I seldom use jerk baits and have been asked to build a rod to meet the following requirements:
6ft 8 to 6ft 10.
Throws a 5/8ths oz to 1 oz jerk bait on conventional all on top micros.
He fishes tip down and hits the water on the retrieve all the time.
10lb floro as the water is very clear.
Bay Springs area/ Pickwick lake.
Big Spotted and smallmouth bass.
Now i have fished with this guy and he needs lots of 'give' in his rod tip as he over works it, almost slashes the bait through the water like he was trying to snag the fish.
It works very well for him.
So maybe a multi- modulus blank ?
I can cut down up to 4 inches if i have to, or add up to 10 with an over sleeve if there is a good 6ft blank that otherwise would do the job.

Try this it should help : [rodbuilding.org]

Bill - willierods.com

Lou - You know there is that ole saying "The Customer is always correct", but in this case I would have to disagree with the length of the rod he wants. Since he thrashes the tip of the rod on the water, a shorter rod would actually be better. Maybe he would not hit the water as much and could concentrate more on the technique. A blank that I really like for this type of fishing would be the MB782 MHX for the smalller jerk baits and the MB783 MHX for the larger baits.

Bob McKamey
bobm@mudhole.com

Bill,thanks I had used the search prior to posting:but all that told me was what i knew already in general .

This is a very specific application, very light line for that heavy (to my mind) weight of lure. Does not synch up with manufacturers suggested lure weight vs line class ranges either. A very soft tip. Overworking the lure and using the rod to compensate for technique.
Hitting the water part of the retrieve means a thinner rod tip i would think.
Maybe a cut down at the butt MHX blend 845 but that may still be a bit too fast and powerful.?

I like Bob´s MB783 MHX about as good as any for what the fellow is asking. and I agree, I´d drop to a 6´6' and try and keep that tip OUT of the water.

A Med or MH power popping blank might be a good suggestion as well, cut to fit if needed. That would give you the 'give' you´re asking for and good durability also.

DR

Bob thanks for the phone conversation, i will get hold of him and see what he is using now and what/why he wants to change it.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/31/2010 01:09PM by Lou Auret.

Bob is in tune with the music for the Jerk and Twitch!

To really get the water stirred up!

Castaway XP3 784

6'6" Length
Line # 10 - 17
Lure Oz. - 5/16 - 3/4
PWR - Med Hvy

You may want to look at the St Croix Avid 6'9" MLXF or the 6'8" MXF. The 6'9" may be a little on the light side for 1oz baits but the 6'8" should be able to handle it. I thought at one time St Croix made a 6'2" MXF for this technique, I'm not sure if they still make the blank, but I'm sure that the 6'3" MXF would work well for it.

Hello Mark -- You are correct about those St. Croix models. Those MXF models do work great for what many fisherman would want in a jerk bait rod, but this request is a little different technique.

Bob McKamey
bobm@mudhole.com

Many will never know the pleasure some get from this business!

If I am lying I am dying!

I did not even get a plastic cup filled with chilled peach lightining!

Bob jerked!

I twitched and swallowed his bait!

I ordered one his St Croix "thangs" and asked him to break it into three pieces so I could save money on shipping.

No fooling!!

Keeper of Clyde

Bill

Do or can you sell - snow balls - to the Devel ??

I had to ask - DDoooo

Bill - willierods.com

Bob this dude thinks I am lying!

Maybe he is the one that needs to sample the secret elixir stored in glass milk bottles in the barn on the Duck!!

Dear Mr. Boettcher:

It pleases me greatly that I have managed to "sell" a large number of items to those involved in this wonderful craft.

At this point, my largest failue is the inability to get YOU to cough up the cash for one set of micro guides.

Tell you what - you order one set of micro guides from Bob McKamey at Mudhole and Swampland will guarantee payment for !/2 of the total charge.

If you give them a chance the rod will light you up a lot brighter than one of your White Night Sticks.

I chose to answer!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/31/2010 08:34PM by Bill Stevens.

i use a rainshadow rx7 mb783. I typically like a more moderate rod for treble baits, but a soft rod just doesn't work for jerkbaits -IMHO - i have used this blank a lot as i throw a jerkbait most of the spring and early summer months. a lighter weight blank (like a MHX, SCIV, castaway, etc) would be ideal, however i would just make sure its not too fast or too heavy. For the record i throw anything from a pointer 78, xcallibur twitch baits (both DD and regular) all the way up to the DD pointers and also a larger spro minnow (45)
it handles them all very well. micros on top, 6-7"" rear grip (i'm 6''1").

Regards,
-Justin

Bill

Got a set I got from Mud Hole a while ago Just have not stripped the rod I want to put them on yet

Thanks for the offer though. If the bass guy I fixed his Sage rods takes me up on testing it - I'll build it.

Bill - willierods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/01/2010 11:20AM by bill boettcher.

Bill,

Get first hand input by using it yourself!! Once you see and believe the advantages that they can offer for certain Bass rods (some others as well) You will be easily selling him on the rewards.

Lou -
I have a buddy that fishes the exact rod and lures you're talking about. He throws 7/8oz and 1oz jerkbaits on a GLoomis Med Light 6'10" and swears by it. I've been with him when he is catching 8lb+ fish on this set up. Of course I'm bundled up like the Pillsbury Doughboy in late January! Those BPS boys are a little slow to listen to reason.
Todd