Years ago (I was a teenager) when my brothers and I were fishing at night under a moonless sky, I had my jitterbug on. We didn't have a lantern or anything other than a small flashlight that we only turned on when a fish was being landed or retying a lure on.

So anyway, after several casts I got hung up on some weeds and gave a mighty pull. I felt it free up then heard a whistle that got louder and louder. Just then something slammed into my right cheek and the right side of my face went numb for a couple seconds. I realized what happened and began feeling around for my line to track down where my jitterbug went. I gave a small tug on the line and no lie, my lip twitched. Luckily the barb of the treble hook didn't go in all the way so we were able to get it out relatively easy but I did learn a valuable lesson that night.  8-)

thats about a 1 1/2 pound bass, small but during the day on the jitterbug for a tip I use it whenever i see a lot of topwater activity, and also when the water is calm and just steady slow retrieve it

does anyone know where i can find some jointed jitterbugs? i used to use them all the time, but i've been trying to find some lately and can't find them anywhere i go-gander mountain, retail stores and the local bait shops. help me please!!!

Great lure -night or day, but best in low light -overcast, early, late, after dark.

I tend to fish it this way: Cast. Wait after splashdown. Twitch. Wait. Then start a slow gurgling cadence. Then pause. Then retrieve some more, then pause, etc...

Here's why the above: Wait immediately after splashdown because aggressive bass can see lures in the air and will chase after it (At least under low light. In bright light and clear water they usually bolt away from the lure). Sometimes they meet it right at splashdown (that's how these hits happen, btw), or shortly after. Also, aggressive bass some distance away will investigate the sound of the splashdown, so I give 'em time to get there before I start the retrieve. The twitch takes bass that might not commit otherwise. Often they'll zoom up, then hang below and watch. An aggressive retrieve might put them off. The twitch can be deadly, and is less apt to put a tentative fish off.

If no strike, I start the retrieve -taking the plug into new water. Blub, blub, blub, blub... then pause. The retrieve is again an attractor, then I play with pauses. Often they hit on the pause, a twitch, or just after it starts up again. Sometimes it's a long pause that works. Makes 'em sweat!

I don't tend to fish it with a continuous retrieve because there are faster, more weedless baits for this -like a buzzer.

It's disadvantage is that it is a slow lure. Other topwaters can cover more water and catch fish -jumpbaits, buzzers. But the Jitterbug WILL draw fish, and big ones too -this last is a particular advantage to the slow speed. This is a lure that is capable of taking the biggest bass in the pond.

I actually have my grandfather's Jitterbug -about 60 years old now! The first bass I ever saw, and many others after, fell to it on my Dad's rod. Eventually he gave it to me. I've caught a lot of bass on it, but it's now hanging over my desk, waiting for my son to come of age.

Great write-up.

The 2nd bass I ever caught was on a Jitterbug.  Tossed it out and immediately witnessed the bass shoot up from the shallows to hammer it.  The bass must have seen it in mid-air because he struck right as the Jitterbug landed.

That was a fun catch.

My most memorable Jitterbug fish was one that I didn't catch.  

I was probably about 13 years old and was night fishing. I was throwing the Jitterbug out, letting it set for about half a minute and then steadily retrieving it.  I got a huge splashing hit, felt the weight and set the hook.  SNAP!! Was the sound of my line snapping. For the next 5 minutes we could hear that bass jumping and the Jitterbug rattling around as it tried to free itself of the bait. I went back the next morning before sunrise, but was unable to find the bait.  I just hoped/hope the bass was able to shake it loose.