So I’ve noticed that some jerk baits don’t come with a spit ring on the nose and some do. If it comes without one, should I be adding one to it or fish the jerk bait without a split ring? The brand I’m specifically referring to are the mega bass ones. Seems a little odd for some to have one and some not to.

I use a high quality, small snap on most of mine.  The action looks good to me and the fish don't seem to mind.  I like decoy egg snaps and nishine original snap.  Haven't had a failure yet.

 

scott

@gimruis I’d add one to a MB, see if it alters the action or suspending at all. If all is fine, add to all. Oval or teardrop probably best option unless you already have round rings & you’re not wishing to go down a potential rabbit hole of additional expenses.

I don't. If the bait comes with one fine if not I won't add one. 

For some reason, years ago we got some Vision 110's for Japan and they never had a split ring but some of the one's we bought in the U.S. had them. Mega Bass sent me a handful of those really nice black split rings they used but I could never tell any difference in how the bait fished.

Just happened to be watching MLF the other day and Suggs was wearing out smallish N.strain Bass with a Jerk bait. I noticed something different about his bait when he was unhooking one.

He had a very small barrel swivel attached to the split ring of the bait. He did not talk about it I just noticed it.

Only thing I can think of is that he did not want  his knot possibly getting damaged by the gap in the ring. Your thoughts? 

If the lure has no ring, I use a loop knot.

2 minutes ago, Captain Phil said:

If the lure has no ring, I use a loop knot.

The best answers are simple

I reached out to Megabass on this.  They responded.  Here is what they said:

 

If your vision oneten is new out of the package without a split ring, that is a color designated for the Japanese Domestic Market.  Color patterns meant for North America come with a split ring.  This is due to the more common usage of snaps in Japan.  If you notice a difference in action or suspension without a split ring, you may want to add one or use a snap with those.

All the SP-C 110s and JDM only colors I have purchased have not had split rings. I always put one on.

 

I like the action the oval split rings give them. Not sure what it is but it's definitely different than a regular round ring.

It always amazes me how bass fishermen can take the simplest things and make them complicated.  This isn't rocket science!   😥

It was just a simple observation.  Jerkbaits are very precise in their weight so they can maintain neutral buoyancy.  Alteration of them can affect that.

 

I got my answer from Megabass on the subject and posted it.  I'd mark my own post as the solution but I might be accused of being a rocket scientist if I did that.

 

Moving along...

2 minutes ago, gimruis said:

I'd mark my own post as the solution but I might be accused of being a rocket scientist if I did that.

Na - just a government worker.

 

Wait...what?

 

🤣

I remove the rings on all my jerkbaits and use a small snap instead. 

13 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I remove the rings on all my jerkbaits and use a small snap instead. 

 

Even the split rings attached to the trebles?

1 minute ago, gimruis said:

 

Even the split rings attached to the trebles?

No, just the front split ring that the line is tied to. 

i use a snap  on all hard baits.  usually, i always leave the split rings on jerk baits and cranks if they are supplied with the hard baits.  i experimented last year with taking the split rings off vs leaving the split rings on with a snap.  

 

my results were that in below 55-60 degree water it seemed that using a snap with out a split ring worked a little better.  once the water temp was above 55-60 degrees it didn’t really matter whether the split ring was left on or off.  the lure still were bit either way. 

I haven't used a split ring on jerkbaits in years. I tie a Rapala Loop knot because I think it gives the bait more freedom of motion. 

 

It's more a confidence thing than anything else. And I've never had this knot break.

Never really used crank bait much, that’s the “thing I’m going to use more this year” I was going to use Norman speed clips. 
like I said I’ve never really used crank baits, got a feeling I’ll be changing them a lot.