Trying to broaden my horizons and get into jerkbaits.  Just wanted some opinions on where I should start.  

Soft or hard?

my personal favorite for hards anyway is rapala husky jerk

Soft jerks starts IMO with a Zoom Super Fluke, many also like the Sluggo though I have never used one.

Hard jerkbaits, I would get a few Rapala Hushy jerks & X raps. If your budget allows get the Lucky Craft pointer in the 78 & 100 size to start.

Great colors would include Ghost minnow, Aurora Pro Blue & Chartreuse Shad. If you really want to go overboard as I have consider the Megabass Trick Darter, Ima Flit, DD (Deep) series Lucky Craft Pointers , Jackall Squad Minnows & Squirrels (Deep) are also great jerks to round out your selection. Jerkbaits are like crank baits IMO, these different models will all shine at different times and are tools to be used when you are looking to cover various depths and there will be times when you need to downsize. It also helps to have a diverse selection of colors, I tend to favor the more tranluscent colors more often than not because these baits are at their best in clear water. There are times when you'll need solid colors, especially when the skies are overcast.

I have not used a soft jerk bait, but for hard jerk baits I really like the Rapala Husky Jerk and X-Raps as well as the LC Pointers.

Later,

The best: lucky craft pointers, hands down

X-Raps are also good

Hard my personal favorite is the x rap but there are a ton of really good ones.          Soft     Slug go

Hardbait - X-Rap. Soft bait - Strike King Z-Too for surface as it floats.

Slug-Go for sub-surface and for it's versatility.

I like Lucky Craft Pointers, Rapala Husky Jerks and X-Raps.

Specifically: LC Pointer 100, Baby Bass; HJ10, Silver Blue/Orange;

and XR8, Glass Ghost.

The Lucky Craft Pointers are some of the best lures made. Pointers

have a balancing system for long casts and reduced fouling. Most

importantly, they suspend perfectly and continue to vibrate slightly

even when the lure appears motionless.

I have had good luck with the Husky Jerk. This jerkbait has

exaggerated side-to-side action which is sometimes just what

the fish are looking for.

The X-Rap performs best when fish are very active. Rapala calls

it a "slash bait" and should be fished aggressively, generally without

pause.

8-)

Mine's the LC ghost minnow pointer

If you are going to be serious about jerks then get more than one brand, size and color.  Last spring my LCs got me beat down to my knees.  My Smithwicks also didn't produce that day.  I got down 8/0 with my baits and I had to borrow and Xrap from my bud to get any action at all.  Now I own some Xraps.

Megabass Vision 110 -- Pro Blue, Deadly Black, Ito Natural

Imakatsu RipRizer -- Hasu

Husky Jerk

My two favorite:

Lucky Craft Pointer 100SP

Megabass Vision 110

I have had alot of success with the Rapala X Rap

Hmmm, not a single mention of Rattlin' Roagues... They work for me.

Soft Jerkbait:

Zoom Super Fluke (lunker city slug-go)

Hard Jerkbait:

Lucky Craft Pointer (smithwick rattlin' rogue)

Roger

Hmmm, not a single mention of Rattlin' Roagues... They work for me.

If it's just about "catching fish", you are absolutely right! However,

the lures themselves are inferior to the others mentioned in many

ways. Rogues have quality control issues, often fail over time and

do not cast well. They are inexpensive and a very profitable product

for Smithwick. As a result, the company has no incentive to improve

the lure. (Note: For $2 more they now offer a version with Gamakatsu

hooks).

Bottom line: Rattlin' Rogues will produce bites, but they are not the

"best jerkbaits".

8-)

Lucky Craft Pointers and Jackall Squad Minnows are all I use.

x raps are easily my favorite I have a couple LC pointers and husky jerks but i like to x raps better.

For hard jerkbaits I like X - Raps best, though I also like LC pointers and husky jerks

For soft jerks, Zoom Super Flukes are the best, but sluggos and bass assassins are good too.

I say an angler needs all six!

Hmmm, not a single mention of Rattlin' Roagues... They work for me.

I've got about 1/2 dozen of the clown rogue.  Bomber Long "A" is another one I've got a ton of.  I just can't bring myself to spend the dough on LC pointers.

The best: lucky craft pointers, hands down

X-Raps are also good

x2, I use pointers more and they are great but xraps are still very good

Jackall Squad Minnows are my favorites.  Side by side, they are nearly indistiguishable from LC Pointers.  But inside, there are differences.  The LC has a shifting weight and will cast further.  The Jackall does not have a shifting weight.  But the Jackall is designed so that it will come to an almost immediate stop when you stop jerking it.  The LC will more or less coast to a stop.   Side by side, the difference is very noticeable.   I can get a more erratic looking action out of the Jackall.  As far as quality of components go, they are equal.  

Another great jerk is the Ima Flit.  It has a very nice action.  Jerk it, rip it, it will catch fish.  It also dives pretty deep for a jerk with a small bill.

For a cheap jerk, it's had to beat the Bomber Long A, either floating or suspending.  

Soft= Zoom Flukes

Hard= X-Rap or Bomber Long A

Thanks for all the help guys.  All the information provided was very useful.  I'm steering more towards the X-raps due to Rapala's reputation for quality products but will also try the LC pointers.  Have a buddy that swears by the Rogues, so will probably give them a try too.  

Tight lines to all!