few new rods anyway so any advice is greatly appreciated.

Somewhat flemsy rod and 6,8, or 10 lb line depending on clarity, cover, and size of lure . Always cast With the wind if possible

I have never had a problem with throwing jerk baits on a 7' MH, or my 7'2 MH. I usually use 10lb Fluorocarbon line. I guess it also depends on the size and wt of the jerk bait. I think it could also work on my 7' M rod just as well. 

 

To be honest, I use a lot of 7' MH and 7'2 MH fast action rods as my go to rods for just about everything besides top water / punching. If I have a super light weight crank or something maybe I will go down to my Medium rods, or a spinning rod, I guess it just depends on wind and how I am casting that day. 

      My favorite jerkbait is 1/4 oz., and I only throw it on ML/F spinning gear. Although I have experimented with 3/8 oz. jerkbaits, my "good ol' reliable" jerks are 1/2 - 1 oz. A casting setup is fine for those.

   If distance is important to you (I'm a shorecaster, too) then you need to use a setup that maximizes distance just like any other lure. However ..... that may not be what you want for actually manipulating the lure and feeling the hit. Although I like "softer" rods, I make an exception for jerkbaits. To me, a jerkbait is worthless unless it can give you an action that other lures can't give you. I can get that action with a stiff-tip rod.

   For the small jerkbaits, I use both mono and (experimentally) braid. But for the big ones, I use mono exclusively.

 

    So ........ which jerkbaits and at which weight are you trying to use?                  jj

17 minutes ago, BassFishinBrandon said:

I tossed it once on my baitcaster and bird nested so bad I never tried again.

What rod, reel and line, Same for your spinning set-up?

 

What jerkbaits are you throwing?

 

Do you want to stick with spinning?

I use a 6-10 M/Fast rod paired with  a Daiwa Tatula Elite.

I like the Medium for trebles and the fast to get a good crisp "jerk" on the jerkbait. 

7 minutes ago, Dens228 said:

I use a 6-10 M/Fast rod paired with  a Daiwa Tatula Elite.

I like the Medium for trebles and the fast to get a good crisp "jerk" on the jerkbait. 

 

   So far, so good. But which jerkbaits are you trying to use?    jj

58 minutes ago, jimmyjoe said:

 

   So far, so good. But which jerkbaits are you trying to use?    jj

Various, Megabass, Jackall, Lucky Craft..............

I would use a faster action rod 7,5 with a less speed spool reel with 10lb fluorocarbon line.

I too struggled with distance until last year when I switched to a Tatula Elite reel.  I easily get 20%+ more distance than over the Curado 70 and Tatula SV TW I had used previously.  I also like a 7-8:1 fast retrieve to pick up line quickly when needed.