Buster Loving Jerkbait Rod?

[Jozark]

Hello,

I haven't been on in a while but I heard Buster's fishing seminar from a couple years back an had a question. What brand or model rods does Buster use for his jerkbaits? I remember older post and a couple of pictures of shorter pistol grip style rods. Which are hard to find now days. Most pros and anglers today are trying to use the longest rods possible but I don't think it is conducive for jerkbait or topwaters when using a downward movement. Thank you

 

 

[snakem]

i use a pistol grip ugly stix 5'6,had it 4 over 20 yrs. and love it

[Bill Babler]

Hear is the deal with the rods Buster uses.  He has 3 different rods, and none of them are available for his clients,  They are all as old as we are, kind of like Snakes deal.  His favorite is a custom build 5'6" pistol grip made by the Rod Shope in KC.  Tom Knox made it for him about 15 yrs. ago.  Next in line is a 5'8" pistol grip glass rod that is a bionic blade no longer made by Bass Pro.  His third is a Castaway 5'10" short cork grip.  He says he does not know if it is still made.  He doesn't think so.  He will at times let his very best repeat clients use the Castaway.  That's why he is very protective of his stuff, as it is not replaceable.  Buster is not very tall, kind of like me and he needs the shorter rods. 

Buster is a downward jerker.  He believes this contributes to his success in that he is able to get the bait maybe a foot or two deeper, QUICKER.  He wants it at depth quickly and to remain there.  He will start each presentation with between 5 and 8 extremely hard downward jerks and they are "Violent."

Most all his walleye fishing is done in extremely cold weather and he likes the feel of the pistol and the warmth of it on the cold days.  Now you know the rest of the story.

[timinmo]

St. Croix still makes a 5'6" pistol grip casting rod in their Premier series, around $140. 

[Bill Babler]

9 minutes ago, timinmo said:

St. Croix still makes a 5'6" pistol grip casting rod in their Premier series, around $140. 

I would say that is going to be just about as close as you will every get to what he's got.  Thanks Tim.  I will mention it to Buster, I'll bet ya he might just snag one of those to try.  I will tell you, a man has to fish that short rod out of the front of the boat and throw the Heck out of it to get the distance you need.  When Buster slings that thing, I like to be at the very back of the 22" boat as he winds up and sidearms it hard enough to hit the moon.

[jim m]

I have an older diawa 5'6" pistol grip that was sold as a topwater rod, works fantastic for a jb and you can make a spook do what it is supose too. the saying they don't make em like they use too is true

[Jozark]

Thank you very much Bill, Tim, Jim and Snake.

I figured as much you just don't see that style of rod that often, but I will take a look at the St.Croix or the Castaway.

Thank you again

[timinmo]

I should also have added that I think Basspro has some short pistol grip rods.  River fishing guys really like short rods and it is getting harder and harder to find "Quality" short casting rods.  There seems to always be some short lower end rods for guys that fish push button reels.  

[Ham]

17 hours ago, Bill Babler said:

Hear is the deal with the rods Buster uses.  He has 3 different rods, and none of them are available for his clients,  They are all as old as we are, kind of like Snakes deal.  His favorite is a custom build 5'6" pistol grip made by the Rod Shope in KC.  Tom Knox made it for him about 15 yrs. ago.  Next in line is a 5'8" pistol grip glass rod that is a bionic blade no longer made by Bass Pro.  His third is a Castaway 5'10" short cork grip.  He says he does not know if it is still made.  He doesn't think so.  He will at times let his very best repeat clients use the Castaway.  

Holy Crap! I had one of those Castaway rods, but I have no idea what happened to it or where it would be at this point. I'm going to look for it. Maybe my Dad has it. I had forgotten all about it.

 

[dan hufferd]

Try Binks. 

binkspoons.com