Suspending Jerk Baits

[Blue Raider Bob]

Lot's of talk on this forum about suspending jerk baits but it is a technique I have never tried. One of my daughters gifted me a 50.00 BPS gift card (She hit that one out of the park)! I would like to delve into this technique but not without the expertise of you guys and girls. Any suggestions of brands, colors, and sizes? I mainly fish large rivers such as the Cumberland and the Tennessee where there is constant current and Smallies and Spots. Would a jerkbait work in this environment or are they mainly for deeper water lakes? Is winter the best/only time of year to apply?

[AlabamaSpothunter]

I'm gonna let more knowledgeable folks weigh in about the river/current question, as that's a good question and I haven't fished them in moving current.

 

That said, I catch fish on Jerkbaits all year round, but the suspended ones shine right now in cold water where you can just let that bait hover perfectly still for more lethargic Bass.   

 

Jerks work great in both deep and shallow water.    

 

My two favorites are the Shimano World Minnow Flash Boost, and the MegaBass 110 series.   I'm liking the Jr models a lot right now.   

 

MegaBass has a great lineup and makes it easy.   110 is the fullsize, 110 JR is small size.   Then both of those models come in a +1 and +2 deeper diving model.     The +1s run about 7ft deep, don't own the +2s yet.   

 

Jerkbaits are one of the most fun ways to catch them I've found, when they work, they work REALLY good. 

 

 

[Blue Raider Bob]

25 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

I'm gonna let more knowledgeable folks weigh in about the river/current question, as that's a good question and I haven't fished them in moving current.

 

That said, I catch fish on Jerkbaits all year round, but the suspended ones shine right now in cold water where you can just let that bait hover perfectly still for more lethargic Bass.   

 

Jerks work great in both deep and shallow water.    

 

My two favorites are the Shimano World Minnow Flash Boost, and the MegaBass 110 series.   I'm liking the Jr models a lot right now.   

 

MegaBass has a great lineup and makes it easy.   110 is the fullsize, 110 JR is small size.   Then both of those models come in a +1 and +2 deeper diving model.     The +1s run about 7ft deep, don't own the +2s yet.   

 

Jerkbaits are one of the most fun ways to catch them I've found, when they work, they work REALLY good. 

 

 

Any particular colors that work for you?

[DogBone_384]

48 minutes ago, Blue Raider Bob said:

suspending jerk baits but it is a technique I have never tried.

Get yourself a Vision110 to start. They just plain work.

Rapala’s Rip Stop is my favorite shallow water jerkbait.

 

Sit down with your favorite beverage & watch some YouTube … then get out there & fish!

 

Best of luck & Merry Christmas!

[AlabamaSpothunter]

Just now, Blue Raider Bob said:

Any particular colors that work for you?

 

2 minutes ago, Blue Raider Bob said:

Any particular colors that work for you?

In the Shimano WM I really like the Silver/Blue.....if the fish are active I really this one because it throws off more flash than the MegaBass.

 

Right now I only have two colors in the three 110s I own, but both seem equally good.   The first is the GG Threadfin Shad, and the other is Sexy Shad.    The GG Threadfin is like the Shimano WM in that I throw it when I need more flash in dirtier water and go with that Sexy Shad any other time when water clarity is 2ft+.   

 

They make silent versions of these baits, however I've found I throw them so often among pods of Shad that I need the rattle models to create space around the lure and the actual baitfish in order for the Bass to zero in on it.   Just another thing to consider in regard to silent vs. rattle.  

[Blue Raider Bob]

Thanks so much! I'm going to blow through this gift card before lunch!

And Merry Christmas to you and yours as well!

[Dogface]

A cheaper option than the 110 is the Berkley Stunna. I fished a few this past summer and did well. 

 

I have only natural colors.  

[AlabamaSpothunter]

The main things to consider is

 

1. you want that bait to perfectly suspend.....the 110, and WM have a great track record of doing that out of the box.

 

2. Depth that you think the fish are located at.   Shallow.....110    Mid....110+1     Deep.....110+2

 

3. Size of the bait, I learned this big time last week.     110 Regular Vs.  110 Jr.    The guys on Tactical Bassin like the Jr. models more than the fullsize models.     I'm inclined to go with that as well in my early foray into high dollar tuned Jerkbaits.       The 110s might catch bigger fish, but the Jr models seem to get bit by everything including Crappie which ends up giving me confidence to keep throwing them.  

2 minutes ago, Dogface said:

A cheaper option than the 110 is the Berkley Stunna. I fished a few this past summer and did well. 

I just bought my first during the PF sale, it's a great looking bait, but they are slow sink not true suspending jerkbaits

[KSanford33]

I've been a Rapala guy for decades, so my choice is the Shadow Rap, but I'm sure the other ones people have recommended work as well.

 

 As far as the river part goes, they absolutely work for that. I've found they work amazingly well if you can find some eddies. Let the bait get down to whatever depth you're looking for, then let the lure drift into the eddy, jerking it occasionally. It looks like a baitfish caught in the current and smallies love that. I've done it in the Mohawk River, which likely isn't as big as the Cumberland and Tennessee, but I'm sure the fundamentals are the same.

[Team9nine]

Another vote for Megabass 110 Ito (standard model) as well as Deep 110 Jr. With smallies and spots in the mix, I’d lean toward something with some brightness - Elegy Bone is a favorite

 

[Blue Raider Bob]

1 hour ago, DogBone_384 said:

Get yourself a Vision110 to start. They just plain work.

Rapala’s Rip Stop is my favorite shallow water jerkbait.

 

Sit down with your favorite beverage & watch some YouTube … then get out there & fish!

 

Best of luck & Merry Christmas!

OMG I just priced the Vision 110! Won't take long to spend this card! I'm old school from way back in the day when crank baits cost a couple bucks before there was a BPS! I'm going to get me one though and hope my knots hold!

1 hour ago, KSanford33 said:

I've been a Rapala guy for decades, so my choice is the Shadow Rap, but I'm sure the other ones people have recommended work as well.

 

 As far as the river part goes, they absolutely work for that. I've found they work amazingly well if you can find some eddies. Let the bait get down to whatever depth you're looking for, then let the lure drift into the eddy, jerking it occasionally. It looks like a baitfish caught in the current and smallies love that. I've done it in the Mohawk River, which likely isn't as big as the Cumberland and Tennessee, but I'm sure the fundamentals are the same.

Thanks!

Water is up on the Tennessee and I know some eddy's that may work!

[Tennessee Boy]

Yeah the MB 110 jr works really well.  
 

Just call your insurance agent and add them to your policy. ?

[Susky River Rat]

I have use Berkeley cutters and shadow raps. As stated above working. I am not really a big guy on color personally. Eddie’s with them is best. If you want to work them in current you almost have to cast down stream and work up stream. This does produce fish even though fish face into current. It will attract fish you are already ahead of. When you pause it in the current it will still have a rock to it.

[CM-fisher]

I just don't have enough money to invest in Megabass especially since a pike could steal it at any second here in MN. Since I am on a budget I go with the Rapala Shadow Rap Shad, X-rap, and Husky Jerk. They don't suspend 100% perfectly, more like a very very slow rise. I like to use translucent greens, blues, silvers, and golds. Jerkbaits do work year round but I primarily use them in the fall when the water is cooling rapidly

[MN Fisher]

10 minutes ago, MN_Bassin24 said:

I just don't have enough money to invest in Megabass especially since a pike could steal it at any second here in MN.

Reason I go with the Yo-Zuri R1355 3DB Jerkbait 110 and R1372 3DB Jerkbait 110 Deep...$9.99 normally - I'm restocking at the $7.99 sale prices pretty much right now.

[PaulVE64]

I prefer the X-rap in current because i think it has a nice action when pulled against the current.

[DogBone_384]

1 hour ago, Blue Raider Bob said:

OMG I just priced the Vision 110!

All you need is one that looks like baitfish in your waters.  The Bait-Monkey will get you to fill a deep 3700 as time goes. 

 

I believe @Dogface listed a cheaper alternative too.

 

No matter what, jerkbaits are fun, and work.... 

 

Again, Merry Christmas!

[TnRiver46]

Husky jerk blue back orange belly

Smithwick rogue clown. 
 

they work great in current, sometimes it’s all you can throw when it’s super fast 

[Finessegenics]

I don't know how strong this current is, but I have not been successful when using suspending jerkbaits in a strong current situation. I have had a bit of success with them away from the main channel, in calmer areas. The bait actually gets to suspend and move ever so slowly. In a stronger current, I imagine floating the bait into a high percentage area would be effective. In general, jerkbaits are not really my thing anyways so I'm definitely the wrong person to consult. 

 

I like the Rapala X-Rap and Yo-Zuri SP 110. The Yo-Zuris are on sale at TW right now. 

[jitterbug127]

I like the strike king KVD jerk baits. Clear Ayu and Blue Chrome are my favorite colors. Nice lures, can be had around $7-$10 each depending on sale. Well worth it IMO.

[Blue Raider Bob]

Thanks everyone! I knew you would be a great help in this and thanks for all the options! I think i'll buy one of each......just kidding. I will get a couple and thanks again! I'll not only blow through this BPS gift card but I'm gonna blow through some VISA as well!

[AlabamaSpothunter]

1 hour ago, Blue Raider Bob said:

Thanks everyone! I knew you would be a great help in this and thanks for all the options! I think i'll buy one of each......just kidding. I will get a couple and thanks again! I'll not only blow through this BPS gift card but I'm gonna blow through some VISA as well!

"Welcome to the MegaBass world"   This is something you're going to start hearing in your sleep ?

[Blue Raider Bob]

19 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

"Welcome to the MegaBass world"   This is something you're going to start hearing in your sleep ?

I ordered one of each of the following........MG Vision 110 Jr.   KVD Jerk Bait Deep   Rapala Rip Stop   Y0-Zuri 3DB Deep.   BPS does not carry Shimano World Minnow. I also got some braided line so I did get well into my VISA! HA!

Life is good!

[AlabamaSpothunter]

22 minutes ago, Blue Raider Bob said:

I ordered one of each of the following........MG Vision 110 Jr.   KVD Jerk Bait Deep   Rapala Rip Stop   Y0-Zuri 3DB Deep.   BPS does not carry Shimano World Minnow. I also got some braided line so I did get well into my VISA! HA!

Life is good!

Awesome, good call on getting 4 different types.   One of them is bound to work.

 

I wouldn't bother with the WM since you got a MB 110.   If you like Jerkbaiting then you can get another high dollar one down the line, and you got the best in the 110 as is.  

[MN Fisher]

9 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Awesome, good call on getting 4 different types.   One of them is bound to work.

Yep - variety is good. I don't have any MB, but I do have Smithwick Rogues, Berkley Cutters & Skinny Cutters, Luckycraft Flash Minnows, Strike Pro Inquisitor and Yo-Zuri 3DB regular and deep.