Hard Plastic Jerkbaits

[KickNBass]

Didn't want to hijack the expensive baits post so here's my question:

Where/when do you guys use your jerkbaits, i.e. LC Pointers, xraps etc.?

I have some but they really aren't a standard part of my arsenal. Aside from smallie fishing on rivers, I rarely use them. I think I've read a lot about them being good spring time (maybe prespawn?) baits but in MN for most of the lakes I fish, opener puts me at the spawn at earliest and then I'm doing other techniques.

[Cecil]

Mine are used in cooler water and lakes where the main forage is not craw-based i.e. Rainy Lake. Those fish are conditioned to look up for bait, and the jerkbaits do a good job of making them bite.

[TonkaBass]

ditto to what cecil said and also to fish that aren't on a craw pattern even though it is a predominant forage in the lake.

[KickNBass]

So do you restrict to cooler water situations as well or would you throw them say on metro lakes?

[Cecil]

I would in spring and fall. Typically you can throw faster moving baits in the summer. Its not that fish won't hit them in the summer. Its that they are "usually" keying on different forage. And if they will hit a faster moving bait, I will throw that so I can cover more water.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

I too use them mostly in the spring and fall but will use them year round mostly on the rivers. When fish suspended just under floating docks on the river the LC pointer is my go to lure.

[RumRiverRat]

Ripping a Husky Jerk or an XRap at warp speed works when the water is warm.

Ripping a HJ 10 or 12 for any length of time is somewhat tiring but in certain situations it leads to vicious strikes and fast action.

I use Husky Jerks, Xraps, McSticks.

The XCalibur Xt3 and Damiki Striker 90 have been added to the arsenal for this season.

[RK]

Hiya -

I like Pointers, etc., in the spring when the water's still fairly cool. It's great pre-spawn but can also be very very good post-spawn fished around spawning areas. Long pauses make the bait hang in their face. Great for post spawn LMBs along inside weedlines, etc. Sometimes you can let one sit for 30 seconds or more before they'll hit it.

As RumRiver said, they're good fished fast when the water's warm too, over the tops of weedbeds or along inside weed edges, or over rock/gravel flats for smallies. Sometimes you get fish cruising the open space between an inside weed edge and shore, and a fast, flashy jerkbait can be killer. They do really call fish in from a distance - in clear water you can sometimes watch fish run them down from a *long* ways away. Fish will also come up a long ways for them. They can be very good for suspended smallies, and I have no problem fishing them over the tops of weedlines either, especially if there are suspended bluegills all over. I know with open water smallies, they'll come up 15 feet to smack one in clear water.

For fishing fast where a consistent hang time isn't a big deal, I like Husky Jerks and X-raps, plus Pointer 100s. In cold water where I want it to suspend I use mainly Pointers - either 78s or Slender Pointers - although I do also like the Xcalibur tx3 RR mentioned too.

[RumRiverRat]

In clear water smallies will come up from 15 or 20 deep to kill a Husky Jerk Ripped over sharp drops adjacent to shallow rock piles in warm water.

I may buy a few Pointers for Fall fishing just to have a bait that will hang in the water column perfectly horizontal.

[TonkaBass]

I am jonesin' to try some Megabass jerkbaits and get with the times... As far as Pointers suspending perfect, they need some doctoring for sure...

[RumRiverRat]

An underrated bait in my opinion is the Smithwick Suspending Rogue.

Rediscovered them this winter and have scored huge deals on some.

Excited to use them again this season.

[smalliehunter]

what would be the ideal rod for throwing Eeratic shads, meggabass, and other higher end jerk baits. I was thinking something in the 7'2" MH Fast.. im going shopping today!

[Bigguyone]

I throw jerkbaits all year long - the water temp just effects how fast you move them.

Any lake where craws are not the current/main forage I throw them a lot. They are one of my 2 "goto" baits.

As far as a rod it depends on a few things but I would look at a 6'9" M fast unless you need super long casts in clear water I would go 7'2". Most baits have good weight transfer systems to help casting distance. Casting or spinning is really a personal preference. I would go MH if spinning and M if casting.

[CAMAN]

My favorite jerkbait rod is a 7' Medium Fast that I use for covering open water with long casts, I can get those lures way out there if I need to. I also have a 6'6" Medium Fast I use when I need accurate casts or in tight areas.

[KickNBass]

Fleet farm and Gander have LC Pointers in their bargain bins. FF (Blaine) is 20% off