Does anyone use Jitterbug's?

If so, what size and colors do you prefer?

I found a Musky size at a lake known for Musky and when I compared it some others, I found that it's not much bigger than what I thought. I'm going to make my own except much bigger. 

I caught a couple of bass on the one I found, and the bass had the whole lure in their mouth. 

I have a very large top water bait that I bought at a flea market just about seven inches long and the bass tore it up. Bass from six inches to seven pounds and now the bait sits on a shelf, at least what's left of it. 

I spoke with a Musky guide about how many bass I caught on that lure and he told me that his  catch of bass is similar and suggested that I build my own Jitterbug's in the six to eight inch size. 

I have some large blades and I'm going to make some bigger blades. Any thoughts are welcome. 

In my area of North Central Mo, I've never had much luck on a muskie Jitterbug. I bought  one years ago for night fishing. But I have caught many bass over the years on a 5/8 oz Jitterbug in black or frog colors. It's a classic.

I love throwing a black Muskie size jitterbug at night for bass.

5/8oz double jointed in Batman's favorite color. Absolute killer at night for bass and some daytime as well if conditions are right. 

I have been using the same two jointed Jitterbugs for more years than I can remember. Both are  5/8ths oz. in solid black, and frog with a yellow belly. 

I been fishing the same 5/8 oz, black jitterbug for quite a few years now.  I keep using it because I've never seen anyone else fishing with one.

I’ve never tried the musky size. Can’t wait to see your finished baits and see how well they do! Make sure to keep us updated! 🙂

There is a guy on Facebook called Stiff Lizard Baits. He has made me some magnum jitterbugs.

5/8 2pc in black for any time of day.  If I had to pick a second color, it would be Perch.

I have had luck with them in some local ponds, but have never really thrown them on the lake or river. 

I used them on Ohio farm ponds to catch lmbs as a kid and tried them in northwestern Ontario, but never caught a smallie up north on one. I have yet to try one in Maine. I should and can because I own some.

Used to use them at night in the Everglades…until gators took them. 

Musky size black wooden Jitterbug works good by adding a small screw eye with CPS spring to attach 7” straight tail black worm for a Rat lure.

Same mod on the 5/8 size with 4” worm.

Best time for me was dusk.

Tom

On 1/30/2025 at 4:34 PM, woolleyfooley said:

I’ve never tried the musky size. Can’t wait to see your finished baits and see how well they do! Make sure to keep us updated! 🙂

I will try my best to upload pics as I work. I like the soft white or light yellow for the belly and a frog pattern too. I'm thinking of a black magenta with fine red flakes. 

If I can make a jointed one I would be happy if it actually has some good action. 

Most of them will have swivel hook hangers because I don't want to use the same type of hardware that the original Jitterbug's come with. I have a lot of options when it comes with making my own Jitterbug's. 

Years ago I made large Spook bait with fiber optical inserts for the eyes. That was a bit tricky as I ruined more of the optics trying to work them in from the top at a 90° and then went with a 36° on a 3/8'' inch bend. I used a brass gun cleaning brush to get fiber through. This was a daylight lure and I used it in shaded areas with wood that I figured Musky would be hanging out at different times. My lure making skills weren't like they are now. I caught a couple of mediocre Musky and then a 48" Musky that totally destroyed that lure and I as hard as I worked on that bait, I wasn't up to doing it again. 

Red Cedar Bass wood are my best to work with and getting good balance and buoyancy. 

Like a lot of guys are throwing 8" and up with 4. oz baits, I might give that size some thought.

Thanks for sharing. 

On 2/1/2025 at 3:29 PM, Swamp Girl said:

never caught a smallie up north on one. I have yet to try one in Maine. I should and can because I own some.

All the years growing up in NY and fishing lakes with SM I have never caught a SM with a jitterbug. Not sure why, its always been largemouth, cats, pike, perch and bluegill....and my father has one snapping turtle on his lol. 

30 minutes ago, Functional said:

I have never caught a SM with a jitterbug

 

I know, huh?! I retrieved a Jitterbug over the heads of countless north country smallies and not one ever hit it.

I love big jitter bugs, not the abrogast plastics. The 8 inch Livingston walkin boss, makes a ton of noise!  Also love the 3 ounce 5 inch and 1.5 ounce 3.75 inch lemires sea fly, it was designed for saltwater. Through wired and wooden. This  bait is silent. 
I love solid colors for topwater. Black and white are my top producers