So with the colder months coming up, I know jerkbaits become a great option. What are the best jerkbaits to use? I’ve mostly used Shad Rap and X-Rap, but I won’t say the results have been remarkable.

My experience has been....

When the fish are suspended on trees / rocks etc around 5-8 foot, I throw a Megabass 110. I know they're stupid expensive, but they have brought me some great fish. Another option is the Lucky Craft Pointer.

When the fish are suspended around deeper water points, brush piles, etc....then I use the smaller framed jerkbaits like the Lucky Craft 78SPDD. This bait allows me to get deep into the water column and mimic prey.

I find that the jerk bait is an awesome tool. I throw different brands but have good success with the XRap suspending models. I think water clarity is important. In stained water I choose a different approach. But if the water is cold and pretty clear. I’ll throw it a lot, fishing it slow. 3 to 5 sec pause between twitching. If they still won’t hit it I’ll slow even more. 15lb Invizx.

Flukes with belly weighted hooks....

I'm a Megabass Oneten junkie...+1s, +2s...I throw them all. Hooks WILL break on these...so having extras and split ring pliers is a good idea. Best tip I ever got relating to suspending baits...it is important for the bait to remain stable in the water column. Different temps/density of water can make the bait slowly float/sink. Colder/denser water is likely to make the bait rise. To counter this, wrap lead wire around the front hook to add just a bit of weight. This will take some dialing in to get it right, but in my case, I have found the effort to be worth it.

what 110 hooks do you replace them with? The Megabass ones are crazy brittle but [censored] they're SHARP.

I've always replaced with the original #6 Katsuage hooks -
Hooks

There's a bunch of info online about potentially more durable replacements but I just stick with the original for fear of goobering up the action of the bait. LOL And you're right, they are some STICKY sumbeeches!

Not sure what you guys are doing on those MB110 to straighten / break hooks. I usually throw mine on a baitcaster w/ 10lb line, Medium action, 6'6" rod. It takes me a while to get them to the boat, but I have yet to break / bend a hook.

Agreed… if your using anything heavier than 10 lb line your losing a ton of action.

Personally not a big fan of the 110 or any of the 3 hook jerk plugs. I have some in the boat, still go to my ole faithful that hopefully all of y’all have forgotten all about.

Megabass Vision 110

That’s what I expected regarding the megabass vision…I guess I’ll have to bite the bullet and buy a couple to try out. (Can’t afford to buy too many!)

There's something about the Vision. They're not the only jerkbait that works, but the Vision often seems to outpace others in water <50 degrees (for me anyway).

Don't need to buy a whole bunch. The GP Pro Blue 2 always works if the jerkbait is getting bit at all. Other colors do better in certain conditions, but the pro blue always works. After that, something non-transparent in white or chartreuse (like Table Rock) for murkier water or cloudy weather, then something chrome/shiney in a shad pattern for sunny windy weather.

Biggest factor is water clarity; I generally don't use jerkbaits in water with less than 4-5ish feet of visibility. It will still work there but you have to get the lure closer to them; they won't come to it like they will in clear water.

Also, get a 12-16ft telescoping lure retriever. Recovering two hung Visions will pay for the retriever.

I throw the X-Rap suspending jerk bait in several different sizes with a pretty great success myself. The hooks a pretty darn sharp and the hook up ratio is awesome.

Just got home from an all day jerk bait smash fest.The 110 jr is my go to,LC 78 and MG are my favorite mainly due to the weight transfer systems.

I can't catch anything with a jerkbait lately. 58° water temp, I figured they'd be chewing it on my little lake.