Jerkbaits are one of the most effective lures for fishing bass. They can be fished in a variety of ways, but the most common is to cast them out and then use a jerking motion to make them swim erratically. This attracts the attention of bass and often triggers them to strike.
When fishing a jerkbait, it’s important to use line that is strong enough to handle the fish you’re targeting, as well as a rod and reel that can handle the lure’s weight and action.
How to Fish a Jerkbait (What you need to know) – Scott Martin
- Choose the right jerkbait
- Not all jerkbaits are created equal, and different types work better in different conditions
- In general, lipless crankbaits work best in clear water and baitfish-heavy lakes, while suspending jerkbaits are ideal for dirty water and areas with lots of vegetation
- Cast your jerkbait out and let it sink to the desired depth
- Once it hits bottom, reel in the slack so you have a tight line
- Begin jerking your rod tip sharply up and down, using short, quick motions
- The goal is to create a erratic swimming action that will mimic a wounded baitfish and trigger strikes from predators
- 4 As you jerk, keep your rod tip low to the water to maintain good contact with the lure
- You may also want to add some twitches between jerks to further entice fish
- Reel in your jerkbait slowly as you continue jerking, keeping the action going until it’s back at your feet
- If you get hung up on something, simply stop reeling and give a few sharp tugs on the rod tip until the lure comes free
Jerkbait Vs Crankbait
Jerkbaits and crankbaits are both types of lures that can be used to catch fish. They both have their own unique advantages and disadvantages that make them better or worse for certain situations. Here, we’ll compare and contrast the two so you can make a more informed decision about which one to use the next time you go fishing.
Advantages of jerkbaits:
-They can be fished very slowly, making them ideal for targeting finicky fish
-The erratic action created by jerking the lure attracts fish
-They can be fished in clear water where fish can see the lure easily
Disadvantages of jerkbaits:
-They require more effort to use than crankbaits
-Fish are often reluctant to bite a jerking lure since it does not look natural
-Jerkbaits are not as durable as crankbaits and will often break if you snag them on underwater obstacles
Advantages of crankbaits:
-Crankbaits can be reeled in quickly, making them ideal for covering large areas of water
-The fast reeling motion creates a lot of vibration that attracts fish from long distances
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What Action Do You Use for Jerkbaits?
Jerkbaits are a versatile lure that can be used for a variety of different techniques, depending on the type of fish you’re targeting. For example, when fishing for bass, you might use a jerkbait as a topwater lure to imitate a wounded baitfish. This can be done by using sharp jerks of the rod tip to make the lure dart erratically through the water.
Another common way to fish with jerkbaits is known as “jigging”. This involves slow, steady twitches of the rod tip while reeling in the slack line. This action imitates a dying or injured baitfish fluttering in the water, and is often effective when fish are inactive or reluctant to bite.
Finally, jerkbaits can also be simply cast out and retrieved at a consistent speed without any special action imparted to them. This is known as “cranking”, and can be an effective way to cover large areas of water quickly while still giving fish the opportunity to strike at your lure.
When Should You Use Jerkbait?
Jerkbait is most effective when fish are actively feeding on baitfish. The erratic action of jerkbait mimics a wounded baitfish, triggering strikes from predators. Jerkbait is also effective during the spawn, when bass are guarding their nests and aggressively striking anything that comes near.
What Pound Test Should I Use for Jerkbaits?
This is a great question and one that we get all the time. The answer really depends on a few factors, such as the size of the fish you’re targeting and the type of water you’re fishing in. In general, though, we recommend using a pound test line for jerkbaits.
This will give you enough strength to handle most fish, while still being able to feel the bait well. If you’re fishing in particularly heavy cover or targeting large fish, you may want to go up to a heavier pound test line.
Conclusion
In order to fish a jerkbait for bass, you will need to use a rod and reel with line that is strong enough to handle the fish. You will also need to have a baitcaster or spinning reel. The most important thing when fishing with a jerkbait is to make sure that the lure is moving in an erratic way.
This can be accomplished by using jerking motions with your rod tip.
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