How long a rod?
6'6"-6'10" (1.98-2.08 m) for most jerkbait work: you twitch with the tip pointed down at the water and a longer rod hits the surface or the deck. Go 7'-7'3" (2.13-2.21 m) only for magnum baits, long casts on flats, wind, or if you are tall and fish from a high deck.
The full story
This answer is one piece of a longer lesson — setups, diagrams and the reasoning behind it.
More questions about Jerkbaits (Suspending, Floating & Sinking)
- Why does my jerkbait sink (or float up) on the pause when the package says "suspending"?
- How long should I pause?
- Extra-fast or moderate action — which rod is right?
- Fluorocarbon or PE braid — and is nylon ever right?
- Rattling or silent?
- One-piece or jointed?
- What is "slow twitch" and when do I use it?
- Can I fish a jerkbait in grass at all?
- Do I need a loop knot?
- What size for smallmouth versus largemouth?
- When is the water too warm for a jerkbait?
- Which reel speed?
- How do I get it deeper?
- I get bit but keep losing them — why?
- Colour — natural or bright?