Fishing with jerk baits is a great way to catch bass. You will need the right equipment to be able to use this technique effectively and catch more fish. We’ll be taking a look at the top jerkbait rods available for angling.
You won’t have a great time jerkbait fishing if you take your grandfather’s old rod and push-button reel with you. You can still catch more fish if you are properly equipped with the right rod.
The name jerkbaits comes from the jerking action that you use to make the lures move. Instead of other lures that require you to reel them in, jerk baits rely solely on your ability to move your rod quickly. Every rod is not up to the task.
We have listed below our top jerkbait rods. These are our top picks, as well as the best jerk bait rods.
Here is a quick overview of the top jerkbait rods currently available.
- KastKing Speed Demon Pro Tournament SeriesOur Choice!
- Lew’s TP1 Speedstick
- St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod
- Shimano Curado Casting Rod
- Abu Garcia Ike Signature Casting Rod
- KastKing Speed Demon Bass Series
Best Jerkbait Rod Reviews
KastKing Speed Demon Pro Tournament Series – Our Pick!
Specifications |
Pros |
Cons |
| Length6’10” PowerMedium Take action quick Line weight:10-20 lbs Reel Type: Casting |
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Summary
The KastKing Speed Demon Pro Tournament Fishing Rod is the best choice if you have only one rod. This rod has a lot of quality features. It was a joy to use, and we are sure you will love it as well.
This rod measures six feet and is ten inches long. Combining that with medium power and fast action gives you a softness to allow the lure to move realistically. The Speed Demon Pro is strong enough to catch large bass and bring them into the boat.
This rod can handle lines up to ten pounds and has a reel seat that is suitable for baitcasters. It has a wide range of capabilities, even at the higher end of the spectrum (at twenty pounds). This rod will produce the best results if you use a line weight between ten and fifteen pounds.
The Speed Demon Pro Tournament’s build quality is outstanding. It is made from high-quality carbon blanks and Fuji guides. The reel seat has a comfortable and secure fit. The Winn Grips also prevent the handle from becoming slick from sweat and water. The build quality is excellent.
The Speed Demon Pro is, in our opinion, the best jerk bait rod. The Speed Demon Pro ticks all the boxes and has the best of everything. This rod has all the positives and is our choice.
Lew’s TP1 Speedstick
Specifications |
Pros |
Cons |
| Length6’8″ PowerMedium-Light Take action quick Line weight:6-12 lb Reel Type: Baitcaster |
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Summary
Lew’s rods are known for being high quality. This one is no exception. The TP1 Speedstick is a great choice and one that you should consider when shopping for jerk bait gear.
The TP1 measures six feet eight inches in length and is perfect for jerk bait fishing. This rod’s medium-light power combined with its fast action allows for realistic lure movement as well as superior hook setting.
Speed Sticks have a line weight between six and twelve pounds. We think this is a little too low. You should not have any problems using your favorite line and it will not catch on the American Tackle MicroWave guides. These guides are excellent for eliminating wind knots and keeping accuracy and casting distance at a high standard.
The graphite blanks IM8 graphite are excellent, and Lew’s graphite skeletal reel slot works perfectly. Winn Grips was chosen for the handle material. They feel great in the hand. This rod is made with only the best quality materials.
Lew’s produces great fishing rods, and the TP1 Speedstick is a true workhorse. This rod will have you catching fish like a pro quickly!
St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod
Specifications |
Pros |
Cons |
| Length6’6″ PowerMedium Take action quick Line weight:6-12 lbs Reel Type: Spinning |
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Summary
Most anglers picture a luxury rod made by hand when they think of St. Croix. This vision is maintained by the Triumph Spinning Rod, which gives you an excellent option to use a spinning reel while fishing with a jerk bait.
The St. Croix measures six-and-a-half feet in length, making it a shorter option on our list but still very capable. The shorter options are more manageable so we tend to prefer the shorter range. This rod has medium power and fast action that give it a smooth feel when retrieving and casting. You will also catch fewer fish by setting the hook quickly and easily.
We wish that the manufacturer would offer more options at the top end of the line weight, which ranges between six and twelve pounds. This range is acceptable and will allow you to select from a variety of options when purchasing a line.
This rod has a fantastic build quality. The Triumph rod is made from premium graphite with tough aluminum oxide guides. It can handle even the most difficult fishing trips. Cork grips are comfortable enough to use for fishing all day. A great addition is the Fuji DPS reel seat, with its frosted-silver hood.
The St. Croix Triumph spinning reel is an excellent choice if you are looking for a rod to jerk baitfish. We have one complaint about the packaging used to ship these rods. It leaves much to be desired. The rod itself? It is simply amazing.
Shimano Curado Casting Rod
Specifications |
Pros |
Cons |
| Materialgraphite Length6’7′, 8’6″,9’9’6″,10′, 11’1″, 13’14’ and 15′ Weight:#3 to #11 Take action fast Pieces4 |
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Summary
Length6’10”
PowerMedium
Take action quick
Line weight:8 to 15 lbs
Reel Type: Baitcaster
Few companies can match the Shimano brand in the world of angling. People will listen when you mention Shimano. Their rods are known for their quality and effectiveness. The Curado Casting rod is another excellent rod for jerk bait fishing.
The Curado measures six feet in length and is ten inches wide. This rod is a perfect combination of strength and performance thanks to its medium power and quick action. This rod is easy to cast and retrieve larger jerk baits, and it’s also easy to set the hook.
Although the build quality is still very good, it falls short of other competitors. Although everything should work well, the Curado doesn’t have the same fit and finish as the top contenders. The Curado has Fuji guides and a Fuji reel seat with a matte finish, which are excellent choices. It is durable and made of high modulus carbon. It just lacks the WOW factor. It’s not boring, though it works well.
If your main complaint about a rod’s performance is that it is boring, then you will be happy to know that the rod performs well. This rings true as the Curado’s performance is superior to any other on the list. The Shimano Curado Casting Rod is a great choice if you don’t care much about the look and finish.
Pros
- Perfect length
- Medium power
- Rapid action
- Quality construction
Cons
- It is not the best fit or finish
Abu Garcia Ike Signature Casting Rod
Specifications |
Pros |
Cons |
| Length6’6″ Power Medium-Heavy Take action quick Line weight:6-14 lbs Reel Type: Baitcaster |
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Summary
Many rod and reel manufacturers are competing for the top spot in bass fishing equipment. Abu Garcia is the most prominent name on the list. It would be a crime not to include their Ike Signature Casting Rod.
The rod measures six feet six inches in length. This rod is balanced with fast action and six feet. We don’t mind it. This rod is different from most of its competitors because it has medium-heavy power. It’s slightly higher than our medium power, which you can feel in the rod. We find it a little too stiff. The rod is still strong and has enough feel to be a great jerk bait rod.
It is great to build quality. Abu Garcia collaborated with Mike Iaconelli to create this rod. He has made many great choices. The stainless steel guides with Zirconium inserts and Fuji reel seats are excellent, as are the graphite blanks. You can feel the quality of the rod from the moment you take it home.
This Abu Garcia rod was created in collaboration with Mike Iaconelli, a well-known angler. You get exactly what you expect. This rod is well-made and efficient.
KastKing Speed Demon Bass Series
Specifications |
Pros |
Cons |
| Length6’8″ PowerMedium Take action quick Weighing Lure:8 to 17 lbs Reel Type: Baitcaster |
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Summary
Do you recognize the name of this rod? It is, and it’s very familiar! This is the “nonpro” version of KastKing Speed Demon rods. This rod is a great alternative to the more expensive KastKing Speed Demon, but it’s not as high-end as its bigger brother. Is this to say that it’s not a good rod to use with jerk baits No!
This rod measures six feet and eight inches long, which is in the middle range of acceptable rod lengths. This rod’s medium power and quick action complement the length well. It has a great feel, with plenty of power to move the lure and set the hook, and catch the fish.
Although you won’t be able to get the Winn Grips to finish on the handle, this rod is very durable. The rod features Fuji reel guides, a Fuji seat, and graphite blank technology, which makes it strong and agile. While they are not Winn Grips-worthy, the EVA foam grips are still good.
This is the best option if you are looking for a cheaper option that offers many of the same performance characteristics as our winner, the KastKing Speed Demon PRO Tournament Series. It is a good jerk bait rod and maintains a decent level of quality.
Our Pick: The KastKing Speed Demon Pro Tournament Series
The KastKing Speed Demon Tournament Series is the best choice for jerk bait rods. This rod is perfect for fishing with a Jerkbait. It does everything better than any other.
Although every rod on the list is capable, we can easily recommend them all. However, the KastKing Speed Demon Pro Tournament Series is the best. It is our top choice if you want to purchase the best of all the best.
The Best Jerkbait Rod Selection Criteria
Jerkbaits can be fished in such a way as to look like a swimming minnow. Every jerk of a rod causes the lures to move in a quick, unpredictable, and attractive manner to bass.
This is a demanding fishing technique that requires a rod that can withstand a lot of motion. You’ll either end up with a broken rod or worse, a blister on your hand.
Below are the top things to consider when buying a new jerk bait fishing rod. You’ll be a confident shopper, angler, and if you match these criteria, you can buy with confidence.
Length
It is important to choose the right length rod for fishing with jerk baits. The rod should be long enough to allow you to cast the lure at a reasonable distance, but not too long that it prevents the retriever from jerking properly. A solid jerkbait rod should be between six and a half and seven feet in length. You will lose a lot of casting distance if you go below six-and-a-half feet. This can make for less than ideal fishing conditions. You’ll have to deal with a heavier, bulkier rod if you exceed seven feet. You’ll find the best jerk baits for landing those lunkers if you stick between six-and-a-half to seven feet.
Power
A jerk bait rod should have a power of medium or medium-light. This will allow you the freedom to work the lure in water using your jerk bait retrieval techniques, but still have enough backbone to catch large fish. You will lose some of the natural motion of your jerk bait if you use power too high. A power that is too low could result in you missing fish because the hook doesn’t set properly. The key to choosing the right rod power for jerk bait fish fishing is finding the balance.
Take Action
When jerkbait fishing, you want a rod that has a fast action. A rod that has a slow action will result in a loss of a quick hook setting. Faster rods provide better sensitivity and allow you to feel the faintest strikes. You will be able to cast, retrieve and catch tons of fish fishing with a Jerkbait if you can set in at the fastest range of the scale.
Line Weight
You want to get the best fishing rod possible. Make sure your line weight is compatible with the specifications. For jerkbait rods, this will typically be in the ten- to fifteen pound range. This range of line will be strong enough for casting, retrieving, and fighting jerkbaits after a strike.
Reels
Which do you prefer, a spinning reel or a lure caster? This is a crucial question because you will need to purchase a rod that matches the reel you are using. There are many casting rods for jerk bait fishing. However, there are also many spinning rods. We have reviewed a variety of reels so you can choose the one that suits you best.
Durability
You should also consider how durable and tough the rod is. It should be made from the best quality materials such as graphite and carbon. You can rely on a durable rod to last you years and prevent any hardware problems. This will make you a happier angler and save you money.