Jerk Bait

[ENG28INE]

Just started using hard baits this year and i still have a lot to learn. Question is i fish a free flowing river that averges 3-4 feet. Should i go with a floating or suspending hard jerk bait????

[roadwarrior]

Go with both, they are fished basically with the same cadence. A floater is just

another topwater profile.

[smalljaw67]

I fish ariver like that, I use a suspending jerkbait in late fall, early winter and again in the sprig targeting current seams and eddies, the floating jerkbait is a warm water deal, I use Rogues all summer but the water has to be somewhat clear for them to work their best. What is nice is when the water temp hits 60 degrees, the floating bait is killer, you can work it fast and aggressive or you can do like Road Warrior suggested and use it as a topwater but giving it a rip just to barely get it under the surface and then stopping it so it pops back up, that is a very effective way at using them and it is something the fish don't see often. So grab a few suspending models for cold water and some floating models for warm water.

[A-Jay]

Try a Rapala Subwalk ~

 

A-Jay

[Kevin22]

Find some holes where it gets down to 6-8 feet and toss a shakey head in there. I fish a large creek (would be called a river most places) and the deeper holes hold the better fish. If I can get down in there with a shakey head and trick worm it usually gets bit. When the water is high enough that I cannot accurately fish the shakey head I go to the smallest size rapala x-rap in the olive color. Come summer they will hit anything that goes past or falls in front of their faces. 

[Bass NC]

I second the x-rap idea. They are a little pricey but they absolutely slay fish in my area. If they are not in sale I will also buy the rapala husky jerks and they seem to work just as well at a lower price.

[Tylertut]

+1 on the xrap

A floating lure is going to have a little more action overall and I usually use it when the waters are warmer. If the bite dies down ill switch over to suspending, or use it from the start if the water is colder.