Jerkbait ( Vision 110 ) hookup fail

[Dan Strain]

So… I need your help. I lost two fish last week on my first outing with the vision 110. I’m new to fishing this bait so I thought maybe it was a bad hook set

 

then again today… Same thing but with a much better fish… Likely 4/5 pounds

 

i’m using an NRX+ 842 MBR - 30 pound braid/15 pound Tatsu leader 

 

 

do you think the rod is my issue? So far I only seem to have problems on this particular lure… I’ve tried other jerk baits but had no bites so I have no other reference - but I have no problem catching fish on single hooks or crank baits on this rod

 

 

I also have an NRX+ 783 MBR - as well as a NRX+ 873CRR… But I’m about to post that for sale

 

any tips or advice ? 

[Aaron_H]

Your setup sounds good to go to me. I use a 6'10" medium rated to 1/2 oz paired with 30lb braid to 15lb mono leader (very similar stat-wise to what you're throwing, just lower-end) and it handles those 110-sized jerkbaits wonderfully.

 

I would say that a few fish aren't a large enough sample size to say if adjustments need to be made. Losing fish is part of the struggle, sometimes it's just not our day. I'd say stick with it, make sure your drag is properly set, and you're not setting into them too hard with that braid, and see where your results end up.

[Dan Strain]

Thanks Aaron - new to jerkbait - Ill

keep at it !! ?

 

the stock treble hooks on the Vision 110 are just fine ? 

[islandbass]

I would chalk this up to “you win some, you lose some”

 

sometimes those are the breaks. 
 

now if you lose 10 in a row, then let’s start looking into this. ?

[Aaron_H]

15 minutes ago, Dan Strain said:

Thanks Aaron - new to jerkbait - Ill

keep at it !! ?

 

the stock treble hooks on the Vision 110 are just fine ? 

 

They're fairly light wire, but as long as you're not hammering them you'll be fine. I think there are some threads around here (and some videos on YouTube) about what hooks you can use without messing up the balance of the bait if you do decide to swap them out. Wouldn't worry about it presently.

[thediscochef]

22 minutes ago, Dan Strain said:

Thanks Aaron - new to jerkbait - Ill

keep at it !! ?

 

the stock treble hooks on the Vision 110 are just fine ? 

 

5 minutes ago, Aaron_H said:

 

They're fairly light wire, but as long as you're not hammering them you'll be fine. I think there are some threads around here (and some videos on YouTube) about what hooks you can use without messing up the balance of the bait if you do decide to swap them out. Wouldn't worry about it presently.

this. man knows his 110s better than i do

the weight of the hooks affects buoyancy as well, which can be a good or bad thing, I generally like the stock hooks though they can be a bit bendy for my liking. I usually replace with a #6 owner stx38 when the stock hooks get bent more than once. I do replace them all at once to avoid mixing hook types, but once they're owners it's as-needed. seems to work OK, though there are much more precise replacements you can get. 

as far as the jerkbait itself sometimes it's a matter of color sometimes it's the motion. You can get the right motion with any combo but some make it easier than others. above all, persistence is key. eventually youll figure out how they like it. It's a very rewarding bite once you've got the hang of it

[Dan Strain]

Thanks - I’ll leave the 110 stock for now 

 

im getting them to bite - but they are just easily jumping off the trebles 

 

maybe I need a harder hookset ? I’ll keep throwing it and gain more experience 

 

you guys are a wealth of knowledge !! ??

[thediscochef]

11 minutes ago, Dan Strain said:

Thanks - I’ll leave the 110 stock for now 

 

im getting them to bite - but they are just easily jumping off the trebles 

 

maybe I need a harder hookset ? I’ll keep throwing it and gain more experience 

 

you guys are a wealth of knowledge !! ??

a harder hookset or a bit tighter drag depending on how you have it set, probably. I tend to let my drag do some of the work for me but that can be a gamble with lighter line or in snaggy bits. May also mess around with your hookset timing, but that's probably the hardest option lol

[Dan Strain]

36 minutes ago, thediscochef said:

a harder hookset or a bit tighter drag depending on how you have it set, probably. I tend to let my drag do some of the work for me 

That may be part of it as well - my zillion’s drag has a clicker sound that I love to hear ? I’ll dbl check that too 

[thediscochef]

4 minutes ago, Dan Strain said:

That may be part of it as well - my zillion’s drag has a clicker sound that I love to hear ? I’ll dbl check that too 

My spinning tackle does that LOL I love hearing the drag click, but I love it more when it takes some real force to make it click ?
There's a million and one ways to set your drag but when I'm fishing jerkbaits I tend to only set it as tight as I think I need to for the hook to really dig in with a few pounds of force, but not enough that it really puts my line to the test. Just enough to grip the hard part of the lower lip and get it past the barb. Your 15# leader can handle that for sure. Ideally a 3ish-lb bass will be able to take at least a small pull of drag. I probably adjust drag during fights more with jerkbaits than with anything else. Since a lot of fish hit on a slack pause, it usually takes me a sec to feel how big of a fish I have, giving myself room to adjust the drag has helped increase my landing % IMO. I also don't set the hook too hard, especially with the light wire stock hooks. Those will absolutely bend from that violent motion many use for setting a fat 5/0 hook or something. 

[Big Hands]

I have caught an 8.5 lb bass on a Vision 110 with the stock hooks. The outward barbs is a weird idea, but they are very sticky and up to the task as far as I am concerned. So sticky that I snagged a tackle satchel and had to cut them out of it with side cutting pliers. 

 

That when I learned the lesson above about messing up the balance and buoyancy by changing out the hooks. Even the split rings can make a difference. I ended up up finding a set of original stock hooks and all is once again harmonious in my Vision 110 world.

 

As for why you're losing fish, your setup sounds nice. Sometimes fish are able to shake lures loose when jumping. If I see my line headed toward the surface, I have a couple things I try to do to discourage or hinder their ability to jump. I might try switching to a different angle or even easing up the pressure to see if they will instead go sideways or back down instead of jumping. I don't point the rod at them to ease up pressure, because that lessens the amount of rod I'm fighting them with. More like moving the whole rod outward a bit while trying to maintain a 90° angle. 

 

Then, if it looks like the jump is imminent, just as they get to the surface, I try to pull them over and kind of stifle the jump. It's all a crapshoot though, and fighting crankbait fish is different than fighting them on other rigs. Ultimately, everyone has to develop their own style that works for them and the gear they use.

 

And, sometimes, the fish just wins.

[padon]

the stock hooks work fine as long as you dont put too much pressure on fish.in japan where the baits were designed jerkbait fishing is a pretty finesse deal. the americans use heavier tackle and thats why some have trouble with the hooks.if you want to replace them the gamakatsu Aaron martens finessse treble #5 is the same weight and designed as a replacement. as far as your hook up problem it sounds like the fish are swiping at the bait buy not really eating it.its a common problem and those sticky little hooks will catch the outside of the mouth but pull loose. usually a slight adjustment in cadence, color, or size (110 junior maybe) can help solve the problem. or sometimes not, some days thats just how there biting.

[Deleted account]

Braid with 15 lb leader doesn't have a lot of stretch cushion technique correction coefficient, so a noodly rod, smooth fish fighting technique, and slowing down some might help (or changing the line), of course, without seeing it, it could be "they just got off", but it seldom is. Visualize maintaining even pressure the whole time, oh, and little to no hookset, they do that themselves, if you let them do a lap or two to one side, they will get a second hook in the gill plate or thereabouts most of the time if they didn't on the strike.

[smalljaw67]

The rod with your line choice isn't ideal for a jerkbait. I use a short rod for jerkbaits but I use a mod-fast action. The Loomis mag bass taper is good but not with a 15lb fluorocarbon leader. Go with a 10lb fluorocarbon leader and make it long, 15 to 20 yards.

 

The reason is a short leader with fluorocarbon or even mono and there will not be enough stretch to compensate for the rod stiffness. Even a 2 power swings hard in a 7' length so there are some things to correct.

 

If you are set on using that rod fin but drop the line size. A lot of people don't know this but that bait was designed to be used on a spinning rod with 6lb. to 8lb. line. So 30lb braid with a 15lb leader is overkill but it can work provided you use more of a reel set and pressure rather than a full hook set.

 

Those hooks are light enough that a fish will hook itself and then use the rod to keep pressure on the fish and you'll be ok. The best thing to do would be to lighten the line and use a long leader so you get some more forgiveness and let the tackle do its job by playing the fish out, not horsing the fish back to the boat or the bank. 

[Darth-Baiter]

i feel the fish hook themselves when they slam the Vision 110.  almost all my bites have come on the long pause, and i just feel them pull into it.  all i do is say.."oh!" and start reeling. 

[gim]

I use Sufix Advance for my jerk bait setup.  I also use a number of jerk baits, including the vision 100.  I beef up my drag a little with the "rubber band" effect using this line, but snapping a jerk bait is one of the very few presentations when I want that.  The non-stretch braid is a no go for me, even with a fluorocarbon leader.  I did good with jerk baits until about July, then they kind of stopped biting it.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

The stock hooks are fine, you just have to fish them accordingly.  One huge aspect to JB fishing particularly when the water is very cold is the hooks.  The fish should hook itself when it slaps at the bait or tries to blow it out of its mouth.  If you throw that bait in a pile of other JBs in a plano without of banding or capping the trebles, the hooks will dull.  The same thing can happen after fishing a bait for a long time.  Hook rash beats up the bait itself, but also wears in on the points of the hook.  

If you want to replace the hooks and keep a similar buoyancy the Gami AM TGW Nano G finesse trebles in a #5 or #6 work great.  

[FishTank]

My advice.... Don't use the 842C for 110's. It's too light. I have the 802C, it's shorter cousin. I would use the 783C. I have used the GLX version for years and it perfect for 110s. The tip is softer but it has enough strength to keep the fish pinned.  Other rods to consider.... any of the Megabass 110 Specials or their Jerkbait specific rods and the St. Croix Legend Elite 6'8'' M Fast.  I would also ditch the braid to leader and go either Invizx 12lb or preferably mono around 10lb, (I like Sufix Siege or Sunline Defier).

[papajoe222]

16 hours ago, Dan Strain said:

Thanks - I’ll leave the 110 stock for now 

 

im getting them to bite - but they are just easily jumping off the trebles 

 

maybe I need a harder hookset

Your hookset should be more of a reel and sweep of the rod to the side. A hard hookset, especially using braid, shouldn’t be needed. Also, if you’re missing fish, or they are barely hooked, a change in color can make a big difference. 

[Dan Strain]

6 hours ago, FishTank said:

My advice.... Don't use the 842C for 110's. It's too light. I have the 802C, it's shorter cousin. I would use the 783C. I have used the GLX version for years and it perfect for 110s. The tip is softer but it has enough strength to keep the fish pinned.  Other rods to consider.... any of the Megabass 110 Specials or their Jerkbait specific rods and the St. Croix Legend Elite 6'8'' M Fast.  I would also ditch the braid to leader and go either Invizx 12lb or preferably mono around 10lb, (I like Sufix Siege or Sunline Defier).

thanks - I’ll try the 783. I have a newer 783  spinning rod I can dedicate to the 110. 
 

BTW - I LOVE the 783 MBR - I have a casting GLX and NRX +  !! 

 

FISHTANK- don’t you also have the Conquest 783 ? I’m wondering if it’s better than the NRX/GLX in anyway ? I’m tempted to buy one and have three 783s ?

[FishTank]

42 minutes ago, Dan Strain said:

thanks - I’ll try the 783. I have a newer 783  spinning rod I can dedicate to the 110. 
 

BTW - I LOVE the 783 MBR - I have a casting GLX and NRX +  !! 

 

FISHTANK- don’t you also have the Conquest 783 ? I’m wondering if it’s better than the NRX/GLX in anyway ? I’m tempted to buy one and have three 783s ?

 

I don't have the Conquets 783C or any rods in the Conquest line. Maybe in the future but I have been attached to my old 783C GLX for a long time. 

 

I think for jerkbaits that a supper sensitive rod is not always necessary but that's just up to you.  Bass tend to slam jerkbaits and when they nick one, it often hooks itself.  The most important thing to me on a jerkbait rod is the tip.  It has to work the bait properly.  I would try the 3 you have in the 783 (casting and spinning) and see which one you prefer. 

 

On a side note, I would try the 842C NRX+ with small swimbaits (Easy Shiners) and for shakey head. The 802C I have is great for 1/8oz jig heads with finesse worms. I love the Owner Shakey Head jigs and a 6in Roboworm. 

[txchaser]

15 hours ago, padon said:

it sounds like the fish are swiping at the bait buy not really eating it

This was my #1 question when I read your post. 

 

6 hours ago, papajoe222 said:

23 hours ago, Dan Strain said:

 

Your hookset should be more of a reel and sweep of the rod to the side. A hard hookset, especially using braid, shouldn’t be needed. Also, if you’re missing fish, or they are barely hooked, a change in color can make a big difference. 

The vision 110 hooks are really thin, I'm not even sure you need much hookset on them unless you have really light line. Just this side of a ned rig hookset, or a drop shot hookset, maybe a little pop but it shouldn't need much at all to get past the barb. There's at least one hole in my fingers to confirm

IMO proceeding down the path of it's getting swiped not bit, and changing color or cadence might help a lot. 

 

[Dan Strain]

2 hours ago, txchaser said:

This was my #1 question when I read your post. 

 

The vision 110 hooks are really thin, I'm not even sure you need much hookset on them unless you have really light line. Just this side of a ned rig hookset, or a drop shot hookset, maybe a little pop but it shouldn't need much at all to get past the barb. There's at least one hole in my fingers to confirm

IMO proceeding down the path of it's getting swiped not bit, and changing color or cadence might help a lot. 

 

that’s helpful… I will definitely try more of a Ned rig type of hooks at. Honestly it’s more what I’m used to

 

they are not attacking it but I think they are getting it because they’re having to jump out of the water to unhook themselves and really shake it free

 

but they may be swiping at it - and my hook set is just skin hooking them

 

once again… What an awesome forum with so much experience - thanks ?? 

 

Dano 

[Deleted account]

15 hours ago, FishTank said:

My advice.... Don't use the 842C for 110's. It's too light. I have the 802C, it's shorter cousin. I would use the 783C. I have used the GLX version for years and it perfect for 110s. The tip is softer but it has enough strength to keep the fish pinned.  

Bad advice.

[FishTank]

1 hour ago, Deleted account said:

Bad advice.

OK. Why? 

 

I do see that the 842C is rated heavier than my 802C. When I held the 842C it didn't feel that much different but maybe there is something I'm missing. 

 

The 783C has been great for jerkbaits.  I can't remember how many fish I have caught on this rod in past 12+ years I have owned it. Are there better? Probably. Again with jerkbaits Megabass has this down to a science.