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Old 02-17-13, 04:00 PM   #1
Bassboss
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Default Suspending Jerkbaits.

Suspending jerkbaits are something I've never had much luck on. Not sure if it's something I'm doing, or just where I'm fishing them.

Whenever I see people throwing them it's usually around hard-bottom on some type of structure in clearer water. I've never been close to a lake like that, so that may be the problem.

But my question is, has anyone had much luck throwing suspending jerkbaits around weedy cover early in the spring when water temps are still in the 40's and 50's? Similar areas as you would throw a lipless crankbait in I would suppose. I've got a couple Pointers, and rogues that seem to be just collecting dust, and I really wanna put these puppies to work.

Thanks.
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Old 02-17-13, 04:15 PM   #2
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Cast them out, crank them down, and retrieve with a jerk-jerk or jerk-jerk-jerk-pause retrieve. The colder the water the longer I let them sit. Clear water helps, but they will work in stained/muddy water as well. In stained/muddy water I use a brighter color, something with some chartreuse in it and more natural colors in clear water.
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Old 02-17-13, 04:25 PM   #3
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The lakes around my area are far from barren. I too have a lot of vegitation on my lakes to work with. I have very good success fishing jerk baits over the tops of weedbeds in 5-10 foot of water, and it starts right after ice out. But don't limit yourself to suspending jerkbaits. I have just as much luck, if not more, with floating jerbaits, than I do suspending versions. And I will also tell you this. While slow is the key word when working jerkbaits in very cold water, don't be afraid to add a little more speed and action than whats usually advised. I fish a jerkbait in a flat at our local lake. It's in the northwest portion of the lake. The soil is more muck than anything else, and it fills with weeds as the season progesses. It warms faster than the southern portion of the lake. But given that, even when the water temps are in the upper 30's, I have caught plenty of bass and a huge walleye in that bay working the jerkbaits fairly aggressivly immediately after iceout. I believe northern bass behave differently than their southern cousins when it comes to cold water. They become more agressive at colder temps faster than bass that live in warmer climates. Long casts are a key for me, as is using a medium action rod. Most of the fish you catch that early on will not smash your bait. Often, when a fish takes your bait, it just feels as though your bait just got "heavier" while working the retrieve. If I feel that, I just pull the line tight to set the hook and work the bass to me. I don't set the hook like I would with a soft plastic. You don't want to pull the bait away from a lethargic bass. Here is a photo of my favorite jeerkbait. Made by the old Excaliber company, and no longer available. I found this years ago snaged to a log in deeper water. I retrieved it, cleaned it up and replaced the hooks. It has an internal rattle. I can't tell you how many fish I've caught with this bait, including several bass over 5 pounds and a 9 pound walleye. It acts like a cross between suspending and floating. Dives down, but will rise very slowly.
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Old 02-17-13, 09:22 PM   #4
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I jerkbaits too. Just like anything else though, you just gotta to find how they want it. I was reading an article on Bassmaster site for cold water fishing. He said throw it out, crank it down a few turns and pause.....jerk......check email.......jerk........update Facebook, twitter, etc.....jerk.....you get the picture. He said its like watching grass grow, but deadly on suspenders.
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Old 02-18-13, 01:04 PM   #5
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Alright, thanks for tips guys!

Happy to hear that you catch em in the same type of lakes as me Keith... there may be hope yet!
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Old 02-18-13, 01:46 PM   #6
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Quote:
I believe northern bass behave differently than their southern cousins when it comes to cold water.
I have to agree with Keith on that one. I was reading some comments about this year's Classic b KVD. He said that what is cold to a bass in Texas is different that cold to a bass in Oklahoma which makes sense. The general consensus is the colder the water the slower you fish. I've found this to be the true regardless were we are fishing.
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Old 02-19-13, 05:37 PM   #7
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I've caught a limited number of fish on them so I can't really say. I've been told they work well in the spring and you would think they would work over grass too. I'd throw the trap first and then maybe follow up with the jerkbait if I wasn't getting bit and I knew the fish were there.
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Old 02-19-13, 06:14 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 3dkicker View Post
I've caught a limited number of fish on them so I can't really say. I've been told they work well in the spring and you would think they would work over grass too. I'd throw the trap first and then maybe follow up with the jerkbait if I wasn't getting bit and I knew the fish were there.
Like that idea Smitty! I'll definitely give that a whirl! I'll sit and catch bass stacked up in the mouth of a spawning cove, but they get shy on the traps after a while. Think the JB might pull a couple more out for me!
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Old 02-22-13, 05:46 PM   #9
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The last few seasons has brought about a big switch for me. I used to catch most of my early spring fish on jerkbaits, but have caught most on lipless cranks the last couple years. The fact I'm catching fish on lipless cranks is surprising in itself since I hadn't caught a single one before I started throwing them after ice out.

Anyways, you really just have to experiment with what the fish want. I tend to start with a jerk-jerk-pause retrieve and go from there. Change the length of the pause, number of jerks, etc. I think color is more important with a slow moving bait like this as well.

LC's Ghost Minnow is a killer color nearly anywhere I throw it. Our "home" reservoir has a ton of perch and Smithwick has a nice suspending Rogue that is red/yellow with black stripes that is similar to a perch. I'll occasionally through a pure white or white/black back as well. It pretty much mimics the general color pattern of light bottom/dark top seen on pretty much every fish.

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Old 03-05-13, 10:12 AM   #10
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I never liked fishing jerkbaits until i went out with a friend of mine last winter and he taught me how to use it. now its one of my fav lures to use. if your not getting bit slow it down. you will def catch fish on them.and also try the soft plastic jerkbaits.
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