Bass Fishing Tips & Techniques: Jerk Baits

One of the most productive bass fishing techniques is working the Jerk Bait. Jerk baits have a few characteristics which set them apart from all other baits. Jerk baits are slender for their length, made to resemble a threadfin shad. Jerk baits by design are reaction lures, triggering the bite while underwater, which separates them from a pure top water lure. Most jerk baits have some type of lip to pull the bait underwater, much the same as a crank bait. But the thing that sets them apart from other lures is the way they are worked. To get the most out of a jerk bait, you use the rod in short or long jerks without reeling. This rod action is what gives jerk baits their name, and their action underwater.

Like all crankbait style lures, jerk baits are designed to be struck from below the surface. Jerk baits are almost solely a horizontal presentation, so you need to know exactly the depth you're trying to fish. The location, color and retrieve style also contribute to the success of the Jerk Bait.

Depth

The two most common depths for working a Jerk Bait in the Spring are three feet and six feet. There are Jerk Baits available to cover depths of 1ft up to 15ft.

Location

Once the depth is determined, target main and secondary lake points leading to the types of coves where the bass are most likely to spawn. With long casts, work the Jerk Bait parallel to the bank, starting on the points and work towards the back of the cove This will generally produce bass. 

Colors

Basic shad patterns always work best in the Spring. Clear water, the chartreuse shad and ghost minnow are good color choices; in stained to muddy water, chrome or silver bait fish colors are bass favorites.

Retrieves

1) Two jerks then pause...retrieve slowly for a few feet, repeat.

2) Three jerks then pause....repeat

3) Three jerks then pause, two jerks then pause, one jerk then pause....retrieve.

The length of the pause is really based on the bass feeding activity in the area. In some cases a bass will strike a jerk bait that has been suspended for as long as 30 seconds. Typically you should pause more often in colder water than warmer water.

Jerk baits are EXCELLENT search baits, so keep an eye on the water during your retrieve, if there are fish in the area, chances are there will be a fish following the bait to the boat. Last Spring I had this happen probably a dozen times one morning. I caught 8 fish in 30 minutes working a Jerk Bait in timber, and had bigger bass following my bait nearly every cast, with as many as four trailing it at one time.

As with all styles of baits, every angler has their preferred Jerk Baits. Here are three Jerk Baits that I would recommend for year round bass fishing.

Jackall Mask 100

"This bait displaces a lot of water like a normal hard bait but moves like no other. This hard bait is not hard but rather soft and flexible thus giving it life-like action and feel. It is easy to create action with the super flexible soft tail moving back and forth with the action of the bait. The soft body does not only mean more action but fish will also hang on to the bait longer resulting in more fish in the well." Livewelltales.com

IMA Flit 120

“The IMA Flit 120 is made with three hooks. This design helps increase catch ratio when fish are in a reactive mood and not willing to aggressively feed. Most commonly an asset in colder water early and late in the year and in post frontal situations. This bait emits a high pitch most commonly resembling that of bait fish in the Herring family (flat sided, as opposed to a round sided smelt), which includes Gizzard and Threadfin Shad, to imitate sound in colder water conditions and in post frontal situations. The Flit 120 has a Triangular Internal Chamber system: This unique system maximizes sound by ricocheting High Pitch (small bb’s) at constant angles. With this design it allows for a controlled sound among all jerkbaits that come out of production. It maximizes consistency in sound, and also keeps the bb’s from getting stuck in crevices. This design emits a High Pitch realistic and unique sound. It dives 6 to 8ft which is the most common depth, within visible sight, of predatory fish aimed to catch suspending bait fish in colder months and post frontal situations.” Livewelltales.com

SPRO McStick

“The Mike McClelland Signature Series Spro Mc Stick jerkbait is designed for the tournament angler. It has 3 sticky sharp Gamakatsu # 5 Trebles that insure sure and solid hook ups. The Mc Stick is designed to suspend at lower water temperatures for those finicky early and late season fish, and it is a bait that is very easy to adjust for those aggressive warmer season fish. This bait is designed by a Mike McClelland to help everyone catch more fish year around on a jerkbait.” Livewelltales.com