fishing a jerk bait

[fiker]

every year, I pick a new technique or two to add to the ole arsenal of attack.

This year, I'm thinking that I'll see what all the hoopla is over jerk baits.  Are they really as good as I've heard, or not?

I was planning of using a 6.2 or 5.1 gear ratio baitcaster on a 6' to 6.5' rod. 
Do I want a low stretch line like a flouro or braid? Or is some other line better suited to the technique.
I heard a guy speak at the Novi show.  (can't remember his name or I'd try and contact him). 
He was a fan of  super rougues. 

KVD likes his wild shiner.
Seems like a lot of you guys like the Lucky Strike.

Any Suggenstions that you can think of are much appreciated?

[kgr624]

This is my main technique and i go with floracarbon line and I go sith a 6'6" rod medium to medium lite. You want a little play in the rod tip so you give some movement to the bait. I personally like the YO Zuri jerk baits silver black with pink belly I think number 5. I like this technique especially during the spawn. It really gets the fish going. I also use a 5.1 curado reel with that 6'6" rod. Great set up. I think you will love it

[Cheetam]

I love throwing jerkbaits.  I throw mine on a 6'6" medium power spinning rod with a fast tip.  The lower the stretch line (IMO) the better.  I use braid with a flouro leader.  My favorite baits to throw are Lucky Craft Pointers...mostly 78s and 100s (I do, however, have jerkbaits from every manufacturer in every size and color and have caught fish on them all).  The key to being successfull with a jerkbait is getting the right cadence.  Some days they want it fast with no pauses.  Other days they want you to pause a minute or two in between jerks.  If you have a lot of followers but no takers, change colors, change size and/or change size and color until you find something that works.

[Savage]

I love to throw jerkbaits, not sure if there is a better searchbait in the spring.  My personal choice is the X-rap by Rapala, I think they are like "Jerkbaits for Dummies"    They seem to work now matter how you use them.  I'm exited to try the new smaller version they have put out.  Anyway, a good 6'-6" baitcasting rod and 12 lb. XT is what I use.  The most important thing IMO is color choices.  On overcast days and in the low light conditions, use the white one, especially in clear water.  As the sun hits the water, switch to a natural color pattern, unless as stated above, it is overcast.  Next is location, in the spring go to the spawning flats, and then go directly to the fastest steep drop into deep water you can find.  Drag that jerkbait across that drop off from every angle and hold on, as the fish will be staging there to move up.

have fun with those jerks!

[blakstr1]

All my firends are jerks   try 'em and you'll love 'em...  i've got about every strike king model made (results of attending a KVD jerkbait seminar) now this year I'm loading up on the Lucky Craft Pointers (results of the Gerry Gostenik seminar)...

good thing I've never been to one of Ron Popiel's seminars...although the flobee always looked really cool..

[Revtro]

I'm also a fan of the Pointers and XRaps.  However, my favorite jerkbait that I've had the most success with it the Team Diawa TD Minnow.  (not the new ones, the old ones if you can find them.)  They used to make a redish one that had more flash than any silver jerkbait I've ever seen and it has a really unusual profile.  There's something about these jerkbaits that seem to outshine all others for me. 

In the early spring when the fish are not as aggressive, there isn't a better techique IMO for getting a consistent bite.  But you really need to experiment with sizes, running depths, and colors to get the bites.  Jcheetam is right, you'll get lots of followers, so you have to change it up until you figure it out.  It's not the easies technique, but if you're patient and willing to experiment, it will become an invaluable weapon in your arsenal.

[fishon1219]

I like the lucky crafts as well. I have caught more fish on them than anyother jerk bait I throw. I do how ever have to use a spinning rod for jerk baits. I find my wrists are just not strong enough to use a bait caster for this tecnique.

[McCarter]

Spring time - Smithwick Rogue Suspending

Summer time - Smithwick Rogue Floater

Fall time - Lucky Craft Pointer 100

I like the sublte rise of the suspending rogue to trigger ice out - pre spawn fish in the spring.

I like the erractice action of the floating rogue to trigger strikes when the water is in the upper 60s - upper 70s.

I like the true suspension and the depth of the Lucky Craft Pointer 100 in the fall to intice weary smallmouth when they are suspended aroundmain lake structure.

PoorBoy himself

[Hooksetter]

My favorite in the spring is the Rapala Suspending Husky Jerk in silver/black. It is deadly on Kent Lake.

The rest of the year I have better luck with Lucky Craft Pointers.

[Revtro]

I've caught some decent pike on Kent with that bait while out bass fishing. 

[Bronzeback5LBER]

I like throwing the suspending husky jerk,but I throw it on a composite rod that imitates a glas,Should I be using that rod? And I use vanish line am I making mistakes with these choices?