Jitterbugs

[skillet]

I hope this is not hi-jacking a post or anything, not quite sure of the proper etiquette. If so, I apoligize to Redtail from the start .

I have read somewhere (having slept since then, I don't remember where) about altering the cup on the face of a jitterbug to get a different sound. If anyone knows what I am talking about, let us know. Don't want to ruin my jitterbug so I would like to have some idea before I jump in with all 4 feet.

If you are worried about it getting out, I am the soul of discretion. I promise to not tell  anyone :....

                                                As Ever,

                                                     Skillet

[Raul]

Step 1: cut the lousy stock hooks the bait comes with ( DO NOT unscrew the hanger )

Step 2: replace the hooks with good quality razor sharp hooks with a split ring.

Step 3: bend the line tie slightly towards the back

Step 4: grab one flap of the cup and bend the lower part slightly upwards with your fingers

Step 5: now grab the other flap and do the same.

Step 6: grab both flaps and bend slightly forward closing the space between flaps.

[CrazedL.IFisherman]

Hey Skillet, what ive heard and have yet to try which i really should is... if you take a drill and make to small holes on both sides of the metal plate, that it really makes a difference and the  jitterbug now gurgles a lot which drives the bass nuts, thats just what ive heard but now that you've brought it up im going to take one jitterbug and sacrifice it for the sake of the experiment  ;D

[Marty]

While you're doing your adjusting, remove each screw that holds the lip to the body and put a drop or two of super glue in each hole. This will prevent the lip from loosening after a couple of decent fish.

Raul, I've always thought the Jitterbug is a great lure with the lip as is. Do you have evidence that bending it produces more strikes?

[Raul]

While you're doing your adjusting, remove each screw that holds the lip to the body and put a drop or two of super glue in each hole. This will prevent the lip from loosening after a couple of decent fish.

Raul, I've always thought the Jitterbug is a great lure with the lip as is. Do you have evidence that bending it produces more strikes?

Hard evidence that the lip doctoring catches more fish, no, but it does sound great.  

Hard evidence that changing the hooks and attaching them via a split ring, yes.

[T-rig]

Raul,

Why should you not unscrew the hanger?

[Raul]

Raul,

Why should you not unscrew the hanger?

Because you create a larger hole when screwing in it again, the hanger can fall or a fish can rip it away.

[skillet]

 I sure appreciate all the input of ideas from ya'll. It was just what I was looking for. Raul, I think maybe it was one of your posts that got me to thinking about this. You said something about telling the secret and then having to kill you  ! Like I said before , soul of discretion and wouldn't tell anyone :...

                                                         As Ever,

                                                           Skillet

                                                         

[Catt]

Doctoring the lip as Raul suggest places the lip closer to its original 1938 design; I have hard evidence, I own two which my father purchased in 1940. Newer Jitterbugs do not have the same action as the older hand carved wooden models.

[Marty]

Raul,

Why should you not unscrew the hanger?

Surprise, I'm not Raul. If you want to unscrew the hanger because it's easier to put the split ring on that way, then you can put a drop of super glue in the hole before driving the screw back in and that will hold fine.

I have always used split rings. I'm not saying my way is better, it's just my personal preference, but I throw the hangers away and install screw eyes to which the split rings get attached.

[jb_adams]

I heard that this bait is best for night time use.  Is that true or is late afternoon just as good?  I would think either would be just as good given certain conditions were right for topwater.

Also, I've never gotten around to fishing one yet.  How do you retrieve it?  Short random pops like a popper or sequential pops and slightly faster?

[boondocks]

They are good whenever topwaters are productive. Morning, evening, nights or cloudy conditions is usually when I use them. A slow steady retreive has always worked for me. When you get the nice steady plop, plop ,plop, plop, plop sound you got it right. I have heard of people using the stop and go technique, I'm sure it works just fine also. I think I'd leave the short random pops for the poppers.JMO

[Raul]

There 's a point ( hard to describe with words ) when I don 't tie the bug anymore, when the water has enough ripple on it that makes the bait dive under the ripples when you retrieve it, obviously I don 't tie it when it 's windy and with waves. As long as I can hear the bait gurgling when retrieved it 's fine and I prefer a very slow steady retrieve, the doctoring of the lip makes the bait ride with the head facing slightly upwards which creates more sound and a larger wake. Which color I prefer ? any color is fine .... as long as it is black.

[Bluecraw]

They are good whenever topwaters are productive. Morning, evening, nights or cloudy conditions is usually when I use them. A slow steady retreive has always worked for me. When you get the nice steady plop, plop ,plop, plop, plop sound you got it right. I have heard of people using the stop and go technique, I'm sure it works just fine also. I think I'd leave the short random pops for the poppers.JMO

I use the stop and go technique when the weather is cold or the bass are finicky.  2 to 3 plops then stop for a couple of seconds.  The fish ALWAYS hit it at the precise moment you start reeling after a pause, never when it's sitting still.  I've had (like others, I'm sure) bass strike a jitterbug 2 or 3 times before I hooked 'em.  So, if she hits it once and misses, she'll probably hit it again.....it's awesome...

Oh, and I have every color, but BLACK is definitely the best.

[Marty]

I heard that this bait is best for night time use.  Is that true or is late afternoon just as good?  I would think either would be just as good given certain conditions were right for topwater.

Also, I've never gotten around to fishing one yet.  How do you retrieve it?  Short random pops like a popper or sequential pops and slightly faster?

I've heard for years that the Jitterbug is an excellent night lure, but I don't fish at night. It is an outstanding lure in the evening, or during the day under overcast conditions, and it also catches fish in sunshine, but I suspect these comments can apply just as well to other topwaters.

I use black only. I know other colors can work very well, but I don't feel I'm catching fewer fish using black only, and with one color I don't have to make decisions about which color to use.

Almost all of the time I use a steady, medium-speed retrieve.

The Jitterbug has been my #1 confidence topwater for 10+ years.

[Raul]

Gurgle - gurgle - gurgle - WHAM !!

That oughta bring some warmth into somebody even with ice cold water in the veins.  

[Marty]

Gurgle - gurgle - gurgle - WHAM !!

That oughta bring some warmth into somebody even with ice cold water in the veins.  

The problem is that the ice-cold water is not in the veins, but under the ice on the ponds and lakes. But then, you are probably not familiar with that natural phenomenon.  :

[Raul]

Actually Marty I 'm familiar with that natural phenomenon, it snowed about 1/16 th on an inch down here in paradise about 11 years ago, December the 13 th, 1996; the "snowstorm" last from 6:00 AM 'til 6.30 AM. ;D

Kidding aside, due to the height above sea level it 's noy uncommon that up in the sierra ( about 40 min drive from home ) it snows every other year if the during the winter there 's enough moisture. As you may imagine, as soon as the word gets out that there 's snow in the sierre the entire city flocks and travels up the sierra to see the snow. Something that 's quite a stoopid thing to do since none of us are used to drive on a frozen road.  :