Jerkbait too big?

[the_newguy18787]

Hey guys, novice bass fisherman here,

I've been getting into jerkbait fishing for bass, I love that reaction bite. I almost always just go to my neighborhood pond due to the convenience, and there are some nice 4 lbers in there (and at least one 5 lber), however the average size of the largemouth in there are around 10-12 inches (i'm up in northern colorado, so that's the average size). There is an abundance of bluegill and some crappie in the pond, most of them around 3-4 inches, along with a LOT of crawdads (jig fishing during the summer was amazing, however since the water got colder, I haven't had so much luck, tried on a jerkbait, and they smashed it) so there is an abundant food source for the bass, however I'm not aware of any other baitfish in the pond which is about 1 acre (no shiners, no bream, bass are known there during the summer to chase a bluegill on your line). There is a lot of bass in the pond, however it is extremely pressured by kids. I have been able to catch around 60 bass in the pond over the summer on a collection of jigs and poppers only, but I want to get my jerkbait game up as it is a much faster way to cover water.

 

So my question is, if I got a berkley skinny cutter 110+, or around 4 3/8 inches (cheaper and has good reviews), would it be too big for those 10-12 inchers? Or am I fine with using a 4 3/8 inch jerkbait, because I like those 3 hooks so my hookup ratio is better.

 

[Dwight Hottle]

Smaller bass will hit bigger jerk baits. Your skinny cutter at 4 3/8 is not too big at all. Just go for it.  

[the_newguy18787]

hey @Dwight Hottle, thanks for the response. Good to hear, it's not too big, and I appreciate the help man ?

[Dens228]

I agree.....I've had bass hit lures that they were almost a perfect match in size.  

[jr231]

Jerkbaits are awesome. Definitely not too big.

 

Also , Slow that jig down when it gets cold. And use a trailer that has less action. Jigs work year round. 

[the_newguy18787]

@Yeajray231, a lot of people have told me that. I have a beaver style trailer on the end rn so the only action are those claws "floating" up. Dunno exactly what to do by slowing down though...Do you drag it? Shake it a little? I'm definitely not experienced with these kinds of things but I really appreciate the tip.

 

And while on the topic of cadence, I've heard mixed feelings about cadence for jerkbaits. I know a lot of times people say to pause it a loooong time during the winter (10 seconds) but at that point I almost feel like u should just switch to something finesse. So what are your guys' opinions on cadence for coldwater jerkbaiting. (temps here get to around 40 F before freezing over). 

[Ksam1234]

29 minutes ago, the_newguy18787 said:

@Yeajray231, a lot of people have told me that. I have a beaver style trailer on the end rn so the only action are those claws "floating" up. Dunno exactly what to do by slowing down though...Do you drag it? Shake it a little? I'm definitely not experienced with these kinds of things but I really appreciate the tip.

 

And while on the topic of cadence, I've heard mixed feelings about cadence for jerkbaits. I know a lot of times people say to pause it a loooong time during the winter (10 seconds) but at that point I almost feel like u should just switch to something finesse. So what are your guys' opinions on cadence for coldwater jerkbaiting. (temps here get to around 40 F before freezing over). 

Jerkbaits is not to big at all and the slower the better.  I have honestly counted to 17 seconds before and then had a bass smash the bait .. it gets boring but sometimes it works.  Btw that 17 second pause was a 5 + pounder. 

[the_newguy18787]

@kicker, wow that is impressive. Guess that truly shows how patience is a virtue. i will definitely try that next time, great to have all these tips. thanks for all the help guys  

[jr231]

I'm assuming you're bank fishing. There is no one answer for your retrieves on the jerkbait or the jig. You must figure that out and it not only changes with season but also by day/ area and location. 

 

Another cold water favorite of mine is a lipless crankbait. You choose the brand, nearly every company has one.. I've had the best luck with something chrome or gold. 

[the_newguy18787]

I'll keep that in mind, any color selections you guys recommend? 

[Hammer 4]

49 minutes ago, the_newguy18787 said:

I'll keep that in mind, any color selections you guys recommend? 

Any color that has Flash..i.e chrome..

[Dens228]

Trailer movement is easy to adjust, I use Ragetail craws for a lot of movement, Rage Bug for not as much. 

Colors on trailers I keep it simple, Black/blue flake, or Watermelon/Red Flake

 

With jerkbaits I also vary the pauses quite a bit, sometimes within the same retrieve. 

My biggest catch on a jerkbait came when I had been retrieving and had an extra long pause while I got distracted by something else.  Not sure how long the pause was but at least 30 seconds. This came during a retrieve of twitch-twitch pause.....with those pauses being about 3-5 seconds so the bass may have been following it along the entire time for all I know. 

 

For jerkbaits I use colors along the lines of a natural shad pattern, a shad pattern with flake, and something with a lot of gold in it. For some reason the ones with gold in them do very well in quarries I fish. 

[JediAmoeba]

I recently caught this overzealous guy on a jerkbait.

[A-Jay]

10 hours ago, the_newguy18787 said:

I'll keep that in mind, any color selections you guys recommend? 

This KVD 300 Deep in Ayu has been very good for me ~ 

A-Jay

[Bassattackr]

22 hours ago, Dens228 said:

I agree.....I've had bass hit lures that they were almost a perfect match in size.  

Yep.  You're fine.

[the_newguy18787]

Wow, thank you all so much for this info. Will make sure to follow said advice on my next fishing trip ;)

[Bluebasser86]

I've caught lots of fish in the 10-12 (and smaller) inch range on the skinny cutter. Chameleon Vapor has been one of my favorite colors. I bought one at the Bassmaster Classic in Oklahoma in 2013 when they first came out that I still have in that color but it barely has any paint left on it.

[Smalls]

90% of my fish caught on large swimbaits are under 2lbs, so I can definitely tell you that your jerkbait is definitely not too big. 

[Bluebasser86]

7 hours ago, Smalls said:

90% of my fish caught on large swimbaits are under 2lbs, so I can definitely tell you that your jerkbait is definitely not too big. 

Same for me unfortunately.

[Cam R]

I use jerkbaits for pike but you can easily catch all sizes of bass on bigger jerkbaits. Small guys will hit big baits too! 

[primetime]

I rarely use smaller jerkbaits, I primarily use the Bomber Long A #15 with 3 trebles which I believe is 5" and the F-11 or F-13 Rapala floating minnow and larger Bang O lure which are all good size with 3 trebles. I like being able to make longer casts and plenty of smaller fish will hit them.....The thing that always amazes me is how fish will still miss all the treble hooks, some are pickeral for sure, but often bass will swipe it and not get the hooks....

 

I like adding a dressed rear treble or sometimes a red front hook to help hook up percentage. Not sure if the red hook helps, doesnt hurt, but the dressed treble seems to often help at times.