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Posts: 827
Location: Minneapolis,Minnesota | Looking to get a new jerkbait rod this winter and was wondering what some of you guys use and what you think?
I'll be throwing heavier baits this season like HR's and Wabulls and would like a rod that may take off some of the fatigue of throwing these logs.
I've been looking at Fig Rigs, G-Loomis, All-Star, and St. Croix Avids.
Can I get some feedback from some of you who have used these rods and if anyone uses other sticks (Lamiglass, Fenwick, etc.) chime in also.
Thanks.... |
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Posts: 358
| Phish Killer,
I also throw a lot of jerks & glides. Last winter I bought a Fig Rig (7'-0") and one of Franks Custom Rods (6'-9") I also own St. Croix's, but not the Avid series. In my opinion, for the money of an Avid, you can probably pick up a Fig Rig, or a Franks Custom Rod for the same money, or possibly even less, and be three times as happy. No knock on St. Croix's, they make a great rod. I think it comes down to more of a personal preference more than anything else. Good luck to you! |
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Posts: 2089
| I se3cond what Mike said. I picked up a 7'3" heavy from Frank at the Chicago show for just the purpose you described.Those baits are heavy, but only require a small tap/twitch to work. The rod from Frank is light as a feather, and plenty 'o' beef to cast and set the hook with wood baits.Can't wait to use it on open water and not in the backyard.For the price of a high end production rod, I have a custom that even matches the colors on my boat. Aesthetics are important too!!!Good luck and BRING ON SPRING!!! Steve |
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Posts: 2378
| I just picked up a 6'9" H Trophy Tamer. I cant wait to use it. I have used these rods in the past and have never had a problem. Great rod for the money.
Not in the same class as what you are looking at, but a good rod in my opinion. |
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Posts: 2384
Location: On the X that marks the mucky spot | I run a 7'6" Avid for the Wabull most of the time. Light weight and great action makes casting and working big jerks a breeze. It also works Suicks so much better I started throwing them again. One thing about St.Croix is that the customer service is second to none! I broke a couple rods last year and had the replacements in 7 working days and that's including shipping time! They're a little more expensive (Avid) but I don't know anyone who hasn't loved them. |
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Posts: 1335
Location: Chicago, Beverly | I like the 6'9" Premier for jerk baits. |
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Posts: 492
Location: Lindenhurst, Illinois | I have been using a 6'10" Gloomis Heavy Jerkbait rod and have liked it. The other rods I have been using have been 7'7" and longer so I am switching to a 7'6" Custom JB rod make by Frank (Frank's Custom Rods). |
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Posts: 4266
| 6'9" Heavy St Croix Avid for the heavy stuff.
7'6" Heavy St Croix Avid for all the others.
I use the 6/9 for 8" Shakers and the 7/6 for Hughies.
Beaver |
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| another stick to look at is the falcon 6'10"10 power
it has been a great rod for throwing and heavy twitching
depth raiders and 10"jakes also for the phantoms and other heavy jerks
peace |
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Posts: 1335
Location: Chicago, Beverly | That Falcon 6'10" x-xtra heavy rod seems pretty unknown..don't see many either using it or on the boards mention it. My brother has one, very nice rod. I think it was originally designed as a tarpon rod. |
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Location: Illinois-Indiana | I used to use a St. Croix Avid 6'9" for ALL jerk baits but now I'm into the longer rod (7'6" St. Croix Avid) to help toss those big hunks, I even used the 8' Avid last year and loved it.
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Posts: 921
Location: Apollo, PA | I had a lamiglas HR special for sale on this site, and reconsidered what I was doing! The lamiglas is a very powerful rod, more even than a 6'9" St. Croix which I also own. I had a rod builder tell me, watch going to thin on a blank if the purpose is to throw heavy baits. Think about it, it makes sense. Everbody is so into - light as a feather..... I would like to get a custom rod sometime and can see the advantages, but if power is what your after, and to throw heavy jerkbaits, get a rod with a thicker and powerful blank. Just my 2 cents, I'm sure there are several models out there from different companys. My St. Croix has also worked fine with no failure problems. Good Luck!!!!!!!!! |
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Posts: 938
Location: NeverNever Lake | I have thrown gliders up to 10ozs with my Hughes River Special. I can't say Lamiglas are the lightest sticks, but I can definately say they are the strongest. Also consider tip action for big gliders. The HR has a moderate action. |
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| Apparentley I'm the only one who doesn't use a pole vault for a jerkbait rod, 6'2 for glide baits and 6'10 for pull baits.
Matt |
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| I'm with Matt on this. Love the long rods for lighter baits but heavy baits like you mentioned are far easier for me to work with a short, stout rod. You don't need the extra length to cast these baits a mile and they work easier on a short rod. I use a 6'3" rod for most jerkbaits but step back to a 6' for 8" Shaker and big Hugheys. Looks like the Wabull is in that weight class. Far easier on the body to work a heavy bait with a shorter rod. |
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Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I use a 6'6" and a 7' for the Wabull, Undertaker, Manta, H20, and like lures. |
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Posts: 743
| PhishKiller, it all depends on your musky jones budget (jerbait rod budget).
For the money, it's very hard to beat a St. Criox Premier. It really is. They are pretty cheap and dang good rods. for the big baits, a 6'9" or 7' extra heavy would be sweet for the heavy gliders (if st croix does make an extra heavy premier??not sure, but i'd imagine they do)
But, if you don't need to stay w/in a little budget, check out Lamiglass or Loomis. I throw the Hughes Rivers Special for heavy bait. It's 6'10", extra heavy and not rated for 1 oz lures. If you want something that will really handle those big baits, get a rod that is rated for 2oz to 8oz lures or whatever. not 1 oz to 6 oz. So, that Hughes Rivers Lamiglass is sweet for big baits. However, i also like to toss my bro's G Loomis Extra Heavy jerbait sticks. they are a bit lighter and perform so well. They are sweet rods. I really like Loomis, they are lighter and perform better (in my opinion). Loomis is not cheap.
If you are looking to build you jerbait rod arsenal, i really like my 8'6" extra heavy lamiglass for little gliders (6" Slammer, 6" Phantoms, tuffs, ect)
The 8' extra heavy lamiglass is sweet for medium /mall gliders, like Magic Makers, undertaker, burts,). It handles them really well. The 8' Ex Hvy is also good for 8" Phantoms, baits like that.
Then i told you how stout the 6'10" HR is, from Lamiglass. This rod can handle all HR's, super mag bulldawgs...all those monster baits...(13"-16" twitch baits)
Howver, there is still a time when i like to throw the Lamiglass 6'2", E GLASS, extra heavy. some boat set ups call for a shorter rod when jerkbait fishing, and this is a super toughy stick. good rod for big bait and medium/big baits.
Supposedly Lamiglass is coming out w/a new series of musky rods, that are going to be lighter than the grey ones they have out now. I'd image they are evolving from Lamiglass's In Shore series. Which will be lighter, but not sure as stiff/toughy as the ones they have now?
I'm prolly going to be trying to pick up a new Loomis. They just seem to be so sweet. Phish Killer, it's budget 1st. not sure if the Avid is worth the extra money (over the st croix premier).
As far the All Stars goes...I use my bro's 8' and 8' 6" extra heavy All Stars and they are just OK. They handle baits well, and the corks are comfortable, not like Loomis or Lamiglass.
I have not throw a Fig Rig.
Damn Winter, it comes every year.
tomcat
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Posts: 267
Location: Right behind you (tap, tap) BOOO | I use a St.Croix Avid 6'9 Heavy for throwing my jerk baits around. Seems to work perfect for me. I'm not a tall guy and I don't think I could go much longer with a jerk rod, I don't think I'd be able to put the kind of action on the lure that I'd like.
Esox23 |
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Posts: 1046
| I must be doing something wrong! As I throw the biggest jerk/glide baits and rip 10" jakes with my 8` mh Fig-Rig.Light as a feather easy to fish with and figure 8 and ALL those other pool-cues just sit in the rodlocker or the basement.Like I said must be doing something wrong! |
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Posts: 827
Location: Minneapolis,Minnesota | Tomcat, After dropping almost $300 a couple weeks ago on my new 8' Thornes custom bucktail rod $$ is a bit tight. My budget is around $200 but if I can get under that I won't complain.
I've been considering a Loomis, but haven't really looked at Lamiglass. I always heard those rods were tanks?
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Posts: 743
| PhishKiller, i'm not sure Lami's are tanks, but not as light as loomis. but, like i said, Lami will have a new series sometime soon, that will be lighter. But, if you are throwing big baits, do you want a serious rod? lamiglass can handle about anything you can dish out. and if you're not an old timer, than an extra ounce or two for a rod isnt' going to kill you.
I have found 2 Loomis rods for under $200 from guys who were looking to get rid of them...network w/ musky buddies and find out who wants to sell thier old loomis rod so they can order that Thorne Bros custom! Loomis musky rods appear on Ebay every 2 or 3 month and they normally go for less than $200.
If i wasnt' such a jerkbait/glide bait jonser, i would have so many...but man, who can resist throwing new gliders?? i love it.
You can't go wrong w/ loomis that's for sure. not a problem w/ the Lamiglass rod either. |
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Jerkbait rod feedback????