Not just a cold water lure

[Siebert Outdoors]

For some reason I only see people talk about suspending jerkbaits when the water gets cool/cold.  These lures produce all year every year.  Just modify your retrieve some for warmer water or more active fish.  They also make a great cold front bait when the fish are sometimes sluggish.  Dont leave your suspending jerkbaits at home just because its not cold outside.

[Hawgin]

What type of retrieve do you use in warmer weather.  I'm assuming some type of a faster retrieve with shorter pauses?

[roadwarrior]

The cadence is always a mystery, but once you find it, that is the only one to use that particular day. I usually start with a long sweep followed by a long pause, repeated back to the boat for 10-15 casts. Then I'll try a jerk-jerk-pause and vary the length of the pause. I have never had very good luck with a fast retrieve regardless of the water temperature. The most important element, I think, is the length of the pause and you just have to experiment with that until you catch a fish. When you are fishing jerkbaits it really helps to have a partner or two so you can all try something different. When someone catches a fish, everyone goes with that presentation.

One more point, which may not pertain to bass: I fish jerkbaits for walley which are always found in schools, they hunt together. Specific colors matter. We all use different colors until we find one that works, but that is usually the ONLY ONE that works or it works MUCH better than any other color that particular day. This is one of the reasons (excuses) for having so many of these lures.

[Bankbeater]

For some reason I only see people talk about suspending jerkbaits when the water gets cool/cold.  These lures produce all year every year.  Just modify your retrieve some for warmer water or more active fish.  They also make a great cold front bait when the fish are sometimes sluggish.  Dont leave your suspending jerkbaits at home just because its not cold outside.

I remember then they used to say that about jigs.