Jerkbait Question

[Pilgrim]

In your opinion, what are some good jerkbaits and colors please for deep, clear, rocky lakes with little to no vegetation?

[roadwarrior]

Just one?

Okay, Lucky Craft Pointer 100SP MS American Shad

[Vinny Chase]

This is a very broad question.

It really depends on the time of the year and what species you are targeting, but hopefully this will help.

When I am targeting largies in colder water I like to throw a rogue jerkbait because it has a really wide gliding action to it. Depending on the water temps, I will let it sit for up to 30 seconds each pause to get those stubborn bass to commit. In the summer I am either throwing a pointer 78sp for the 1-6 ft range or deeper I go with a LC staysee which dives deeper and has a larger profile.

For smallies, I almost am always throwing a slender pointer - the erratic action is very unique and attracts for smallies for me than the original pointer series. When they are hitting it pretty good, I will size up to even as big as the 127 to try and get a larger bite.

Color comes down to confidence and water clarity. In dingier waters, pick a color that will stand out (i.e. Chartreuse shad, american shad, shell white, etc.) and in clear pick a more natural color (i.e. misty shad, ghost minnow, also american shad, etc.).

Make sure to have a variety of jerkbaits in different color, action, size, because you never fully know what they will hit on a paticular day.

[Pilgrim]

Thanks Roadwarrior... please list any y'all think would be good. I edited my post.

I'm going to fish some jerkbaits this spring. Never have used them before.

[Vinny Chase]

Thanks Roadwarrior... please list any y'all think would be good. I edited my post.

I'm going to fish some jerkbaits this spring. Never have used them before.

Again, this is very subjective that the answers are going to be all over the place, but if I had to choose one jerkbait in my box I would choose a LC 78sp in American shad.

[Dwight Hottle]

Lucky craft 100 deep diver in misty shad.

[Bluebasser86]

Any lucky craft jerkbait in a natural baitfish color. Solid patterns for cloudy days, translucent or flashy colors for sunny days. That's not always the rule but it will get you bit most days if they're eating a jerkbait.

[quanjig]

Pointer 100, ghost minnow

[Pilgrim]

Great replies everyone, thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[lmoore]

For smallies, I almost am always throwing a slender pointer - the erratic action is very unique and attracts for smallies for me than the original pointer series. When they are hitting it pretty good, I will size up to even as big as the 127 to try and get a larger bite.

Big KVD fan?

[smalljaw67]

I like the Pointer 100 DD for what you're facing and Ghost Minnow or any other baitfish patterns would be a good choice but if there are smallies then Nishikii which is Lucky Crafts version of clown. You don't need to get a LC bait though, they are expensive so not everyone will drop the 15 bucks for one but fear not, the Rapala X-Rap XR10 Deep Diver in Glass Ghost or Clown if smallies are present. I found that clown color works on smallies just about everywhere and for some reason they react to it differently than other colors so you need to have it.

[jchez444]

I was thinking the same question. I fish alot of clear rocky reservoirs and also have been looking into jerkbaits. I was going to try the Spro's mcstick and mcrip but with all the praises the LC pointer and staysee get i may have to spend the xtra bucks and try them. I looked into the xrap but hated that the smaller size one 3'25 is only 1/4oz, where the spros and LC's are 3/8oz.

[tkite16]

Megabass pro blue , megabass French pearl , lucky craft table rock shad

[Dave T.]

In your opinion, what are some good jerkbaits and colors please for deep, clear, rocky lakes with little to no vegetation?

You have to establish the type of forage the smallies in that lake focus on... at least during the time period you are fishing it. Is it mostly some specific minnow, bluegills, perch, or crayfish? Pick the colors accordingly.

Anyhow, if it were me, and I were going to that lake without knowing it, and could only take two (yes two - gotta have at least two), I would take a Pointer 78 (SP, DD, or XD - depending on how deep I wanted to fish) in Bloody Chartreuse Shad and Aurora Ghost Craw if it is as rocky as you say. I bet I would catch my share.

[Dwight Hottle]

I like the Pointer 100 DD for what you're facing and Ghost Minnow or any other baitfish patterns would be a good choice but if there are smallies then Nishikii which is Lucky Crafts version of clown. You don't need to get a LC bait though, they are expensive so not everyone will drop the 15 bucks for one but fear not, the Rapala X-Rap XR10 Deep Diver in Glass Ghost or Clown if smallies are present. I found that clown color works on smallies just about everywhere and for some reason they react to it differently than other colors so you need to have it.

Clowns are for circuses not bass fishing.

[aavery2]

LC 100SP in Aurora Black, or Ghost Minnow

[Crestliner2008]

Smallmouth - I like the X-Rap in olive back. Have caught a lot of quality smallies on this bad boy.

Largemouth - I prefer the largest Rogue in clown color.

If I'm fishing water containing either or, I'll also include a Husky Jerk or two. For some reason, when water contains both species, this bait is very productive. I've used the Pointers as well, but don't really see that they give me an advantage over the others mentioned. JMO!

[roadwarrior]

I like the Pointers for casting, consistency, perfect suspendition and the subtle vibration

when the bait is still.I still fish the X-Rap (XR08) when the fish are VERY active. Rapala

calls this series a "Slashbait", not a jerkbait. They do not suspend.

[Dave T.]

I like the Pointers for casting, consistency, perfect suspendition and the subtle vibration

when the bait is still.I still fish the X-Rap (XR08) when the fish are VERY active. Rapala

calls this series a "Slashbait", not a jerkbait. They do not suspend.

RW,

I'm sure you have the X-Rap confused with another lure. The X-Rap is a "suspending" lure. My son loves them, and fishes them in the river all the time. They do suspend petty nicely. I don't care for them as much because of how quickly the lips break. Hit a couple of rocks, and they are done. Cheaper in the long run for me to buy Pointers.

[roadwarrior]

Take a look at the video:

http://www.rapala.co...default,pd.html

_______________

Well, I just tested one in my pool. I think it can be said that

the X-Rap suspends although technically, it floats to the top.

The "float" is slow, so I will concede, it qualifies as suspending.

[Dave T.]

Well, I just tested one in my pool. I think it can be said that

the X-Rap suspends although technically, it floats to the top.

The "float" is slow, so I will concede, it qualifies as suspending.

Yep! My son and I are jerk-bait fishing fanatics. Not only have we found the obvious... that different types of lines (mono, fluoro, and braid) have an affect on the suspending properties, but even extreme differences in water temp can have an affect. A combination of extreme water temps and type of line can have a significant impact on a suspending lures ability to suspend.

[iceintheveins]

X - Rap or pointer.

[iceintheveins]

For colors, ghost minnow or ghost gill for the pointers, and olive shad, shad, or yellow perch for the X - Raps. If you need to get deeper, go with the staysee.