I've been wanting to learn how to fish a jerkbait for a while. So we went out to Texoma a couple of weeks ago and all we fished with were jerkbaits. We fished rocks, docks, and stick ups. We couldn't get any bites on the rocks or docs, but we could bit if we were able to bump our baits into the timber.

I just wanted to get some tips on what y'all do when fishing jerkbaits. What conditions determine when you will throw a jerkbait vs something else.

What is/are your favorite jerkbait. Do you have a model you prefer when targeting shallow fish vs deeper fish? We caught these on the spro mcstick in wicked perch.

I attached a pic of a couple of fish we caught. Had a pretty decent day boating 6 fish in about 3.5 hours. I think we could have caught a few more if we woulda thrown a senko or other type of soft plastic, but we wanted to focus on the jerkbait.

Very nice! Congrats on making memories!

I tend to throw Lucky Craft pointers in American Shad pattern.

I like the 100 for searching but will mostly throw the pointer 65DD and 65XD. The smaller size seems to clean up any hungry fish.

My biggest smallmouth came on a 65.

First off, GREAT PICS!

I primarily fish jerkbaits when the water is 48-55 degrees, the colder the better honestly. No real secrets to share, let the fish tell you how they want it. Some days its all about working it fast with minimal pauses and others they want it to sit for a 30 count between jerks. Once you determine the cadence the fish want it gets much easier!

Megabass Vision ONETEN in the colors GP Pro Blue,Deadly Black Illusion,GG Kasumi Tiger,GG Perch and Ayu.You really can't go wrong with any Megabass color.These are just some of my favorite ones that really produce good results.

Great pics of some big bass; you've got the best fishing partner--he's hooked for sure

Some keys that work for me:

Medium rod with moderate action

I like 8-10lb Pline CX--Pline CX is neutrally buoyant (it doesn't affect your intended jerkbait suspension as much as other lines) Yozuri hybrid would be another (less commonly available) alternative

Tune the jerkbaits if needed so that they suspend (or my preference--slowly, slowly rise)


With all this recent rain, the water will be muddier (not ideal for jerkbaits); so choose something in loud colors (clown is a good option in stained water)

Match the size of the bait fish. If the fish you are catching are spitting up small shad, use a small jerkbait.

The very best jerkbaits have three sets of trebles (the KVD strike king and the Rapala Husky Jerk are two cost effective options) These are both good options in warmer water that is stained--they have a more erratic action and louder rattle than average

In general, as the water warms, your jerks of the rod can be more aggressive with briefer pauses.

Jerk the bait on slack line and immediately point your rod tip back at the lure to let it move unpredictably (very similar to walking a spook or frog)

Have fun

I prefer lucky craft pointers and megabass onetens.

Jerkbaits are designed to replicate the movement of a dying baitfish. In general, if there are baitfish, then it's a good time to throw a jerkbait.

More specifically, the clearer the water the better they work. That's why the have the reputation for being a cool water bait. Water is generally more clear in the colder months of the year. You can fish a jerkbait all year, you just have to adjust your colors to match what the water is giving you.

Cold clear water - natural or translucent colors - slow retrieve
Warm stained water - bright, flashy, loud - burn it

If you fish your cold water jerkbait style in the summer, then definitely best to put it away and throw something else instead.

Thanks for all the great and detailed replies.

I used 12# mean green to catch those fish. For the guys that fish jerkbaits often, what line do y'all prefer?

And for smaller jerkbaits, are spinning setups recommended?

Some people use spinning rigs for windy days but with some of the new designs allowing for better weight transfer, I can get all I want out of them on a casting rig. I throw up to 12lb fluoro, down to 8lb, wind and depth dependent. Any heavier and you tend to kill the action of the bait.