I like a 6'6m Loomis cranking stick. Most newer jerkbaits cast fine so thats not a problem on the lakes I fish. I am 5'9 and any longer rod and it would be hard for me to work the bait but a taller guy could get by with a 7ft rod.

Also one thing people don't realize is the new jerkbait designs like Lucky Craft are easier to work. With the old rougues you need to jerk harder and may have been better off with a mh rod but the new jerkbaits dont take much for to work. Also light line is key and they have small hooks so a lighter rod matches that as well.