Jerkbaits in fall?

[plawren53202]

Just for context, we just had our first big temperature drop here in MO; last week highs were in upper 70s to mid 80s, nighttime lows in the mid 60s. Temps for the next couple of weeks are going to be highs in the 60s and lows in the 40s.

 

Fishing in my subdivision pond has slowed to a crawl. I'm sure part of it is that the pond has been decimated by the Covid crowds. Even my go-to finesse baits here, Ned rig, shaky head, have nearly dried up. Other problem with the pond is it is basically a big shallow fishbowl, almost no cover. No weeds, no hard cover. There is one "channel" with a few rocks and probably 6" deeper at most than the surrounding bottom, which of course I regularly hit hard.

 

The few that I've been catching lately have given me the impression that (a) they are just kind of suspended and/or roaming; (b) need to see something different; and (3) at least as of yet (unless the weather change alters the situation) aren't feeding aggressively. Based on all that it seemed like a jerkbait might be a good thing to try. It would cover the suspending and non-aggressive parts; and I'm certain no one is throwing a jerkbait there.

 

I have to confess that a jerkbait is one of the few baits I have not used much in the past. And I tend to think of it as more of a cold water option. But do you all throw it with any success in the fall? 

[soflabasser]

Fall is a good time to fish with jerkbaits.

[roadwarrior]

Fall is better than spring!

 

[Russ E]

I throw a jerkbait all year January through December. Anytime bass are eating baitfish fairly shallow.

Like others mentioned Fall is probably the best time. Bass are feeding up for winter and are usually aggressively eating the newly hatched fish from summer. In fall I generally fish a jerkbait pretty fast, with short pauses. Trying to imitate a fleeing or injured baitfish. Jerkbaits that can suspend for long periods of time is not as important in fall.

 

jerkbaits work well in cold water, because of the ability to suspend for long periods of time. in cold water I fish it much slower with long pauses. this time of year the bait needs to be able to suspend for long periods of time.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Jerkbaits catch fish all year.  Sometimes fishing them from the bank can be difficult if the water is shallow. 

[Bluebasser86]

I fish jerkbaits year round, but when they move shallow in the fall to feed on baitfish they can be extremely effective. I have great luck with smaller jerkbaits in ponds. One of my favorites is a small Yo-Zuri the doesn't run very deep so it works well in the typically shallow water found in most ponds.

The smaller size of this one.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Yo-Zuri_3DS_Series_Minnow/descpage-YZDSM.html

[Armtx77]

8 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I fish jerkbaits year round, but when they move shallow in the fall to feed on baitfish they can be extremely effective. I have great luck with smaller jerkbaits in ponds. One of my favorites is a small Yo-Zuri the doesn't run very deep so it works well in the typically shallow water found in most ponds.

The smaller size of this one.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Yo-Zuri_3DS_Series_Minnow/descpage-YZDSM.html

Bait Monkey got me bad on those 3DS in early summer..best 2 hundy I have spent on lures, in awhile.