Jitterbug

[airborne_angler]

Anyone else here enjoy using this old tried but true bait? Please share your success stories.

[JCMAN]

i have never tried it because i have heard its only for ponds i mainly fish a large creek   could i have success with it there?

[Marty]

i have never tried it because i have heard its only for ponds i mainly fish a large creek could i have success with it there?

I would disagree with that about the Jitterbug and just about every other lure as well. I've fished lots of ponds and lots of lakes and the same lures work in both. When a bass sees that Jitterbug gurgling across the surface it is not aware of the size of the water he's in.

Anyone else here enjoy using this old tried but true bait? Please share your success stories.

Not only do I enjoy it, it's been far and away my favorite topwater for 10+ years. It's accounted for my largest pike, largest smallie and 2nd-largest bass. Just four days ago I caught this 5.75# on one. Note to JCMAN: I was on a 1700-acre lake.

[airborne_angler]

I actually think Jitterbugs (and other topwaters) should have a Surgeons General Warning on them.

Warning: Using these Topwater baits can result in huge,explosive strikes and can in some cases cause heart problems. Use at your own risk,not responsible for heart attacks.

I was using a Jitterbug last night when it got dark. I was on pins and needles waiting for that huge,explosive strike,but it never came. Instead I got a sound that sounded alot like a kissing noise,where the fish mustve just came up and given it a love tap.

Dont know if its really sane to anticiapte a strike like that,but I know when they hit,they slam it,so I prepared myself as much as possible.

[War Party]

I have kept a Jitterbug in my box since I was ten years old. That and a Pop-R. When I loose either, I rush to the store to replace it.

[midnighthrasher]

black jointed jitterbugs are boss!!! Fish em at night and hold on tight

[andamtoft]

i love the jitterbug! its just so fun to fish, takes absolutely no skill and its just amazing when you get a strike...

I fished on a bay and had success in the morning fishing it and then pausing it over weed beds, anywhere a topwater can be fished, a jitterbug can be worked.

[Raul]

Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle ..... WHAM !!!!!!.

Who don 't love that ?  

My absolute favorite topwater, it doesn 't matter if it 's not the best bait for the moment, I don 't care, I can Jitterbug for hours.

[airborne_angler]

That gurgle is pretty hypnotizing isnt it? Havent fished the bait in years,but when I used to I caught some nice fish on it.

When is the last time anyone saw one of these style Jitterbugs. I suppose the design is supposed to be of a weedless nature,Anyone know just how weedless this bait is?

[Kayakist]

As mentioned above, black jointed jitterbug at night rules!  I fish from an elevated bank and found that using this lure with braid increased my hookup ratio as opposed to the line stretch encountered with mono.  Never leave home without my jitterbug!

[bunkerbstr]

Awesome baits, seems they get lost in the box when we have Sammy's, Wake Tails, Spooks, etc.  

Thanks for the reminder though, I'm gonna dust them off.  

Agreed, the black jointed (the big one) is great in the dark.  Gurgle, gurgle, gurgple, kablooosh!  Haha.  

[bassin is addicting]

my absolute favorite early morning and night lure.  last year i fished in a night tourney as a co-angler, i  put on the "bug" and my boater kinda laughed at me and said he hadn't seen anyone use that for years.  well, after about 4 nice size keepers (released) he changed his tune. 8-)

i know he went and bought one  ;D

i keep 2 in my box.  never want to be without...

one thing i have read here is that the hooks are no good.  i personally have not had a problem.  but also looking at it, i'm not sure how i would replace them??

[bunkerbstr]

You have to unscrew the hook holders with a small screwdriver.  

When you put them back in don't over tighten them, just snug them up.  A split ring might help too just make sure they won't tangle.  Maybe a short shank Mustad?  I forget what hooks I put on mine, likely Gamakatsu.  I'd keep the hook size the same if you could.  

[Raul]

one thing i have read here is that the hooks are no good. i personally have not had a problem. but also looking at it, i'm not sure how i would replace them??

The original hooks are pretty much ....... crap. Do not unscrew the hook holder, you 'll make a bigger hole when you screw it in again. Add a drop of glue to each screw to keep it glued to the body, cut the hook instead, add a split ring to each hook holder and a good quality treble hook.

When I purchased my first Jitters I made the mistake of unscrewing the hook holder 's screws, like many think I thought: "nothing is going to happen"  :, yup nothing happened until it happened, caught a goodun and guess what ? yeah, it went away swimming with a treble on it 's mouth. From that moment I no longer unscrewed the hook holder 's screws when changing the hooks.

[moby bass]

I don't know why, with as successful as the Jitterbug is, that better quality hooks don't come on the lure.  I have gotten a few bass on the aforementioned black bugs at night.  I also recently purchased a large red and white bug that I want to try for pike in our river.  I read somewhere that pike like red and white like dardevles and such, but I haven't had the chance to try it yet.

[bassin is addicting]

i don't own anything to cut the hooks off.  is there a special tool for that?

:-/

[airborne_angler]

A large pair of Diagonal Cutters or Dykes as they are also called will work,as will a small pair of bolt cutters. Make sure you shield yourself from the hooks as they can fly and really hurt you. Wear safety glasses,some gloves,and when you cut the hooks,make sure you try to get it to where the hooks will fly away from you if you can.

[Marty]

I throw away the hook hangers and replace them with screw eyes and split rings. I also recommend removing the screws (one at a time) that hold the metal lip and putting a drop or two of super glue in the hole and putting the screw back in.

[bunkerbstr]

There are two screws on each side of the hook holder.  What I did is remove 1 screw and loosen the other enough to I can slide the hook holder away from the body and remove the hook & replace.  I've done this to about 5 Jitterbugs and haven't had an issue yet.  

But, as mentioned it would be easier if you just cut the hooks off and threw on a set of split rings.  Next time I'll do that, gives you a bit more leverage over the fish versus a hook just hanging from the hook holder.  Good call Raul.  

[iceintheveins]

Jitterbugs rock, both for bass and pike. Lethal in low light conditions, or as a slower alternative to buzzbaits. Black is a great color, and I also like frog, perch, and firetiger. Use a steady retrieve during low light conditions, and a stop and go retrieve when their is more light.

[jaystraw]

My favorite topwater bait. Smallmouth LOVE them...until they feel the hooks that is.

[CRFisher]

Anyone  try the Hocust Locust?  It's basically a Jitterbug - wasn't sure if there was any difference beside looks.  I figure from below the water they probably look no different to a bass.

[Raul]

Anyone try the Hocust Locust? It's basically a Jitterbug - wasn't sure if there was any difference beside looks. I figure from below the water they probably look no different to a bass.

I 've tried that one and BPS ' lokust, not as good as the Jitterbug plus, the lip can 't be "doctored" like the aluminum lip on the Jitterbug.