Favorite Jerkbait

[Zach P]

Wondering what others preferences are for jerkbaits considering action, durability, price, etc. Thanks guys!

[Grantman83]

I really like the xcalibur erratic jerkbait. Durable finish, swims true and just plain works. They are on sale a lot of places

[rangerjockey]

My favorite is the Vision 110, the best value is the RTX,  I think the best combination of performance and value is the Mcstick..

[Crestliner2008]

Even though Pointers are a tad on the costly side, this is what I'm probably tossing 90% of the time I'm on the water - come ice out. However, I'm not convinced that a particular brand is better than another when the fish are on the jerkbait bite. More important, I believe, is the cadence of your retrieve. Only the fish can tell you for sure.

[Oregon Native]

I've got more of these things than I have sense. All kinds from Lucky Craft to whatever. Have collected a lot over the years but my arm just doesn't like fishin em. I look at em on my shelves once in awhile and even have a couple in the boat but haven't gotten on this bite in a long time.

Good Luck

[ww2farmer]

What ever one I just caught a fish on last. I go through cycles with these things. For a long time it was Rapala Husky Jerks, then it was  X-raps, then a few years ago when the Luck-e-strike Clunn baits came out it was those, then the Xcailiber EEratic shads, now I am on the SK KVD's....next spring it will probably be something else...........The perfect 10 Rouges are looking pretty tempting to me.

[Bluebasser86]

Really a lot of variables on which one I choose but a majority of the time I'm either fishing a Luck E Strike RC stix or a LC 78 pointer. 

[A-Jay]

I will openly admit that my level of jerkbait expertise pales in comparison to at least one angler I fish with on this board, and there’s a decent chance you’ll hear from him here.

 

Like many lures, jerkbaits are pretty versatile and can be effective in different situations and conditions.

I believe they are at their best in fairly clear water when water temps are on the cold to cool side; and that temp is relative to where you fish but less than 60 most of the time.

 

The list of effective brands / models is Extensive.  TW alone lists 147 different models; Overall size, Floating / suspending, rattles, shallow, mid & deep divers, and the colors / patterns are almost endless.  Another way to group them is by the “speed” of their action specifically, after or during the pause when working the bait.  The speed at which the bait rolls and then comes to stop then either hanging suspended or floating back to the surface can often times be an important consideration. 

 

Rapala Huskyjerks and Smithwick Rogues are on the slow side.

Lucky Craft Pointer 100’s, 127’ 128’s seem to have a good mid-speed action / roll.

Rapala X-Rap runs a faster erratic path through the water column.

 

So that’s one way to think about this. Your results may vary.

But there’s no denying the bait’s ability to catch trophy fish.  

 

A-Jay

 

 

[smalljaw67]

Floating style I like the Smithwick Rattlin' Rogue, for suspending it is a 3-way tie between the Rapala X-Rap XR10, the Pointer 100, and Smithwick Super Rogue. I know it sounds strange and I like just about all jerkbaits and I have a collection in which most will get used but the ones listed are constant producers, the Megabass 110 is a great bait and when it is on it can't be beat however in the waters I fish, others will be better most of the time.

[RandySBreth]

I still really like the Rapala Husky Jerk - I know - no weight transfer for long casts, and the paint isn't as detailed as some more "boutique" lures out now - but I still catch a lot of fish one them.
That said - I'm liking the KVD models and the store brand from Bass Pro - the deep diving smaller model sized like the 10 size XRap - 6.99 isn't too bad for a lure that you'll probably stick in a tree top 12' down.

[Smokinal]

Honestly, I'm only using the HJ. I catch a ton of fish on it so why change?

[Zach P]

Thanks for all of the opinions guys. I've got a pretty good share of Smithwick and Spro and have fished them minimally until recently this winter when I've been testing out retrieves, retrieve speeds, rod lengths and choices, and then obviously different brand type. I really like Smithwicks right now but have heard phenomenal reviews on Husky Jerks and Vision 110's

[JKarbo214]

I've had a lot of success with the Lucky Craft Pointers (100 SP) and the newer Duo Realis 120 SP.  They are both expensive but well worth the money in my opinion. 

[tnbassfisher]

Unfortunately for my wallet, I've really gotten into the LC Slender Pointers the last couple of years. A more economical option that I've found are the Bass Pro XPS jerkbaits.

[bmlum415]

My favorite all around jerkbait is the vision 110 but for deeper water I love the shading 75sp or the pointer 78

[rockchalk06]

I really like the xcalibur erratic jerkbait. Durable finish, swims true and just plain works. They are on sale a lot of places

Same here with the Rogues as a close 2nd. Both are resonably priced and for me, they are the only two that have suspended perfectly out of the box with nothing done to them.

[Bass Menace]

I also like the Rapala Husky Jerks. We have a 3-spot minnow colour here that does some serious damage.

[TRYTOFISH]

I like the Mc Stick. Works well for me.

[roadwarrior]

Dwight is probably our "in-house" expert, especially for those of us that prefer brown fish!

He recently posted some of his criteria and personal favorites. My takeaway was diversity,

not so much color, but action and depth.

 

My personal favorite jerkbaits are the Megabass Vision 110, and 110 FX. However, I seem

to do better with the Lucky Craft Pointers. This year I spent a lot of time with the Smithwick

Rogues which resulted in making this brand my best producer. Funny how that works!

 

I think you also need to have a few XR6 X-Raps for days when the fish are VERY aggressive.

And I'll add another brand that has impressed me, the McStick.

 

 

 

[Zach P]

can anyone give an opinion on Luck-E-Strike's jerkbait, and if you have used them and like them, which colors most represent perch, bluegill, crappie, or baby bass? thanks

[MacP]

Rogues for me.  It's funny, I don't fish Husky Jerks like a jerk bait, I fish them with a steady retreive and pop them occasionally.  They kill on the rivers for trout.

[cbass12]

can anyone give an opinion on Luck-E-Strike's jerkbait, and if you have used them and like them, which colors most represent perch, bluegill, crappie, or baby bass? thanks

 

They're a good bait, especially for the price. The hooks are a little light so it's a good idea to replace them. We've had good luck with the french pearl, pro blue, and secret night colors around here.

[Deleted account]

I also like the Rapala Husky Jerks. We have a 3-spot minnow colour here that does some serious damage.

I'm a big fan, if they casted a bit better, I'd probably throw them most of the time. Picture of that color?

I think jerkbaits are like golf clubs, there is a time and place for different ones. I like the rogue and similar ones for really cold water, and the vision and pointers for somewhat warmer conditions, but I'll always let the fish tell me what they want. 

[cbass12]

I also like the Rapala Husky Jerks. We have a 3-spot minnow colour here that does some serious damage.

 

Smallies around here love the Glass Minnow color

[Bluebasser86]

can anyone give an opinion on Luck-E-Strike's jerkbait, and if you have used them and like them, which colors most represent perch, bluegill, crappie, or baby bass? thanks

I own most every color of the RC sticks in both the full size and small size. Like I said earlier, they're one of my favorite baits. Like cbass said, change out the hooks, you'll have to do it after a big fish straightens them out otherwise. French pearl, secret night, pro blue, herring bone chartreuse, and cosmic shad are my favorite. The herring bone color probably looksthe most like a baby bass, purple flash would be my choice to imitate a bluegill or crappie.