I am currently in the market for a new jerkbait rod, and have one question. I have always thrown jerkbaits on a spinning rod since its easier for me to twitch them then with a baitcaster. After reading a few articles, short butt baitcasting rods are always mentioned for their ease of twitching use, ex. Loomis SMR753. Also though, its mentioned that with the short butt you sacrifice accuracy and casting distance since its nearly impossible to two handed cast and the short butt makes it awkward.

Does anyone have any experience using this type of rod?

Thanks:

Dave

Yup, sacrifice accuracy and casting distance ---> nonsense.

A short handle rod allows you to work your jerkbait with a snap of the wrist without having the longer handle bumping on your forearm.

BTW, the only rod where I use both hands to cast is my swimbait rod, try casting a 2+ oz swimbait with one hand and you won 't last an hour.

Been throwing jerk baits using length's from 7" butts on 6'6" rods down to 4 1/2" pistol grip butts on 5'6" rods, depends on the weight of my bait and the casting distance I need. Have even used 9" split grip butts on 7' rods from shore.

It's all what you are comfortable with....

Tight Lines!!!

I fish All Star Titanium 783 model rods for jerkbaits.  They're called topwater specials but they work even better as jerkbait rods.  They have a relatively short handle on them.

I like the shorter ones. In fact I've been known to cut 3"-4" off the butt.

Used shorter rods with pistol grips for so long that I'm still trying to get used to the longer grips :-[! Maybe I don't fish lakes the size of some folks but distance was never a problem. With my height (6'4") I can get by with a 6' rod for jerkbaits but I still use a 5'6" pistol grip for topwater and I REALLY get upset at losing lures accuracy is not a problem ...

Thanks for all the responses. I am definitely going to pull the trigger and get a short butt rod for jerkbaits. Especially since fall is right around the corner and the fish by me go crazy for a red husky jerk or suspending rogue.

Thanks:

Dave