Confidence Jerk Bait (Hard Version)

[FL_Sharpshooter]

What's a hard jerk bait that I can really build some confidence in? I see a lot of people throwing out those LC 100's. Are they really that good? I've been tossing out rapala's husky jerk in a orange color for quite some time, but to no avail. Is it poor technique? I always try to change up my presentation for the water conditions. Usually I'll jerk a couple times then pause and so forth. The fish just aren't reacting to this bait. Any suggestions?

[Hooligan]

First things first, I never use a bright jerkbait in clear water, the most I'd go is lightly stained. Second, Husky Jerks have a time and place, but they're not my first choice. They tend to be a lot stiffer, if you will, in action. That is to say they don't have a whole lot of action; they're more subdued. Last is probably cadence.

People throw Pointers, Flits, Squadminnow, and Vision because they work; some say better, others deny that a more expensive bait works better across the board. Personally that's their own brand of justification, nothing less nothing more. When I'm fishing tournaments, I want the best gear that I can afford, that's from rod, reel, line, to tackle, baits, lures, and hooks. All of it. It's not a prestige thing, it's not being a braggart, it's that I'm going to use any advantage that I can get to give me a leg up. Pointers very often fit that bill. They're a great jerkbait with a large variety of sizes, depths, and colors.

I guess, in short, that you really answer your own question. You see a lot of people throwing LC Pointers because they work.

[FL_Sharpshooter]

First things first, I never use a bright jerkbait in clear water, the most I'd go is lightly stained. Second, Husky Jerks have a time and place, but they're not my first choice. They tend to be a lot stiffer, if you will, in action. That is to say they don't have a whole lot of action; they're more subdued. Last is probably cadence.

People throw Pointers, Flits, Squadminnow, and Vision because they work; some say better, others deny that a more expensive bait works better across the board. Personally that's their own brand of justification, nothing less nothing more. When I'm fishing tournaments, I want the best gear that I can afford, that's from rod, reel, line, to tackle, baits, lures, and hooks. All of it. It's not a prestige thing, it's not being a braggart, it's that I'm going to use any advantage that I can get to give me a leg up. Pointers very often fit that bill. They're a great jerkbait with a large variety of sizes, depths, and colors.

I guess, in short, that you really answer your own question. You see a lot of people throwing LC Pointers because they work.

Thank you for the explanation. It seems those pointers will be next on my list. What kind of retrieve techniques do you use with those?

[quanjig]

LC pointer 100 ghost minnow. Cast out, crank down about 7-8 turns on the reel. Depending on the water temp, I usually start my count at 12 ( one thousand one, one thousand two....) When the temp is around 43-47 this seems to work best for me. Small twitches and always watching my line and slowly keeping most of the slack out of my line. Amazing bait. I use mono and not floro, personal reasons, I feel that the bait maintains neutral bouncy better with 12lb mono. Warmer water, I will speed it up on the ends of trees and get good results that way. Almost always have one tied on no matter what time of year. Good luck and let us know how it goes!!

[Hooligan]

Most of the time I really don't even start throwing a jerk bait until the water hits 50°. At that point, I'll start with very slow retrieves, sometimes giving it 15-20 seconds of not moving it. Sometimes, I never stop moving the bait, but I'm not reeling or jerking, either, moving the bait in pulls. Other times, I'll give light twitches, others I'll be really ripping it. Most of the time, I'm giving a three to five second count with light taps between pauses. Sometimes the taps are the trigger, sometimes the pause is the trigger. The fish will tell you. Start slow, work faster until you get bit. You can never move too slow to start.

[kms399]

rapala XR 10's for me.

[Mainebassin]

I fish in Maine,,,water is very clear ,,,water temps from mid 40s to low 50s this time of year....Catch a ton of bass on the Husky Jerk ...clown color..both solid and clear version....

[Red]

Pointer 78 for me. I have thrown x-raps as well, but the LC out performs it.

[FL_Sharpshooter]

LC pointer 100 ghost minnow. Cast out, crank down about 7-8 turns on the reel. Depending on the water temp, I usually start my count at 12 ( one thousand one, one thousand two....) When the temp is around 43-47 this seems to work best for me. Small twitches and always watching my line and slowly keeping most of the slack out of my line. Amazing bait. I use mono and not floro, personal reasons, I feel that the bait maintains neutral bouncy better with 12lb mono. Warmer water, I will speed it up on the ends of trees and get good results that way. Almost always have one tied on no matter what time of year. Good luck and let us know how it goes!!

I was checking out the different colors, and it looks like ghost bluegill/baby bluegill is going to be the colors for me. The bait fish look very similar to those two colors in the body of water I fish. Thanks very much for your suggestions, that really helps me out.

Most of the time I really don't even start throwing a jerk bait until the water hits 50°. At that point, I'll start with very slow retrieves, sometimes giving it 15-20 seconds of not moving it. Sometimes, I never stop moving the bait, but I'm not reeling or jerking, either, moving the bait in pulls. Other times, I'll give light twitches, others I'll be really ripping it. Most of the time, I'm giving a three to five second count with light taps between pauses. Sometimes the taps are the trigger, sometimes the pause is the trigger. The fish will tell you. Start slow, work faster until you get bit. You can never move too slow to start.

It's weird where I fish. The fish there definitely don't have a copy of the rulebook yet. I catch them on some of the last baits I would expect them to hit on at this time of the year. Sounds like you've got a good technique going on there though, I'll give it a try. Thanks.

Pointer 78 for me. I have thrown x-raps as well, but the LC out performs it.

I was kind of wondering if it was worth committing to the LC's, but by the way you're talking, it looks like it is. Thanks for the comparison.

[guitarkid]

I like the spro McStick and no jerk bait box is complete with out an original floating rapala.

-gk

[SausageFingers]

My personal favorite is the Fire Tiger Husky Jerk (HJ10). It produces for me.

[TimJ]

I use pointers and xraps about equally with the susp rogue way behind.

generally, I use the pointer if I want a slower action and the xrap for more slash...but not always.

Tim J

[Big-B_2579]

I , myself , have just recently started trying hard jerkbaits seriously. I've tried them here and there in the past without much success. I WAS one of those who refused to spend the money for the LCs. Not a wise decision on my part. Finally broke down and bought 2 (ms American shad , and Aurora black) this year. Take it from me , if you want to build confidence in a hard jerkbait , LC 100 s are IT ! All I have are those two baits , but I promise I have plans to buy more. Immediately started catching fish on them , and they have really helped my confidence in throwing hard jerkbaits.

As far as the retrieve , I've mostly been giving it small jerks and pausing for 5-10 sec. However , that's not the only way I've caught fish with them. I also like the long pull with a short pause here and there. In my opinion , there's really no RIGHT or WRONG way to fish them , just vary your retrieve until you get bit. Let the fish tell you what they want.

Hope this helps you make a decision. I promise you'll not be disappointed with the LCs.

[backwater4]

Early spring- suspending rogue- long sweeps and pauses

Summer- floating rapala- swim just underneath the surface or twitch on top

[Bluebasser86]

I don't fish the 100's very much but I do fish the 78 pointer a lot. It's my go-to jerkbait and I have some with more scratches than paint to prove they work . I have lots of other types of jerkbaits that all have their place but if I had to pick one it would be a 78 pointer without question.

[roadwarrior]

MS American Shad would be my first color suggestion.

[MNGeorge]

I don't fish the 100's very much but I do fish the 78 pointer a lot. It's my go-to jerkbait and I have some with more scratches than paint to prove they work . I have lots of other types of jerkbaits that all have their place but if I had to pick one it would be a 78 pointer without question.

X2...many Mississippi River Smallies have come to the boat hooked to a Pointer 78, my favorite hard jerk bait also.

[quanjig]

this is how good these look!! Pointer 78 ghost minnow and forage base at local lake

[Dwight Hottle]

I like.

[KYntucky Warmouth]

I like the smaller baits like the pointer 65 or 78 and the owner Cultiva rip'n minnow 65. Aurora black is my favorite jerkbait color.

[FL_Sharpshooter]

Wow, the detail on those LC's is incredible. Thanks for posting those pics! I've got to try one of these out.

[Catt]

Smithwick Rattlin Rouge gold/black back/orange belly