I feel like I’m missing something I have the equipment I have the right baits but am having trouble finding bass on structure in the winter time that I’m able to target them with a jerkbait 

 

if I find bass they seem to be in 20 plus foot of water where my megabass arsenal does not reach

i have the 110 

110 plus one 

now I’ve tried weighting them but the bass never commit 

 

water clarity is 2-4 foot and temp is 48 

 

any tips?

They have a +2 but that's still too deep for that with that water clarity.  

 

Sounds like a DT20-22 should do the job

 

If suspended at 20ft. I'd be using a blade bait/ RES/ Colorado spinner/old school countdown rapala

At that point (depth they are at and temp) i would just throw a drop shot with a rattle inside it, but the +2 jerkbait only goes to 12', Rapala Xrap 10 deep goes to 15', Rapala Down Deep Husky 14 can go to 20'. With the right cast and line of course to get to that depth. Very slow pauses too.

If they are that deep and staying there, maybe it's time to switch up..... Deep-X 300 in any color ( I like Frozen Tequila and Black Back Chart.) or the Deep Six in Ito Wakasagi. 

Suspended fish at that depth and water temp I personally would be swimming a 2.8-3.3 Keitech. Maybe the ol' Chandelier.

Bass feed up. If they wanted it, they would come and get it.

 

 

Consider Hover/Mid/Strolling down to (or just above) the desired depth. 

Smithwick deep diver jerk bait 6" & a Rapala deep diver husky jerk HJ14 will get you down to 15-20 feet using 10lb braid & short mono leader of 8-10lb on a long cast or longer line out strolling.  

Im in the same boat or have been since January. I was able to get on some 1-2lbers in November and December but since January it has been a struggle. Im somewhat limited to how much I can explore in my kayak but later winter early spring has been a struggle for me in Central NC 

I have thrown jrs, jr +1, regular 110s, 110 +1s and a few other brands. Not a bite

I have a bunch of jerkbaits, and a good dedicated setup, and I still can’t figure it out. I get a few on them , but not nearly as it’s cracked up to be. I have very little confidence.  Just me . I’m sure they work well.

I've found spy baits to be close to interchangeable with JBs.  They're tedious, but the advantages they offer can payoff.  Spinning gear with light FC is the way to, especially at that depth.  

Swimbait or a rig at that depth. I’m not messing with jerkbaits when they’re that deep lol. Gotta get it right in their faces when they are that lethargic

This is the only jerkbait I can work properly at 15-17'.  

 

scott

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Nishine_Lure_Works_Erie_115_MD_Jerkbait/descpage-NEMD.html

 

Suspending fish that deep are red eye shad time for me IMHO. Jerkbaits work good for fish above where you are finding them. 

On 4/13/2024 at 4:51 AM, rangerjockey said:

Suspended fish at that depth and water temp I personally would be swimming a 2.8-3.3 Keitech. Maybe the ol' Chandelier.

Bass feed up. If they wanted it, they would come and get it.

 

 

yes. i’ve personally seen small mouths rocket up out of 20 ft of water to smack a jerk bait.  water was gin clear.