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Anyone use a spinning setup for jerkbaits?

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I’ve now read or seen videos suggesting using spinning gear and 6 or 8 lb test line for jerkbaits. Anyone use a setup like this? I’m looking for a shorter rod that’s moderate-fast action. Not having luck.

St Croix Legend (elite, x, tournament bass) has a 68MXF that is actually perfect for jerkbaits (good tip but plenty of bend despite that XF label) that is great for jerkbaits plus doubles as a great neko, Shakyhead, fluke, light Texas rig rod. For less money, the mojos bass  and avid does well at this too.
 

I use the slightly stiffer Legend 610MXF, which is a Shakyhead rod. I haven’t had it terribly long but I’ve caught fish on vision 110s with 8 lb test leaders attached to braid on it and haven’t lost one yet. Love how it animates the lure.
 

I’ve been down this rabbit hole too, and tried both spinning and baitcast rods. Randy Blaukat is particularly adamant that spinning is better but honestly I think they both have advantages and disadvantages. 

  • Author
2 minutes ago, Scud_Mufffin said:

St Croix Legend (elite, x, tournament bass) has a 68MXF that is actually perfect for jerkbaits (good tip but plenty of bend despite that XF label) that is great for jerkbaits plus doubles as a great neko, Shakyhead, fluke, light Texas rig rod. For less money, the mojos bass  and avid does well at this too.
 

I use the slightly stiffer Legend 610MXF, which is a Shakyhead rod. I haven’t had it terribly long but I’ve caught fish on vision 110s with 8 lb test leaders attached to braid on it and haven’t lost one yet. Love how it animates the lure.
 

I’ve been down this rabbit hole too, and tried both spinning and baitcast rods. Randy Blaukat is particularly adamant that spinning is better but honestly I think they both have advantages and disadvantages. 


Yep, Blaukat and Zaldain both suggest spinning, and I know the Japanese prefer it. Thank you for those suggestions, I’ll check those St. Croix’s out. Big fan of their rods.

  • Super User

I use both, largely depending on size of bait and wind conditions.

The MB Ronnin is my tool of choice for spinning set up

  • Super User
41 minutes ago, PotatoLake said:

I’ve now read or seen videos suggesting using spinning gear and 6 or 8 lb test line for jerkbaits. Anyone use a setup like this? I’m looking for a shorter rod that’s moderate-fast action. Not having luck.

Define shorter?

 

I use spinning gear for lighter cranks and jerks. Changing from a MH/M rod to a ML/MF rod this year to make it easier to toss the lighter baits.

  • Author
5 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Define shorter?

 

I use spinning gear for lighter cranks and jerks. Changing from a MH/M rod to a ML/MF rod this year to make it easier to toss the lighter baits.


Id say in the 6’6” - 6’11” range

  • Super User
Just now, PotatoLake said:


Id say in the 6’6” - 6’11” range

Well, the 'old' spinning rod and the new for cranks/jerks are both 7'0"

Yes I use spinning gear for jerkbait fishing, usually 6lb test with a 6-1/2 to 7ft rod.

The mono has a little stretch to it, makes hookset's easier too, I use mono also for crankbait fishing too.

  • Super User

Yes ~ 

And while I fish a few different ones

a 7'1" St Croix LTB with 10 braid & an 8 to 10 lb leader

accounted for my Best brown bass last season

https://youtu.be/yfnYSE-HjIE?t=1506

:smiley:

A-Jay

  • Super User

I use spinning rods for JBs up to 3/8.  I feel like I have more precise control with my dominant hand.  I like a ML F or XF, which gives you flex in the tip, but at the same time its crisp. I have a ModF and it works, but I think I get better action with faster rods.  Check out SC and 13 

  • Super User

I fish mostly smaller Lucky Craft jerk baits in the 65-78 size and use medium and medium light, St Croix Avids with 10lb braid. Because I apply a lot of the action to the bait with my rod, I never use lines that stretch because of how  the stretch absorbs the movement that is supposed to move the lure. 

  • Super User

I prefer to use a BC, but some jerk baits are so small and light weight that they just don't cast very well, especially if there's some wind.  I will admit that its easier to pause and reel slower with a spinning setup than with a BC.  This can be beneficial when fish are lethargic in cold water.

  • Super User

I have a couple casting models for standard sizes but I use an O.G. tatula spinning rod for my smaller 68 pointers and smaller soft plastic JERKBAITS.  I have 15 lb braid on it now with 8 lb FC leader material.    Caught a few non keepers the other day on that combo.  I have a stradic reel on it.  It's good for small 1/4 oz topwaters too.  

My favorite way to fish and I only use spinning for it. Mod-Fast spinner is a 6'-11" Megabass Valkyrie. Killer rod for 110's, x-rap, pointers, ect...

megabass vision 110 was made for spinning rods and 6lb test

  • Super User
2 hours ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

I use spinning rods for JBs up to 3/8.  I feel like I have more precise control with my dominant hand.  I like a ML F or XF, which gives you flex in the tip, but at the same time its crisp.

 

   ^^^^^ This, exactly.  ^^^^^                        jj

falcon has a few moderate spinning 7'rs that ive been using from their bucoo line

  • Super User

For years my favorite jerk bait combo was a 6 foot spinning rod with Shimano spinning reel. I caught hundreds of fish this way including many big fish. Goes to show you there are many ways you can be successful in bass fishing and you do not always have to follow the crowd.

  • Super User

I'd love to be able to use a spinning rod/reel when fishing small jerkbaits, but line management becomes a problem with the snapping retrieve I use with most jerkbaits.

 

oe

I have to cast some of the balsa rapalas on a spinning outfit. Usually a medium 7ft. 
 

heavier jerkbaits like the megabass I have no problem on a bc, also medium 7ft. 

  • Global Moderator

I use both BC and spinning but I have a spinning combo that I use just for jerkbaits. It's a 6' 8" M/F Okuma EVX with a 30 Okuma Epixor and 8lb AbrasX. I mainly fish smaller jerkbaits with it but it fishes bigger ones fine if I want to get them deeper.

  • Super User

Spinning is what I use for my jerkbaits. 7'2" ml/f, size 2500 reel with 8 # test mono.

  • Super User

I use an Abu Veracity 6'10" ML for small jerkbaits and a Kistler custom spinning rod for larger ones.  The Kistler is an Argon blank with KLX grips that copies my 6'9" KLX baitcast rod's action.

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