There are
"Two" basic types or styles of Jerkbaits that are sold on the bassin
market today, and they would fall in the categories of "Hard-Jerkbaits" and
"Soft-Jerkbaits." The "Soft-Jerkbaits" type or style would cover the
soft-plastic baits such as; Bass Assassins, Squids, Slug-Os, Dartin Shads,
Squirmin' Jerks, Flukes, Flappin Shads, Etc...... And the "Hard-Jerkbaits"
type or style would cover the hard plastic or even wood types such as; Rapalas Husky
Jerk, Jointed-Minnows, Floating Minnows, Smithwicks Rogues, Bombers
Long-As, Rebels Minnows, Bagleys Ratlin Twitcher, etc...... and
there many, many, more of these same type of baits made from different manufacturers that
would fall under this category.
Jerkbaits, without question would definitely fall in the "Top-10" category of
all artificial baits used by Tournament Anglers in todays bass fishing, mostly
because these types of baits have proven themselves over and over to not only catch bass
in numbers, but they catch quality bass as well. One of the primary reasons that these
baits are used by so many anglers is because Jerkbaits are considered to be one of the
more versatile types of baits on today's market and can literally be fished just about
anywhere at any time. There are many different techniques and presentations you can use
when fishing with a Jerkbait, Ill explain a few of the more popular presentations in
hopes to help you increase your success rate when it comes to catching bass.
First of all, Ill cover some of the more popular techniques for "Top Water
Fishing" while using these Jerkbaits. Lets say that you pull up into a area
where you would find thick floating vegetation in about 1 to 6 depth of water, and
this vegetation is covering the surface with very little exposed open water pockets, a
"Soft-Jerkbait" would be the preferred Jerkbait to use in a situation like this
simply because of the "Weedless Rigging" it allows you to use to keep from
getting caught on the vegetation. In a area such as this, you would rig the
"Soft-Jerkbait" without any added weight at all and rig it as a
"Texas-Rig" using a wide gap hook. Now youre ready for business!..... Cast
the bait into the midst of the vegetation and make short twitches periodically letting the
bait lay still on top of the vegetation, then keep repeating this technique all the way
back to the boat. If you dont have any vegetation on your body of water, then cast
the bait over submerged structure areas.
Now, lets say that you are into an area that has scattered vegetation with pockets
of open water at the same depth, you can use either a Soft or a Hard Jerkbait!, but keep
in mind that a "Hard-Jerkbait" has exposed hooks already fastened to the bait
(which means it is easy for the bait to get caught-up on this vegetation). With either
bait, cast it into these open pockets of water, make a couple of small sharp twitches,
then let it lay still for a moment. Usually after the bait lays still, usually the first
twitch after this still period is mostly the time when a bass will strike!, so be ready.
Or in this same area (using a Soft-Jerkbait), add a little weight to the bait to where the
bait will slowly drop to the bottom. Again, let it lay there for a moment, then make a
couple of small sharp twitches lifting the bait back up to the surface and let it drop
again. You will find that this technique can be very rewarding if you give it a try. This
technique will work around structure, rip-rap, docks, fall-downs, bank edges, trees, stump
areas, and just about any areas fishable.
Now, lets move out into deeper water areas to where you may have 6 to 10
depths. These same techniques already mentioned for surface and sub-surface patterns will
work just as well in this deeper water (especially around and on top of submerged
structure and vegetation), but now lets fish a little deeper with these baits. In
the case of the "Hard-Jerkbait", select one that suspends and or has a
diving-bill on the front of it to get it down under the waters surface. Most of these
"Hard-Jerkbaits" will be made for the depth of water you choose to fish (the
bigger the front bill, the deeper it will go). Now, choose one for a 8 depth, cast
it out, start your retrieve to get it down to the desired depth, then start jerking or
twitching it a few times than let it lay motionless for a moment. Keep repeating this
technique all the way back to the boat, however, when the bass are more active, you can
just twitch and jerk the bait all the way back to the boat without any pause. One factor
to always remember when bass fishing is: "Always let the bass dictate how they want
the presentation!" Now, lets use a "Soft-Jerkbait" in this same area.
To get the "Soft-Jerkbait" down in deeper depths you can rig it actually three
different ways. 1. A Texas-rig with a front weight. 2. A Straight-rig with a pencil
weight, or nail weight inserted into the bait itself. 3. A Carolina-rig with the bait free
floating attached to the leader line of this weighted rig. Either three of these riggings
will allow you to work these "Soft-Jerkbaits at deeper depths.
Although Ive cover some of the basic presentations with these Jerkbaits, there are
many more! I would be happy to answer any questions that you may have concerning bass
fishing in general. I teach many students at my 3-Day "On-Water" Bass Fishing
School all phases of recreational as well as tournament fishing techniques with a focus on
"Individual Personalized Instruction." If you want to be much more successful
about bass fishing, contact me for information about this 3-Day "On-Water" Bass
Fishing School........ Until Next Time!
The Bass Coach (Roger Lee Brown)
Route-1 Box-65, Pearl Street
Crown Point, NY 12928
(518) 597-4240