kingkong85 Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 Thanks for the response anglers! Will try your suggestions and see what works. MIGHT have to stop by the store and check some out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk Bonanny Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 I was playing around with a Pointer 95 in a bucket of water earlier today when I realized that I could make it suspending, slowly floating or slowly sinking depending on the hooks I installed.. So I was wondering, when would you use a sinking jerkbait vs a suspending bait vs a slowly floating one? Also, when to use rattles and when not to? Not looking for specific brand info, just some general knowledge/ opinions; although the former would be appreciated, of course. I'm fishing for northern strain largemouths in mostly clear water reservoirs (visibility 10 ft plus). Â Â Â I prefer a neutral jerk bait myself, but have modified a couple to slowly rise, but none to sink. Many times I'll set it up so that the back of the lure is a fraction of an ounce lighter than it originally was so I can get that "nose down" look that seems to work quite well for me. Â I also fish a lot of clear water lakes and live in north-eastern Pennsylvania, so we fish similar types of water. I primarily use Lucky Craft Pointers as well with my main ones being the size 78 (I think)... I can't remember for the life of me at the moment if these have rattles, but I am split down the middle on the rattle aspect... sometimes they seem to help while at other times they seem to hinder. Â One piece of advice I'd like to add is to throw these whenever you have decent water visibility as they will load the boat in short order year round, at least around me they will. I can cover water with a jerk bait quite quickly..if that bite drops down I'll rework some of the spots I may have covered that showed some potential with worms, jigs etc... I have found in real clear water as you described you can call fish up from great depths or from a good distance with these lures. The colder the water, the slower you want to work these... An example would be 40 degree water not long after the ice clears up here... I may go 20-40 seconds (or longer) between twitches, and I want that lure to suspend. Water temperature will affect how the lure reacts, either rising, sinking or suspending, so be aware of that. One the water gets to 50 and above, I literally rip these all the way back to the boat. I have a 6' Browning Citori rod paired up with a Bass Pro Johnny Morris high speed reel specifically for jerk bait fishing. I am short (5'7") so anything longer than a 6' rod with this technique (same applies to me for topwater) is too long for me. I work my jerk baits with the tip down, right off the edge of the water and when ripping it I twitch twice and reel in the slack and repeat, quickly. Â Â Hope this helps..feel free to ask any questions if you would like. Kirk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User roadwarrior Posted February 18, 2014 Super User Share Posted February 18, 2014 The preferred cadence changes with other factors. Right now a long pull and an extended pause is the ticket around here. When the water warms up, a faster retrieve come into play. When the fish are red hot, in a feeding frenzy, the Rapala XRap is a great lure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhoffman Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 The xrap is a great jerkbait, its not nearly mentioned as much as it should be with the market being flooded with megabass, luckycraft... ive laid em out on an xrap. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HPfishin Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 I have never had much confidence in a jerkbait until Tuesday, I got the chance to go to a lake in Raleigh, NC that is known for having some good size bass and I can tell you we absolutely smoked them on jerkbaits. I tried several of my Rapalas and an Xcalibur but I ended up borrowing a Lucky Craft because they actually work better, I was doubtful at first. The key is having a good setup, I was using my Curado E50 on a Skeet Reese jerkbait rod with 8lb Vicious flouro, I could make super long casts for such a light bait and a strong twitch (ON SLACK LINE) could make the bait turn a complete 360 and hook the line with the back hook, it was crazy. I definitely recommend jerkbait fishing this time of year, we saw water all the way from 50 to 60 degrees through the course of the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User Dwight Hottle Posted March 13, 2014 Super User Share Posted March 13, 2014 I have never had much confidence in a jerkbait until Tuesday, I got the chance to go to a lake in Raleigh, NC that is known for having some good size bass and I can tell you we absolutely smoked them on jerkbaits. I tried several of my Rapalas and an Xcalibur but I ended up borrowing a Lucky Craft because they actually work better, I was doubtful at first. The key is having a good setup, I was using my Curado E50 on a Skeet Reese jerkbait rod with 8lb Vicious flouro, I could make super long casts for such a light bait and a strong twitch (ON SLACK LINE) could make the bait turn a complete 360 and hook the line with the back hook, it was crazy. I definitely recommend jerkbait fishing this time of year, we saw water all the way from 50 to 60 degrees through the course of the day.  It's amazing what a little sucess with a jerkbait will do for your confidence level. The more you use them the better it gets. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frogflogger Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 I've fished them for years - great tools - one of my more memorable catches was an 18# channel cat in south bay on the big O on a strike king wild shiner in clown color. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User Dwight Hottle Posted March 18, 2014 Super User Share Posted March 18, 2014 I've fished them for years - great tools - one of my more memorable catches was an 18# channel cat in south bay on the big O on a strike king wild shiner in clown color. Â Â You beat me by a pound. When those big channel cats first hit the thoughts of a record bass quickly go through your mind. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User roadwarrior Posted March 20, 2014 Super User Share Posted March 20, 2014 And as your bait goes straight to the bottom and you line starts to twirl, you realize, "probably not". 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msp Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 I have found that the temperature of the water has a huge effect on jerkbaits. When the water is super cold they don't seem to suspend properly. I like to have a variety of baits that suspend differently. some have heavier hooks , some rise slowly and some sink very slow. Just keep experimenting during different conditions. Playing with suspend strips helps too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User roadwarrior Posted March 22, 2014 Super User Share Posted March 22, 2014 Nice collection! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimshad Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 Ok, new guy here and also new to jerkbaits. I have neglected the jerkbait for years. Got my butt handed to me in spring tournys alot. Well this year I decided to learn it. Got extremely lucky and started this journey at Guntersville lake. Started to throw a Lucky Strike Rick Clunn model in a clear bay with boat houses. Immediatly caught fish with a 5 mississippi count between pauses. That was the start of a wonderful relationship. I found a stretch of bank that had some depth, say 10'. Worked the bait with the 5 second pause and had best five of 23lbs. Took that new found confidence home with me. Caught 50+ bass at Barren River lake KY with 4 1/2 the biggest. Took it to Patoka Lake in IN at my first tournament and got second, had two five pounders that day. Then to a small lake in western KY on spring break. Had a 6lber and 7 other keepers over 15" with numerous short fish. I don't know when this ride will end, but I will keep throwing it til it stops. I used the clear with blue back in clear water. The blue/purple back with chartruse sides in dingy water. Guys this is the real deal when you get confidence in it. My question is this ride going to end when the water temp gets to a certain spot like 70+??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingkong85 Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 From what I understand, jerkbaits work all year long. Jerkbaits are a visibility bait. The bass need to see it, even if it's from a distance. Water visibility is the key. So as long as you have good water visibility they'll hit. Color is important too. That I have yet to master. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catch 22 Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 Great read. Love the jb`s in winter.41 deg to 44 deg is when I do the damage with LC 78 & 100. One thing I didn`t see mentioned , or missed is line attitude to the rod. With 15/20 lb braid and floro leader, often I will completely slack the  line so it lays on the water with no tension from the rod. The lure is supposed to remain motionless between twitches.  Hope this helps. C22 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User aavery2 Posted November 13, 2014 Super User Share Posted November 13, 2014 Ok, new guy here and also new to jerkbaits. I have neglected the jerkbait for years. Got my butt handed to me in spring tournys alot. Well this year I decided to learn it. Got extremely lucky and started this journey at Guntersville lake. Started to throw a Lucky Strike Rick Clunn model in a clear bay with boat houses. Immediatly caught fish with a 5 mississippi count between pauses. That was the start of a wonderful relationship. I found a stretch of bank that had some depth, say 10'. Worked the bait with the 5 second pause and had best five of 23lbs. Took that new found confidence home with me. Caught 50+ bass at Barren River lake KY with 4 1/2 the biggest. Took it to Patoka Lake in IN at my first tournament and got second, had two five pounders that day. Then to a small lake in western KY on spring break. Had a 6lber and 7 other keepers over 15" with numerous short fish. I don't know when this ride will end, but I will keep throwing it til it stops. I used the clear with blue back in clear water. The blue/purple back with chartruse sides in dingy water. Guys this is the real deal when you get confidence in it. My question is this ride going to end when the water temp gets to a certain spot like 70+??? Things will change as the water warms.  Baits that suspended well in colder water will start to sink in the warmer water and you will need to adjust, use smaller, lighter hooks, use mono line, or increase the diameter of the line if already using mono.  Use a different bait altogether, some baits suspend better in warmer water than others. You will have to tune your baits to the water temp and how you want their stance and suspension properties to be. Fish become more active in warmer water and you may have to adjust your cadence to a slightly faster one, lessen the time the bait is paused, you will need to make adjustments.  If you get the chance read some articles and interviews with Mike McClelland, he is an excellent jerkbait fisherman and always shares some good information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris S Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 I have found that the temperature of the water has a huge effect on jerkbaits. When the water is super cold they don't seem to suspend properly. I like to have a variety of baits that suspend differently. some have heavier hooks , some rise slowly and some sink very slow. Just keep experimenting during different conditions. Playing with suspend strips helps too. I have a question on your selection: top box 4th row bright green on the right, you ever caught anything on that color? I have the same exact lure and I give it a shot but i have never had any success with it! The Rouge on the top left is my go to most of the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User J Francho Posted November 13, 2014 Super User Share Posted November 13, 2014  I have a question on your selection: top box 4th row bright green on the right, you ever caught anything on that color?  Clown? It's my best color in less than clear water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User aavery2 Posted November 13, 2014 Super User Share Posted November 13, 2014 I have a bunch of Rapala's in the clown color, but have had better luck with the LC Nishiki (bottom middle), not sure if it is the bait or the difference in color but the LC works for me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User Dwight Hottle Posted November 13, 2014 Super User Share Posted November 13, 2014 I have a bunch of Rapala's in the clown color, but have had better luck with the LC Nishiki (bottom middle), not sure if it is the bait or the difference in color but the LC works for me. Â Â I say BS to that. That Nishiki never catches fish. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msp Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 Yes. I ave had luck with that color. Clown is the name. I do have much better luck with the Smithwick rogue in the clown color. The LC in nihilism works well too. I find that when the water is very cold,i have much better luck with the more subtle jerkbaits like the husky jerkbaits and rogues than the more erratic baits like lucky craft Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User Dwight Hottle Posted November 13, 2014 Super User Share Posted November 13, 2014 Yes. I ave had luck with that color. Clown is the name. I do have much better luck with the Smithwick rogue in the clown color. The LC in nihilism works well too. I find that when the water is very cold,i have much better luck with the more subtle jerkbaits like the husky jerkbaits and rogues than the more erratic baits like lucky craft   Is there another box with deep diver jerks that you did not include? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msp Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 I do have a hand full of down deep husky jerks in another box but rarely use them as the water I fish is typically shallower than 20 ft. This year I have been experimenting with the new Smithwick perfect 10 rogue. Fist box bottom row A real game changer for deeper suspended fish. I highly recommend them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User Dwight Hottle Posted November 13, 2014 Super User Share Posted November 13, 2014 The perfect 10 runs deeper than the typical shallow bill jerk bait. I fish a lot of deep divers in 20 fow. Try them some time. You might be surprised how effective they can be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User aavery2 Posted November 13, 2014 Super User Share Posted November 13, 2014 The perfect 10 runs deeper than the typical shallow bill jerk bait. I fish a lot of deep divers in 20 fow. Try them some time. You might be surprised how effective they can be. What's you goto deep water jerkbait? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User OkobojiEagle Posted November 14, 2014 Super User Share Posted November 14, 2014 I find that when the water is very cold,i have much better luck with the more subtle jerkbaits like the husky jerkbaits and rogues than the more erratic baits like lucky craft   ... or you can work the Pointers in a more subtle cadence.   oe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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