Man I just can't seem to figure it out. I've caught fish on the jighead minnow, finesse swimbaits, neko rigs, ned rigs, flutter spoons, but I just can't seem to find a system with a jerkbait that works for suspended bass. I have tried the deepest divers I can find, wrapped lead wire around the hooks, tried suspend dots, you name it I've done it. I fish deep highland reserviors and a lot of suspended fish seem to hold around 15-20 ft and I just can't get jerkbaits down that far. I've tried Berkley Stunna +1 and +2 models, Rapala Maverick Deep, and Bill Lewis Scope Stiks.... someone help me out lol My biggest issue is getting the bait down deep enough...

I don't have ffs, but I have brought up debris from the bottom in 15 fow and caught lots of fish on it as well. Nishine Erie Darter MD 115. Colors are limited on TW, but hologram smelt is pretty.

scott

Rapala countdown minnow sinks.

Allen

Personally I would just swim the minnow. A 3/8 head and a 5 inch bait is going to catch the same fish IMO.

You could try the three way rig. It works better with a shad rap style bait.

Another option is the Megabass Deep Six with small a weight strip. You fish it like a jerkbait. Another is the Deep X 300.

Megabass makes a Vision 110+3 that gets down a ways.

Why not use a countdown?

3 hours ago, FishTank said:

You could try the three way rig. It works better with a shad rap style bait.

Another option is the Megabass Deep Six with small a weight strip. You fish it like a jerkbait. Another is the Deep X 300.

Ryugi makes a similar system called the "Deep Tracer".

A Free Rig would get it down too.

Lighter line will get your bait deeper

I think in the highland reservoirs I fish the jighead minnow just fits things better.... Most of the cruising fish especially in the summer are in the 15-20ft range on average..... the 1/8 oz jighead seems to be the ticket if it's calm or the fish aren't moving quick.... and the 3/16 oz casts better and falls a little quicker in wind or when fish are swimming around... I know a lot of southern waters are shallower and dirtier and that's where maybe the jerkbait would shine a little better drawing reaction strikes.... in my lakes it seems you have to finesse them a little more by putting the minnow right over their heads but they get spooked really easily if you give it too much action.... they almost like to see it.... follow it.... sniff it.... and then the moment of truth they'll either eat it or turn away slowly... very rarely do they just crush it..... it happens on occasion but not very often

I get the same most of the time on clear water with deeper fish. If they are at 15-20 and sitting still, then a jerkbait will pull them up to 10-12’ sometimes when they want something fished really slow. Most of the time though a minnow will do it also and it is better for chasing fish that are moving. I go 3/16 as my default for the sink rate (5” minnow) at those depths and if they are nosing it but not eating it I’ll drop to 1/8 and 4”, maybe a different color.