Floating vs. Suspending Jerkbaits

BassQualifier · 07-12-06, 04:14 PM

I have been a bass fisherman for quite some time, but recently just started fishing hard jerkbaits on a regular basis, and I really like them. I bought a whole bunch, from Smithwick, BPS, Lucky Craft, etc,, and some are floating and some are suspending. I know suspending jerkbaits are better in the spring, but now that it is summer, I am not sure which is best to use?

Is there any rule of thumb for when you throw a suspending jerkbait as opposed to a floating jerkbait? Thanks for your replies.

bassking22 · 07-12-06, 04:16 PM

Actually during the summer, I use a floating Rapala and "Walk The Dog" with good luck. If you rub a candlestick on the first 4 feet of line closest to the lure it will float, making it easier to walk the dog.

JB · 07-12-06, 04:25 PM

Its not so much the time of year as its the mood of the fish. Granted that early spring (water temp 50-60) the suspending jerkbaits are the ticket, but for years before the pro's started weighting the rattling rogues down to provoke smallmouth to hit at the 1996 BASS Classic at Ky. Lake, almost every one used a jerkbait that rose back to the top, if you quit the cadence...
Most anglers will rip the jerkbait a few times to get it to 5-7 feet, and once they start pulling, jerking, and pausing, most dont have time to pop back up to the surface..
You have to try both kinds and see what the fish tell you for that day.

crankybait · 07-12-06, 04:32 PM

and to make floating jerkbaits suspend- try wrapping wire around the hook shafts. put it in the water and see if it suspends. if it sinks take off some wire. if it still rises too much, put on more. another option is golfers tape.

Raul · 07-12-06, 05:08 PM

Suspending crankbaits work year round any time you need to fish a crankbait really slow, if you leave the bait dangling and dancing at their face long enough they will bite it just out of pure curiosity.

ToPwAt'R GuY · 07-12-06, 10:54 PM

I love suspending jerkbaits because when a bass is chasing the lure and you stop it most of the time he just reacts and takes it in.

Fishing4Soup · 07-13-06, 12:10 AM

I prefer suspended for the same reason as topwat'r guy. When i see a bass or pike follow the lure and not take it, i can usually just let it sit there and they come back and just hammer the bait. My favorite Jerkbaits are The X-Rap and Husky Jerks.

lizardsrule · 07-13-06, 08:11 PM

Suspenidng in open water, floating in wooded, rocky areas.

Lizards

07-12-06, 04:14 PM	#1
BassQualifier BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 55	Floating vs. Suspending Jerkbaits I have been a bass fisherman for quite some time, but recently just started fishing hard jerkbaits on a regular basis, and I really like them. I bought a whole bunch, from Smithwick, BPS, Lucky Craft, etc,, and some are floating and some are suspending. I know suspending jerkbaits are better in the spring, but now that it is summer, I am not sure which is best to use? Is there any rule of thumb for when you throw a suspending jerkbait as opposed to a floating jerkbait? Thanks for your replies.

07-12-06, 04:16 PM	#2
bassking22 BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 630	Actually during the summer, I use a floating Rapala and "Walk The Dog" with good luck. If you rub a candlestick on the first 4 feet of line closest to the lure it will float, making it easier to walk the dog. __________________ Does anyone know of a fishing addictions program? Cause I need one.

07-12-06, 04:32 PM	#4
crankybait BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: marlboro, nj Posts: 3,250	and to make floating jerkbaits suspend- try wrapping wire around the hook shafts. put it in the water and see if it suspends. if it sinks take off some wire. if it still rises too much, put on more. another option is golfers tape. __________________ www.fishinfanatics.com

07-13-06, 08:11 PM	#8
lizardsrule BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Saint Augustine, FL Posts: 7,374	Suspenidng in open water, floating in wooded, rocky areas. Lizards __________________ There are three types of Snakes I hate 1. Live Snakes 2. Dead Snakes 3. Sticks that look like Snakes. And Gators too!

07-12-06, 04:25 PM	#3
JB BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 8,655	Its not so much the time of year as its the mood of the fish. Granted that early spring (water temp 50-60) the suspending jerkbaits are the ticket, but for years before the pro's started weighting the rattling rogues down to provoke smallmouth to hit at the 1996 BASS Classic at Ky. Lake, almost every one used a jerkbait that rose back to the top, if you quit the cadence... Most anglers will rip the jerkbait a few times to get it to 5-7 feet, and once they start pulling, jerking, and pausing, most dont have time to pop back up to the surface.. You have to try both kinds and see what the fish tell you for that day.

07-12-06, 05:08 PM	#5
Raul BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,030	Suspending crankbaits work year round any time you need to fish a crankbait really slow, if you leave the bait dangling and dancing at their face long enough they will bite it just out of pure curiosity.

07-12-06, 10:54 PM	#6
ToPwAt'R GuY BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: missouri Posts: 930	I love suspending jerkbaits because when a bass is chasing the lure and you stop it most of the time he just reacts and takes it in.

07-13-06, 12:10 AM	#7
Fishing4Soup BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Fairport, NY Posts: 278	I prefer suspended for the same reason as topwat'r guy. When i see a bass or pike follow the lure and not take it, i can usually just let it sit there and they come back and just hammer the bait. My favorite Jerkbaits are The X-Rap and Husky Jerks.

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