Talk about some jerks...

[Smells like fish]

Jerkbaits that is! Slow-sinking, suspending and floating types. I have these 3 types at hand. I rarely see the floating jerkbait mentioned in comparison to its slow sink and suspending brothers. 

 

Is anybody catching fish with the floating model? Sure we catch fish using it when steady retrieved or even twitched on the surface, but do you jerk the floating lure and pause letting it rise? Does it mimic a fleeing baitfish? We've seen thousands of shad and minnows rising through the water and jumping across the surface before. 

 

Have you noticed how your lure rises? Does it rise evenly, tail up, or head up? Or does that make a difference?

 

There is floating rogues, the Rapalas, storms, rebels, bagley, seems like everybody has a floating minnow.

 

Can they be rear weighted to rise head first like a fleeing baitfish?

 

Do you only use them when water temps are warmed til a pause of more than a split second is only needed?

 

Do you say the hell with them give me my Vision 110 and pointer?

 

I would appreciate hearing what you think about floating Minnows/jerkbaits 

 

 

 

 

[Choporoz]

I have had success with floaters, but I've only used them in a couple specific scenarios.

1.  Post spawn and fall when bass are in shallow pockets and coves feeding on baitfish

2.  Summertime when submergent weeds come up to 2-3 feet from surface

 

Both cases, I just use steady retrieve - never let 'em sit on surface....I use spooks and gunfish for that

[roadwarrior]

I have had success with Smithwick floaters, but don't really fish them anymore. It seems to me that there

are better topwater options.

 

 

[Bankbeater]

This year I have been fishing with Smithwick suspending rogues in smaller ponds.  I've been using a steady retrieve also.

[Bird]

Jerkbaits are probably my overall favorite technique and never use them like a crankbait, just don't. 

 

Winter - slow sinking - count down  - slow twitch. 

Spring pre spawn - suspending - jerk and pause in shallower water.

Summer and fall - suspending and top - aggressive jerks.

 

I really like Jerkbaits. 

[Jermination]

6 hours ago, Smells like fish said:

Jerkbaits that is! Slow-sinking, suspending and floating types. I have these 3 types at hand. I rarely see the floating jerkbait mentioned in comparison to its slow sink and suspending brothers. 

 

Is anybody catching fish with the floating model? Sure we catch fish using it when steady retrieved or even twitched on the surface, but do you jerk the floating lure and pause letting it rise? Does it mimic a fleeing baitfish? We've seen thousands of shad and minnows rising through the water and jumping across the surface before. 

 

Have you noticed how your lure rises? Does it rise evenly, tail up, or head up? Or does that make a difference?

 

There is floating rogues, the Rapalas, storms, rebels, bagley, seems like everybody has a floating minnow.

 

Can they be rear weighted to rise head first like a fleeing baitfish?

 

Do you only use them when water temps are warmed til a pause of more than a split second is only needed?

 

Do you say the hell with them give me my Vision 110 and pointer?

 

I would appreciate hearing what you think about floating Minnows/jerkbaits 

 

 

 

 

I have several old smith wick floaters that still catch fish, I typically put a suspend dot on them to keep them down or work exceptionally fast so they don’t rise too much. Been on a 6th sense jerkbait the last few weeks. They are easy to cast, and keep the fish buttoned up! Did have a mishap landing a 5 1/2 yesterday. The tail of the jerkbait was stuck on her outside cheek and the remainder in her mouth(this particular jerkbait has easily caught 125+ fish over the last two weeks)

[jimmyjoe]

   I've already caught 2 or 3 on the Bomber 14A. I keep it moving, but erratically, almost like walking the dog. It really produces in the shallows, and so does its little brother, the 13A. I have the Rapala Countdown for deeper water later in the season.

   That Bomber is very buoyant. I don't like that, but it is what it is. It catches fish, and that's what is most important.

   In the fall, I can use it on a steady retrieve, and its big brother the 1/2 oz. 15A, too. But not now. From now until the water warms up, it's time for a strong, snappy jerk with short pauses. If the water is clear and the sun is at the right angle, I can see the bass set up position to intersect that lure. I love it when that happens.       ?        jj

[scaleface]

After buzzbaits they are my second favorite top water . I use the Bomber Long A Minnow almost exclusively  in silver flash .   Sometimes I just let it set and get some explosive hits that way . If that doesnt work  then use slight twitches . Sometimes I work it as fast as I can yet still remain in contact with the surface . They excel post spawn .

7 minutes ago, jimmyjoe said:

But not now. From now until the water warms up, it's time for a strong, snappy jerk with short pauses.

You posted while I was typing mine . This is a killer retrieve . Do you use the ones with the flash insert ?

[jimmyjoe]

6 minutes ago, scaleface said:

Do you use the ones with the flash insert ?

   Half and half. Chartreuse shiner is my overall favorite, but the black-back silver flash produces when the overcast is really dark.     jj

[Black Hawk Basser]

I have a lot of experience fishing balsa baits like Rapala Shap Raps or minnows early on after ice out because they seem to work so well compared to other floating models I've used in early Spring.  Balsa baits almost pause for a moment before rising.  I think that is what makes them so effective in colder water temps.

[OkobojiEagle]

No love for the Rapala Flat Rap?