hey guys i've been doing a lot of nightfishing lately and have been doing awesome using the 3 1/2" (i think) jointed jitterbug, the only thing is I am missing alot of fish when they go to strike, like they keep missing it or something but its been happening quite a bit, just wondering if its my retrieve or if theres anything you guys do to cut back on this, i cast it out let it sit for a few seconds then do a steady retrieve.

Thanks,

Dave

Try a slower retrieve or tie a trailer hook on it.  

I'd try slowing it down and seeing if that helps, if not I would even try speeding it up, I find sometimes this gets them to chase and hit the bait harder. But I'd also definetly change the stock hooks to a higher quality/sharper treble hook.

Jitterbugs are great baits but the trebles they come with suck. Put a trailer hook on, that might help. Bass are always going to miss your lure at night quite a bit anyway.

5/8 ounce black Jitterbug is my favorite,

Myth busters:

Trailer hooks absolutely do not help and will pick up any floating snot weed they can

I switched out the hooks, VMC's do fine but putting split rings on em. In the long run however I have caught just about the same amount of good fish as without doing this

BEST WAY TO GET A SHORT STRIKER: Or even a swirl behind your moving bait. Is to have a second rod with  trigged( Weightless) worm or you choice, throw it beyond where you gto the hit on the bug and work it right throurh that area, slowly.

Fish will miss baits an night, especially is some of them are smaller bass.  I really fish a jitterbug slowly in the dark and pause it now and then.

Also, as others have mentioned, change those worthless hooks that jitterbugs come with.

Brad

FROM MUDDY"S LOGS

Last year from june 1 to sept 1

48 strikes on a stock jitterbug; 31 hookups

'

this year same time frame

42 strikes , 29 hookups

VMC Replacement hooks and split rings: 16 $&%#!+* DOLLARS Marty told me about the split rings I will try adding them for next year.

good for the tackle sellers not much good to me

Change hooks and speed up the retrieve.

I find the best speed is when you get a steady blub....blub.....blub

going.

thanks everyone, i'll try to work on different retrieves

I find a slow steay "blub, blub, blub" to be the best method too.  Besides a buzzbait, this has been the only topwater I have thrown at night this year and it flat produces.