Jerkbait questions

[joeyblueblood]

hey everyone...i'm not that familiar with jerkbaits but will be fishing them in early spring. should i use mono or flouro. also some say a spinning reel is better than a baitcaster. any thoughts would be appreciated

[Fntsyfbgod]

Opinions vary with floro and mono. Floro gets your bait deeper and is invisible. Mono has more strech and some people think it helps keep from losing fish. I use copolymer which is like a cheaper floro. Baitcasting reels give you more control and spinning reels can cast small baits better. But with the new jerkbaits these days you can cast them better and baitcasters do fine with most especially suspending models.

The main thing with jerkbaits is water clarity. The biggest mistake I made was throwing a jerkbait in the past when the water was too dirty. If the water is stained and you cant see good they are not near as good and crankbaits and other baits may be better. When I think its a little clear for a crankbait I throw a jerkbait. When its really clear and you can see way down go with a deeper diving model. I used to use the cheaper versions but now I mostly throw Lucky Craft and the xcaliber jerkbaits. I like the saysee 90 and mid size pointers. The little xcaliber jerk bait is a fish catching machine. It casts great and isnt as expensive as the lucky craft baits. These baits cast alot better than other older model jerkbaits. Rogues are also good but some need tuning and some never run right. But they are hard to beat some times. I also use a 6'6 medium loomis cranking rod with mine. I am average height so the rod wont slap the water and the shorter rod keeps me from moving the bait too fast. Good luck

[zimmy]

Good info. That gets me fired up for spring!

[Fishin is life]

I agree with everything he said except the spinning/baitcasting thing and its just a personal preference of mine to throw it on a spinning outfit.....i think the more limber action on the spinning rod gives me better action IMO....not saying that throwing it on a baitcaster is wrong but i would try throwing it on both and see which one you like better....also one of the main keys to jerkbait fishing is varying your speed to see what the fish want....some days they may want it fished fast and others they may want you to keep it still for a 10 count....just play around with it and see what works best for you

[Jbyrd]

I agree with everything he said except the spinning/baitcasting thing and its just a personal preference of mine to throw it on a spinning outfit.....i think the more limber action on the spinning rod gives me better action IMO....not saying that throwing it on a baitcaster is wrong but i would try throwing it on both and see which one you like better....also one of the main keys to jerkbait fishing is varying your speed to see what the fish want....some days they may want it fished fast and others they may want you to keep it still for a 10 count....just play around with it and see what works best for you

Hey a really good trick is to have one of each rigged up (spinning and bait casting) then if one arm gets tired switch out rods

[mattbay]

Just fish the thing and don't worry!!!!

[apb]

I'm certainly no expert. Been using fireline on a baitcaster throwing my own jerkbaits. I use a 5-6 foot floru leader. Works for me.

Andrew

[Dave Stewart]

Well, rod, reel and line is a matter of choice. I use a 6' Falcon MH baitcaster with 10 or 12lb Gamma copolymer myself. I like the 6' rod as it makes it easier to work the bait (at least for me) and the Falcon MH is more like a medium than MH. Every brand rod performs differently and found out long ago that two rods that both say they are MH or MED etc can definitely have different actions.

Tip: Tie your lure on with a loop knot...you can vary the size of the loop and change the action on the lure. Don't be afraid to pause the lure for a long time if you are not getting bit.....have seen many times a 30-40 second pause will put more fish in the boat...the fish will tell you what they want if you will listen.

Pay attention to your sonar....most of the time you can see the depth of your shad and the fish under them....also, if you are not getting bit throwing to the shoreline and you see the shad and targets under your boat...back out another cast length....not unusual for the fish to suspend well of the bank on some days, especially SM.

There are some standard colors and models that tend to work every spring to put some fish in the boat most days....but every year there will be one model and color pattern the fish will eat like candy, and it tends to change from year to year..you just have to experiment around until you find the right one.

Last March we had one of the best jerkbait bite seasons I have ever seen here on Ky/Barkley (and we always have what most folks consider a good one). I am expecting another banner one again this March also.

[joeyblueblood]

Just fish the thing and don't worry!!!!

MATTBAY...Yo momma’s so fat she was diagnosed with a flesh eating disease and the doctor gave her 17 years to live.

[offdtop]

Last March we had one of the best jerkbait bite seasons I have ever seen here on Ky/Barkley (and we always have what most folks consider a good one). I am expecting another banner one again this March also.

My Thoughts exactly!!!

[joeyblueblood]

Well, rod, reel and line is a matter of choice. I use a 6' Falcon MH baitcaster with 10 or 12lb Gamma copolymer myself. I like the 6' rod as it makes it easier to work the bait (at least for me) and the Falcon MH is more like a medium than MH. Every brand rod performs differently and found out long ago that two rods that both say they are MH or MED etc can definitely have different actions.

Tip: Tie your lure on with a loop knot...you can vary the size of the loop and change the action on the lure. Don't be afraid to pause the lure for a long time if you are not getting bit.....have seen many times a 30-40 second pause will put more fish in the boat...the fish will tell you what they want if you will listen.

Pay attention to your sonar....most of the time you can see the depth of your shad and the fish under them....also, if you are not getting bit throwing to the shoreline and you see the shad and targets under your boat...back out another cast length....not unusual for the fish to suspend well of the bank on some days, especially SM.

There are some standard colors and models that tend to work every spring to put some fish in the boat most days....but every year there will be one model and color pattern the fish will eat like candy, and it tends to change from year to year..you just have to experiment around until you find the right one.

Last March we had one of the best jerkbait bite seasons I have ever seen here on Ky/Barkley (and we always have what most folks consider a good one). I am expecting another banner one again this March also.

thx dave....could i get away with a snap swivel as well? how about also jerking in an upward motion occasionally to add an erratic action?

[apb]

....could i get away with a snap swivel as well? ...

I use a snap on my plugs. Works well as it allows for a more free movement of the plug. Also allows you to change plugs quickly. No swivel. I would be interested in hearing what others think about snaps on plugs.

Andrew