Tweaking jerkbaits????

[Dave Stewart]

Getting off the bank is definitely a big plus...too many times I see people too close to the bank fishing a jerkbait. When I am hitting points that I know are good for those early spring smallies I keep on eye on the finder for targets under the boat...not unusual to catch them two cast lengths off the bank when they don't have the baitfish pushed up close. Another good thing you mentioned here John is letting the lure sit for a while if the fish are not taking on short pauses...takes some patience but it pays off.

[stratosjoe]

Gentlemen I really have not had much luck with the jerkbait(confidence probably) I am going tomorrow,the water is up and light brown in color about 47 degrees. I understand they work best in clear water but could this be a possibility? I am open to any other suggestions . I will probably use black jigs as well as dark tubes and maybe a small bright or even dark crankbait...:-)

[ranger pro 1]

Thanks Dave my best early jerkbait spot at dale is three cast off the bank and is a river leadge that drops from 15'to 25' feet that leads to a spawning flat that I found by accident one day I couldnt count the smallmouth over 4 and biger that I have caught there in the last 20 years.and I have never seen any body fish a jerkbait on it.I also know what you go through as a guide because I did that for a time. John Crase

[mertens357]

I am sure most know this, but just a reminder: Yellow eyes float and red eyes suspend.

Shawn

[Dave Stewart]

Right on again John....ledges are definitely an overlooked pattern for jerkbaits. It's good to see you posting more on here now...good to have a tournament angler with your success background on the board here. Yeah, I guess the guiding can be testing at times but it is one of those occupations you really like or you don't. When you do it as much as I do you better like it or you need your head examined...lol...kind of like your life as a professional tournament angler and all the traveling, sponsor work etc, long hours on the water...if you didn't love it you need your head examined...lol.

[BanditMan]

When you guys use the suspend dots do you put them on in manner so the bait stays horizontal in the water or do you like the tail down?

[Dave Stewart]

I prefer mine horizontal.

[Wormin]

If you could have only one winter time jerkbait what would it be.

[mhall]

> If you could have only one winter time jerkbait what would
>it be.


For me it would be the Rapala X-Rap in various colors. I like Rogues and Husky jerks too.

[elnutsmalljaws]

The one with the 12 pound Brownfish attached to it. There is a smarta$$ in every crowd.