Jerk Bait Novice

I am wanting to get more comfortable using jerkbaits. Couple of questions: (1) basic set-up including rod length and action; (2) top baits (brand, color and size); and (3) when and where to use them.

Thanks for your input!

1) shorter the better 6'-6'6" medium action with a soft tip.
2) megabass or lucky craft, size (match baitfish size).
3) when-usually cold weather 50* and below. Where-points, humps, around docks, standing timber, bluff walls, rip rap, dams.
Things you didn't ask are how to use them. On your jerks always start and stop with slack line (if you've thown a topwater waling bait you'll know what I mean), you can't impart the action needed if not. And you can't throw heavy line, that will also kill the action. I would say 14# is max. Don't know the lakes you are fishing but if you can get away with it 8-10# is best. Change up your cadence and pause time until you find what they want (it can change day to day or with condition changes).

Watch some jerkbait videos to see how their cadence is (snapping their rod) and the pause time. KVD is one of the best jerkbait fisherman (in my opinion). Good luck.

This will help ya. Its a four hour live show that really gets cranked up around the 20 min mark.

https://youtu.be/5rT5REaBUPI

Does type of line matter? Can you use braid?

I have never used braid, but braid does not sink. Your bait would not track as deep. If you did use braid (no stretch) I would think you would need a more limber road than I suggested in above post and make less pronounced jerks. I am curious now if some do use braid?

All good points. I have one tied up on braid with a floro leader. I'll let you know after tomorrow!

I wouldn't use braid. The way a fish hits a jerkbait, you will pull or jerk the trebles out of their mouth. Some stretch is your friend with jerkbaits. make sure your hooks are super sharp.

Classic! Should be required viewing.

Those giant TV fish are easier to catch. Wish we had more 'round these parts!

They tend to be more effective in clear water too, 5+ feet of visibility. You can use braid as a mainline but you need a light leader of fluoro or mono. A lot of the time jerkbaits are used when the fish aren't really interested in biting so a highly visible line won't help things.

They work well in the spring and especially the fall, but tend to be a go-to bait in the winter.

Don't waste your time with cheap baits like I did. Megabass is outrageously expensive, but also the most effective cold water jerkbait made. It works correctly out of the package. Lucky craft and Strike King work well when the water warms up.

Watch this one too
https://www.tacticalbassin.com/blog/on-the-water-cold-front-jerkbait-fishing?rq=jerkbait

Never. Fish can see line too easily. Also, it makes the bait's nose stick up because line floats. Most of the time you want the bait sitting level or tail end up a tad. I use copolymer 12lb green in SST AN 40. Works great! Mono is next best choice for me...

While guilty of “drinking the coolaid” occasionally I try to stay disciplined and not buy the latest greatest(most expensive) new lures(fads). I say all that to say the MegaBass jerkbaits are the real deal. They really outperform my old standbys.

Why not Fluorocarbon? It sinks and less visible than any other fishing line. Mono floats like braid, I use it for topwater baits only.

Fluoro will cause a perfectly tuned bait to sink. I like the bait to suspend 3-4 feet under surface. Fluoro isn't a bad line when you're using a deeper running jerkbait, but I just don't like it sinking any at all. I know colpolymer is half fluoro, but I do not get the sinking from it.

Tactical Bassin guys use both braid and fluoro. I'm not much of a jerkbait fisherman but I plan to try it more this year.

I think Aaron Martens said he doesn’t have a pro Alex using braid if he knows he is going to be doing it a lot. He uses a leader. He said it just makes it easier on wrist and arms.

Use a 704 Dobyn's CB rod. Whatever reel is fine. I like 10lb floro. And spro or kvd jerkbaits