What is your favorite shallow running suspending jerkbait?

[IndianaFinesse]

I have been catching fish on a 1/4 ounce x-rap fished over weeds that go within two feet of the surface, but yesterday the bill broke on it.  So I might just replace it with another x-rap, but if there's  another small, very shallow running jerkbait that you guys like better I'll try that.  What's your favorite?

[smalljaw67]

Yo-Zuri 3DB jerkbait, it is 3.5" and has good weight but it only runs like 2'. It has been awesome, as I like the Lucky Craft Flash Minnow but sometimes the that bait is a little too big and that is where the Yo-Zuri shines, just remember it is the jerkbait as they have a floating version called the 3DB Minnow.

[RichF]

Rapala shadow raps are great shallow runners.

[fishballer06]

Lucky Craft 78's

[Scarborough817]

1 hour ago, smalljaw67 said:

Yo-Zuri 3DB jerkbait, it is 3.5" and has good weight but it only runs like 2'. It has been awesome, as I like the Lucky Craft Flash Minnow but sometimes the that bait is a little too big and that is where the Yo-Zuri shines, just remember it is the jerkbait as they have a floating version called the 3DB Minnow.

only problem i've found with it is that it doesn't suspend the best out of the package it took a little tweaking for me to get it to suspend 

[Mike L]

Bomber Long A

 

 

[Subaqua Adinterim]

I have had success using the Dynamic lures HD trout.  They cast well, have a good color selection (I like the glimmer rainbow trout pattern) and have great action.  I have caught all types of fish on this lure - brown trout, panfish and bass.  The cost seems reasonable as well, about $6.  

There is also a slightly larger size, the Jspec that is a few $ more.

[camman]

Lucky Craft Pointer 78

[papajoe222]

The X-Rap and Bomber Long A are my favorites. Affordable and the flat out catch fish.

[Paul Roberts]

I like the X-Rap. It catches fish and is surprisingly weedless too.

[Turkey sandwich]

An X-Rap and a Shadow rap basically saved my day on the water yesterday.  Every year I all but swear off jerkbait fishing, and then I have a day or two where they're all that really produce.  i've never fished the Lucky Craft or Megabass, so I can't provide any feedback.   What I can tell you is that jerkbaits aren't typically my first choice of lures and I'm not nearly as good with them as I am with a jig or crankbait, and sometimes X-Raps are enough to make me look good. 

[Jon G]

Another vote for the Pointer 78.

[primetime]

The X-Rap is an agressive Jerkbait which is more slash than darting or rolling, so if they are smashing an X-Rap, they are active and I honestly think the X-rap line of suspending Jerkbaits is one of the best for aggressive fish since they have several sizes, good color/Flash, and I love the dressed rear treble hook. I would stick with the X-Rap's while they are hitting it, I know Rapala used to make the Max Rap which only dove 12-18" like a Flash Pointer but they are larger and thinner, may be to big.

Sebile has a lure called the Slender Eel which is a thin aggressive suspender that only dives 18", I believe the Acast Minnow is similar. 

I love the Bomber Long A, the 13 & 14 size may be available in suspending, they are good jerkbaits but if you are talking about a small Jerkbait 2-3" long, I would go with the following if not the X-rap.

LC Pointer smaller sizes will be aggressive, Matzuo phantom Minnow (Don't Laugh, it flat out works, make a 2.5" suspender for $3 that has saved days for me).

Then The OEM Reaction Strike Small Suspending Jerkbaits in the v series, just make sure to change the Cheap OEM hooks, but the lures are good quality, I have a dozen of the smaller one's in a 58mm or 78mm? They make many brands of lures like Strike Pro, so check those sites for ideas. 

After all the writing I just did, I would say go with more X-Raps. You can find them for $4-$5 online if you know the overstock .net site. Only Tip I can give. Not Overstock bait and tackle. Home of the $4 Rapala and .99 bag of plastics of all brands.

Here is the Reaction Strike Minnow I have been using for years. It is really good. Looks like 80mm 

[Paul Roberts]

2 hours ago, primetime said:

The X-Rap is an agressive Jerkbait which is more slash than darting or rolling...

Matzuo phantom Minnow (Don't Laugh, it flat out works, make a 2.5" suspender for $3 that has saved days for me).

Ditto, and ditto. Not sure what my Matzuo jerks are but I have two different models and they both work well. One I know I got from Dick's under the cheapo line "Blaze". Nice little jerkbait.

[A-Jay]

My favorite here and a Real Sleeper in the category, is the Rapala X-Rap Sub Walk ~

 Casts great, barely runs 12 inches down, can be worked easily to walk the dog (at any speed) - Sub-Surface and perhaps it's best attribute, besides suspending on the hesitation - it has a very attractive side roll right before the suspension on the pause.

All of this makes it very suitable in shallow water or in the skinny water over cover, when fish seem hesitant to commit to a surface bait and a jerk bait runs too deep. 

The Sub-Walk has accounted for many bass for me.

A-Jay

[primetime]

I only use the Sub Walk for Saltwater for some reason but I need to try that.....That is a great bait, kind of a glide bait really, I just keep it in my saltwater box but that is a good call. 

[fishwizzard]

This thread has come at a good time for me, if not my wallet.  I have never seriously fished hard baits before and decided to start with jerkbaits.  I have a small pile of the Rapala CD and J series headed my way to practice with before I spend on more expensive ones.  Now that the undergrowth has thinned out I can get at a lot more river bank then in the summer, so I am going to try an "all jerkbait" day soon.  

[A-Jay]

14 minutes ago, primetime said:

I only use the Sub Walk for Saltwater for some reason but I need to try that.....That is a great bait, kind of a glide bait really, I just keep it in my saltwater box but that is a good call. 

The Big One is a phenomenal fall Pike bait . . . . .but probably not in FLA  . . . .

A-Jay

[webertime]

Flash minnow for sure.

[Master Bait'r]

Trick darters.  Nothing else quite does it for me like em!  

[Master Bait'r]

Actually...  Trick darters and the 110jr's are pretty much neck and neck.  Both are flippin' amazing. 

[jr231]

Rapala x rap shallow SHAD. Olive green or black/orange. Bigger profile than original xrap and also a shallow runner . Also the original floater .  I don't know how this wasn't mentioned it's absolutely deadly in the shallows. 

[IndianaFinesse]

11 hours ago, Master Bait'r said:

Trick darters.  Nothing else quite does it for me like em!  

What depth do they run, tw doesn't mention that?  Have you had any problems with them suspending?

[Dwight Hottle]

Some good already mentioned. I really like the Ima Flit made as a suspender & they also have a floating version for shallow applications. Killer bait if you have never tried one. 

[Master Bait'r]

46 minutes ago, IndianaFinesse said:

What depth do they run, tw doesn't mention that?  Have you had any problems with them suspending?

 

Right around 3' or so seems to be their money zone, but you can keep them higher if you keep your inputs light.  I don't have any problems with them suspending.  They're actually really fun in super clear water, as I love giving them a whip and then watching them just sit there...  Long pauses and tiny twitches slay with these...  Working along weed lines, stalling them and watching something just crush it on the seventh motionless second is always exciting.  Not too many days one of the two doesn't produce for me.