Which hard jerk bait rod for shallower applications is on your starting team for the typical Series 70 , 90 & 110 hard jerk bait sizes and around 3/8th oz. weight for Winter through Pre-Spawn jerk baiting ? I'm thinking 6'8" ~ 6'11" M/F , M /XF or possibly MH/F (depending on rod company and how rods are rated) as an ideal jerk bait rod .  Thanks in advance for replie / updates !

I have two, mainly use ALX jerkbait which is 6’9” M+/F, but lately I have been warming up to tatula elite 6’9” ML/MF.  Moderate fast action for jerbaits is growing on me.
 

For 3/8oz jb sizes I would use a ML rod. 

For the last couple of seasons I I have used the Daiwa Tatula 7' M Regular action "Shallow Cranking" rod as my jerkbait rod, and it has done very well. This season I will still likely be using that, but have added a new St Croix Victory 7' M XF "The Jerk" to my arsenal, and will be giving that a good test as soon as we see ice out here in NY. 

7’ mh/f Phenix M1

 

(it has a “soft tip”)

?

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

I'm still a jerkbait amateur, but anything 3/8-1/2 oz I throw on a 6'10" M/XF Shimano SLX. Seems to be doing the job well for me.

If I am going down to 70 or 90 I am probably using a spinning rod, personally. 

 

A lot of people like shorter jerkbait rods but I have never really understood why, I much prefer the 6'11 - 7'0 ones. 

 

I use a Megabass Levante Jerkbait Special 6'11 M/F for casting & a Shimano Zodias 7'0 ML/F for spinning.  

6'6'' G.Loomis GLX 783C

I use a medium powered spinning rod...currently a Tatula 6'6"M rated 1/8-3/4oz with 8lb Sniper.   2 years ago or so, an elite pro set the BASS all-time weight record on lake Fork using a Tatula elite 7'ML RB casting rod with 12lb fluoro.  He alternated between the vision 110 and an unnamed duo realis jerkbait.

Okuma TCS 6' 9" MH/MF

dobyns 684cb

6’10 Medium Shimano Expride

8 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Okuma TCS 6' 9" MH/MF

Would this rod handle smaller 78 sized jerkbaits?

26 minutes ago, BlakeMolone said:

Would this rod handle smaller 78 sized jerkbaits?

Yes it will, I use it for them frequently. 

Looks like that 6'3" to 6'10" M/F or M/XF are the jerk bait sweet spot for rods ... Now need to compare Pro's & Con's of spinning vs. casting set ups for jerk baits .

I recently  purchased (2) Lews KVD 6’8” jerk bait rods and they make working the bait effortless. They are light, perfect tip, shorter butt section so as to not hit you when working the bait and work 78 and 100’s with ease and are priced right at $120. Plus they can handle big fish by the 7-7 I got recently. 
There’s a reason Kevin can fish jerkbaits all day, this rod is why. You’ll thank me later. 

For tip down you don't want it too long, get the power that best casts the lure weight you plan to use, and fast action rather than X-fast.  (you don't want the tip "too soft.")  

Zodias 6'10" Medium, Shimano calls it a "moderate fast" but it's still more than enough to give the bait the right action. Also good for smaller to medium poppers when that bite starts.

 

I have it paired to a Curado MGL 71HG spooled with 20lb PowerPro so it can pull double duty, but I do admit that it performs better as a jerkbait setup if you spool it with 10lb fluorocarbon.

I use a bps crankin stick 7’med with a Lews tournament pro lfs 6.4.