21 hours ago, Kirtley Howe said:

The largest Jitterbug ever made was the Musky Jitterbug from around 1940 or so. It was 4 1/2 inches long and weighted 1 1/2 oz. and had 3 treble hooks (most Jitterbugs have 2) It is no longer made. The largest currently available is the Jitterbug XL which is 4 1/4 inches long and weighs 1 1/4 oz. with 2 treble hooks. There was a company that made a knock off of the Jitterbug that was almost 6 inches long and weight over 2 oz (I used to have one of them), but I cannot remember the name of the company. I lost mine while trolling it at dusk and something VERY large ate it and broke (cut) me off. I think the lure may have been designed to use in saltwater, but I am not sure. The hooks looked like saltwater hooks.  I found it at a swap meet years ago and paid $5.00 for it.

 

 

Mines over 5 inches, so I guess it fits into one the biggest made category. Super strong with BKK saltwater hooks, 200lb split rings, 175lb front swivel, all stainless hardware... it's seen the jaws of two big alligators, and I got it back both times, yep, yanking it out of their month! haha I fish it same way I fish for sharks, "go big or go home" Holding up nicely.

 

 

 

 

On 7/24/2025 at 7:21 AM, FloridaFishinFool said:

I've been following this thread. Don't know why. Here in Florida bass fishing after dark comes with issues... Even in a boat these guys get more aggressive and less passive at night and come after you, especially if you are splashing around with some fish is like ringing their dinner bell.

 

In a boat? Think you are safe? Better flip the fish into the boat and be wary of reaching down over the railing to reach down towards the water to grab your fish. Someone else might be right there to do the same... been there. Done that. I give these guys the night.

 

Yup, done it once. Not only that (gators) but the insects, spiders etc are prehistoric in nature. Plus In the 80’s gators were still protected and as always, there was an element that doesn’t care about following any kind of laws. One morning on Lochloosa we saw 8 dead that had their tails removed. FFW was on site.. 

Now you have constrictors living in southern Florida. I’m passing on the night in Florida myself. 

Now in Indiana we will fish the old river channel (Patoka) river with deep diving crank baits.. trolling with the big motor and we would catch the bigger 3-4 pound fish this way. But we’d always loose 4-6 crank baits. It was always enjoyable though. 

1 hour ago, Zcoker said:

 

 

Mines over 5 inches, so I guess it fits into one the biggest made category. Super strong with BKK saltwater hooks, 200lb split rings, 175lb front swivel, all stainless hardware... it's seen the jaws of two big alligators, and I got it back both times, yep, yanking it out of their month! haha I fish it same way I fish for sharks, "go big or go home" Holding up nicely.

 

 

 

 

Is that a wooden model? 

34 minutes ago, F14A-B said:

Is that a wooden model? 

 

Yes, made of cedar. It's an 'Everglades' model though lol. The regular Jitterbugs wouldn't hold up to the fish (or gators) that I encounter out there at night!

Barlows has cedar  wooden Jitterbug body and components to make your own.

Tom

On 7/25/2025 at 11:40 AM, WRB-2.0 said:

Barlows has cedar  wooden Jitterbug body and components to make your own.

Tom

But never in the musky bugs size, I been eyeing it for a while now. Perpetually out of stock. 

1 hour ago, Banned User said:

But never in the musky bugs size, I been eyeing it for a while now. Perpetually out of stock. 

Call Barlows!

@HawkeyeSmallie have you been out to this place again? How’d it go? 

1 hour ago, 10,000 lakes Bassin said:

@HawkeyeSmallie have you been out to this place again? How’d it go? 

Nope not yet.

 

I haven’t fished much in the last couple of weeks.

 

Tons of rain, heat, and humidity.

 

RealFeel is 101* right now.