Hey guys considering building a Jerk Bait rod on the CB68 that is Moderate/Fast Action and Medium Power. I know the norm is to build on a F or even XF action for a jerkbait so you can get a quick recovery. But I also like the idea of the having the Moderate/Fast Action, and hoping that may give me the best of both worlds that I am considering. This is also not a glass blank, but rather a graphite. If not, then I may consider the SJ68 Medium/Fast Bushido Blank for jerks...

I'd go with the SJ68. IMO the CB line recovers to slowly for jerk baits. The CB line is great for heavier jigs and of course crank baits.

Either one of those will work fine but I am like you and prefer a mod/fast action....

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God Bless, Don Morse

800-516-1750 ext. 1207 / don@americantackle.us

Rod Building..... It's What We Do.

It depends what the fish want. The old traditional jerkbait rod was glass, some with weight added to slow them down, but those most likely will not catch a single fish (smallmouth) on Lake St Clair in the fall. Those fish want a fast twitch, and will not hit anything other than that. Times have changed, and most fishermen are going with graphite, which is faster and easier to get a faster jerk. But a moderate action still will make it hard to catch a fish that wants a really quick twitch.

so if I were going for fish like that, I would go for a fast action, or extra fast.

One thing to consider is that if the fish want it slow, any action can do that with proper (if difficult) control by the fisherman. But if they want it " quick twitch, " you just cannot get it with a moderate action.

Here's an idea ..... buy a fast or extra fast action blank that is longer than you need, and trim length from the butt. It slows the overall action of the blank when the blank is under the load of a fish, but it doesn't affect the tip when casting or working the bait.

You lose a little hook setting power by trimming the butt, but it's a jerkbait. it's not like you're blasting the fish on a hook set.


Just something to consider .....

I do like the idea of a Moderate Fast blank, it does have distinct advantages in certain areas once the fish is hooked up. BUT, I also do not want to hinder the action of the bait, or make it more of a struggle to create the correct cadence. My fear is the Moderate Fast will not be responsive enough when working a quicker cadence. Guess I am not sure just how slow of a blank it is. May be better off sticking with the other blank, that has a Fast action.

As far as trimming a blank, this may be a dumb question, but what blade are you guys using to cut these down? Never cut one down before so not sure.

Hello Jay.

A Dremel or a chop saw for me.

Tight Wraps & Tighter Lines.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.

Jay, for me I really prefer the fast and extra fast. I would lean more towards the extra fast. I do find that at 6'8" I whack the trolling motor and side more than I would like. I just built one that is 6'3" but haven't had the chance to fish it but am also going to order the st croix 3c62mxf and really think that this will be "it". I used an mhx sj783 that I took off 3" from the butt.

Regarding cutting, I will tape where I want to cut, put on a dust mask and I use a regular chop saw or as some call them a miter saw. I cut slowly and don't try to hawh through it. It cuts super quick and my shop vac catches any errant dust or fibers. I only cut from the butt of the blank. I would not try my setup if I were to trim the tip. In that case I would use the dremel as previously suggested.

Tom

Have had good luck with Revelation blanks, wonder if the REVS62M would fit the bill. Medium power, fast action 1/4-5/8 weights.

I fish both the SJ 72/4-8 and the SJ 72/8-15 as well as the crank bait rod.. CB78/8-15 I use braid on all three rods, and use a Fluorocarbon leader on the Crank bait rod.. with no stretch in the braid, bait twitch speed is not a problem.. My favorite blank is the SJ72/4-8. I really like it for twitching top water Rapalas, and Pop R's.

I use a Dremel to cut the blank as well.

I use a Dremel tool with a fiberglass-reinforced cut-off wheel and a light touch. I worry a saw blade might jump around and splinter the blank.