Best Jerkbaits for Smallmouth

[Gundog]

I've got a tackle pack full of jerkbaits of all sizes and makes but I almost always go to a Rapala Husky Jerk or a Smithwick Rogue. I just have more success with those baits but maybe its just that I use them the most.

[DaileyLimit]

I had good luck with jointed shad raps (JSR-5) in silver.  In fact, that's what caught the fish in my profile pic.

[byram bassturd]

The ones that are smaller or run deeper like the pointer 65/78 or staysee if talking about lucky craft work better for me right after ice out in colder temps. Then I upgrade size and go shallow as water warms up.

[Kevin22]

xrap 08 in oilve. Smallie candy

[WestMichiganBass]

Caught my personal best on a size 10 silver xrap this winter.

[Siebert Outdoors]

I typically use the lucky craft pointer 78dd or a 100

[DubyaDee]

On February 22, 2016 at 10:25 PM, BassManA said:

Anyone ever use MegaBass jerkbaits on smallmouth with much luck. Just got a few and was wondering before I try them out?

I am usually always throwing a perch vision 110. They are expensive and they work. X Rap 08 is a good size to get confidence in jerkbaits.

[Attila]

I've used X-Raps exclusively over the last couple of years and done pretty well with them, especially in the olive green pattern since the main forage up here where I fish are emerald shiners. I'm expanding the collection this year to include some Shadow Raps, Lucky Craft Pointers, and some Strike King KVD Slash Baits....hoping to see if there is any one that stands out more than the rest.

[strikefc34]

Megabass 110, OSP asura, slender pointer 112mr, and a flit 120.

[Hurricane]

On 2/8/2016 at 6:17 PM, SE PA Pete said:

Last year I threw a number of different kinds on Lake Erie, but only had a lot of action on shadow rap. Only silver colors on my trip. Anything dark was not working on the bright and clear weekend we fished. Did not have much luck with shallow runners. 

Had great luck last year with the silver shadow rap also..

[patred]

Is there much difference in action between the X-rap and Shadow Rap?  I started using Shadow Raps last year and have caught smallmouth (and walleye and catfish and failfish) with them but keep reading about recommendations for X-raps.

Pat

[roadwarrior]

Rapala calls the X-Rap a "slash-bait". It is a VERY active lure meant to be fished fast. The Shadow Rap by contrast is more of a traditional jerkbait. When the fish are aggressive the X-Rap is hard to beat. On my very best day fishing the X-Rap several years ago I caught nine bass on ten casts!

 

[Bluebasser86]

On 3/22/2016 at 11:38 AM, patred said:

Is there much difference in action between the X-rap and Shadow Rap?  I started using Shadow Raps last year and have caught smallmouth (and walleye and catfish and failfish) with them but keep reading about recommendations for X-raps.

Pat

The Xrap suspends and is a very aggressive side to side slashing bait like RW said. The Shadow Rap sinks and has more a roll and slither like most other jerkbaits. 

[lou304]

All I know is, the one time I have managed to outfish my buddy a couple years ago when we were throwing jerkbaits, he was alternating between an x-rap and an LC 100 and I was using a MB Vission 110. Up until that point I was skeptical of spending that much on a jerkbait.

[Ck13fish]

Shadow rap shad deep

Shadow rap deep

Megabass Vision 110

[ranger7717]

On 3/28/2016 at 6:53 AM, lou304 said:

All I know is, the one time I have managed to outfish my buddy a couple years ago when we were throwing jerkbaits, he was alternating between an x-rap and an LC 100 and I was using a MB Vission 110. Up until that point I was skeptical of spending that much on a jerkbait.

next time switch with him so you really know if it was you or the lure !!

[Nate Stonefish]

On 2/21/2016 at 10:25 PM, BassManA said:

Anyone ever use MegaBass jerkbaits on smallmouth with much luck. Just got a few and was wondering before I try them out?

Looks like it wanted it!  Remember smallmouth are visual predators. They will come up or come or from a long way to eat a jerkbait. 

[JeziHogg]

110 in perch... Man I can't wait for bass season to open in June.

["hamma"]

I have a clear plano 3700 chock full of jerkbaits,..original floating rapalas, x-raps, shadow raps, deep divers as well,..smithwick rogues, some lucky crafts, several megabass,  and a few others, and they all have their 'moments",..and one that i added a few years ago as i felt the "need" to,.... 

 I dont just bass fish i fish other species as well, I bought a downrigger a couple years ago for lakers and salmon, and as a avid angler i had several yozuri pins minnows that i got seeing as they infamous as a salmoniod killer and really mimic a smelt rather well and theres tons of rainbow smelts in new hampshires lakes region and in Maine as well.,.. theres a pattern that i dont know the "name" of but its a cross between chrome and gold with a yellow vertical stripe on the sides that the smallies just wouldnt leave alone as i was trolling for lakers/salmon. only drawback is that its a 1/8 oz size, so to get a good casting distance and have enough backbone in a rod to hook a smallie was a difficult chore to find,... well i have a 6 1/2 ft med. light action cheapo berkley rod for trout that casts that lure just fine on 8 lb test mono.

wherever i go now that theres smelt present i have that rod set up as it just kicks bass.

[fishingfan25]

Vision 110 is the best jerk bait of all time