Help with new techniques?

[Scuba Steve]

Hey everybody, I've been getting super confused reading articles and watching videos so I'm going to attempt to streamline the info by asking you guys. Any feedback is very appreciated.

 

I want to get better with swimbaits and jerkbaits. I know for swimbaits you can do the standard exposed jig hook, or a weighted belly weedless hook. I want to fish both as there is a time and place for both. Most of my fishing is in 2' deep rivers (for smallmouth, walleye, and muskie), at my aunts place which I troll 10' of water (for largemouth, pike, and bowfin), and I'd like to try throwing them this summer in Canada (for walleye, pike, and lake trout). I figure a 1/4 ounce presentation should cover all of that except for Canada. The lake trout stack up at 45-50' deep mark. So I guess the question is, any recommendations for getting started? Hook and weight? Solid body, hollow body? Not looking to drop $100 on this experiment. 

 

Also, any recommendations for jerkbaits for the above scenarios? If I'm 15-20' deep in Canada would a red eye shad be better suited?

 

Thanks! 

[Allaroundfishing]

Where i live in Nc i striper fish in the late fall and early winter. We throw 4.8 keitechs and 3.8s. I use a 1/8-1/4 jig heads  for back in bays in less than 8ft of water. When off of points 1/4 to 1/2 jig heads is what I throw. The heavy one I throw on a 7'10 Skeet Reese large crankbait rod. It is wayyyy over kill but it allows me to throw a 1/2 or 1/4 70+ yards with ease. anything else i use a ugly stick G2 spinning rod 7ft med heavy. I dont really like belly weighted swimbaits because they have a tendency to sometimes fall in a circular motion or get wrapped in the line. 

 

As for jerkbaits i am not well versed in fishing them. someone else might be able to tell you more.

[Choporoz]

Soooooo much to unpack there.  I think you just asked about 40 different presentations.   Not surprised you are confused....I am, too.

 

[SWVABass]

I think you really should break this up into two different post. Explain in more detail about the bodies of water you are fish, such as structure, cover, water clarity that you are fishing. There are people more experienced on here that can chime in when you give them that info. Good luck with your new techniques.

[Scuba Steve]

Well, the river is basically open water. A couple lay downs but I just cast next to them. My aunts place same thing, just casting open water above the weeds. Canada, 20 feet deep on average for walleyes. Of course every other fish is a pike on a moving bait though.