So I've never really thrown a floating jerkbait for bass and I want to pick a few up during the tackle warehouse upcoming sale for spring. Now I've thrown rapala floating minnows before for walleye and crappie..and of course I've "accidentally" caught a few bass. But for targeting LMB what is the preferred size Rapala original floater? Are there other floating jerk baits that you prefer?

I use jointed minnow with some success. I have J07 for all around especially when bass boiling on top for Shad, and J11 when target bigger one looking for bluegill.

I like to stay around a 4-4.5" size. Smaller sizes in the jointed series are killer too though. 3"-4"

   Bagley's BangOLure (4--5") is about the same thing, and stays up very well. Some guys around here like a Smithwick stick lure that seems about the same (Rogue?) but I've never used it.       jj

If you're settled on using Rapala floating jerk baits, I've used the F11 and F13 since the 1960's. Can't go wrong with either.

38 minutes ago, riverat said:

If you're settled on using Rapala floating jerk baits, I've used the F11 and F13 since the 1960's. Can't go wrong with either.

 

One of the greatest bass baits of all time.  Throw it on light line with a loop knot.  If you can't catch fish on this, take up golf.  :>)

Ive been throwing a size 9 the last couple of weeks. Had some chunky bass and crappie grab it. It’s a super fun bite. It really does draw a lot of strikes. 

f3 all the way up to an 11 will work fine.....still use one every trip on the water. of the best baits of all time.

This time of year I'm using an original floating minnow in either the 2" or 2-3/4" size. 

On 11/11/2021 at 8:23 AM, jimmyjoe said:

   Bagley's BangOLure (4--5") is about the same thing, and stays up very well. 

I've had better success with the Bang-O than the floating Rapala when targeting bass for whatever reason. Black and silver foil is an old school color but it's still effective.

 

I think this may be the route I go. Had a few guys mention them in this thread and saw it mentioned alot in some old threads I read thru.

#9 &#11 for the Rapala.  I prefer the Bomber Long A or a Smithwick Rogue  as there are pike in many of the lakes I fish and they can tear up a Rapala in no time.