Floating Jerkbait

[morjam401]

I was looking to add a floating jerkbait to my arsenal and ordered a lucky craft flash minnow 115mr on TW. Description said slow floating but the box says slow sinking. I'm guessing the box is corect. Not a big deal but I still want a floater. What are some good floating models?

[cadman]

Rapala Husky Jerk

[rockchalk06]

I was looking to add a floating jerkbait to my arsenal and ordered a lucky craft flash minnow 115mr on TW. Description said slow floating but the box says slow sinking. I'm guessing the box is corect. Not a big deal but I still want a floater. What are some good floating models?

I'd call TW and see if it was a mistake.

I like to just use my jerkbaits that don't suspend the best and add a lighter hook or two. That way they pull double duty.

[MarkH024]

I have a few floating SK jerkbaits. They're the shiner series, and they float up really fast. The hooks on them should be changed out but if you're looking for something to come back up to surface fast you can take a peak that those. To be honest I don't even know if they make the exact ones I have. I believe I picked them up on discount at Cabelas and quite possibly the current KVD Jerkbait took it's place. I don't see them listed in the 2014 catalog.

[smalljaw67]

Rattlin' Rogues are awesome but you have to make sure you get the right ones, if you are confused then get them from lure net, they have them separated. The rogues you was are the ARB 1200 series or the ADRB 1200 series, the ARB series dives to 2' and floats back fast and the ADRB series dives to  4' and floats back up.  Another good one is the Rapala Flat Rap, this I really like because the action is entirely up to the angler but river smallmouth kill it, look for the size 8 and 10.  The Rapala original floater has always been great and last year I became a fan of the Bagley Bang-O-Lure in the 4.25" and the 5.25" size, these are like the Rogue but no rattle and a more side to side action were the rogue has more roll.

 

EDIT: I use these all summer if I have reasonably clear water, 2' or more visibility, when ripped over submerged weeds you get ferocious strikes and a lot of big fish, it is a bait and technique that the fish don't see too often.

[Comfortably Numb]

Yes the MR is a slow sinker and the SP suspends.

[Deleted account]

about 1/2 of my suspending JBs like to float if left to their own devices. I like a slow sinker or slow floater most of the time. I don't really fish a true floater much, I find myself reaching for  a crankbait or fluke instead.

[smalljaw67]

about 1/2 of my suspending JBs like to float if left to their own devices. I like a slow sinker or slow floater most of the time. I don't really fish a true floater much, I find myself reaching for  a crankbait or fluke instead.

 

When you are out and the fish are chasing and swiping at the fluke but not getting hooked really well or not at all, that is a perfect time to use the floating jerkbait. It is also a better choice on fish that are neutral because you can get a reaction strike by working the bait fast, flukes like to come to the surface. I mentioned this to you because I used suspending jerkbait all spring and then went to a fluke or a crankbait. One day I was using a fluke on the river and the fish were chasing it but then when I stopped it the fish would stop and then turn away, so I added a small bullet weight to the line to try to keep the fluke down but the fish weren't reacting to it as the action changed so out of curiosity I tried a  floating rogue, it was 1994 or '95 and I was still using a floating rogue with lead wire to make them suspend. Anyway I used the floating rogue and really worked it aggressively using hard and fast rips to get it to go side to side and I was pausing it either, the fish didn't hit the fluke on the pause so why would I try it again, well they hit the rogue, on the first cast and then every 2 or 3 cast after. Ever since I've been hooked on using that, I even won a tournament using that technique.

[Scott F]

Rapala Husky Jerk

 

According to Rapala, Husky Jerks suspend. The original Rapala minnow floats, is one of the best selling lures, and has caught more fish than any other lure in history.

[Jolly Green]

Rapala Husky Jerk

lol

 

I use the Rapala Original Floater size 11.  

[cadman]

I'll tell you one thing, and I have fished the HJ-8 for at least 10 years, and all my float to the top. I put suspend dots on the bottom of my Husky Jerks to keep it suspended in the water. Sooo I don't know what the deal is. I have bought at least a dozen or more over the years and they all do the same thing. Maybe the smaller versions are more buoyant than the bigger versions. It doesn't rise fast, but I can see it rise to the top.

[morjam401]

Thanks guys for all the replies. I do like the reputation of the rapala floaters and will get one but was hoping for something with more weight.

[Jrob78]

Try the Spro McStick 115, it's a floater.  

[papajoe222]

Another vote for Bagley Bang-O-Lure.  BTW, you can distinguish a suspending vs. floating Rattlin' Rogue by the color of the eyes.  Red eye versions suspend.  Both these and the Original Rapala are true floaters  and are the predecessors to sinking (Rapala Count Down etc.) and suspending (Husky Jerk etc.) jerkbaits.

[Comfortably Numb]

_{Bomer Long A is a good heavy floater.}