Swimming a jerkbait

[ww2farmer]

I don't "swim" them...............but I alternate my retrieves from a "jerk....jerk...long pause....jerk...jerk"  to a "sweep.....pause......sweep........ pause............sweep"  in cold water (less than 50) until I find out which one they are willing to bite. Some days it's a jerk, some days it's a sweep............and I CAN NOT predict it, because it is seemingly random. However, once the water gets into the low 50's...............a jerking retrieve out fishes a sweeping retrieve 20:1

[WestMichiganBass]

I've has quiet alot of sucess swimming jerk baits. I used to straight crank xraps on occasion because I liked the profile and action. I caught my personal best smallmouth straight cranking an xrap just to change things up. I've had more sucess jerk in and jerk bait but straight reeling is worth a try 

[thebillsman]

I always have success swimming jerkbaits, especially in shallow ponds and reservoirs. I have the best luck with jerkbaits that have cupped bills like the Baker JLD and Jackall Squad Minnow.