You did not say whether your jerkbaits are the floating type or suspending. If they are suspending I do not think it is wise to use the same rod. I have found that for fishing topwaters, mostly walkers, a stiff braid such as 30 lb Berkley Fireline with a 12-14" 17-20 lb mono leader works best. This gives you great casting distance and hook setting ability, and you do not have the constant problem of braid wrapping around the tip when you are twitching the rod. For suspending jerkbaits it is hard to beat a good fluorocarbon in 12 lb test. You can always go old school mono for everything but you are making some sacrifices.