I had a nice size fish get off today while using a jerk bait. I was wondering if changing to larger hooks would help in keeping fish on. I don't have a lot of experience using them so any general tips would be appreciated as well.

Thanks!!

No it would alter the sinking rate. Try sharpening the hooks with a hook file.

Try using a longer slower action rod to keep them pinned.

One lost fish does not indicate you have a problem. If the hooks need upgraded that could be the problem . If you upgrade without changing the hook weight it wouldn't be a problem. You might just need a better grade hook within the same size. What bait were you using?

It was a Yamamoto jerkbait. It just seem like small hooks to me but I am not experienced with it to know for sure.

I have a slow action rod with mono.

Check out the death trap trebbles.

Which one of the Yamamoto jerkbaits was it, the 76, 100, or 110? What you have to understand is most jerkbaits are designed to be fished on light line, like the Megabass vision 110, that bait was designed for 6lb to 8lb test and a spinning rod so when fishing on 12lb line with a casting rod we tend to have the hooks bend out. That said, I'm not sure what hooks are on that bait but Dwight Hottle said it perfectly, 1 lost fish doesn't indicate a hook problem, the fish could have just swiped at the bait and may have been barely hooked under the chin or was just skin hooked. If you continue to lose fish then either it is something you're doing or the hooks can be bad but the only way to know for sure is with experience. Try to match the hooks that are on it weight wise, find out what size they are and then look as a bunch of different ones to see if it is heavy wire, or light wire because if the bait is suspending good, a slight change in weight can have disastrous effects on the action and suspending properties of the bait.  

Which one of the Yamamoto jerkbaits was it, the 76, 100, or 110? What you have to understand is most jerkbaits are designed to be fished on light line, like the Megabass vision 110, that bait was designed for 6lb to 8lb test and a spinning rod so when fishing on 12lb line with a casting rod we tend to have the hooks bend out. That said, I'm not sure what hooks are on that bait but Dwight Hottle said it perfectly, 1 lost fish doesn't indicate a hook problem, the fish could have just swiped at the bait and may have been barely hooked under the chin or was just skin hooked. If you continue to lose fish then either it is something you're doing or the hooks can be bad but the only way to know for sure is with experience. Try to match the hooks that are on it weight wise, find out what size they are and then look as a bunch of different ones to see if it is heavy wire, or light wire because if the bait is suspending good, a slight change in weight can have disastrous effects on the action and suspending properties of the bait.

Thanks for the input. It was on a spinning reel with 10lb suffix elite. Will have to find out which number jerk bait. Didn't know there was different ones.

Thanks for the input. It was on a spinning reel with 10lb suffix elite. Will have to find out which number jerk bait. Didn't know there was different ones.

Yup, different sizes, same as crankbaits, Rattlebaits, plastic worms, etc.. Give your Jerkbait more time to succeed. I still loose crankbait fish after decades of fishing them...

Thanks for the input. It was on a spinning reel with 10lb suffix elite. Will have to find out which number jerk bait. Didn't know there was different ones.

 

You didn't know there was different baits? You said you lost a fish using this, I know what size jerkbait I'm using because if it isn't quite right I need to know whether to go up or down in size. The numbers refer to the length of the bait in millimeters, the 76 is 3" and the 100 is 4" and the 110 is not quite 4.5".  A lot of fishing success depends on small details, the little things we tend to not think about can make the difference between a so-so day and an excellent day, especially jerkbaits, I've had days with a Super rogue that the fish would follow and turn away and then go to a Super Rogue Jr. and it was lights out, had I not known there was a different size I would have figured the fish were in some sort of negative mood and didn't want the jerkbait. When I buy jerkbaits, or any baits, I see if there is more than 1 size and I will try to buy at least 1 bait in each size but in rality I like to have 2 of each size so I have a minimum 2 color patterns to use.

You didn't know there was different baits? You said you lost a fish using this, I know what size jerkbait I'm using because if it isn't quite right I need to know whether to go up or down in size. The numbers refer to the length of the bait in millimeters, the 76 is 3" and the 100 is 4" and the 110 is not quite 4.5". A lot of fishing success depends on small details, the little things we tend to not think about can make the difference between a so-so day and an excellent day, especially jerkbaits, I've had days with a Super rogue that the fish would follow and turn away and then go to a Super Rogue Jr. and it was lights out, had I not known there was a different size I would have figured the fish were in some sort of negative mood and didn't want the jerkbait. When I buy jerkbaits, or any baits, I see if there is more than 1 size and I will try to buy at least 1 bait in each size but in rality I like to have 2 of each size so I have a minimum 2 color patterns to use.

What I meant I didn't know that specific bait came in different number sizes. Kinda of a rookie with hard baits, but wanting to get into them this year. Had some success on cranks towards end of last year, so it peaked my interested to get into them.

Appreciate the tips. Thanks

I got a medium fast action for crankbaits and want to use for jerk baits, but could this be too soft for jerbaits?

I got a medium fast action for crankbaits and want to use for jerk baits, but could this be too soft for jerbaits?

No, I mean I actually prefer fast, some prefer extra fast.. A bit more important is a length that facilitates " jerk, jerk, pause" cadence or what ever type of retrieve style you may use. That's my opinion anyhow..

Thanks for the help, I know these are rookie questions.

Thanks for the help, I know these are rookie questions.

Don't be shy about asking questions. The answers will range from simple to in-depth, but there is always something to be learned. Simple answers are likely easier to understand for a rookie,so here are mine.

Yes, changing to larger hooks can help keeping a fish on, but only if you have them hooked in the first place (past the barb that is).  The smaller hook size will likely penetrate past the barb easier.

The rod you have is a good choice for jerkbaits. The line you mention using may be too heavy. I doubt if you're bending the hooks on a fish, so you're either overpowering the fish in an attempt to land it quickly or whatever, or your drag could be set too tight.

If this happens frequently, there is a problem to be addressed.  If it's an occasional thing, it's something that happens to the majority of anglers.  Remember that this is a sport.  Sometimes the fish win.

Switched to suffix 8lb and couls tell right off the difference. Caught 14 today with 13 of them from jerkbaits. Of course, this helps with confidence in them. Got a floating jb for the shallow areas, that's what I caught most of them with it.

Thanks for the tips!