Finding the best jerkbait rod can be hard. There are so many options out there, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all of them.
You don’t want to waste your time or money on a bad product! But you also don’t want to miss out on an awesome one either…
That’s why we created this guide. We’ve done all of the research for you, testing each model ourselves, going over jerkbait rod reviews, and talking with other anglers who have used these products in the field. Our guide will help you find exactly what you’re looking for (and avoid what you’re not).
Our Top Picks
6 Best Rods for Jerkbait
1. SHIMANO Curado Casting Rods
Best Fishing Rod For Many Fishing Techniques
- Fuji Alconite Guides
- Fuji Reel Seat
Key Features
- It can execute various fishing techniques
- Hybrid high modulus UD carbon construction with nano resin for high sensitivity
- Composed of Fuji Alconite Guides for uninterrupted passing of knots
- Rubberized Fuji reel seat matte
- The cork grips are high quality to ensure comfort when held
The Shimano Curado casting rod has fast action and medium power. It’s famous among other ones in the market.
Featuring a 6 feet and 10 inches length, this gear is considered an uncompromising quality. Notably, this is by far one of the favorite jerkbait rods used by many anglers.
2. KastKing Speed Demon Pro Tournament Series
Best Fishing Rod For Bass Fishing Technique
- Elite Carbon Blanks & Nano Resin Technology - Speed Demon...
- Fuji Guides/Reel Seats & WINN Grips - Only the finest Fuji...
- 15 Technique Specific Actions & Lengths - We've design each...
Key Features
- Carbon NanoTube resin technology for more sensitive grip
- It has a baitcaster that can handle heavy lines from ten to twenty pounds
- Sensitivity won’t let you down during hookups
- WINN golf-style, also known as WINN Grips, makes tighter hold
- The Speed Demon Pro crankbait rods for smooth crank action
KastKing Speed Demon Pro Tournament Series Rod is a lightweight rod with a nice balance perfect for grip.
Since it’s a casting reel type, the medium power and fast action will help perform a natural jerk of lures.
3. St Croix TRS70MF Triumph Fishing Rod
Most Sensitive Fishing Rod
- PREMIUM SCIII CARBON CONSTRUCTION: The premium SCIII carbon...
- PREMIUM-GRADE CORK HANDLE: Contoured handle ensures you...
- MORE FEATURES: Sea Guide Atlas Performance SS304 with black...
Key Features
- Premium graphite construction for high sensitivity and durability
- Premium cork handle for a strong grip
- Detects jerkbait bite easily
- The reel type is spinning for St Croix bass
- With 5 year-warranty from St. Croix Superstar Service
You can choose 6 feet by 6 inches length for medium-heavy power and medium action for the St. Croix Spinning Fishing Rod. Its graphite blank has a strong medium flex, and it has super-high sensitivity to detect bites and hook setting.
It can even bring in big fish. In this case, the Croix triumph is best for jerkbait fishing if you’re looking forward to using a spinning reel.
4. Ugly Stik GX2 Casting Fishing Rod
Best For All Types Of Lines
- Ugly Stikgx2 rods feature ugly Tech construction with a...
- Ugly tuff guides feature new one-piece stainless steel...
- Ugly stik clear tip design for extra strength and added...
Key Features
- Built with fiberglass and graphite for strong pull yet comfortable weight in the hands
- It has stainless steel to remove pops out and is suitable for all types of lines
- It has an Ugly Stik Clear rod tip design to facilitate extra sensitivity
- Has EVA grips
- Has warranty for 7 years
The Ugly Stik is a baitcasting rod known for durability and strength. It features 6-7 feet lengths with medium to medium-heavy powers and slow action.
Its composition makes it hard to snap when pulling in large fish. You can jerk bait the rod as though the lures feel light, and you can feel the bites easily.
5. Shimano Poison Adrena Fishing Rods
Best For River Water Lures
Key Features
- It has 6 modes, 2 bait casts, and a super-high 4 spin
- Composed of carbon tape on the inside of the rod
- Fuji K Stainless SiC guides and a Fuji Titanium SiC tip facilitate smooth line flow
- Vibrations increase sensitivity to biting
- The New Poison Adrena rod range is flexible
This fantastic rod is best for reacting to contact baits. It shows a medium power rating and medium-fast action and is made specifically for fishing crankbaits.
You can also use it for some rip bait action. The rod makes casting effortlessly precise and is very easy to target your desired position. It’s also good for increasing your casting distance.
6. G Loomis NRX+ Bass Fishing Rods
Best For Technique Specific Actions
Key Features
- It’s constructed with graphite spiral X
- Light and strong recoil guides
- With a custom reel steel C14+
- Handmade
The G Loomis NRX promotes long and accurate casts. Its casting rod makes a more comfortable grip and decreases forearm fatigue.
Moreover, the rod helps boost a bass angler’s ability to fish jerkbaits and cast rods. It’s perfect if you want to catch bass with jerkbait.

Things to Consider When Buying the Best Jerkbait Rods
Now that you’ve learned and maybe picked a particular rod among the ones reviewed, it’s also important to know the things you’ll have to consider when buying a high-quality rod.
Listed below are the criteria to take note of.
Durability
First, you need to check if the jerkbait rod is made of high-quality materials such as graphite, stainless steel, and carbon. The rod has to withstand all your jerkbait fishing activities without any gear malfunction.
Reels
Another thing you need to consider is its reels. There are two types of reel seat; baitcaster and spinning. You can choose between the two, but it depends on what you want and needs.
Action
There are different types of rod action: medium heavy action, slow action, medium light action, moderate action, and fast action. You also have to see if it has fast action when used for jerkbait fishing.
Using a casting rod with slow action will make you lose potential treble hooks. A faster range will facilitate the cast and catch bass.
Length
Do you need a shorter rod or a long rod? The best rod length for a jerkbait rod is also important to consider when choosing. The ideal and right jerkbait rod is 6 and ½ to 7 feet in length.
This length will give you enough backbone to cast far.
Line Weight
The best test for line weight is around a 10-15 pound test range. Within that range, you can easily cast and retrieve a jerkbait. As an illustration, you can check the casting distance of a good jerkbait rod.
Notably, the American Tackle MicroWave guides have set the best line control to eliminate wind knots significantly.
Type
The next thing you should consider is the type of jerkbait rods. You can choose spinning rods for beginners because spinning rods are easier to use than a baitcaster and is suitable for experts in jerkbait fishing.
In other words, a good rod for you to use is what’s suitable for your level.
Power
Medium and medium-heavy power rating is the ideal power for jerkbaits. The jerkbait rod’s power is determined based on lifting strength, sensitivity, and flexibility. Equally, it has to contribute a lot to catching fish.
Frequently Asked Questions
In general, a great fishing rod should be at least 6.6 feet long for easier use and gives fast action to lure effectively. Also, the rod has to possess medium to medium-heavy power to lift the fish.
A good jerkbait rod depends on what you’re fishing. When you’re fishing on warmer water, you should use floating jerkbait. While you can use sinking jerkbait when fishing in deeper waters.
The Right Equipment For You Lets You Catch More Fish
Now that you’ve learned about the best rods for jerkbait, you can now go and enjoy jerkbait fishing. When buying, don’t forget to check its durability for a top-notch performance.
At the same time, look into your expertise to match the right rod for you to fish jerkbaits. With all these in mind, what do you think is the best rod for you?