I don�t hear many reports on here of people using twitch and jerk bait type lures. So I thought I�d share one of my favorite springtime techniques�

When the water temp starts climbing into the upper 50�s, I like to break out my favorite twitch bait and start fishing the shallow water. My twitch bait of choice is the XCalibur Xt3 with a chrome finish. The Xt3 is the perfect size for Hybrid and Sand Bass.



On my most recent fishing trip on March 21st the water temp was reading 58 degrees in the shallow water near the bank. This is prime time to throw a twitch bait at the bank and catch a good mix of Hybrids and Sandies. On this particular trip the wind was out of the south at about 20-25 mph. I was fishing a windblown bank in the back of a large cove. In just over 2 hours of fishing we managed to catch more than 35 Hybrids and Sandies in water that was less than 4 feet deep.



If you�ve never fished with a twitch bait before, it�s simple and fun to do. I like to use a bait caster reel combined with a medium action rod and 10lb test line. With the XCalibur Xt3 weighing in at 3/8oz, you can get some good distance on your casts. I like to keep the boat positioned as far off the bank as the casting distance will allow for. Making casts right up to the bank. Reel down a few cranks to get it submerged and then twitch, twitch, pause. Then reel up the slack and repeat. In most cases you will get bit on the pause. Something to keep in mind when fishing this shallow, is when hooking into a nice sized hybrid they tend to head for the nearest tree stump to wrap around. So be ready to turn them fast.


Conditions & Equipment:
Weather: 72 degrees and overcast.
Reel: Abu Garcia Revo
Rod: Falcon/Medium Action
Line: 10lb Trilene Big Game. (It�s cheap and it works)

Good informative report, I too like a twitch bait! Still looking for the magic combination when the twitch isn't on.

this is maybe my favorite presentation, both with the hard baits
& soft plastics.

'course its quite a bit more challenging these past few days with the hurricane winds

hey SBT- do you still carry the sea-pup? I didn't see it on your site.

Hybrids and Sandbass would hit anything that move in the water right now ...

Good advice
Bet those hybrids were lots of fun!

I LOVE throwing a zara spook this time of year.

In the same situation , I love to crawl a jointed redfin
across the surface. Fast enough to wobble , slow enough
to create a wake. Started catching stripers on this
bait back in the late 70's on Texoma. Was delighted to
learn it worked on Hybrids on Palestine.
daylight and dark are the best times( used to fish all night on Texoma, nothing like a big striper busting a redfin by moonlight).

Mo

If the fish are in the shallows ( less than 6 ft ) and won't commit to a twich bait or topwater, try a gold spoon , like you would use for redfish. Something about that wobble .
I use a Tony Accetta 3/4 oz.

MO

I agree....a 4" sassy shad thrown up shallow is killer right now for the big hydrids.

I don't use that brand but +1 on the jerk baits this time of year,thanks for your input and sharing with us.