Finesse Jerk Baits

[Dorado]

I fish highly pressured urban ponds and favor bodies of water with LMB + multi-species (especially crappie and channel cats). What finesse type jerk baits or twitch baits do you recommend? I was looking into smaller Rapala X-Raps (XR6 or XR8) and 2.75" Yo-Zuri 3DS Series Minnows. Thanks for the replies in advance

[ZebcoZak]

I have used x rap and rogues in situations like you describe.  I take the time to make sure it is 100% neutrally bouyant before I go out though.  Either add a bigger/smaller hook or a little bit of weight to make it perfect.  Then it is all about the pause - and I know the lure is just sitting there when I am not working it.  I have actually waited as long as 30-45 seconds in between twitches when I know fish are in the area.  A cast along the shore can take 5 mnutes or longer to reel in.  Typically produces results but the work needs to be done before you hit the water to make sure it is 100% neautal in the water connected to your line.

[5by3]

I’ve downsized to a lucky craft pointer 78 (~3”) and caught a few extra fish when the bite has been tough. I think they make an even smaller one as well.

[Munkin]

LC Pointer 65sp or SR

Team Daiwa 60sp

 

Allen

[Dwight Hottle]

Original rapala. F09 or F11

[anderb54]

Pointer 78, Jackall Squad Minnow 80, and the 08 sized X-Raps are good, but a killer bait everyone should have, especially smallmouth fisherman, is the X-80 Trick Darter.

[J Francho]

I'd consider action "finesse" before I'd consider size.  X-Raps are slashy, and bold at any size.  Something like a Oneten or Flashminnow is a bit more subtle.

[Turkey sandwich]

Jerkbaits are rarely my go-to lure, but for cold water, and a slow dieing action, I like Shadow Raps

[JustJames]

Husky Jerk 08 all the way. It catch big and small fish.

[mattkenzer]

24 minutes ago, Turkey sandwich said:

Jerkbaits are rarely my go-to lure, but for cold water, and a slow dieing action, I like Shadow Raps

Purpledescent ....

[Dwight Hottle]

1 hour ago, mattkenzer said:

Purpledescent ....

That's a walleye color. 

[mattkenzer]

50 minutes ago, Dwight Hottle said:

That's a walleye color. 

Our Smallmouth don't know that.

[snake95]

The tiny Husky Jerk 06 in gold has worked for me, but only managed small bass so far.

[Dorado]

11 hours ago, ZebcoZak said:

I have used x rap and rogues in situations like you describe.  I take the time to make sure it is 100% neutrally bouyant before I go out though.  Either add a bigger/smaller hook or a little bit of weight to make it perfect.  Then it is all about the pause - and I know the lure is just sitting there when I am not working it.  I have actually waited as long as 30-45 seconds in between twitches when I know fish are in the area.  A cast along the shore can take 5 mnutes or longer to reel in.  Typically produces results but the work needs to be done before you hit the water to make sure it is 100% neautal in the water connected to your line.

This all sounds like a fun task and something I want to try this year. My old fishing buddy back in Denver customized Suspening Rogues by spray painting effects and using tape weight to find that perfect balance to em. He would just catch stupidly huge spawning walleyes at night along with some occasional bucketmouths

9 hours ago, Munkin said:

LC Pointer 65sp or SR

Team Daiwa 60sp

 

Allen

Last time I threw the ol LC Pointer 65sp was fishing the San Juan River, below quality waters, in northern NM. It was early fall and catching 20+ pre-spawning Brownies and piggy bows. I should resurrect those lures for warm water species. 

[iceintheveins]

The Dynamic Lures Jspec is about 3.25" and is the best smaller profile jerkbait out there. X rap 8s and LC pointer 78s are great too, but the Jspec produces more for me. The Rapala rip stop shouldn't be overlooked either.

[Dorado]

13 minutes ago, iceintheveins said:

The Dynamic Lures Jspec is about 3.25" and is the best smaller profile jerkbait out there. X rap 8s and LC pointer 78s are great too, but the Jspec produces more for me. The Rapala rip stop shouldn't be overlooked either.

I added the J-Spec because their HD Trout is one of my favorite Trout hard baits of all time. What’s your favorite J-Spec pattern?

[Bluebasser86]

The 65 pointer is one I've caught a lot of fish with, but the last couple of years this little guy has been somewhat of a secret weapon for me. 

[Turkey sandwich]

9 hours ago, mattkenzer said:

Purpledescent ....

A lot of rivers here in PA have strong alewife and (in the Delaware) strong shad populations.  During cold snaps, mimicking that shad/alewife kill can be HUGE.  I've had good days fishing for smallmouth on the Susquehanna doing this, and it's a major pattern on the Delaware for trophy brown trout (be it jerk baits or white streamer patterns).   If you're fishing a tailwater, and you have access to the mile or so below the dam, this pattern can be fire.  

[A-Jay]

You may want to look into at least one  Megabass VISION ONETEN SILENT ~

A-Jay

https://megabassusa.com/product/vision-oneten-silent/

 

 

[Subaqua Adinterim]

10 hours ago, Dorado said:

I added the J-Spec because their HD Trout is one of my favorite Trout hard baits of all time

I love the HD trout as well - it's a killer brown trout lure in Upstate NY.  I also use this size for bass, although I may add a slightly larger hook for bass next year.  Use it primarily at the end of the day when bass are moving in shallow and feeding near the top.  Have good success on the glimmer trout color (also my favorite trout color) and blue/silver.

[JustJames]

8 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

The 65 pointer is one I've caught a lot of fish with, but the last couple of years this little guy has been somewhat of a secret weapon for me. 

Those look goodddddddd.?

[Bluebasser86]

39 minutes ago, JustJames said:

Those look goodddddddd.?

They're great baits. They cast great in a spinning rod.

[mattkenzer]

3 hours ago, A-Jay said:

You may want to look into at least one  Megabass VISION ONETEN SILENT ~

A-Jay

https://megabassusa.com/product/vision-oneten-silent/

 

 

I concur A-Jay ..... smallies in New Brunswick like the ONETEN jr. in Elegy Bone.

Got to pick up a few on the silent side.

[iceintheveins]

19 hours ago, Dorado said:

I added the J-Spec because their HD Trout is one of my favorite Trout hard baits of all time. What’s your favorite J-Spec pattern?

Ghost minnow (it's even a decent bluegill color), yellow perch, silver flash, and gold flash.

8 hours ago, RichPenNY said:

I love the HD trout as well - it's a killer brown trout lure in Upstate NY.  I also use this size for bass, although I may add a slightly larger hook for bass next year.  Use it primarily at the end of the day when bass are moving in shallow and feeding near the top.  Have good success on the glimmer trout color (also my favorite trout color) and blue/silver.

Dynamic Lures is right in my town of Grand Junction, I know the founder. The HD is fantastic for all species of trout, as is the J spec. The J spec is the best smaller profiled suspending jerkbait out there. All species of bass love it, as do walleye, crappie, pike, and trout.

[Jerryj33]

it's not as small as some of the baits mentioned here, but the LC flash pointer 100 is a very subtle bait. Gentle rattles, 3/8 oz and a very crisp action. Look for it on the e bay.