Jerkbait rod advice needed

[Champ188]

Guys, I use a Falcon Cara T7 Weightless Worm rod myself that I bought directly from Mike McClelland's hands. He handed me the lightly used rod and I handed him cash. Best darn jerkbait rod ever made, IMO.

But we need to point this guy toward the best jerkbait rod he can buy for $100. To stay strictly at that price, I'd be hard pressed to recommend besides the Lew's TPI Speed Stick Jerkbait/Small Topwater model. It's a 6-8, ML rod that should do the job nicely.

What would probably do a significantly better job of getting that bait out there (and distance is critical in jerk bait fishing) is the Lew's Custom Speed Stick Jerkbait rod at $129 (retail -- might find it on sale closer to $100). I say this rod  might be better because it's a M action instead of ML, and that extra bit of muscle in the barrel might just help propel that bait a bit farther. 

That's my 2 cents' worth.

Whatever you end up with, Steve, I hope you catch a bunch of fish on it.

[mudfish24]

Temple Fork Outfitters 6'6" MH.  $100 and lifetime warranty.

[176champion]

Im just a poor ole white boy, i use a 7 foot medium ugly stick and it works for me.

[Champ188]

10 hours ago, mudfish24 said:

Temple Fork Outfitters 6'6" MH.  $100 and lifetime warranty.

MH is an awful lot of power for a jerkbait. The M power does at least two things: (1) It helps soften the "jerk" for those who have trouble imparting a subtle "twitch" to their lures and (2) it helps keep fish from pulling off during the fight. M power and fast action are the way to go.

[top_dollar]

Use one that works for you.  Lots of different options and lots of different opinions.  I don't care for the long rods most are opining.  My go to is a 5ft 6inch trigger stick bps tourney special.  It's a med heavy, fast action.  My dad bought it probably 20 years ago for like 50 bucks.  Im6 graphite.  I cut the trigger off of it and sanded it smooth.  I also sanded down the "power hump" grip so it's more comfortable.  Neither of those help me catch more fish, just a personal preference.  I spool it with 12 or 14# trilene, on a lews casting reel I got on sale.  For smaller (2-4inch) jerkbaits I use a spinning rod, med power, fast action...again less than 6ft, spooled with 8# mono.

I believe with jerkbaits it's about finding a balance of bait control to manipulate the lure, and cusion to keep fish hooked up.  Using a very short stiff rod, and braid line will allow the angler the most control of the lure. Consequently it gets me more bites.   The trade off is with a treble hooked bait there needs to be some line stretch and or rod softness to keep the fish hooked up after they bite.  I think you just gotta find the proper balance that works best for you.  I find myself liking the stretch of mono and the short stiff rods.  Seems to give me the best of both worlds.  One thing I don't care for on jerkbaits is fluro line, but I'm a line watcher and a lot of cold water bites I get I just see the line jump or tick.  I'm sure though that some folks are excellent jerkbait fishermen and use fc line.  Just a preference. 

 

[Smithvillesteve]

Boys I cant thank you enough for all your input. With all the cold and ice up here in KC i spent about 3 hours on the computer researching jerkbait rods. Top ten lists etc. A lot of the rods ranked highly were rods that you boys recommended. Also found a good article on what to look for in a jerkbait rod and you boys have backed up a lot of that information. I wanted to contact Mr Babler and see if he sells the Falcons, at what price, and does he ship? The rod that kept getting a lot of "play" was the Lew's Custom Speed Cast Stick. 6 ft. 7 inch M. 129.99 at Tackle Warehouse. I know some of you recommended that rod for my price range. Once again, I cant thank you boys enough. You guys have helped me with everything from long underwear to line. 

[vernon]

28 minutes ago, Smithvillesteve said:

Boys I cant thank you enough for all your input. With all the cold and ice up here in KC i spent about 3 hours on the computer researching jerkbait rods. Top ten lists etc. A lot of the rods ranked highly were rods that you boys recommended. Also found a good article on what to look for in a jerkbait rod and you boys have backed up a lot of that information. I wanted to contact Mr Babler and see if he sells the Falcons, at what price, and does he ship? The rod that kept getting a lot of "play" was the Lew's Custom Speed Cast Stick. 6 ft. 7 inch M. 129.99 at Tackle Warehouse. I know some of you recommended that rod for my price range. Once again, I cant thank you boys enough. You guys have helped me with everything from long underwear to line. 

I've been doing lots of the same - including enduring the cold and ice as I'm just across the river from you - and think I'm gonna go with the Falcon Cara T7.  A little bit more money but I've been beyond pleased with the other Falcon's that I picked up last year (McClelland Swimjig and 2 Kreit Squirrel Tails) based on Champ and Mr. Babler's recommendations.  

Only hesitation at this point is whether to go with the basic T7 jerk bait rod or the McClelland.  Probably ought to get with Bill too as I could save shipping by just swinging by his place on my next trip down.  Although that IS kinda hard to do as I'm not the most patient guy in the world!

Although that Lew's is kind of tempting I think I'm gonna go with what I know I like and what guys that know way more about this stuff than me recommend.

Good luck and keep warm (and off the roads)!

[Champ188]

Glad to offer what limited help I did. That Falcon Cara would be the sweetest thing you ever put in your hands, but we all have budgets we have to stick with. I bet that Lew's would do the job just fine, too. Again, whatever you get, enjoy the heck out of it and catch a bunch.

I certainly would wait until I could get in touch with Bill and see what he can do. You might be pleasantly surprised.

 

[Bill Babler]

I'm usually going to be $30 to $70 dollars under tacklewarehouse on just about any Falcon Rod.  Trouble is with the shipping.  I don't ship enough to get special rates, and it cost be about $30 to ship 1 rod or 5 rods.  On the Micro's and the MMC Signature I can save anyone a bunch of money on a Falcon.  On a single T7 if I have to ship it, I'm going to be pretty close to TW.  On multiple rods shipped on the same order, I'm going to blow anyone out of the water.  Also when I have my experienced rods that only have a season of use, I can save you money on those.  Any picked up at the lodge or if I can deliver them local will be a fantastic buy.

I currently do not have any pre-owned rods for sale.  I have sold them all for 2016 Sorry.  I will have some Fall of 2017, but they are usually spoken for through the year. 

Last year Falcon Rods were just about impossible to get from Jan.1st. till the middle of June.  They sold well over 2 million rods in that stretch of time and to tell you the truth they were not prepared for that.  I was really lucky and I ordered correctly and had rods, that people wanted on hand.  I sold one fishing client 12 new rods.  Some of the most popular rods that Falcon has took a huge price jump.  I think that stemmed from the demand last spring.  I was talking to Champ last week and told him one of the rods that I was selling last year for $179.00 jumped to $249.00.  The Signature Rods exploded  as well.  It was really a sellers market with the demand for the Falcon Micro Cranker and the MMC which are all Micro simply going wild.

Falcon wants all their dealers to order their entire inventory in September, and you pretty much have to, to get their best prices for the year.  We can order throughout the year, but at an extremely higher wholesale price and Falcon always sells on a wholesale quantity discounts so its hard for me to order single rods that I don't have in stock already.  I pretty much stock what I use on the White River Chain and a few additional items.  I only stock the Cara series and the MMC Signature.

The MMC Jerkbait special will be the most handsome rod you have in your collection, with gold highlights and the highest quality Carbon Fiber of any rod made.  It is a very special animal.  I not only use it for jerkbaits but you would be hard pressed to find a better topwater rod and small square bill rod anywhere.  I have to have multiple usage.  The only topwater I don't throw on it is a fin.  The Micro Cranker has a softer tip and a bit of a slower mid-section that is perfect for the fin.  ie Cranker.

Good Luck and if we can help you let me know.

[Smithvillesteve]

Bill: Thanks for the detailed report. Sounds like those Falcon rods are the real deal. There were several Falcon Cara models on TW. The T-7 models on there were all over 7 ft. I dont think i want a jerkbait rod that long!! It sold for 200 dollars. The Falcon Cara McClelland ST Micro sold for 250 dollars. I never saw the Falcon Jerkbait special on there or the Cara weightless worm rod that Champ and Dave were high on. I may be coming down your way in the middle of next week. Wish you had some preowned rods left. But what is the bottom dollar price for one of your Falcon rods that would be good for a jerkbait? Once again, thanks for your detailed report.