Since the jerkbait is down in the water column a few feet I don't think the chop moves the bait much unless it is really severe. What happens is that the chop breaks up the silhouette of the bait and makes it appear more realistic to the fish. Also bass are more likely to chase a bait in clear water during windy conditions. Often during flat and sunny conditions bass do not want to chase but instead stay close to cover. So basically you have a more realistic bait and more active bass during windy conditions.

Thanks Steven....nice video. The jerk bait will definitely determine if you are a patient fisherman or not. My favorite winter time bait......

Stephen - what is your preference in brand of jerk bait? I have always used the Long A, but am looking at some new bait choices. Thanks in advance.

JC Outdoors - the Ozarks are my home waters. And YES, you'll be throwing a jerkbait. Don't overlook a heavy jig or football jig too, though as your alternate bait. You'll want to look for points and bluff ends that extend out a bit and also any secondary points on the outer half of the coves. They also do well along the sides of the BILLION docks on that lake. Just gotta fish em slow. The way this video showed works perfectly. Just give it more pause than he shows in that video. Do what his write up says, not what happens in the video. Reel down a bit, then wait 5 seconds (which will feel like 5 MINUTES) and then do your twitching. Jerk, Jerk, pause (5 seconds).........or three jerks. You'll play around with the pattern and find a cadence that works for you. You'll occassionally feel a bite like on any other bait, but most of the time, I find they hit it immediately on the pause and all of a sudden my rod loads up while I'm just sitting there OR they'll just be on there when you go to do that next jerk (so be ready to snap that rod immediately).......OR.....you'll go to jerk and there's nothing there, cuz they're coming towards you. You just have to realize what you're doing by pausing and allowing that slack in the line and then be ready for all scenarios. It can be a hot bait at the Ozarks from mid-February through mid-April. Good Luck!!! What tourney are ya fishing?

I really like these three jerkbaits: Lucky Craft Pointer 100 / Rapala X-Rap / Smithwick Rattlin Rogue

I hear that Strike King has come out with a good bait as well but I have not tried it yet.

Love the jerk bait and always have one tied on. It is my go to bait when fishing is tough. I most always fish a suspending one this time of year. Got a DD several years back on a jerk bait in 2' of 47 degree water at Fork. In the past, I didn't like using line any lighter than 15# Fluro at Fork due to fear of catching a monster and being wrapped and then broken off. Gonna go lighter this year and throw 12# Fluro. Get your jerk on! Thanks for the post!

Nice video. And, thanks.

clear water? What is that? lol

good stuff

Good stuff, when you fish it really slow keep a decent amount of tension, usually in calm water you will see the line jump hard when a big bass hits it!

Thanks for posting, Stephen. Your vids are always informative and high quality. Way to promote your service on the FREE. Maybe more people will catch on.
Try the Excalibur EErattic shad also. Great bait on the cheap IMO.

Great video, thanks for sharing!

Good video. Thanks for the jerkbait tips.

2 things: what is your preferred go to size in the LC pointer and what colors do you suggest to be a great all around choice for the majority or NTEX lakes that are in the blue/green color category. I don't get access to clear water with more than 3' of visibility very often. Since only a few baits would run $40 or more I want to buy what will catch fish and not fishermen. Almost all of my jerkbaits are a natural color but was thinking about a few chrome/hologram colors like the T-rock.

Thoughts?

I caught my first big bass on Sept 13,1983 on a Smithwick Rogue in black/orange color. My dad was using it and put whipping on me using a chrome jerkbait. He felt bad for me and gave me his rod so I could catch at least one fish for the day. First cast in a big stump field and I watched as this bigguns mouth and gills flared open and inhaled that bait. I almost set the hook too soon I was so excited. God was watching over me that day cause as soon as I swung her over the side of the boat, the line broke and the hooks came out of tha Rogue. I went home and filleted those bass as well as one finger. Went my cousins wedding that evening and had bass for dinner.

1. I like the 100 size in the pointer, the one that is a step smaller is also good when the bass move onto the flats in March.

2. I would have three colors for NTEX lakes, gold or clown, chrome with black back, and bone. To be honest, the location you are fishing and speed of your retrieve often have lots more to do with getting bites than colors. I have found this to especially be true in stained water like we have here in North Texas. In ultra clear water, color makes much more of a difference.