suspending jerkbaits

[collards]

I know this has been answered several times, but what suspending jerkbaits do you like. Megabass is quite high. Do you think that they are worth it. What about the rapala, bombers, Lucky craft pointers, Jenko, rattlin rogue, spro McStik, storm twitch, yo-zuri 3db, jackall squad minnow etc. I have many of them, but I want others views as I wish to reduce my tackle. I have tried some of the above with and without success. I would like what works well for you. I am putting together a new order.   BTW my body is letting me move some now. My kids will drive me down to the pond and I can sit in my chair on a concrete ramp and fish from there. I am looking forward to it as it has been a long time without fishing. 

[Way north bass guy]

I’ve used quite a few different ones over the years, lots of Rapalas and Smithwicks back in the day, but the last couple of years the one that’s been my go to is the strike king KVD jerkbaits in both sizes. I’ve caught a ridiculous number of smallmouth and largemouth on both sizes and use the larger size in the spring and fall for big pike as well. I really like their action and there’s some pretty good colours as well.  

[deep]

Top to bottom:

 

Flashminnow, vision 110FX/ Slender pointer/ Pointer, Ito Shiner, Vision 110+1, Staysee 90v2, KVD 300DD, Pointer XD.

 

Plus ~20 more different models *not* colors I probably can do without, but still own and fish.

 

I didn't include the regular Vision 110 in the list because it's not a suspending bait, but I do have a JDM suspending 110 that works fine.

 

Other than a couple KVDs and jackalls, half of my jerkbaits are lucky crafts and the other half are megabasses. Some of them have over 100 fish on them, a couple have over 200. And those estimates are low.

[newriverfisherman1953]

Rapala husky jerks for me. 

[Deleted account]

I like them all. I think its a matter of finding a couple that work for you on the water(s) that you fish. The trick is to know what they are doing with the rod movements you are imparting. Sometimes its crazy erratic snaps, and sometimes its almost nothing at all. Also take the time to tune (or at least check) each individual bait, and its not a bad thing to have a few that slightly rise and slightly sink ready to go. The last thing that is sometimes overlooked is how deep will the JB dive when jerked,, some will be feet others inches. That can make a big difference. The newer baits as well as the old standbys all catch fish and have a place and time IMNSHO. YMMV (but it won't).

[Gundog]

You don't need to drop a lot of cash for those expensive jerk baits from Japan to catch bass. Rapala Husky Jerks have been my only jerk bait for a long time and I've caught plenty of bass on them. And if you fish on a lake that has toothy creatures (pike, musky, pickerel) you will soon find yourself losing big money on those expensive baits. I can buy 3 or 4 Husky Jerks for the price of just 1 Megabass Ito. Save the cash and put it towards more gear. At least that's what the baitmonkey tells me to do. 

[Bluebasser86]

Lucky craft pointers and slender pointers, Berkley Cutters, and custom painted 110 blanks are my main jerks.

[A-Jay]

While not claiming to be an expert - I fish a jerkbait a good bit, especially early & late in the season.

The variety available today is vast to say the least.  With a wide array of price point from fairly reasonable to pretty expensive.   In many cases the mid to upper end of the spending zone will get you a quality bait with solid hardware. 

Dipping lower in the zone it's a little more hit or miss for both.  

That said I fish & have success using many brands & models including but not limited to offerings by, Rapala, Smithwick, Duo Realis, Lucky Craft, and Megabass, 

All things considered - including price point, the Strike King KVD jerkbait is tough to beat.   

One can certainly spend less for a decent bait as well as quite a bit more.   But that KVD bait has been a solid producer for me.  It's one bait that if there is a jerkbait bite happening - it's usually getting wet at some point.

A-Jay

[Angry John]

First choice is lucky craft.  I also am trying to thin out and I plan on keeping them and kvd baits.

[HeavyTwenty]

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/h2o-xpress™-ultimate-jerk-shad-12-oz-floating-jerk-bait?storeId=10151&catalogId=10051#repChildCatSku=024385049

 

Another good alternative. Sometimes they're on sale for $4. If I remember correctly, they seem to very slowly float in 60F water with 12# fluoro. I think it started very slowly sinking when I used it on 17# fluoro setup. Hooks were medium quality. I had one last like 2 years, then another bend out on the first day.

[Sbaird091]

Kvd 200 and Rerange 110.

[Dwight Hottle]

I’m a jerk bait junkie. I have lots of expensive baits from Japan and lots of not expensive baits. For sheer numbers of bass caught the rapala husky jerk & smithwick rogues have done a beat down on Lake Erie smallies over the years. The husky jerk deep diver alone has probably put 40-50 six pound smallies in my boat. Very, very effective. 

[iceintheveins]

My favorite jerkbaits are the Dynamic Lures J spec, a LC Pointer, an X Rap, and a Shadow Rap.

[smalljaw67]

Suspending Rogues will work without breaking the bank. I've been impressed with the Shadow Rap which is slow sinking but that seems to have a time and place. I also like the yo-Zuri 3DB and Storm Twitch Stick and I too have high end baits like the Megabass Vision 110 and the Lucky Craft Pointers. For the lakes I fish, the Smithwick Elite 8 Rogue is really hard to beat and it flat out catches fish, in fact that would be what I would recommend to someone just getting into that lure, it works and isn't expensive.

[Hillbilly Bennett]

I LOVE to fish jerkbaits and do so year round as long as the water I’m on is halfway clear. I love the Lucky Craft pointer and the Megabass Vision 110s but Rapala Shadow Raps are quickly becoming my new favorite jerkbaits. I love their action and the subtle shimmy they have when they come to rest. Husky jerks do pretty well for me too. 

[Dvo509]

On 2/4/2018 at 2:48 PM, Sbaird091 said:

Kvd 200 and Rerange 110.

How do today like the rerange? I just bought a few of them and can't wait to try!

[nighthawk25]

On ‎2‎/‎4‎/‎2018 at 6:02 PM, Dwight Hottle said:

I’m a jerk bait junkie. I have lots of expensive baits from Japan and lots of not expensive baits. For sheer numbers of bass caught the rapala husky jerk & smithwick rogues have done a beat down on Lake Erie smallies over the years. The husky jerk deep diver alone has probably put 40-50 six pound smallies in my boat. Very, very effective. 

Do you fish the deep husky different than others? What setup do you use?

[Dwight Hottle]

10 hours ago, nighthawk25 said:

Do you fish the deep husky different than others? What setup do you use?

 

I fish it like any other jerk bait. Early season I utilize a lot of pulls rather than twitches or jerks. Moving the bait with 90 degree movement of the rod from pointing at the bait to side sweeps. I also mix in the typical twitches & jerks. Speed the bait up then slow it down waiting to see if you get bite. 

Most of my setups consists of medium heavy moderate rods with 10 lb braid & 10-15 lb mono leaders & a snap. 

[NYWayfarer]

The Berkley Skinny Cutter 110 is a great jerkbait that doesn't break the bank.

[RHuff]

Rapala Shadow Rap Shads for me......