Half a dozen lures to start a jerkbait box?

[jimanchower]

I've spent the last year learning how to fish for bass, but I've never fished a jerkbait. I'd like to put a few in the tackle box and get a hang of it so I can be ready as the water temps drop. Down here in MS I'm targeting largemouth and spots. Visibility is typically 0-5' and water temps don't get much below 40 degrees. I'm probably throwing these on a 6'10" MF Expride and baitcaster but I also have a couple of MF spinning rods in the 6'6" - 7' range.

 

Obviously the MB Vision 110 is the standard, and I plan to buy a few in the colors that are commonly recommended. What else, though? 110 Jr.? 110 FX? Ito Shiner? Branch out to Lucky Craft or Jackall?

[GreenPig]

I've got a couple 3700's full of all brands of JB's and my #1 producer is the Rapala Shadow Rap standard and deep. My LM & Spots really like the slow sinking Rapala. During our coldest month of winter the Vision 110 might edge it out but I'm spoon fishing at that point.

[HaydenS]

If budget isn't an issue:

 

1-2 Vision 110's, in a clear shad color(clear water) and one matte or bone color or TB special (dirty/stained water).

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Megabass_Ito_Vision_110_Jerkbaits/descpage-MB110.html

 

Maybe 1-2 Silent 110's. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Megabass_Ito_Vision_110_Silent_Jerkbaits/descpage-MB110S.html

 

1-2 110+1, Same colors as regular. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Megabass_Ito_Vision_1101_Jerkbaits/descpage-MBIV11.html

 

1-2 110+2, Same colors as regular. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Megabass_Ito_Vision_1102_Jerkbaits/descpage-MBV2.html

 

1-2 Jr's, in the same colors as regular 110's. 

Regular https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Megabass_Ito_Vision_110_Jr_Jerkbaits/descpage-MB110JR.html

Deep +1 JR. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Megabass_Ito_Vision_1101_Jerkbaits/descpage-MBIV11.html

 

1-2 Lucky Craft Pointers Lighting Pointer XR Jerkbaits.  https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Lucky_Craft_Lightning_Pointer_XR_Jerkbaits/descpage-LCPXR.html

 

I've caught fish on a (Table Rock) TB Special vision 110 color in chocolate milk and in super clear water, seems like a good all around color.  My vision 110(TB Special) has fished since march almost every trip and is still catching fish.  It has caught fish for me when nothing else has, and is by far my biggest producer this year.  You might want to get your jerk baits in different variations of clear/lighter colored shad, and matte/bone variations of shad as well.  If you've got perch might want to pick up one in that color.

 

When throwing a jerk bait you are throwing for fish that are feeding up.  You aren't trying to grind them into the bottom.  If you do, these baits with break.  Don't hit them against the water when trying to gets grass off, cause that can break them too.  You don't lose a lot of them, since you're fishing the middle of the water column.  The 110's suspend like this (/) at an angle, while the pointer suspends more like this (-) horizontal.

 

I was looking through the 110 colors and HT-ITO Wakasagi(Clear/lighter color) looks like one of the best jerk bait color I've every seen... 

[webertime]

Jackall Rerange is a great jb

110+1 Jr 

Slender pointer

Pointer 100

Osp makes a good one too

[Russ E]

along with the above mentioned jerkbaits a sixth sense provoke is a good choice.

 

a duo realis rozante 77sp is a great choice when fish are targetting smaller baitfish,

[padon]

i love jerk baits. fish a ton of different ones. what im gonna say is my opinion, dont take it as fact just  what i have found works for me. my favorite hands down is the jackal rerange. that thing just flat out catches them. dou also makes a good bait as does lucky craft.rapala shadow rap is good and the xrap works well when fished more aggressively in warmer water.the only time i see a big advantage in the megabass is in the lower range of water temps. for me thats say 45 tp 50. in that range the more refined subtle action of the vision seems to make a difference. when im say 53 degrees up i will just experiment with any of the other baits to see which seems to work best that day.

[walleyecrazy]

1 hour ago, Russ E said:

a duo realis rozante 77sp is a great choice when fish are targetting smaller baitfish,

 

I 100% agree with adding a couple of the little Rozante's into your mix. they are amazing little jerk baits. I pretty much fish either the Vision 110's or the Rozante's 99% of the time now with an occasional use of a Provoke or a Ripstop here and there.

[Cdn Angler]

The Shad Rap won't cast as far as no weight transfer system, but otherwise it quite honestly seems to out fish more expensive options, and I love the Rozante/Rerange. 

[Bluebasser86]

If I were starting a jerkbait box over again;

 

6th Sense Provoke

Duo Realis Rozante 77sp

Strike King 300

Yo-Zuri 3DB Series 110

Headhunter HH Minnow

[smalljaw67]

If I were you I'd opt for some modestly priced baits to get your box filled out. Later on you can add some high end models once you get more dialed in to what the fish want. 

 

1. Smithwick Elite 8 Rogue

2. Rapala X-Rap 

3. Yo-Zuri 3DB 110

4. Ima Flit 100 

 

The first high end models I'd get in your conditions (warmer water and spotted bass) would be from Lucky Craft. I'd get the Staysee 90 and the Pointer 78 and you'll have a box of baits that should cover your needs and allow you to add higher end models over time.

 

[Dwight Hottle]

Ima Flit 120

LC pointer 128Sp

LC pointer 100Sp

Duo Realis 120Sp

[Munkin]

59 minutes ago, Dwight Hottle said:

Ima Flit 120

LC pointer 128Sp

LC pointer 100Sp

Duo Realis 120Sp

 

Can't believe it took this long for someone to mention the Lucky Craft Pointer! Other tried and true baits are the Rapala Husky Jerk and Smithwick Rogue.

 

Allen

[TnRiver46]

I’d probably put 6 of these in there 

[jimanchower]

Whew, thanks for all of the varied replies. I've got a handful picked out to start with:

 

Megabass Vision 110 HT-ITO Wakasagi

Megabass Vision 110+1 Jr. GP Pro Blue

Jackall Rerange Jerkbait HL Silver Shad 110

Jackall Rerange Jerkbait Blue Pearl Shad 110

Rapala Shadow Rap Ghost

6th Sense Provoke 106X Shad Sense

Lucky Craft Lightning Pointer 110SP Bone Pro Blue

 

There were several other really attractive recommendations that I will likely experiment with once I get some time on the water. The Duo Realis Rozante would have made the cut except TW is out of most colors.

 

I have owner ST-36 hooks at home in what I assume are the proper sizes (#5 and #6), but I plan on fishing these lures as they come out of the box. Should I consider a different style treble for when I eventually need to replace some?

[padon]

you have to be careful with trebles on some jerkbaits if they are too heavy they will mess up the suspending. i use the aaron martens nano gamagatsu. the st-36 may work fine but i cant say for sure.

[Bluebasser86]

I use the ST-36 hooks on most of my jerkbaits, they work great. 

[padon]

good to know. i prefer owner anyway

[Fishes in trees]

I own many jerk baits - last time I made an educated guesstimate - more than 100, less than 200.

For the record - I'm NOT into the very high dollar - collectable - Japanese market only jerk baits.  

 I've got lots of the various Smithwick Rogues that have been issued & re-issued through the years.   I've many Bomber Long A-s - as well as many Rapala variations.   Strike King has marketed  different jerk baits over the years - and sucker for jerk baits that I am - I bough sets of each iteration.  AC Shiners a wooden bait from the 80's - I bought a set of those.   Bass Pro Shops has marketed a number of different jerk baits from time to time - I have some of those.    Stacy King has his own line of Lucky Craft jerk baits that were marketed through the Bass Pro catalog.    I've got a set of those.

 

Anyway, if I had to go with a half a dozen jerk baits and that's it.   I'd go Lucky Craft Pointers the 100 SP size.  I'd get 4 in the Table Rock Shad color ( some regular hooks and some in the red hooks ) and 1 in the  black/silver color and the other in the AYU color and you'd be set.  For the record - I know that Lucky Craft has marketed many different color schemes over the past decade and it would probably be hard to find a color that didn't work.

 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

On 8/30/2021 at 10:39 PM, walleyecrazy said:

I pretty much fish either the Vision 110's or the Rozante's 99% of the time

If you havent yet, give the Duo 85 a try.  Its kind of like a mix of the Rozy and Vision Jr except it doesn't have a weight transfer system, but it casts really well.  I just about wore the finish off 1 last fall. 

[Brett's_daddy]

I also like the Spro McStick 110. Jackall Rerange 110 and 110MR, 6th Sense Provoke, 6th Sense Hyperjerk 70 (great deal going on those right now at 6th Sense web site), Lucky Craft Staysee 90.

[Scott804]

I fish jerkbaits year round and one of the coolest parts about jerkbait fishing is that every jerkbait has a time and a place. 

 

Vision 110 is a staple, and so are it's other variants. Make sure to get a silent, they are ridiculously deadly in clear enough water.

Anything Luckycraft. I like the flash pointers for dirtier water. 

Jackall Rerange is another must for me. Casts a country mile and has great action. 

The new Berkley Stunna 112 is a must have in my opinion. It is a slow sink, warm water jerkbait that fills a huge hole in the current market. I think it is going to do some serious damage this next spring. Hank Cherry used it to win this past Bassmaster Classic. Great colors too, one of the few jerkbaits you can find in a red craw pattern. 

 

Those are my big 4, as for other jerkbaits,

Rapalas are consistent and good but I am yet to find them to be anything special. Maybe I just need to fish them more. The Rapala Ripstop does a little spybait shimmy similar to the Stunna. 

Spro McStick 110 has been good in colder water for me. 

Yo-Zuri 3DB jerkbaits make really good box fillers at only 10$, with good hardware and action. 

Ima Flit deserves an honorable mention for sure. 

 

If you want to try spinning rod jerkbaits, 

Duo Realis Rozante 77sp is a staple. 

Vision 110 Jr is great.

The Megabass Trick Darter X80 is another great small jerkbait that has a different profile than the 110. 

[Smells like fish]

On 8/31/2021 at 12:30 AM, Bluebasser86 said:

If I were starting a jerkbait box over again;

 

6th Sense Provoke

Duo Realis Rozante 77sp

Strike King 300

Yo-Zuri 3DB Series 110

Headhunter HH Minnow

Does the Rozante produce when the 110 sizes won’t? Or what is it that tells you to break out that lure?

Are you using the pearl color with best results?

[Happybeerbuzz]

Lots of good suggestions given out.  The one that is most overlooked in my opinion is the Rozante 77SP.  That lure is special in the way that it casts so well for its size while having great action.  

[Bluebasser86]

17 minutes ago, Smells like fish said:

Does the Rozante produce when the 110 sizes won’t? Or what is it that tells you to break out that lure?

Are you using the pearl color with best results?

The Rozante, even thought it's smaller, is a very aggressive bait when I fish it. I'm typically fishing it fast with pretty hard snaps. It darts and cuts aggressively, it's loud, and is just a general attention getter. I don't use it as much in cold water situations that are typically thought of as jerkbait conditions, but more when the water is warmer and fish are more active, it becomes an excellent reaction strike bait. It can be used with soft twitches in colder water to trigger inactive fish, but I rarely use it for that. 

 

Pearl is solid color. I with Florida II was still available but they discontinued it in that bait. Matte Chartreuse was really good too but also seems to have been axed. I've been buying up the Pearl Chartreuse II in their limited saltwater colors before it disappears also. I haven't done much good with the natural or flashy baitfish colors except for Gold Yamame. 

[Drew03cmc]

On 8/30/2021 at 8:36 PM, Russ E said:

along with the above mentioned jerkbaits a sixth sense provoke is a good choice.

 

a duo realis rozante 77sp is a great choice when fish are targetting smaller baitfish,

The Rozante is a really fun bait. It is a super shallow jerk bait, 0 to 3 feet and definitely gets bit.