spinning combo for jerkbaits

[mingo72]

LOVELOVELOVE my Ronin for jerkbaits. Mine paired with Vanford 3000, braid to leader…perfect. When jerkbaiting all day I have the expride casting and ronin on deck….switch up when my arm gets tired.

-Matt

[dragon1]

Unless you are fishing 6lb test floro on a spinning rod, which I would never recommend for jerkbait fishing, floro is a management nightmare on a spinning rod. Braid manages better, casts farther and lasts longer. Braid to leader all the way IMHO... I throw 15lb Vermillion Red Power Pro Braid to a Seaguar Red Label 10lb Floro leader of between 10 and 15 feet.

Right on...I always fish braid to leader on spinning, granted I use a shorter 3-4 foot leader.

[coreynov902]

I have fished the Ronin and it is a GREAT jerkbait rod, but of all the spinning rods I have fished jerkbaits with my hands down favorite is the Shimano Expride 6'8" Medium Heavy Fast Action. I have two of them. The butt section of this rod is short and compact, making it perfect for working a jerkbait and the action is perfect for working jerkbaits and keeping fish pinned all the way back to the boat. I can't recall having lost a fish that I have hooked on these rods. I have them paired with Daiwa 18 Caldia LT 3000 CXH, awesome combo, allowing me to throw jerkbaits a MILE. The bonus of this combo is when I am not throwing a jerkbait, these are excellent top water, ie popper rods and small walking baits.

I’ve owned a couple Expride casting rods and really liked them, so I’ll definitely look at this one too. Any particular reason you like the Expride over the Ronin?

[5 by 3]

I use the expride 7ft medium spinning rod. Works well for the 110 sized baits, might want to go lighter if you throw the smaller jerkbaits.

[Birdman2136]

I didn't read any other comments so I apologize if this is a major repeat.

I own two spinning combos I love for jerkbaits. Megabass Orochi XX Ronin and Daiwa Kage 6'10 jerkbait rod. The Daiwa Kage is super affordable and I use it a ton!

[coreynov902]

Thanks for all the great info and suggestions. Just ordered the Orochi XX Ronin from The Tackle Trap and was able to work out a trade with a fellow BBC member on a Daiwa XFIRE 2510PE-H JDM spinning reel, so I think I'm all set! Can't wait to get them and use them!

[Roto77777]

I know I will get some remarks because of the $, but I travel a few times a year to MN, and have caught hundreds of 3-5lb smallies on an Abu Revo X20 spinning reel. Very smooth, lightweight, solid frame and great drag. $100. Grab a 6’9” med spinning rod, and your set
for jerkbaits. I use the same combo for skipping senkos under docks, and Ned rigs.

[TMG]

Thanks for all the great info and suggestions. Just ordered the Orochi XX Ronin from The Tackle Trap and was able to work out a trade with a fellow BBC member on a Daiwa XFIRE 2510PE-H JDM spinning reel, so I think I'm all set! Can't wait to get them and use them!

You will love it
I have a Ronin with a dawia balistic. One of my favorite rods.

[ttranger]

I have to agree with the one poster who suggested that you can get a really good outfit for less than $400 - $500. Go ahead if you have the money but I think there are many suitable combos that could be had for no more than $250.

[TNReb]

I have to agree with the one poster who suggested that you can get a really good outfit for less than $400 - $500. Go ahead if you have the money but I think there are many suitable combos that could be had for no more than $250.

That's a fair opinion.. but at least help the guy out and give him some options in that range?

[coreynov902]

I have no disagreement with anyone that said I could get a combo for much less than my budget. I'm sure I could have. In particular with the rod, I have read articles and watched videos about fishing a jerkbait properly without wearing yourself out quickly and the person always says that having the correct rod is a big key to this. I'm sure there is a $100-$150 rod out there that is a great jerkbait rod, but I am familiar with the Megabass brand since I own several Megabass rods and I have never had one of their rods that I didn't like. I've also never been steered the wrong direction from Gary at The Tackle Trap when he has recommended a particular rod. And the Ronin was designed specifically for jerkbaits. That's why I went with the Ronin instead of a more budget-friendly rod.

[Velcro1124]

You’d have to go with a lower-end reel to keep near your budget but I love throwing jerkbaits on my MB P5 Windbuster. It can handle 110 size baits no problem but is also great for more finesse type stuff. Ended up buying a 2nd one so that I can use one as a dedicated JB rod and the other for free rig, dropshot, etc.

[Wild Card]

Unless you are fishing 6lb test floro on a spinning rod, which I would never recommend for jerkbait fishing, floro is a management nightmare on a spinning rod. Braid manages better, casts farther and lasts longer. Braid to leader all the way IMHO... I throw 15lb Vermillion Red Power Pro Braid to a Seaguar Red Label 10lb Floro leader of between 10 and 15 feet.

[BassVoodoo]

I switched to Spinning rods for jerkbaits a few years ago. I have tried 7' down to 6' rods. Try the Abu Garcia Veritas 6'6" M. It is a quality rod for jerkbaits. You don't need sensitivity and you need a crisp tip. Spend your money on a Sweet Reel and throw it on a Veritas. You will be MORE than happy.

[capt odie]

I sure would like to try a Ronin rod.
How is the balance with a 2500 reel?

[mingo72]

I sure would like to try a Ronin rod.
How is the balance with a 2500 reel?

You should. I think the action on that rod is literally perfect for jerkbaiting. I have a 3000 Vanford on it (same wt as the 2500) and its great.

[coreynov902]

I sure would like to try a Ronin rod.
How is the balance with a 2500 reel?

The balance is fantastic with the 2500 reel I have on it. Even though the Ronin itself is slightly heavier than the Dobyns casting rod I was using before, the combo feels lighter in my hands. I think some of that is the balance and the other is just the way I hold a spinning rod versus a casting rod. I don't palm a casting reel the same way a lot of other guys do, with the majority of my hand encasing the reel. I have more of my hand on the rod and side of the reel. With a spinning rod all of my fingers are wrapped around the handle and reel seat, so it just feels more stable and I can already tell I'm going to have much less fatigue because of it. Also, as mingo72 said, the action is absolutely perfect for jerkbaits. The Dobyns rod I had before had too much quiver (for lack of a better word) after snapping the rod down. The Ronin reacts much faster and the reverberations of the rod are minimal.

[capt odie]

Thanks fellows
got a nice picture of how a ronin rod feels with your your descriptions