Jerk Baits

[champion198elite]

I'd like to hear what guy's set-up's are for throwing hard body jerkbaits in the early spring.

[Deitz Dittrich]

6'6" M action fast action. I dont normally like fast tips for any cranks, but to get the proper action of a jerkbait I like fast. I also use baitcaster, I know a lot of guys that use spinning.

[champion198elite]

DD, what are you using for line?

[Cecil]

St Croix 6'-8" medium extra fast, 6.0:1 reel, 12 pound berkley 100% flouro.

I also wouldn't normally use fast action on crank but you need to have some pull on the rod or you have to do way too much work to get the action you want.

[champion198elite]

The action required to fish a jerk bait does cause the flouro to snap in the cooler water?

[Cecil]

No way. Flouro is good on cooler weather. It might stiffen up a bit just because it absorbs water, but its strength is not less than normal. It will get you better action and up to another foot of depth on your bait if you need it.

[champion198elite]

Great, thanks for the info Cecil, your not as bad as Tonka said you were. J/K

[Deitz Dittrich]

I use regular co-poly... I dont feel the need for floro, and think I get better action from a line that floats vs one that sinks. I can also see bites better, especially when fishing slow with long pauses...

[Cecil]

No problem, you can get that rod in just about any model, I use an Avid for it.

[Cecil]

I know guys that do that as well. I like as direct of a path from rod to lure as I can get for cranks, I think it makes for better action. Floating line will not allow for that. That's the beauty of it, not many people do anything in fishing the exact same way.

[TonkaBass]

I use a 6'6" med spinning outfit. I use flouro becuase it seems like you get more bites. Also a bright yellow braid or fireline with a flouro leader helps detect bites and also gives the lure a more erratic action. For a more subtle approach I use all flouro. I also ussually add a feather to the rear treble and a red hook up front.

[RiverBassGuy]

I also use a fast action spinning set up. I like it for early season small jerk baits. I'll switch to a baitcaster once the water warms up and the lures get bigger!

[TonkaBass]

I just feel I get more control from a spinning set up. My partner prefers a baitcaster, it's all what works for you. The most important thing I have noticed with this type of lure is the length of time the lure is allowed to rest between jerk-baits or twitches. Makes a HUGE difference once you get them dialed in! I also had a lot of fun with the deeper diving styles to get those fish that are little shyer or not willing to chase one up as far.

[champion198elite]

Hey Tonka, you gonna fish the St.Judes tourney in May?

[RK]

Hiya -

Standard preamble: mostly talking smallies here...

I use a 7' med power fast action spinning rod with 10# Fireline and a 6-7' Fluoro leader. I like Fireline because I can cast a long ways, and still move the bait as much or as little as I want even at the end of a long cast. I just have better control. Plus it's a lot easier to detect hits, which can be pretty subtle when the water's cold and they hit on the pause. It's just a 'tic' sometimes. Tough to feel with mono or fluoro.

The exception is real small twitch baits like the smallest X-Raps or Yozuri Pin Minnows. I throw these on a 6' spinning rod with mono. Can't cast them very far either way, and they're too easy to overpower with superline.

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[Bigguyone]

I am similar to riverbassguy in the sense of 7'MF spinning with smaller baits and then move to a 7'MF baitcaster as they get bigger and for the largest ones I will go to a 7'2" MH Fast.

Agree with the previous posts about for a jerk you need Fast and not mod action to get "proper" action.

I usually throw fluro or braid with fluro leader...depending on cover and structure (the determining factor is if I need more than 14# to keep me from break-in off when snagged and how often I will get snagged).

[bemidjibasser]

I ususally use a 6'6" or 7' medium fast spinning rod with floaters or short lipped suspenders. If I am throwing the long lipped deep divers I will use a 7' medium moderate baitcaster. On the spinning rods I use either 6 or 8 pound yo-zuri ultra soft line and 8 or 10 lb yo-zuri on the baitcaster.

[TonkaBass]

ok, sorry to steal a thread, but what is your go to jerkbait? size, brand, color. I would have to say if I only had one it would be the 78 pointer in their version of the sexy shad color or the shell color. And of course with the red hook up front and the feathered trebel.

[Cecil]

Pointer 100 chartreuse shad.

[champion198elite]

Pointer 100 chartreuse shad.

same!!

[RiverBassGuy]

Pink X-Rap....The Al Lindner Special. LOL!

[polarsusd81]

I absolutely love just about any jerk bait in a Tennessee Shad color. Favorites would be the limited production X-Rap, and the HJ-12. I can't bring myself to pay 12 bucks or better for a bait the pike will try stealing from me.

The Tennessee Shad color has always been a great producer for me though and for jerk baits it is usually my go to color.

Another X-Rap I like is the Hot Copper Flash color. That one works very well in rivers.

[RossT]

I like the Lucky Craft Pointer in Chartreuse Shad. The Rattlin' Rogue and Bomber Long A are also good at times - mainly in Clown.

I also know what someone here has a secret obsession with the Hot Pink X-rap...

[Cecil]

Pinky!!!

[bemidjibasser]

My favorite is a Yo-Zuri Twitchin' Minnow that is no longer in production. Color doesn't matter as long as it is olive shad. I bought/ buy everyone I come across now. I have also done well on husky jerk-baits and some of the frenzy jerkbaits as well. X raps haven't done it for me...weird I know.