jitterbugs

[bassmaster1983]

I've recently read that jitterbugs are great night baits but can't find out how they do during the day. Any info on using them during the day, i.e. different colors of water, times of the day,(daylight), sizes etc would be helpful, and how they have done for anyone.
thanks

Bob

[Rich]

Bob, they will work great during the day-any place you would throw a topwater they will work. Â*I haven't thrown one in a long time, but they do work.

[ALAN_RAMSEY]

???

hey!! here in Idaho I don't think I ever herd of a jitter bug.. what are they?? can anybody show me a picture or web site

2canbass

http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catal...rTarget=browse
Try this.

[mblk181]

When I fist started using them, I retrieved in a constant manner, making the lure steadily go plop plop plop plop....thinking at that time that was how they were to be used. Then, also began varying the speed from time to time, but using the same speed throughout the retrieve. After watching a few fishing shows about retrieves in general, an intermittant pause was added. I truly thought I had mastered the bug. Several years later I fished with a friend who used the pauses as well, but also would occasionally yank the lure across the surface making it skip and splash.....such as a feeding fish might do chasing minnows. At other times, he'd cast and simply let it set in the water, letting the rings disappear before a couple of gentle twitches. All of this was done in the daytime.

[macgyver]

[quote author=Rebbasser link=board=news;num=1107485336;start=0#1 date=02/03/05 at 23:01:14]Bob, they will work great during the day-any place you would throw a topwater they will work. I haven't thrown one in a long time, but they do work.[/quote]


Reb you have got to tie one on. They are about the best bait availble IMO. There is never a doubt about the strike on one.

Yes you can use them during the day. Any color works, I prefer darker on overcast days, and lighter on sunny days. I use a perch color a lot during the day(yellow belly). Mac10 gave great info on some retrieves, there really isn't a bad one to use with it. You can work it like a popper, a straight retrieve, pauses, dead sticking etc..


Lizards

[catfishtonyd]

My wife uses one a lot. I prefer a buzz bait because I can throw it into places you wouldn't think of throwing a Jitterbug, but she catches a lot of fish on it. She uses black late in the evening, and Frog in daytime.

(She has a hard time with a buzz bait because of her physical handicapps. She has a hard time picking the bait up as soon as it hits the water.)

[Rich]

Reb you have got to tie one on.

You are right, Lizards-I threw one all the time as a kid but for some reason got away from using it.

[Makitcnt4u]

What colors should you use most of the time?
I bought one in frog just because it loooked like it might work.

[mike0062466]

I rediscovered the Jitterbug 9 or 10 years ago, and ever since, it has been far and away my favorite topwater. I haven't attempted to test it against other topwaters, but I just have a huge amount of confidence in this lure to attract and trigger bites.

I just use one color, black, in the 3/8 oz. size, both regular and jointed. I'm not a morning guy, so I use them from sunset until dark and during the day when it's overcast.

The hooks are no good, so I replace them, plus I add split rings. And the lip can get loose easily, so I remove the screws and put a drop or two of super glue in the holes, then reinstall the screws.

[ALAN_RAMSEY]

;DSWEET!!

I have seen these before my grandfather willed a bunch of these to me quite a few years ago..never seen them jointed before. never used them at night.. when the grandad used them he always pounded quality bass. I think I'll go pick a couple up..

thanks bassguy2004!

[Infisherman1]

They're awesome for postspawn when the fish are shallow and gonna hit topwaters.

[bassmaster1983]

Thanks for the input, guys. I found 3 in my old tackle box and will be trying them this spring. I remember buying them about 25 years ago but never tried them. I found several other old plugs, maybe I'll try them too.

Bob

[fredhatch]

The joys of jitterbugs. Like most of you I have 2-3 of these faded,beat up,loose hooked things stuffed in one of the old boxes. Man the memories- my uncle,dad and grandad would take me out w/ a bunch of worms bobbers, jitterbugs and feathered jig heads. Paddle the canoe or sometimes the rowboat and there I would sit. Worm and bobber- bluegills after bluegills. As I got older they let me start using the lures. My jitterbugs are probably 30 years old. Guess Ill buy new ones. 8)

[uk03]

Ive been using a red/white and black/chrome ones, gotta get my kids started with them!

[Rich]

You know, boys, I 'm seeing a pattern here. for us older guys(relative, I know ;D) we started using them as kids but then quit using them years ago when the newer baits came on the market. Maybe it't time to take another look at those oldies but goodies we all used to use. Anybody else remember the old grape Mann's jelly worms?

Grape Mann,s Jelly worm. Now thats a memory of great days gone by. Used them every trip untill Zoom came along. You can still buy the Mann's jelly worms, you know.

[Bassin_Dude]

i went to bass pro today and looked at some jitterbugs. those things are expensive!!!!!! it was almost 5 dollars for one

[Rob Mak]

awww do what i did reclaim one. actually i have 3. but black works the best. remember when using these wait till the rod loads afore ya rip his lips off.


zooker

[macgyver]

[quote author=flfireman link=board=news;num=1107485336;start=0#13 date=02/05/05 at 11:15:41]The joys of jitterbugs. Like most of you I have 2-3 of these faded,beat up,loose hooked things stuffed in one of the old boxes. 8)[/quote]

I have over 20 of them, the majority in Black. I prefer the 1/2oz size myself. It doesn't even include all of the Hocust Locust lures I have also, that have the same design on the front. The PLOP-PLOP-PLOP-PLOP sound it makes just make my spine tingle with anticipation of a monster strike. I actually paint some completely flat black(hooks and all) to use for night fishing.

bassfisher,

Yeah they cost a few bucks, but since they float, and it's a topwater, 99% of the time you can retrieve it, even if broken off. That is unless the Hawg took it, when she broke your line, which has happened to me before :'(

Lizards

[captain-hook]

i have used jitterbugs ever since i stared fishing. it is one of my favorite top water baits. i like the frog color.
Burnzy

[BassNva]

i picked up a bunch of the new rattling jitterbugs.they don't work too good on the ice.hope they do better when the ice is gone. ;D

[catfishtonyd]

Yep. Jitterbugs, Heddon Injured Minnows, Heddon River Runt Spook Floater, Daredevils, Johnson Silver Minnows, Ding Bats, Hula Popper, Arbogaster, Sputterfuss, Hula Dancer. Creek Chub Wiggle Fish, (The bait George Perry caught the world record on.) Lazy Ike, Heline's Flatfish, Devils Horse, Lucky 13, Pikie, Cisco Kid, Hellbender, (Original) Bomber,

Anybody think of any more?

[BassNva]

can't leave out boy howdys and crazy crawlers

[mike0062466]

In the early to mid-70s I used an Arbogast Razorback quite a bit. Like a Trap with a little spinner in back and without any rattles. I wonder if that was the first lipless crankbait in that familiar shape.