Arbogast Jitterbugs

[Avid Angler FL]

I have a Jitterbug (normal size I think 1/4 oz) and I'm going late night fishing later tonight. Would this be something I should bring with?

[PondHunter]

I have a Jitterbug (normal size I think 1/4 oz) and I'm going late night fishing later tonight. Would this be something I should bring with?

Absolutely. It will be even better if it's a Black one too.

[MAD]

Most definitely, love the Jitterbug.

Mike

[Packard]

Sure, work it slower than usual.

[Avid Angler FL]

Mine is a white with black back, black striped sides, red belly, and yellow around the eyes. Idk how well the color would work but then again against a night sky it might not matter too much.

[Midnight Splash2]

Just take a black permanent marker to it.

[Packard]

Mine is a white with black back, black striped sides, red belly, and yellow around the eyes. Idk how well the color would work but then again against a night sky it might not matter too much.

Black supposedly gives it a better silhouette.

[Avid Angler FL]

I get what you mean, but if it's pitch black out there I think they're more focused on sound and movement of the bait rather than what it looks like. Bass are very brave. If I was in the dark, I know I wouldn't try to eat everything I heard making a noise. Their instincts are amazing!

[Packard]

I get what you mean, but if it's pitch black out there I think they're more focused on sound and movement of the bait rather than what it looks like. Bass are very brave. If I was in the dark, I know I wouldn't try to eat everything I heard making a noise. Their instincts are amazing!

Your right but it could be the slight difference between a bite or not.

[Avid Angler FL]

Yeah that's always true.

[Bluebasser86]

Just use a slow, steady retrieve and make sure to feel the weight before you set the hook, unless you like trying to dodge 2 sets of trebles that you can't see.

[Shad_Master]

The way I understand it, the thing about black at night is that the bass are under the water looking up. Black makes a better silohuete against the ambient light of the sky. Now, having said that - can any of us really predict bass behaviour? Throw your lure, see what happens.

[bassin is addicting]

great lure... change the hooks.

i've got a night tourney this weekend and it will be tied on to one of my rigs for sure.

as stated... wait for the weight... no need to "set the hook".. feel the weight and start reeling...keep tension and you should be fine...

if you are new to the jitterbug it may be hard to not overreact when you hear a blow-up....

[SirSnookalot]

Use what ya got,, they'll hit it.

[Bassin_Fin@tic]

Get the 3/8 oz size.

[Crestliner2008]

At least step it up to the 5/8 oz. size.....or better yet, the 1 1/2 oz. Musky Jitterbug. Dynomite!

[midnighthrasher]

By far my best night lure. Large size jointed black.

[Marty]

I'm not a night fisherman, but Jitterbugs are great in the daytime as well, sunny or cloudy both. I use black only and 5/8 oz. only. Mostly I use the regular ones but when the water gets choppy I use the jointed one. Jitterbugs have been my favorite topwater lure by far for the last 15 years. Unfortunately, it's 2011 and they're still making them like it's 1940, with obsolete hook hangers and lousy components. I change hooks and make other modifications before the lure ever gets wet.

[Avid Angler FL]

What kind of retrieve would be effective for them? A reel reel reel, pause, or just a continuous slow retrieve for a steady wiggle?

[FL_Sharpshooter]

What kind of retrieve would be effective for them? A reel reel reel, pause, or just a continuous slow retrieve for a steady wiggle?

My biggest fish (6.9) came off an old yellow 3/8oz jitterbug. Caught her using a retrieve 5-8 ft then pause technique. It was right as the sun was going down. The new jitterbugs just don't have the same feel.

[tholmes]

I'm partial to the 5/8 oz. size. I've got a real old one that started life in a frog pattern, but I spray painted it black after reading about how black works better at night. I've caught hundreds of bass over the last 25 years on that lure, both day and night. Every so often, when too much "frog" starts showing, I'll hit it with a coat of Krylon to spruce it up a bit.

Tom

[Avid Angler FL]

I'm partial to the 5/8 oz. size. I've got a real old one that started life in a frog pattern, but I spray painted it black after reading about how black works better at night. I've caught hundreds of bass over the last 25 years on that lure, both day and night. Every so often, when too much "frog" starts showing, I'll hit it with a coat of Krylon to spruce it up a bit.

Tom

Wow hundreds? Must be pretty durable! I personally haven't had as much experience with the Jitterbug as I've had on the Hula Popper! The Hula Popper is one of my favorites by that brand. But to me the Jitterbug kind of falls under that frog style topwater. It has a very similar action to the Stanley Ribbit frog or the Zoom Horny Toad.

[Bigbarge50]

Was raised by a father and grandfather who lived by the jitterbug. I have all their old ones, which is about a dozen or so. I keep hearing about how there is something "off" with the new ones....... anyone have a clue what that might be? I have no seen someone say they do not track correctly or the classic gurgle noise is gone...... so any have a specific complaint?

I had a black jitterstick..... that thing was awesome. Lost it a few years back and only place I ever can find one is on ebay, and usually way marked up. Wonder why they stopped making them, it was great.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Jitterbug is an awsome top water especially at night. I cast it and let it sit until the ripples settle. Slow steady retrieve from there. An occasional pause may help trigger bites, the fish will tell you. I get a number of strikes as soon as it hits the water, others when you start to move it and lots as it wobbles back.

[Avid Angler FL]

Do ya'll keep it near cover, in the shallows, or in open water?