If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. You … You’ll need to plant the brush [where legal] or find it with Lowrance StructureScan or sonar, but you can often spot the trunks or roots of laydown trees on the banks and then fish around the tops … What I mean by that is I will first fish … References. Try a few different depths of suspending baits to find which works best at your local lake. Once you’ve hooked the bass, 2 or all 3 of the treble hooks should be embedded deep in the fish’s mouth. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 15,421 times. A suspending jerkbait also comes in handy when spawning bass are protecting their nests. These tips will help you catch more fish that is for sure! Cold Water. When fish first … If you are using a … Maternity Ward: Bed fishing — ehh, there are too many baits of greater potential to force the jerkbait here. Throw the lure past the nesting bass, slowly reel it back to the bed and let it sit in front of that … the jerkbait through several vertical feet of water. Jerkbaits are part of a very small group of lures that "trigger" a feed response in bass. Some of these lures run shallow (1-3 feet), while others have internal weights that may shift or have a larger, steeper lip for diving to 10 feet or more. In fact, prior to the umbrella-rig craze, jerkbaits … “You can catch them on finesse tactics when the water gets cold, but I’ve found I can catch a lot of big fish on jerkbaits and cover water quicker,” he said. With a floating jerkbait once you pause the lure will start to rise slowly towards the surface. For those shallower largemouth using the vegetation, as well as those in laydowns and standing timber on long points and any holding around shallow brush, McClelland’s throwing the … [1] These baits also have a bill protruding from the front of the bait which makes the fish dive when an angler reels it fast or jerks hard on the line. Jerkbaits are long and narrow, usually between 3–6 inches (7.6–15.2 cm), and have 3 treble hooks dangling from their underside and tail. Most jerkbaits are made to work in 3 to 6 feet of water while using fairly light line (typically 8 to 12 pound test), but sometimes the fish are holding on deeper structure or cover. Finally, it is more sensitive, which comes in handy for light biting winter bass. Christie … Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. Also try twitching multiple times, (twitch, twitch…pause…twitch). The jerkbait is the perfect bait to take on the bitter cold and put a bend in your rod! For example, some suspending jerkbaits are designed to sink only to about 4 feet (1.2 m), while others sink as deep as 10 feet (3.0 m). Also fish with artificial-colored jerkbaits in summer. You can let the bait sit in the water for a longer duration if bass aren’t biting during the 10-15-second pauses. Only use them in static water like lakes or reservoirs. You will want to fish a good baitcasting reel also. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published, This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Reeling in a large bass can be a long, intense battle, so be sure to pace yourself. This is not your cold water typical jerkbait video. Most jerkbaits are made to work in 3 to 6 feet of water while using fairly light line (typically 8 to 12 pound test), but sometimes the fish are holding on deeper structure or cover. And since you should have a slight amount of slack in your line, you will not always see the strike. How to fish a jerkbait is a common question among beginners.. A lot of beginners understand the concept but not always the finer details of the execution, there are a few factors that can seriously affect your success when fishing … Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. FLW Tour Pro Cory Johnston explains the best tips and techniques when fishing with a jerkbait. Floating jerkbaits are also great for catching bass in the top 3 feet (0.91 m) of water. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. The bait has been designed to move like a struggling minnow, which will make the predatory bass react and strike at the bait. This article has been viewed 15,421 times. In Warmer Water; If you are wanting to get bit in seasons such as Summer and Spring, the best practice is to make a nice, long cast, and rip your … But when it cools down, like it is doing right now, I will lengthen the stop significantly to what good friend and In-Fisherman television host, Doug Stange calls a… “Painfully Protracted Pyzer Pause.” Doug and I were filming a bass-fishing … wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. Hard jerkbaits are better to use if fishing in an open, deep area where the chances of snagging are fewer. So, avoid casting the jerkbait near shores or ledges, where you’re likely to find underwater grass, shrubs, and stumps. When any, or all of these conditions exist, give the jerkbait a rip for bass fishing. Before your fishing expedition, visit your local fishing store or sporting goods store and pick out 5-7 different jerkbaits. This way, a hungry bass will be able to see (and may strike!) Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. However, jerkbaits versatile enough that they’ll do a decent job in most seasons. Also, while it is true that fluorocarbon sinks, you can minimize this effect by using the lightest fluorocarbon possible. Learning to fish a jerkbait is an essential step in becoming a better bass fisherman, especially on clear-water fisheries during the prespawn season. Once you catch your first fish of the day, make a mental note of what your lure had been doing prior to the strike. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. With a jerkbait, you’re better off sticking to water that’s at least 10 feet (3.0 m) deep. If you’re fishing a jerkbait in warm summer water, shorten the length of your pauses to give warm, active bass more of a chase. Be the first to rate this post. Some jerkbaits float, some sink, and some even suspend once depth is reached. Compared to most lures, jerkbaits can be troublesome to cast with a baitcaster because they can more easily backlash. As the name suggests, floating jerkbaits do not sink into the water until they’re jerked. Jerkbait fishing, especially when the water temperature drops, can be hot! Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Check it out! Stay out of the shallows unless you want to risk losing your bait among dense underwater vegetation. Fish can be finicky, and what color or jerkbait they strike may vary from day to day. So, it’s very unlikely that a floating jerkbait will get snarled up in weeds, shrubs, or obstacles under the water. Many are also painted with colors that will show up well underwater and lure in bass. First, since jerkbait fishing is largely a clear-water technique, and since fluorocarbon is difficult for fish to detect, it is the perfect choice. The jerkbait setup depends on the water you are fishing. If you see a subtle twitch, or your line begins to move, set the hook! Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world. Here are a few key determining factors to help you identify prime time for fishing a jerkbait. This is a good thing! River jerkbait fishing … Jerkbait fishing is all about the cadence. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. For example, in cold weather, fish may be more responsive if you let the bait sit in the water for 30 seconds. Here is a great fishing video to help anglers catch more bass with jerkbaits. I also fish it in a 6'3" medium action in a casting rod or a spinning rod. Sometimes, the fish want pauses as long as 15-30 seconds! Fish a floating jerkbait if you’re a beginner. The suspending models will remain at roughly the same depth they were at just after you pause. Oftentimes a strike will occur when the bait is sitting completely still. Start eating vegetarian in 5 days, even if you love steak. The quick dives and long rests of the jerkbait will make the bass think that the minnow (your jerkbait) is stunned by the cold water and can’t move properly. No votes so far! If you’re trawling around a clear lake and happen to see a school of bass, start fishing with your jerkbait. Floating jerkbaits are also great for catching bass in the top 3 feet (0.91 m) of water. A little (or a lot) of chop on the surface makes it more difficult for upward looking bass to distinguish the bait from the real thing. Jerkbait fishing often works best when you have a variety of jerkbaits to experiment with. Last Updated: January 6, 2021 So the rule of thumb is that you should always move the jerkbait with your rod tip, never with your reel. Or move to a different spot altogether. Research source. After you’ve fished over a patch of water 4-5 times, change your location and try the spot from a different angle. Alternately, if the bass just aren’t striking at your natural color baits in clear water, switch things up and use an artificial-colored bait. Experiment with different pause lengths … The bright colors will catch the fish’s eye. When jerked, Jerkbaits feature … A jerkbait excels when it is sitting still absolutely still. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Ledges and drop-offs: Retrieve the bait perpendicular to the break; fan-cast to cover a range of depths Fishing First Aid: What You Need To Know And What You Need To Bring, How To Find Winter Largemouth Bass In Open Water, Mystery Tackle Pro Box Unboxing (Multi-Species January 2021), Mystery Tackle Box Bass Elite Unboxing (January 2021), Mystery Tackle Box Bass Unboxing (January 2021). Modern-day bass fishing jerkbaits were meant to mimic minnows struggling in cold water like when shad get stunned when the water temps near 40 degrees. How To Fish Jerkbaits Properly Hard Versions. For example, if you’re fishing in summer and bass are hiding out deep in the lake, a fast-sinking jerkbait will take your bait to the fish more quickly than a slow-sinking bait. It also has a reputation for catching beastly bass. Due to the design of the jerkbait’s bill, it will dip down in the water when yanked. One of the most common mistakes anglers make when fishing a jerkbait is not twitching on a slack line. Speaking of light biting bass, make sure to watch your line! Since bass are more energetic in summer, they’ll come investigate the bait. On most casts, an average jerkbait can dive to a depth of 14 feet (4.3 m) under the surface of a lake. Jerkbaits really come into their own when the temperatures start to drop. For actual minnows, this occurs when the water in a lake gets down to about 40 °F (4 °C). https://scout.com/outdoors/bass-fishing/Article/A-Quick-Guide-to-Bass-Fishing-Jerkbaits-106472993/, https://scout.com/outdoors/bass-fishing/Article/Why-You-Need-to-Fish-Jerkbaits-in-the-Summer-for-Bass-101451618/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqbkDwDUuM4&feature=youtu.be&t=34s, http://www.bassdozer.com/articles/crawford/jerkbait.shtml, https://scout.com/outdoors/bass-fishing/Article/Unconventional-Coldwater-Jerkbait-Tips-105347345/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqbkDwDUuM4&feature=youtu.be&t=1m19s, https://scout.com/outdoors/bass-fishing/Article/A-Year-Round-Guide-to-Floating-Jerkbaits-101451927/, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. The natural suspending action of a jerkbait imitates bait fish … Aim to cast the bait about 40 feet (12 m), so it soars over the clear-water area you’d like to fish. Also, most hard jerkbaits have a larger front bill for deep diving. Then you’ll be prepared to reel the jerkbait back over the area that bass may inhabit. Plus, it is better than the highly-buoyant monofilament alternative. X If you find yourself getting impatient and wanting to reel in the bait before 30 seconds have passed, use the second hand on your watch to time the rest. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7f\/Fish-a-Jerkbait-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Fish-a-Jerkbait-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7f\/Fish-a-Jerkbait-Step-1.jpg\/aid10241405-v4-728px-Fish-a-Jerkbait-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"